How much do AI apps cost, and do you need a subscription?
Many AI apps charge a monthly or yearly subscription, and some charge a one-time fee. The price depends on what the app does. Elsy is a subscription: what you pay depends on whether you have Elsy yourself or a family member sets Elsy up for you, and you see the price in the app before you pay. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone.
AI apps can do a lot, but what do they actually cost? Here's how they're usually priced, and what to check before you subscribe.
How AI apps are priced
What an AI app costs depends on what it does and how much you get out of it. Some apps charge a one-time fee. Others are a subscription you pay regularly to keep using the app and to get updates and support.
Subscription or one-time payment?
Many AI apps are subscriptions, so you keep getting new features and updates for as long as you pay. Some people prefer a one-time fee, especially if the app does just as much without a recurring charge. A purchase inside an app can also be a subscription that renews until you cancel it. Apple, for example, advises canceling a trial at least 24 hours before it ends if you don't want it to renew.
Why choose an AI companion like Elsy?
Elsy is made to help older adults with their day. She can set reminders, keep track of your medicines and write down the stories of your life. An AI companion can take some of the stress out of keeping track of daily tasks, because she remembers the details you tell her.
What Elsy can do
Elsy can help with reminders for appointments and medicines. If you turn on Sync with calendar, she can see the appointments in your phone's calendar, and her reminders show up there too. When you tell her about your life, she writes the story up afterward with your own words as quotes, and you can send it to your family whenever you like. She can also look things up online, like the weather forecast or a recipe.
Why a subscription can be worth it
A subscription can be good value, because it often includes ongoing support, security updates and new features as the technology improves. You pay a set price each month, and improvements to the app usually come at no extra charge.
What AI apps typically cost
Prices vary with the features and the country, and many services let you choose between monthly and yearly plans.
With Elsy, the price depends on who holds the subscription. If you subscribe yourself, you pay for your own Elsy. If someone in your family sets Elsy up for you, they pay for one family subscription, and you pay nothing. There's no charge per conversation or per minute, and you see the price in the app before you pay. See also what a reminder service costs.
What to look for in an AI app
Look beyond the price. Check that the app does what you need, that it's easy for you to use, and how safely it stores your personal information.
Also check the monthly price and how to cancel. The US Federal Trade Commission advises reading the terms before you sign up: what you're agreeing to, how long any free trial lasts, and how and when to cancel. And as Apple points out, deleting an app doesn't automatically cancel a subscription you bought in it, so cancel first. Get more advice on how to choose an AI app you can trust.
“But it also has to be someone you trust. And you're happy with the answers you get, because they're real answers.”
Helge, 72, talks with Elsy (translated from Danish)
Data security and privacy
Make sure the app follows the rules on data security and privacy. With Elsy, your conversations are recorded and stored securely so Elsy can remember what you tell her, and your stored information is kept in the EU. What you say is processed by AI services in the United States so Elsy can hear you, answer and remember. We never sell your personal data, and we don't use it to train general AI models. Read more in our privacy policy.
How to get started with Elsy
Download Elsy from the App Store or Google Play, open the app and tap Talk to Elsy. See how Elsy works step by step.
Free trial
You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone. If you want to keep going afterward, you see the price in the app before you pay, and the subscription renews until you cancel it under Subscription in Settings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an AI app usually cost?
It depends on the features and the kind of subscription. Often you pay monthly or yearly to use all the features.
Do all AI apps need a subscription?
No. Many AI apps are subscriptions, but some charge a one-time fee instead. It depends on what the app does and what you need.
How do AI apps protect my data?
They should follow the rules on data security and privacy. With Elsy, your stored information is kept in the EU, and what you say is processed by AI services in the United States so Elsy can hear you, answer and remember. We never sell your data, and we don't use it to train general AI models.
How does Elsy help with life stories?
Elsy listens to your stories and writes them down as life stories, with your own words as quotes. You can send a story to your family whenever you like, so your stories can be passed on.
This is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk to a doctor about yours.