Curio, the US brand behind Grem and Gabbo, and Ted&Co both make plush toys that hold real conversations with children aged 3 and up, without a screen and, according to both brands, without a subscription. So the useful comparison is in the details: languages, how the toy listens, and where your child's data goes.
What they have in common
- A soft toy your child talks to, with no screen.
- Wi-Fi connection and a parent app on iOS and Android.
- Designed for children from age 3.
- No subscription required, according to each brand's website.
Where Ted is different
| Ted | |
|---|---|
| Languages | More than 60, switched by the parent in the app |
| Listening mode | Your choice of automatic listening or push to talk, where your child decides when Ted listens |
| Voice data | Your child's voice is not stored and Ted does not recognise voices |
| Data hosting | Frankfurt, Germany, under GDPR |
| Certifications | CE, RED, EN71, GDPR and COPPA |
| Camera | None |
| Made by | Ted&Co, a company based in Paris |
Curio's website (September 2026) lists its plush toys at $119, for ages 3 and up, voice activated and app enabled. It does not detail language support or data hosting on its home page, so ask the brand directly if these points matter to you.
Why the listening mode matters
A toy that is always ready to listen is convenient. A toy that only listens when your child chooses to speak gives the family more control, and teaches children that a conversation has a start and an end. Ted lets you choose, and change your mind later in the app.
Why languages matter
In many homes, one parent speaks one language and the other parent another. A plush toy that can switch between them helps a child keep practising both. Ted covers more than 60 languages, including French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, German and Portuguese.
Five questions to ask any talking plush toy
- Is there a camera?
- Can I choose when it listens?
- Is my child's voice recorded and kept?
- In which country is the data hosted?
- What stops working if I never pay again?
For Ted, the answers are: no camera, yes, no, Germany, and nothing. See our safety page for the full detail.
Meet Ted, the talking teddy bear from Paris.
