Comparisons · GrantOrb vs GrantStation
A directory tells you where the grants are. Then the work starts.
GrantStation is one of the most affordable grant research memberships around — $199 a year for a large, curated funder directory and a library of how-to-write tutorials. Respect. But notice the shape of the offer: it ends exactly where the hard part begins. You still have to figure out which listings are real and current, whether you actually qualify, and then spend the 20–40 hours writing each proposal. GrantOrb covers that entire distance: verified matches, your odds up front, and the complete written proposal.
Side by side
| GrantOrb | GrantStation | |
|---|---|---|
| Writes your proposals | Yes — complete drafts, unlimited revisions | No — tutorials and templates only |
| Verifies opportunities against the funder's page | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Human expert on hand if you want one | Included, a second opinion when you want it | — No |
| Works in the background while you do your job | Searches and drafts run async — come back to finished work | You browse, shortlist, and write it all yourself |
| Suggests winning project ideas | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Researches your impact data for evidence | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Validation wizard: eligibility check + scoring vs funder criteria | ✓ Yes | — No |
| One-click AI revisions on any section | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Rebuilds any application form as a reusable template | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Writes LOIs and post-award funder reports | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Tells you your odds before you apply | ✓ Yes | — No |
| How it feels to use | Guided wizard — speak or type, typos welcome | Search filters and listings you work through yourself |
| Finds grants | AI-matched to your organization's profile | Searchable directory (150,000+ funder profiles) |
| Team collaboration | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Price Verified from grantstation.com, July 2026 | $499/year (10 complete grant applications) | $199/year membership |
| Free trial | Free to start, no credit card | No trial |
GrantStation pricing and features verified from grantstation.com as of July 2026. Check their site for current numbers.
The real cost comparison
$199/year plus your own writing isn't $199/year. A typical foundation proposal takes 20+ hours to research and write by hand. Ten applications is 200+ hours — five full work weeks of someone's time, every year. GrantOrb Starter does those ten applications for $499, and your hours go into programs instead of paperwork. Free to see the difference: browse our open, verified grants directory — no membership required.
When GrantStation is the right choice
You have a skilled grant writer in-house, they enjoy the craft, and you purely need an affordable lead source. At $199 with no per-seat games, GrantStation is fair value for that narrow job — and we'd rather tell you that than pretend otherwise.
Isn't GrantStation cheaper than GrantOrb?
The membership is cheaper ($199/year vs $499/year, as of July 2026) — but it buys a different thing. GrantStation gives you a directory and teaches you to write proposals yourself with tutorials and templates. GrantOrb finds verified matches AND produces the finished proposals — ten of them a year on Starter, with unlimited revisions and expert review. If your time is worth anything at all, $25 more per month for the writing actually done is the cheaper option.
What is GrantStation good at?
It's a solid, affordable research library with a long track record, curated federal and foundation listings, and well-regarded tutorials. If you have an experienced grant writer on staff who just needs leads and likes doing the writing, GrantStation is honest value at $199.
Can I use both?
Some organizations do — GrantStation for browsing, GrantOrb for producing the actual applications. But GrantOrb's search is matched to your organization's profile and verified against funder pages, so most teams find the directory step redundant within a month. You can browse a sample of GrantOrb-verified grants free in our public directory.
Skip the directory step entirely.
Set up your profile once. GrantOrb finds verified grants you qualify for and writes the first proposal — free to start.
Free to start. No credit card required.