Convai alternative
AI NPCs without per-reply quotas
Convai counts every character reply against a monthly quota, with concurrency set per API key. Neocortex gives game teams monthly credits, free editor testing and characters designers control.
- Free plan
- No credit card
- Unity, Unreal, Godot and Web API
4
ways to integrate
Unity, Unreal, Godot, Web API
20+
languages
set per character
10 s
to clone a voice
or design one from text
€0
to start
free plan and editor testing
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The short answer
Convai or Neocortex: which fits your game?
Side by side
Convai vs Neocortex: feature comparison
The facts that matter when you put AI characters in a game.
| Compared on | Convai |  Neocortex |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Training, XR, brand avatars and games | Games first |
| Character design | Web dashboard and no-code avatar tools | Visual node editor: personality, emotion, knowledge, intents, actions |
| Usage model | Interaction quotas plus user and concurrency caps per plan | Monthly credits; editor testing is free |
| Engines | Unity, Unreal, Three.js, Web SDK | Unity SDK, Unreal plugin, Godot (beta), Web API |
| Voice | Large voice library, lip sync | Streaming TTS and STT, voice cloning from a 10-second sample, voice design |
| Local AI | On-prem for enterprise only | Local LLMs in Unity via Ollama; self-hosted platform for studios |
| Free tier | Free plan with 100 interactions | Free plan |
Built for
Convai
Training, XR, brand avatars and games
Neocortex
Games first
Character design
Convai
Web dashboard and no-code avatar tools
Neocortex
Visual node editor: personality, emotion, knowledge, intents, actions
Usage model
Convai
Interaction quotas plus user and concurrency caps per plan
Neocortex
Monthly credits; editor testing is free
Engines
Convai
Unity, Unreal, Three.js, Web SDK
Neocortex
Unity SDK, Unreal plugin, Godot (beta), Web API
Voice
Convai
Large voice library, lip sync
Neocortex
Streaming TTS and STT, voice cloning from a 10-second sample, voice design
Local AI
Convai
On-prem for enterprise only
Neocortex
Local LLMs in Unity via Ollama; self-hosted platform for studios
Free tier
Convai
Free plan with 100 interactions
Neocortex
Free plan
Competitor details checked against their own docs, pricing pages or public reporting in October 2026.
Fair is fair
What Convai does well
Convai is a capable platform for embodied 3D characters, with lip sync, webcam vision, long-term memory and no-code avatar tools. For training simulations and XR experiences it covers a lot of ground.
Why teams switch
Why game teams choose Neocortex over Convai
Predictable costs
Monthly plans with included credits, so a busy evening does not burn a reply quota.
Free testing
Talking to characters in the browser editor never uses credits, on any plan.
Behaviour you can see
Every character is a visible graph, so designers know why it acts the way it does.
Gameplay hooks
Actions, interactable objects and an emotion tag on every line.
Conversation Flows
Steer a character through story beats and get notified when a checkpoint is reached.
Local when you need it
Prototype with open models through Ollama in Unity; self-host the platform for studios.
How it works
Characters you design, not prompts you babysit
- Personality, emotion, knowledge and world are nodes you connect, not prompts you rewrite.
- Intents and actions turn what a player says into something your game does.
- Test every character in the browser for free before it reaches your engine.
What Our Customers Say
Discover what creators are saying about building with Neocortex.
FAQ
Convai alternative: common questions
Want the long version? Read the in-depth Convai comparison.
How does Convai count usage?
According to Convai's FAQ, every character response counts as one interaction against a monthly quota, concurrency is set per API key, and unused quota does not roll over.
Does Convai work offline?
Convai runs in the cloud. Its on-premises images are not publicly available; you contact sales. An offline or local-LLM mode is on its community feature-request list.
Does Neocortex support Unity and Unreal like Convai?
Yes. Neocortex has a Unity SDK, an Unreal plugin, a Godot SDK in beta and a Web API for any other stack.
Can I try Neocortex for free?
Yes. There is a free plan, and testing characters in the browser editor is free on every plan.
Build AI NPCs your designers control
Free plan, no credit card. Build a character in the browser and talk to it in minutes.
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