When it comes to writing, aren’t ChatGPT, Grammarly, and InstaText all the same thing?

This is one of the most common questions we receive at InstaText, the answer to which can help you find out which of these tools best suits your needs and preferences.

Short answer: Absolutely NOT!

Now, let’s unpack that a bit:

Although all of these tools can be helpful in writing, they are as different as the PURPOSE, the PEOPLE, and the PLACES our writing is intended for, as well as the PHASE of the writing process we need help with.

Purpose

Why are we writing? 

Here are some of the most important purposes that writing serves as one of the most versatile forms of communication that has ever existed: 

INFORM	Sharing ideas and information Documenting events Publishing research
INSPIRE	Storytelling Artistic exploration
INTEREST	Marketing and promotions Content that persuades
INTRIGUE	Entertainment

People

Who are we writing for?

When choosing a tool to help you improve your writing, be sure to consider the people who will be evaluating or reading your content. 

Are you writing for general readers? Are you creating content for an informed audience that values originality and authorship? Are you writing a post for your personal blog to express your feelings? Are you writing an email to a work colleague?

Place

Where will our writing end up?

The place where we intend to share our writing is also an important factor to consider. Whether it’s a personal letter, a detailed report, a novel, an online post, or a research paper you want to get published, each context and platform requires a different approach—and often, a different tool.

Phase

Which phase of writing do I need help with? 

From an expert’s point of view, the writing process is complex and involves many detailed steps. However, for the sake of simplicity, we can divide it into three main phases: 

Drafting

• Organizing ideas
• Developing main points
• Writing initial content

Editing

• Revising for clarity and flow
• Improving structure, style, and tone
• Enhancing readability and conciseness

Proofreading

• Checking grammar and spelling
• Reviewing punctuation
• Ensuring formatting consistency

ChatGPT vs. InstaText vs. Grammarly

Now let’s take a look at how ChatGPT, InstaText, and Grammarly are similar and different based on the factors we discussed earlier.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a drafting assistant that helps users generate ideas and create content through conversational interactions.

• Purpose: Content intended to inform, inspire, interest, and intrigue
• People: The main audience for content generated by ChatGPT include: casual readers, social media users, and anyone looking for engaging and informative material, especially general content  
• Place: Ideal for drafting initial ideas or outlines, brainstorming sessions, general content creation such as online posts, creating structured documents, and informal communication
• Phase: Best for drafting

See also: How InstaText differs from ChatGPT

InstaText

InstaText is an editing assistant that improves clarity, readability, and style through interactive feedback while preserving the writer’s unique voice and upholding authorship integrity.

• Purpose: Content intended mainly to inform and inspire
• People: The main audience for content edited by InstaText includes: researchers, academics, professionals, and anyone who values authorship and originality in published work 
• Place: Ideal for research papers, articles and other written content intended for publication, especially where AI-generated content is restricted or not allowed
• Phase: Best for editing

See also: InstaText Editor

Grammarly 

Grammarly is a writing assistant designed primarily for proofreading and ensuring grammatical correctness while helping you choose the right tone for your writing. 

• Purpose: Content intended mainly to inform and interest 
• People: The main audience for content proofread by Grammarly includes: teachers, employers, team members, clients, and general readers who expect clear and professional communication 
• Place: Ideal for emails, reports, essays, and formal communications
• Phase: Best for proofreading

See also: How InstaText differs from Grammarly

So which one is best for you?

Well, only you can answer this question. Ideally, you should use these three tools together so that you have help throughout the writing process, from start to finish.

However, if you’re considering investing in one paid subscription, think about which tool brings the most value to your content, fulfills about 80% of your needs, and is best suited for the areas you struggle with the most. 

ChatGPT is ideal for drafting and generating ideas, while InstaText is best for in-depth editing to improve clarity and maintain your tone and authorship integrity. Grammarly is a good option for proofreading.

None of these tools are perfect, and each has its own strengths and limitations. Just remember that your time and budget are precious. So invest in the tool that best suits your specific purpose, target audience, type of content, and stage of writing.

Feature/Aspect	ChatGPT	InstaText	Grammarly
Tool type	Drafting assistant	Editing assistant	Writing assistant
Primary use	Idea generation, drafting	Editing, proofreading	Proofreading
Best stage	Drafting	Editing	Proofreading
Editing depth	General suggestions	Deep editing (error corrections + clarity, readability, and style improvement)	Error corrections (grammar, punctuation, tone, conciseness)
Retaining writer’s voice	May dilute original tone	Maintains and enhances writer’s tone and style	Maintains tone but focuses more on correctness
Content considered AI-generated	Yes	No (fully respects writer’s authorship)	Yes, if used extensively for content generation
Suitable for publication where AI-generated content is restricted/not allowed	No	Yes (scientific and non-scientific)	No, if used extensively for content generation
Best for	General users, content creators, marketers, freelancers	Academics, professionals, journalists, editors, students, general users, copywriters, and content creators	General users, businesses, students, professionals, copywriters, and content creators
Real-time suggestions	Yes (conversational)	Yes (real-time improvements in editing stage)	Yes (mainly for grammar, tone, and clarity)
Customization options	Yes (primarily prompt-based)	Yes (personal dictionary, tone, dialect, etc.)	Yes (tone, dialect, etc.)
Platform compatibility	Web-based, integrated via API	Web-based, browser extensions, multiple applications (Gmail, Google Docs, Word, etc.)	Web-based, browser extensions, multiple applications (Gmail, Slack, Google Docs, Word, etc.)
Privacy	Stores processed texts (with privacy options)	Never stores processed texts	Stores processed texts (with deletion options)
Free & paid membership	Yes	Yes	Yes

If you’re already an InstaText user, take a look at our features page, which is regularly updated with new features and details to help you get the most out of InstaText. If you’re new to our tool, why not try it out for free to see how it can improve your writing experience and your output?

“I absolutely recommend InstaText to all academic writers who have to publish their work in English and would like to have their work accepted and not rejected just because the language is not up to the standards demanded by the journal.”

— Dr. Karmen Pižorn, Professor of English Education

“This tool is outstanding, exceeded my expectations. I’m used to using Grammarly but InstaText is a more thorough tool and comes up with much better suggestions for rewrites. A game changer for editing.”

— Stephan Skovlund, Business Consultant

“InstaText has completely changed the way I write and communicate in academic papers, social media, and other areas. I definitely recommend this tool for non-native speakers who usually struggle with their English skills. I wish I had learned about InstaText sooner.”

— İbrahim Niftiyev, PhD Researcher