A different avatar engine.
Zigg.ai is built on Anam's CARA real-time model - benchmark-leading realism with ~180ms model latency and sub-second conversational response.
Ailias Alternative
Looking at Ailias? Here's how Zigg.ai compares.
Ailias is a capable UK provider of conversational AI holograms. If you're weighing options, here's an honest look at where Zigg.ai takes a different approach - on technology, commercials and flexibility.
What Ailias does
A capable holographic-display peer.
Ailias builds life-size, conversational AI holograms - historical figures, brand ambassadors and custom characters - for events, retail, museums and corporate spaces, displayed in large-format and desktop holobox units. Its conversational layer is publicly described as powered by HeyGen, and it's offered through rental and purchase/subscription models. It's a strong fit for organisations wanting a premium, full-body holographic presence - particularly around public-domain historical figures.
This is a fair, factual comparison of two different approaches - not a criticism of Ailias.
The differences
Where Zigg.ai is different.
All-in annual leasing.
One transparent annual lease (from £48,000/year) covers hardware, software, setup, support and maintenance - rather than separate rental, purchase or subscription routes.
No idle billing.
Proximity-triggered sessions mean the avatar only runs (and only costs) when a visitor is present - the unit sits on a free local idle loop the rest of the time.
Persona swaps in seconds.
Change the character on the same hardware, at no cost to switch - with unlimited swaps on higher tiers.
Risk-free paid pilots.
Start from £10,000, credited back (50–100%) against a lease signed within 30 days - built for slow procurement cycles.
Fast deployment.
As little as 24–72 hours when a unit and character are in stock.
Side by side
The honest comparison.
Where a cell is marked TODO, we've avoided stating anything we can't confirm from public sources. Updated once confirmed.
| Zigg.ai | Ailias | |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar engine | Anam (CARA real-time model) | Publicly described as HeyGen |
| Interaction | Real-time conversation | Real-time conversation |
| Commercial model | All-in annual lease (from £48k/yr) | Rental and purchase / subscription |
| Idle-cost control | Proximity-triggered; free idle loop | TODO · verify |
| Persona swaps | <1 hour, £0 to change, unlimited on Premium | Character creation / licensed library |
| Risk-free pilot | Paid pilot, credited back vs lease | TODO · verify |
| Delivery & support | Included, by GroundCtrl | Included with setup/support |
| Hardware | Zigg Tall (75–86") · Zigg Mini (21.5–32") | HoloMax (85") · HoloMini (21.5") |
When to choose Ailias
Where Ailias may be the better fit.
We'd rather you choose the right tool than the loudest pitch.
Full-body holographic priority.
If a full-body holographic aesthetic is your priority.
Public-domain figures focus.
If you specifically want a provider whose portfolio centres on public-domain historical figures and licensed character collections.
Outright hardware purchase.
If you prefer an outright purchase of hardware over a lease.
When to choose Zigg.ai
Where Zigg.ai tends to win.
Predictable annual costs.
You want predictable, all-in annual costs with nothing to capitalise.
Usage-aware billing.
You're sensitive to runtime/usage costs and want billing tied to real visitor interactions.
Change characters often.
You need to change characters often - seasonal exhibitions, rotating campaigns, multiple clients.
Prove value first.
You need to prove value to a board before committing, via a credited pilot.
Live in days, not months.
You want to be live in days, not months.
See it for yourself
See both in action, then decide.
Book a Zigg.ai demo and judge the conversation for yourself.