I’ve spent years testing AI tools for real-world workflows—everything from blog posts to technical whitepapers. Some tools are “one-hit wonders,” but Grammarly and WriterBuddy have both earned permanent spots on my bookmarks bar, though for entirely different reasons.
First Impressions: The “Agent” vs. The “Buddy”
Grammarly in 2026 feels like a high-level executive assistant. With the launch of Grammarly Docs and its new suite of AI Agents, it doesn’t just wait for you to make a mistake; it anticipates what your reader wants, fact-checks your claims via the Citation Finder, and even estimates your grade or “Effective Communication Score.”
WriterBuddy, on the other hand, remains the lean, creative partner. It doesn’t overcomplicate things with enterprise analytics. It focuses on the “blank page problem.” If you’re stuck, WriterBuddy’s 40+ templates and ChatPDF integration help you research and draft in seconds.
Ease of Use and Integration
- Grammarly: Its greatest strength is its ubiquity. Whether you’re in Gmail, Slack, Word, or the new block-based Grammarly Docs, the “lightbulb” icon is there. In 2026, its Slash Commands (/h1, /table) make it feel like a modern productivity hub.
- WriterBuddy: Built around a chat-native editor, it’s remarkably fast. It doesn’t “hover” as much as Grammarly, which some writers prefer. It’s a destination tool—you go there to build something, whereas Grammarly lives inside where you already are.
Features That Matter in 2026
In 2026, “simple” AI isn’t enough. Here is how their specialized features compare:
| Feature | Grammarly (Agent Era) | WriterBuddy (Creator Era) |
| Drafting | AI Agents (Predicts reader reactions) | Templates (Intros, outlines, SEO meta) |
| Editing | Humanizer (Removes robotic tone) | Essay Humanizer & Paraphraser |
| Research | Citation Finder (Real-time evidence) | ChatPDF (Analyze your own sources) |
| Integrity | Built-in AI & Plagiarism Detectors | AI Detector & Plagiarism Checker |
| Languages | 19+ (Focus on Fluency) | 25+ (Focus on Translation) |
The Pricing Reality Check
Grammarly’s pricing has remained steady for professionals (~$12/mo billed annually), but the free version has become more restricted, often locking the most helpful “Agentic” suggestions.
WriterBuddy remains the champion of the best free AI writing tools. It offers 2,000 free credits every month with no credit card required—making it the obvious choice if you’re trying to figure out if free AI plans actually work for your volume.
Which One Fits Your Style?
Choose Grammarly if:
- You are a professional or student where accuracy and integrity are non-negotiable.
- You want an AI that works inside your email and browser automatically.
- You need to check for plagiarism and AI-generated text in one go (see our Grammarly Review).
Choose WriterBuddy if:
- You need to move from a “blank page” to a full draft in minutes.
- You are a blogger looking for WriterBuddy alternatives but realize the original is still the most flexible.
- You find the overwhelming features of major AI tools distracting and just want to write.
Verdict: The Solid One-Two Punch
In my own workflow, I use both. I use WriterBuddy to dump messy thoughts and organize them into a structured draft, and then I use Grammarly to ensure the final product is polished and professional.
If I could only choose one for fast, creative output, I’d go with WriterBuddy. It feels fresher, stays out of your way, and respects your budget.
Rating: Grammarly – 4.6 / 5 | WriterBuddy – 4.8 / 5
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Still not sure? If you find your work needs a more technical touch, compare these against our Wordvice AI Review for academic standards.