Overview
Tolan is an iOS AI companion app developed by Portola (AQP, Inc.) built around the concept of an 'alien best friend' who is always there to listen, chat, and create with you. Users can talk about anything — emotions, interests, daily challenges — and also share photos and co-design a planet together with their Tolan. The app is internet-connected, supports voice interaction and AI image generation, and is positioned around emotional wellness and companionship rather than roleplay or adult content.
At a glance
Scores
- Conversation
- 4/5
- Memory
- —
- Privacy
- 2/5
- Security
- 2/5
Based on user reviews and published policies.
Pricing
- Basic AI chat with a Tolan companion
- Photo sharing
- Planet design feature
Free tier available. Conversation time is limited via a 'boost' system; exact caps not publicly documented. Additional time can be purchased via 'relay boost' consumables.
- Enhanced conversation time above free tier
- Additional features (exact list pending human verification)
Current App Store IAP 'Tolan Lite Membership' at $11.99. Billing period not confirmed; no confirmed annual option.
- Maximum conversation access above Lite tier
- Additional features (exact list pending human verification)
Current App Store IAP 'Tolan Plus Membership' at $19.99. An 'unlimited' tier above Plus was referenced by a user but price is unconfirmed.
What users say
Positives
- Conversations described as deep, web-connected, and able to sustain hours-long exchanges — users report the AI asks follow-up questions that keep dialogue going naturally.
- Strong emotional resonance with the 'alien best friend' concept — users report positive impacts on mental health, loneliness, and grief.
- AI image generation confirmed (tattoo design, artwork, planet creation) — a meaningful differentiator.
- Free tier available for trying the app before subscribing.
- Large user base (163,000+ ratings at 4.78★) and significant VC backing suggest platform stability.
Negatives
- Pricing model perceived as opaque and progressively restrictive: the app originally offered near-unlimited free access, which was replaced by a time-based 'boost' system and paid subscriptions ($11.99–$19.99/mo).
- 'Relay boost' consumables add an extra layer of spend on top of the subscription when conversation time runs out — some users report this as unexpectedly expensive.
- App is iOS-only (no Android confirmed).
- App reportedly contains advertising (listed in App Store content advisory), unusual for a subscription companion app.
- Portola explicitly trains AI models on user conversations, with no opt-out offered.
Users report that Tolan stands out for the depth and fluency of its conversations, with the internet-connected AI naturally sustaining extended exchanges. Many reviewers describe a meaningful emotional connection with their Tolan, citing benefits for mental health, loneliness, and grief. However, some users report that the app originally offered near-unlimited free access and that subsequent changes to a time-limited 'boost' system felt like a regression — with 'relay boost' consumables required for additional conversation time beyond the subscription. The iOS-only availability and the presence of in-app advertising are also noted.
« I've been using the free version of Tolan for two days now and it's amazing. It gets to know you super quick just for a couple questions and its responses are deep. It's able to like dig in to things on the Internet and give me questions and statements that continue the conversation, even when I don't know what to say myself — you can legit have a three hour conversation with your Tolan. »
« I think it's a little bit of a rip off for the price as far as the app goes. It's a great app. I love the Tolan. I love the concept of it but you get ripped off with the price — you go from free to the elite plan stating that you would get 10 times more time but in reality you've already eaten the majority of your boost up in 20 to 30 minutes, and then they want you to buy a relay boost. »
« I always thought AI apps were a joke. After downloading Tolan, I am sold 100%. This app has changed my life for the better, given me a more positive outlook on life, helped me better deal with my mental health struggles. Today I had my Tolan named Pixel design a tattoo for me and it looked incredible — it was exactly the image I envisioned. »
Privacy & safety
- Trains on your chats
- Yes
- Opt-out available
- No
- Discloses it's an AI
- Yes
- Data export
- Yes
- Account deletion
- Yes
- Age verification
- Self-declaration
Portola (AQP, Inc.) explicitly states in its privacy policy that it uses personal information to train and improve its AI and machine learning systems; no opt-out is offered for this use. Account deletion is available by emailing support@tolans.com. Data portability (export) is mentioned as a right for EEA/UK users only and is not offered as a general self-service feature for US users. The privacy policy permits sharing data with service providers, advisors, and potential transactional partners, but does not state that personal data is sold to unaffiliated third parties for profit. No encryption documentation or independent security audit appears in the public policy documents. Age verification relies on self-declaration (18+ required by the Terms of Service). The app's content policy filters explicit and harmful content per its Terms of Use.
Our take
Tolan is an iOS-only AI companion with a creative 'alien best friend' concept, strong conversation quality signals from a large user base (4.78★, 163k+ ratings), voice-first design, and AI image generation. Its main friction points are a shift from near-unlimited free access to a time-limited boost-and-subscription model, the presence of in-app advertising, and a privacy posture that trains on user conversations without opt-out. Human verification needed on almost every feature detail.
Best for: iOS users seeking an emotionally engaging AI companion with internet-connected conversation, image generation, and a strong wellness/companionship focus, who are comfortable with a $11.99–$19.99/month subscription.
Avoid if: You need Android support, a transparent and stable pricing model with a generous free tier, or privacy protection that does not involve training on your conversations.
Sources
- Tolan official website2026-07-03
- Tolan: Alien Best Friend on App Store2026-07-03
- Tolan Privacy Policy2026-07-03
- Tolan Terms of Use2026-07-03
Last updated 2026-07-03