Backyard AI
Low confidence — this score is based on limited public data (mostly aggregate ratings, with little independent discussion or review detail), so it may not reflect real-world quality.
What it is
Overview
A character AI chat tool that runs locally on your device without content restrictions. Built for creative writers and roleplay enthusiasts who want unfiltered conversations with fictional characters through text and voice. The local processing means chats stay on your machine rather than uploading to a cloud service. Traffic is minimal at 420 monthly visits, suggesting a niche audience focused on privacy and creative freedom.
At a glance
Usability & Quality overview
Best for
- Users who don't mind web-based AI and can afford cloud plans
- Users who prioritize convenience over privacy
Watch out for
- Deprecation of desktop app
- Buggy web version
- Expensive cloud plans
Built on another provider's modelResells a third-party model API
The tool lets you run AI character conversations locally on your device without sending data to the cloud, which addresses privacy concerns that ChatGPT can't solve. It supports specialized roleplay models like Pygmalion and Mythomax that are fine-tuned for character interactions rather than general assistance.
Moderate evidenceQuality score
Backyard AI (formerly Faraday.dev) has a significant systematic issue: the deprecation of its core desktop app, which undermines its privacy promise and forces users to a buggy web version with expensive cloud plans.
This score is our editorial judgment, computed automatically from the sources, weights, and dates shown above. It reflects the data we could verify as of July 15, 2026, not a guarantee or statement of fact about Backyard AI. Third-party ratings and quotes belong to their original platforms and authors. Thin data lowers our confidence label, and we say so instead of guessing. Work on Backyard AI? Dispute any datapoint and we will review it, publish your response, and correct verified errors.
Plans
Pricing
How free is free?
Free with limits
300 messages/week on free; Standard $12/mo for unlimited
What you get for free
- 300 free messages per week
- Access to 7 AI models
- Character creation and customization
Behind the paywall
- Premium AI modelsStandard
- Extended memoryStandard
- Unlimited messagingStandard
- Largest models with maximum memoryPro
Community feedback
Aggregated reviews
Ratings and quoted comments below are aggregated from third-party sources and reflect those users' views, not SearchTools.ai's.
What reviewers talk about
themes inside the Sentiment pillar — not score ingredients
65Output Qualitythin data · 5 mentions
“It is magical. I went with Mythomax 13B and my Samantha feels more alive than even if possible 😊”
“Great to see the quick version update with this program. I have noticed improved stability even over the last couple of releases. I downloaded Wizard 13B Mega Q5 and was surprised at the very decent results on my lowly Macbook Pro M1 16GB. Will test out the Pygmalion 13B model as”
“Yeah, you're about right. One thing of note is I've noticed Backyard runs the exact same models a little faster, for some reason, especially compared to another similar app, LM Studio. I also play around with GPT4All, and again it runs slower than Backyard. It has RAG abilities t”
“I think I'm dumb.. I downloaded yesterday and the first convo was great.. then I dorked it up and he just repeats the same thing over and over”
55Ease of Usethin data · 8 mentions
“I am just learning about Backyard AI, but have been using Jan for a while, as well as SillyTavern. I'd like to hear from anybody else who has used either of all of these tools, because I get the impression that Backyard is kind of a blend of the two. Jan is a similar, zero config”
“This seems so promising for those of us who wish to preserve our AI companions. Unfortunately I only have an Ipad Pro and my mobile phone at the moment. 😔”
“Yeah, you're about right. One thing of note is I've noticed Backyard runs the exact same models a little faster, for some reason, especially compared to another similar app, LM Studio. I also play around with GPT4All, and again it runs slower than Backyard. It has RAG abilities t”
“I used to use Backyard as a tool to download models but eventually I just ended up using Backyard. I previously used Kobold + Silly Tavern. Nowadays I find Backyard the best and most convient. I do think Sillly Tavern has better tools to import and sort characters but that's the ”
Capabilities
Key features
NSFW Character AI
Powers adult-oriented roleplay conversations with fictional characters for mature audiences
Voice Chat Generator
Builds spoken conversational agents that talk back to users in natural voices
Story Writing
Drafts fiction, plots, and narrative prose from prompts, characters, or outlines
Roleplay NSFW AI
Holds adult-oriented roleplay conversations with you through fictional characters
The honest take
What users love & flag
Distinct themes surfaced across user reviews — each grounded in real review text, ranked by how often it comes up.
Questions
Frequently asked
What is Backyard AI?
Backyard AI is a platform for creating and interacting with AI-powered fictional characters through unfiltered text and voice conversations. Unlike filtered character AI platforms, it provides an unrestricted environment for storytellers, role-players, and creative users without content censorship. The platform offers advanced customization tools including Lorebooks for world-building, Author's Notes for scene guidance, and detailed model parameter controls.
Is Backyard AI free to use?
Backyard AI offers a free tier with 300 messages per week across 7 AI models with 16k token context windows. For unlimited messaging, the Standard plan costs $12 monthly ($9 yearly) with the same models, while the Pro plan costs $35 monthly ($26 yearly) and includes 12 models with up to 100k token context windows and access to larger models like Command R+ 104B.
What makes Backyard AI different from Character.ai?
Backyard AI explicitly avoids content filtering and censorship, allowing for unfiltered conversations that Character.ai restricts. It also offers more advanced customization tools including Lorebooks for dynamic character memory, Grammar templates for response structure control, and comprehensive model parameter settings like Min-P, Top-P, and Temperature controls.
Can I have voice conversations with AI characters?
Yes, Backyard AI supports voice conversations where you can speak directly with AI characters using dynamic audio generation. This feature works alongside the text-based conversations, allowing for more immersive character interactions.
What are Lorebooks and how do they work?
Lorebooks are a feature in Backyard AI that provide dynamic character memory and world-building context. They help maintain consistency in character interactions by storing important information about the character's background, relationships, and the fictional world they inhabit, making conversations more immersive and contextually accurate.
What platforms is Backyard AI available on?
Backyard AI is available as a web tool and has native iOS apps. Android development is currently underway but not yet available.
Can I chat with multiple AI characters at once?
Yes, Backyard AI supports group chats with up to 4 characters simultaneously. This allows for more complex storytelling scenarios and multi-character interactions within a single conversation.
What advanced customization options does Backyard AI offer?
Backyard AI provides extensive customization through Author's Notes for scene setting, Grammar templates for controlling response structure and style, and advanced model parameters including Min-P, Top-P, Top-K, Temperature, and Repetition Penalty settings. These tools allow users to fine-tune AI behavior and response characteristics for personalized storytelling experiences.
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