Run AI locally or use a hosted service? Both have tradeoffs for roleplay.
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Cloud (Candy AI, CrushOn, etc.)
✅ Zero setup, works instantly. ✅ No hardware needed. ❌ Monthly fees. ❌ Data on someone else’s servers. For more, see candy ai roleplay review —.
Self-Hosted (SillyTavern + local model)
✅ Complete privacy. ✅ No monthly fees after setup. ✅ Unlimited customization. ❌ Needs decent GPU. ❌ Technical setup. ❌ Quality depends on your hardware. For more, see best ai chatbot roleplay platforms.
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Recommendation
Most users: start with cloud platforms. Power users with GPUs: try SillyTavern.
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