Freelance writers, bloggers, newsletter and KDP authors need different tools. Here is how the main AI writing tools compare on published price, free plan and best use.
How we made this comparison: this is a research-based comparison compiled from official pricing pages, help docs and public documentation, checked on October 21–22, 2026. We did not run hands-on tests for this page. Prices exclude tax, may differ by country and change often — confirm on the official site before buying. Some links may later become affiliate links; that never changes the price you pay.
| Tool | Published price (USD) | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Go $8/mo · Plus $20/mo · Pro from $100/mo | Yes | All-round drafting, brainstorming, images and Custom GPTs |
| Claude | Pro $20/mo ($17/mo billed yearly) · Max from $100/mo | Yes | Long documents, careful editing and natural-sounding writing |
| Jasper | Pro $69/mo ($59/mo billed yearly) · 7-day trial | No (trial only) | Marketing teams and agencies needing brand voice |
| Writesonic | Starter $79/mo billed yearly ($99 monthly) | No (trial only) | SEO and AI-search (GEO) content at volume |
| Grammarly | Pro from $12/mo | Yes | Proofreading and tone fixes everywhere you type |
| Sudowrite | Hobby & Student $10/mo · Professional $22/mo · Max $44/mo (free trial) | No (trial only) | Fiction writers and KDP authors |
Pros and cons
ChatGPT
Best for: All-round drafting, brainstorming, images and Custom GPTs · Published price (USD): Go $8/mo · Plus $20/mo · Pro from $100/mo
- 👍 Pros: Huge feature set (files, images, voice, Custom GPTs) in one app
- 👎 Cons: Free tier is limited; output needs fact-checking
Claude
Best for: Long documents, careful editing and natural-sounding writing · Published price (USD): Pro $20/mo ($17/mo billed yearly) · Max from $100/mo
- 👍 Pros: Strong at long context, structure and tone
- 👎 Cons: Usage limits reset in 5-hour windows; fewer media features
Jasper
Best for: Marketing teams and agencies needing brand voice · Published price (USD): Pro $69/mo ($59/mo billed yearly) · 7-day trial
- 👍 Pros: Brand voice, marketing agents and templates
- 👎 Cons: Expensive for solo beginners; no free plan
Writesonic
Best for: SEO and AI-search (GEO) content at volume · Published price (USD): Starter $79/mo billed yearly ($99 monthly)
- 👍 Pros: SEO/visibility tooling alongside writing
- 👎 Cons: Pricing aimed at businesses, not hobbyists
Grammarly
Best for: Proofreading and tone fixes everywhere you type · Published price (USD): Pro from $12/mo
- 👍 Pros: Works in browser, docs and email
- 👎 Cons: Not a full long-form writer
Sudowrite
Best for: Fiction writers and KDP authors · Published price (USD): Hobby & Student $10/mo · Professional $22/mo · Max $44/mo (free trial)
- 👍 Pros: Story-focused tools (outlines, beats, rewriting)
- 👎 Cons: Niche: less useful for business copy
Our take
For most side hustlers, start with one general assistant (ChatGPT or Claude) plus Grammarly for proofreading. Add Jasper or Writesonic only when a client or volume justifies it, and Sudowrite if you write fiction.
Related AI side hustles
- AI-Assisted SEO Content Writing
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