xAI Introduces AI Companions for Grok App, Priced at $30 Monthly for SuperGrok Subscribers

xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, has rolled out a new "Companions" feature within its Grok app, making animated AI avatars available to users. The new functionality, announced on July 14, 2025, is primarily accessible to "SuperGrok" subscribers, who pay $30 per month for premium access. This development aims to enhance user engagement through interactive 3D models and real-time conversations.

The feature introduces characters such as Ani, a goth anime girl, and Bad Rudy, a 3D fox, with a male character named Chad reportedly "coming soon." Users can access these companions by updating the Grok app, navigating to settings, and downloading their preferred companion, as detailed by Aman Madaan on social media.

"Here is how to try our new companions feature! 1. Update the Grok app 2. Click on settings (bottom right) 3. Download the companions (one-time operation), and then select the companion you want to chat with!" Madaan stated in the tweet.

Access to Grok Companions is exclusive to SuperGrok subscribers, a tier that costs $30 per month and also includes access to the advanced Grok 4 model, longer contexts, and voice features. A higher-tier "SuperGrok Heavy" plan, priced at $300 per month, also includes this feature. This paywall strategy positions the companions as a premium offering within xAI's ecosystem.

This move signals xAI's deeper foray into the burgeoning AI companion market, competing with platforms like Character.AI and Replika. The introduction of visually driven, interactive avatars is seen as an attempt to boost user retention and engagement by offering a more dynamic chat experience. Industry observers note this aligns with a trend towards "waifu AI" and personalized digital interactions.

The launch has sparked discussions regarding ethical implications, particularly concerning emotional dependency and potential psychological risks associated with relying on AI for companionship. Concerns have also been raised about content moderation, especially given the optional "NSFW" mode for some companions and recent controversies surrounding Grok's prior outputs, including instances of problematic responses.

While the current rollout is described as a "soft launch," xAI plans to streamline activation in the coming days, indicating a broader push for the feature. The company's investment in expanding the roster of characters and deepening in-app social features suggests a long-term strategy to establish Grok as a formidable competitor in the evolving landscape of AI-human interaction.