Pi AI Alternatives: What Happened to Pi?
And where Stella fits
Updated
Pi hasn't shut down: it's still on the US App Store as of October 2026, though in 2024 its maker, Inflection AI, said it was bringing its technology to organizations. Stella is your emotional wellness AI.
Stella is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care.
At a glance
Stella
Your emotional wellness AI. Tell Stella what happened, or what you keep putting off, by voice or text.
$9.99 a month or $59.99 a year (US)
Pi AI
A "personal intelligence partner," in its own words.
$0.00 on its US App Store listing (as of October 2026)
What happened to Pi AI?
Pi hasn't shut down. It's still on the US App Store as of October 2026 and was updated that month. What changed is its maker's focus: in 2024, Inflection AI said it was bringing its technology to organizations. Pi, in three dates:
- March 2023: Inflection AI launched Pi, saying it can be a coach, confidante, creative partner or sounding board.
- May 2024: Inflection AI said a new leadership team had joined and that it was starting a new chapter.
- August 2024: Inflection AI described Pi as a personal AI that is empathetic, helpful and safe.
What is Pi AI?
Pi is an AI app that calls itself your "personal intelligence partner." Its US App Store listing says Pi can help you talk through a difficult topic, learn, plan and brainstorm. Inflection AI has also described it as a coach, confidante, creative partner or sounding board.
How much does Pi cost?
Pi costs nothing to download. Its US App Store listing shows a price of $0.00 and no in-app purchases as of October 2026, so check the listing for what it shows today. The chart below sets that next to ChatGPT Plus and Stella.
The key difference
The difference is the job each one says it does. Pi's US App Store listing calls it a "personal intelligence partner" for talking through a difficult topic, learning, planning and brainstorming.
Stella is built for talking something through. Tell Stella what happened, or what you keep putting off, by voice or text. She keeps what you've told her in mind, tells you straight but kindly, and helps you find the words or choose a small step when you're ready.
A friend to figure it out with.
When to choose each
I want one app for talking, learning and planning
Pi (fits better)
Its US App Store listing describes all of those.
Stella
Not built for research or everyday questions.
Something happened and I want to say it out loud
Stella (fits better)
By voice or text, even the part you're still figuring out.
Pi
Its listing says it can help you talk through a difficult topic, too.
I'm in crisis
Stella
Stella is not a crisis service. If you're in danger, call or text 988 in the US, or your local emergency number.
Not sure which to pick? Get a second take by text
Pi vs ChatGPT vs Stella, feature by feature
| Feature | Stella | Pi | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|---|
| In its own words | Your emotional wellness AI | A "personal intelligence partner" | Advanced Voice Mode for a "real-time convo" |
| In its maker's words | A friend to figure it out with | Coach, confidante, creative partner, sounding board | Wants you to leave "having done what you came for" |
| Talking something through | What she's built for (fits better) | Yes, alongside learning, planning, brainstorming | Open it and say what's on your mind |
| Price | $9.99/month or $59.99/year (US) | Costs nothing to download, no in-app purchases listed | Plus $20/month, billed monthly |
| Yearly plan | Yes, $59.99/year | No in-app plans listed | No annual billing for Plus |
Pi AI alternatives
These are the apps people look at instead of Pi, each described the way it describes itself.
Stella
Your emotional wellness AI, by voice or text. In the US, $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
Compare: Venting to ChatGPTChatGPT
Offers an Advanced Voice Mode, per its US App Store listing. OpenAI says Plus costs $20 per month (as of October 2026).
Compare: Replika alternativesReplika
Calls itself an AI companion, by text, voice calls and video. In-app purchases run from $0.99 to $89.99 (as of October 2026).
Compare: Stella vs. Ash AIAsh
Calls itself "AI for Mental Health," by voice or text. Its about page says Ash is not designed for use in a crisis.
Compare: Wysa app cost and apps like WysaWysa
Calls itself an "emotionally intelligent chatbot." In-app purchases run from $4.99 to $144.99 (as of October 2026).
The honest take
Pi suits you if you want one app for many kinds of conversation: its listing describes talking through a difficult topic, learning, planning and brainstorming, and it costs nothing to download.
Stella is for adults who want to talk something through, by voice or text. She is not built for research or everyday questions. Stella is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care. You can use both.
How we made this comparison
StellaLabs makes Stella. Every statement here about another app comes from that company's own App Store listing, website or help pages (or an archived copy), or a regulator's public release, or, where the page says so, Apple's search results or whether a site loads, as of . Prices change, so check the listing before you buy; we did not test the other apps.
Sources (10)
- Pi, US App Store listing (opens in a new tab)
- Inflection AI launch post (March 2023) (opens in a new tab)
- Inflection AI post on its new leadership and direction (May 2024) (opens in a new tab)
- Inflection AI post on the future of Pi (August 2024) (opens in a new tab)
- ChatGPT, US App Store listing (opens in a new tab)
- OpenAI ChatGPT Plus help article (via Internet Archive) (opens in a new tab)
- Replika, US App Store listing (opens in a new tab)
- Ash, US App Store listing (opens in a new tab)
- Ash about page (opens in a new tab)
- Wysa, US App Store listing (opens in a new tab)
Questions about Pi AI and its alternatives
What happened to Pi AI?
Pi hasn't shut down. It's still on the US App Store as of October 2026 and was updated that month. What changed is its maker: in May 2024, Inflection AI said a new leadership team had joined and that it was starting a new chapter, bringing its technology to organizations.
Is Pi AI still available?
Yes. As of October 2026, Pi is on the US App Store and it was updated that month. That shows the app is still offered in the US store.
Who makes Pi?
Inflection AI makes Pi, according to its US App Store listing. Inflection AI's own blog posts from 2023 and 2024 describe what Pi is for.
How much does Pi cost?
Pi costs nothing to download. Its US App Store listing shows a price of $0.00 and no in-app purchases as of October 2026. Check the listing for what it shows today.
What is a good alternative to Pi AI?
It depends on what you want from it. According to their US App Store listings, ChatGPT offers an Advanced Voice Mode, Replika calls itself an AI companion and Wysa an "emotionally intelligent chatbot." Stella is your emotional wellness AI, by voice or text.
What is Stella?
Stella is your emotional wellness AI. Tell Stella what happened, or what you keep putting off, by voice or text. She keeps what you've told her in mind, tells you straight but kindly, and helps you find the words or choose a small step when you're ready. No streaks, nothing to log.
How much does Stella cost?
In the US, Stella is $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. The App Store shows your local price and renewal terms before you buy.
Is Stella therapy?
No. Stella is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care.
Tell Stella what happened.
Even the part you're still figuring out. Download the app or send her a text. The app is free to download; a subscription is required to keep using it.
Stella is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care.
Keep comparing
Other tools people weigh against Stella when they are deciding the same thing.
- Venting to ChatGPTWhat ChatGPT offers and what it costs as of Oct 2026, per its US App Store listing and OpenAI's help pages, and where Stella fits for talking it through.
- Replika alternativesReplika's US App Store prices as of Oct 2026, and apps like Replika. Stella is for adults, not for romance or roleplay.
- Stella vs. Ash AIAsh calls itself "AI for Mental Health". Who makes the Ash app, what its in-app purchases cost as of Oct 2026, and how it compares with Stella.
- AI journal apps comparedAI journal apps compared from their own US pages: Rosebud, Mindsera, Reflectly and Day One, and when to talk it through instead.
Read next
Two situations people bring to Stella, written up in full.