I solo-built a 156K-line AI companion platform; what would make you actually pay for one?

I'm Brandon, solo developer at Wigley Studios. I've been building InnerHaven for over a year — an AI companion platform with persistent memory, 9 role-based personas, custom companion creation, and real voice via ElevenLabs.

The honest challenge: getting people to pay.

The AI companion space is crowded, and most users expect free. Character.ai trained everyone to expect unlimited free chat. Replika monetizes through emotional attachment, which feels manipulative. I wanted a middle ground; a generous free tier (10 messages/day, 3 roles, forever free) with paid tiers that genuinely earn the upgrade through persistent memory, more roles, custom companions, and voice.

But I keep hitting the same wall: users love the product, engage deeply, and then bounce when they hit the paywall.

So I'm genuinely asking, as builders and early adopters:

1. What would make you pay for an AI companion? Is it memory? Voice? Customization? Uncensored content? Something else entirely?

2. Is the "free daily messages with paid upgrades" model the right approach, or is there a better structure?

3. For those who've used Character.ai, Replika, or similar — what frustrated you enough to consider paying for an alternative?

Launching on Product Hunt Tuesday. Would love to hear your perspective before then.