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Choosing the Right Subscription Tier for Your Needs
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Choosing the Right Subscription Tier for Your Needs

An honest comparison of Starter, Core, Plus, and Premium plans to help you find the right fit.

T
The ProCuddleTherapy Team
January 14, 2026
8 min read

Key Takeaways

  • •Starter ($39): Daily audio only—good for sleep support without live interaction
  • •Core ($79): Audio + weekly live sessions—best for community + companionship
  • •Plus ($119): Audio + live + AI chat + 5 messages—for direct interaction needs
  • •Premium ($249): Everything unlimited + voice messages—maximum personalization

Virtual companionship works best when matched to your actual needs. Too little access leaves you wanting more; too much can feel overwhelming or wasteful. This guide helps you find the tier that fits where you are right now—with the flexibility to change as your needs evolve.

The Four Tiers at a Glance

FeatureStarter
$39/mo
Core
$79/mo
Plus
$119/mo
Premium
$249/mo
Daily Audio Recordings✓✓✓✓
Weekly Live Sessions—✓✓✓
AI Chat Support——✓✓
Companion Messages——5/monthUnlimited
Personalized Voice Messages———✓

Starter: The Audio Foundation

$39/month

What You Get

Access to your companion's complete library of daily wind-down audio recordings. New content is added regularly, and you can browse recordings themed around different moods: anxious, lonely, restless, sad, stressed.

Who It's For

  • People who primarily need help with sleep transition
  • Introverts who prefer audio over live interaction
  • Those testing whether virtual companionship works for them
  • Budget-conscious subscribers who want the core benefit

Who Should Consider Upgrading

If after a few weeks you find yourself wanting more connection—feeling like audio alone isn't addressing your loneliness—Core's live sessions may serve you better.

Starter Is Enough If...

Your main goal is establishing a consistent wind-down routine and you don't feel the need for live interaction or direct messaging. Many people are perfectly satisfied with Starter long-term.

Core: Adding Community

$79/month

What You Get

Everything in Starter, plus weekly live group wind-down sessions (typically 30-60 minutes). Sessions include guided breathing, gentle conversation, and shared relaxation with other subscribers.

Who It's For

  • People who feel isolated and want shared experience
  • Those who benefit from scheduled connection points
  • Subscribers who want to feel part of a community
  • Anyone curious about live interaction with their companion

The Community Factor

Live sessions aren't just about your companion—they're about being with others. There's something uniquely comforting about knowing you're not alone in needing this support. Many subscribers cite live sessions as the most valuable feature.

Who Should Consider Upgrading

If you find yourself wanting to reach out to your companion between sessions—to share something that happened, ask questions, or just chat—Plus provides that direct connection.

Plus: Direct Connection

$119/month

What You Get

Everything in Core, plus:

  • AI chat: Available 24/7 for immediate support
  • 5 companion messages/month: Direct text communication with your human companion

Who It's For

  • People who want occasional direct interaction
  • Those who need support outside of scheduled sessions
  • Subscribers who value the ability to reach out when needed
  • Anyone who finds AI chat helpful for immediate moments

How AI Chat Works

AI chat provides instant responses when your companion isn't available. It's trained to provide warm, supportive interaction. For more complex needs, you can use your companion message allowance to reach your human companion directly.

Who Should Consider Upgrading

If 5 messages/month feels limiting—if you regularly wish you could write more—Premium's unlimited messaging might be worth it.

Premium: Maximum Connection

$249/month

What You Get

Everything in Plus, with:

  • Unlimited companion messages: Message as often as you want
  • Personalized voice messages: Request custom recordings for special occasions or specific needs

Who It's For

  • People experiencing significant loneliness who want maximum support
  • Those who value personalized content created specifically for them
  • Subscribers who want the closest possible connection
  • Anyone going through a particularly difficult period

Personalized Voice Messages

This is the standout Premium feature. You can request recordings for:

  • Particularly hard days or anniversaries
  • Custom wind-down themes
  • Encouragement for specific challenges
  • Birthday or holiday messages

Hearing content created specifically for you—using your name, referencing your situation—creates a uniquely powerful connection.

How to Decide

Start with These Questions

  1. What's your primary need?
    • Sleep support → Starter may suffice
    • Loneliness/connection → Core or higher
  2. Do you value live interaction?
    • No → Starter
    • Yes → Core or higher
  3. Do you want to message your companion?
    • No → Core or below
    • Occasionally → Plus
    • Frequently → Premium
  4. What's your budget?
    • Limited → Starter
    • Moderate → Core
    • Flexible → Plus or Premium

Our Recommendation

If unsure, start with Core. It provides the full companionship experience—audio plus live sessions—at a reasonable price. You can always upgrade if you want more direct interaction, or downgrade to Starter if you find live sessions aren't important to you.

Changing Tiers

Your needs may change over time. Flexibility is built in:

  • Upgrade anytime: Prorated billing applies
  • Downgrade anytime: Takes effect at next billing cycle
  • No contracts: Monthly billing, cancel whenever
  • Pause option: Temporarily suspend if needed

Many subscribers start at one tier and adjust based on experience. There's no penalty for changing.

Conclusion

The right tier is the one that meets your actual needs without overextending your budget. Be honest about what you're looking for:

  • Starter: Pure audio support for sleep
  • Core: Audio + community through live sessions
  • Plus: Core + occasional direct interaction
  • Premium: Maximum connection and personalization

Start where you are, and adjust as you learn what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try a higher tier temporarily?

Yes. You can upgrade for a month to try features like live sessions or messaging, then downgrade if they're not valuable to you. Many people do this to explore before committing.

What happens to unused messages in Plus tier?

Messages don't roll over month to month. If you regularly don't use all 5, Starter or Core might be sufficient. If you always run out, consider Premium.

Do companions respond quickly to messages?

Companions commit to responding within 24-48 hours. For immediate support, Plus and Premium tiers include AI chat that responds instantly. Premium's unlimited messaging doesn't mean instant replies.

Is Premium worth 6x the cost of Starter?

It depends on your needs. For people who heavily use messaging and personalized content, Premium is valuable. For those who mainly need audio, Starter is sufficient. There's no objectively "best" tier—only what's best for you.

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T

About The ProCuddleTherapy Team

Helping people sleep better and feel less alone through virtual companionship.

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