Janitor AI

Janitor AI, launched June 2023 by Jan Zoltkowski, takes a unique approach to AI companionship — rather than hosting its own AI models, it connects to external LLMs (OpenAI, Claude, etc.) via API configuration. This means the quality of conversation depends on which model users connect, but it also means access to the most powerful AI models available.

The platform focuses on character roleplay with customizable scenarios, personality selection, and sample dialogues. Users create immersive story worlds and interact with characters in detailed narrative settings. The minimal content moderation appeals to users frustrated by filters on mainstream platforms, though this comes with trade-offs in safety and data protection.

Janitor AI is free to use with premium features available, though users need to bring their own API keys for external LLM access. The platform is web-based only. With 1M+ users, it has grown rapidly in the roleplay community. The lack of GDPR/SOC2 compliance and limited privacy policies are significant caveats. Best for technically comfortable users who want unrestricted roleplay and are willing to manage their own API connections.