⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: Frase starts at $49/mo. CoWriter starts at $11.99/month.
- Best for: Frase for keyword research and content optimization. CoWriter for academic writing and drafting.
- Key difference: Frase analyzes top ranking search results. CoWriter focuses on essays, scripts and papers.
- Our pick: Frase, because its research tool ties every draft to a real target keyword.
Both of these AI writing tools promise to speed up your content creation process.
Only one of them was built for search engines.
Frase is an SEO tool that studies search results before you start writing.
CoWriter is an AI writing assistant aimed at essays, papers and scripts.
That single difference decides which one belongs in your workflow.
Overview
This Frase vs Cowriter comparison covers pricing, features and how each tool fits a real seo workflow.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages and user reviews for both platforms.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each one.
Those notes appear in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end you will know which ai tool matches your content creation goals.
What is Frase?
Frase is an ai writer and research tool built for search engine optimization.
It was developed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2017.
You give it a target keyword and Frase pulls the top 20 Google results.
From those top ranking search results it builds content briefs in minutes.
The brief lists all the keywords and essential terms your competitors share.
Frase AI also supports multilingual work in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Danish.
The whole point is to help you create seo optimized content without guessing.
Here is a walkthrough of how the platform handles a full article.
🏆 Winner: Frase
Research, write and score seo optimized content in one place. Built around real search intent data.
Frase Pricing
Here is what Frase costs in 2026. Three tiers, no free version.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $49/mo | Solo content writer testing the seo workflow |
| Professional | $129/mo | Agencies running keyword research at volume |
| Scale | $299/mo | Large teams and heavy content production |
Pricing verified July 2026.
Free trial: No free version and no trial. You pay before you test.
Money-back guarantee: A 5-day money-back guarantee covers your first purchase.
📌 Note: The built-in ai writer caps AI characters per month. Unlimited access costs a $35/month add-on. The seo add on is another $35/month for advanced search engine optimization data. Google Search Console integration and WordPress publishing are included on every plan.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: Our research notes list a Basic plan at $14.99/mo, a Team plan at $44.99/mo and an Enterprise tier at $114.99/mo. Our canonical data records Starter $49, Professional $129 and Scale $299. Those older figures look like retired tiers, so we use the canonical numbers everywhere in this article. Check the live pricing page before you buy.
Key Benefits of Frase
Here is what makes Frase worth considering:
- SERP research in one click: The research tool reads the first 20 results for your target search query. You get a content outline without opening 20 tabs.
- Topic score: A score shows how your actual content compares to competitors. It updates live as you edit.
- Question finder: Search questions tied to the same keyword to spark new angles. This is where most content ideas come from.
- Import and rework: Pull in existing content and keep the original formatting. Frase suggests fixes to your original article.
- Content gap spotting: Compare your own content against rivals to find missing subtopics. Useful for stale posts losing organic traffic.
- Search Console link-up: Google Search Console feeds real query and monthly search volume context into your briefs.
- Speed: Some users report producing content four to five times faster than before.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for Frase and used it on live client briefs for several days. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:
Frase Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Analyzes the first 20 SERP results to build a content brief
- Topic score shows how optimized content compares to competitors
- Google Search Console integration is included on every plan
- Costs less than MarketMuse and Surfer SEO
- Responsive support team that users call helpful
❌ Cons
- No free version and no trial, only a 5-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited access to the ai writer needs a $35/month add-on
- AI generated content often reads generic and needs editing
- Some users hit interface glitches that break the flow
What is CoWriter?
CoWriter is an ai writing assistant built for long-form drafting.
It gives you article ideas, outlines and line-by-line suggestions.
The tool suits writers, content marketers and web publishers on tight deadlines.
Students also use it for academic essays, research papers and scripts.
Its outlines look like long-form SEO articles rather than short blurbs.
Watch how CoWriter handles a draft from a blank page.
CoWriter
Outlines, drafts and citations for academic and long-form work. Cheaper entry point than most seo content tools.
CoWriter Pricing
CoWriter keeps things simple. Two paid tiers, both under $25.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $11.99/month | Basic editing plus 50 completion suggestions per day |
| Premium | $23.99/month | All Pro features, VIP treatment and early access to new features |
Pricing verified July 2026.
Free trial: Yes. A limited free tier lets you test the editor before paying.
Money-back guarantee: Not published. Cancel from your account settings instead.
📌 Note: The Pro plan caps you at 50 completion suggestions per day. Heavy drafters hit that ceiling fast, which is the main reason to move up to Premium.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: Older records list Premium at $385 and Pro at $20.00, and a third source quotes paid plans starting at $19 per month. Our verified 2026 rates are Pro $11.99/month and Premium $23.99/month, and those are the figures used throughout this article. Confirm on the CoWriter site before checkout.
Key Benefits of CoWriter
Here is where CoWriter earns its place:
- Idea generation: Prompts help unstick ideas when you stare at a blank document. Good for anyone who struggles to start writing.
- Outline builder: Structures a long piece before you write a single word. The shape holds up for 2,000-word drafts.
- IEEE citation generator: Formats references for technical and academic work. Saves manual reference chasing.
- Custom styles and tones: Match a brand voice or a course rubric. Style corrections leave room for self expression.
- AI detection awareness: The undetectable essay writer tries to soften obvious AI generated patterns. Human review still matters.
- Low entry price: At $11.99/month it undercuts almost every content tool in this category.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for CoWriter and pushed a few long drafts through it. Here is what stood out:
CoWriter Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Entry price of $11.99/month beats most rivals
- Built-in IEEE citation generator for academic drafts
- Outline builder aimed squarely at long-form pieces
- Custom writing styles and tones for different audiences
❌ Cons
- No keyword research or SERP data at all
- Output is still detectable as AI generated content
- Pro plan limits you to 50 completion suggestions per day
- Name clashes with Co:Writer Universal, which confuses buyers
Feature Comparison
Ready for a closer look at Frase vs CoWriter? We compare ten areas that decide which platform earns a spot in your content creation process.
| Feature | Frase | CoWriter |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/mo | $11.99/month |
| Free Version | ❌ | ✅ |
| Keyword Research | ✅ | ❌ |
| SERP Analyzer | ✅ | ❌ |
| Topic Score | ✅ | ❌ |
| Outline Builder | ✅ | ✅ |
| Citation Generator | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI Detection Handling | ❌ | ✅ |
| Google Search Console | ✅ | ❌ |
| Best For | SEO content teams | Academic and long-form writers |
1. Research and Search Intent
Frase: The SERP analyzer reads the first 20 results for your target search query. It reports word count, headings and shared subtopics, so search intent stops being guesswork. That research layer is the reason people pick Frase over generic AI writing tools.
CoWriter: The AI research paper generator pulls source material for academic topics instead of ranking data. It never touches search results or monthly search volume. For a thesis chapter that is fine, for a blog post it leaves you blind.
2. AI Writing and Drafting
Frase: The AI article wizard walks you from a target keyword to a finished draft. Reviewers agree the ai content generation quality trails dedicated writers like Jasper AI. Treat the draft as raw clay, not finished copy.
CoWriter: Drafting is the whole point here, and the undetectable essay writer produces longer, steadier prose. Its ai generation still needs a human pass for facts and voice. Nobody should publish either tool’s first output untouched.
⚠️ Warning: Both tools produce ai generated content that reads generic without editing. Budget time for a rewrite pass on every draft.
3. Content Optimization and Scoring
Frase: A topic score grades your draft against the pages already ranking. Import existing content, keep the original formatting, and watch the number climb as you edit. This is the closest thing here to real content optimization tools.
CoWriter: Scoring here targets ai detection, not rankings. The AI detection proof mode reworks phrasing that classifiers usually flag. Useful for coursework, useless for seo optimization.
4. Outline Building
Frase: Its outline builder mirrors the heading structure of competitors ranking for the same keyword. You can accept the AI version or drag your own headings around. Starting a new document with that skeleton saves an hour of planning.
CoWriter: Its outline builder shapes long-form pieces without looking at rivals. The result reads like a well-organised essay plan. Strong structure, zero competitive signal.
5. Templates and Idea Generation
Frase: Templates cover product copy, a meta description, intros and summaries. Every one of them stays tied to the brief, so creating content in bulk keeps a consistent angle. Handy when a content creator juggles ten posts at once.
CoWriter: Idea generation leans on prompts that spark angles rather than fixed templates. It helps creativity when you are stuck on a blank document. Less structured, more open-ended.
6. Titles and Headlines
Frase: The blog title generator spins title ideas that already include your keyword. Each suggestion is checked against what currently earns clicks. Small feature, real effect on organic traffic.
CoWriter: The AI script generator writes hooks for video and podcast intros instead of blog headlines. It reaches beyond articles into scripts, a cover letter or a newsletter. Different job, different output.
7. Paragraphs and Citations
Frase: The paragraph generator fills gaps inside a section you have already outlined. It stays on brief, which matters when you are chasing high ranking content. There is no citation tool, so sourcing stays manual.
CoWriter: The IEEE citation generator formats references while you draft. That saves academic writers a genuine chore and lowers accidental plagiarism risk. Frase has nothing close to it.
8. Question Research and Tone Control
Frase: The question finder surfaces real questions people ask around a topic. Answering them is the fastest route to seo friendly articles and featured snippets. It is also how many teams create high ranking content from scratch.
CoWriter: Custom writing styles and tones let you set formality, length and register. A student and a marketer get very different output from the same prompt. Tone control here beats anything in Frase.
9. Analytics and Integrations
Frase: SEO analytics connect to Search Console on every plan, and WordPress publishing ships with all tiers too. You can push a finished draft straight to your site or copy it into Google Docs. That closes the loop from research to published page.
CoWriter: Integrations are thin. You copy text out and paste it wherever it needs to go. For a solo writer that is fine, for a publishing team it adds friction.
💡 Pro Tip: If your team already lives in Search Console, Frase’s data link removes a manual export step from your weekly reporting.
10. Pricing & Cost
Let’s put the plans side by side.
| Tier | Frase | CoWriter |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ❌ No free version | ✅ Limited free tier |
| Entry | Starter $49/mo | Pro $11.99/month |
| Mid | Professional $129/mo | Premium $23.99/month |
| Top | Scale $299/mo | — |
| Add-ons | $35/month AI, $35/month SEO | None published |
Frase: Starter at $49/mo buys the research engine, not just an ai assistant. Both add-ons can push a real bill to $119/month, so budget for them. Even then it sits below MarketMuse and near Surfer SEO.
CoWriter: At $11.99/month it is the cheapest way to get a drafting partner. You get no ranking data for that money, which makes sense given its academic focus. Premium at $23.99/month is still less than half of Frase’s entry tier.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tight budget | CoWriter | Starts at $11.99/month |
| Keyword research | Frase | Only tool with SERP data |
| Academic citations | CoWriter | IEEE citation generator built in |
| Ranking blog posts | Frase | Topic score guides every edit |
| Essay drafting | CoWriter | Long-form outlines and tone control |
| Search Console data | Frase | Included on all plans |
💰 Your Budget
Frase asks $49/mo before add-ons, which is a real commitment for a freelancer. CoWriter opens at $11.99/month and still gives you a drafting partner.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Frase plugs into Search Console and WordPress on every tier. CoWriter expects you to copy text into whatever editor you already use.
📝 Your Writing Style
A content writer chasing rankings needs the brief-first approach Frase enforces. An essayist or scriptwriter will prefer CoWriter’s tone controls.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Beginners often find Frase’s scoring screens busier than NeuronWriter’s. CoWriter is simpler, so people new to AI drafting learn faster with it.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
CoWriter lets you test a limited tier before paying anything. Frase gives you a 5-day money-back guarantee instead, so try it on a live brief immediately.
🛟 Support Options
Frase’s support team gets praise in reviews for quick, useful replies. CoWriter’s Premium tier promises VIP treatment, though response times are not published.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of them? Here is what changes if you move.
🔄 Switching from Frase to CoWriter?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A monthly bill roughly a quarter the size
- An IEEE citation generator for academic work
- AI detection handling on generated drafts
❌ What you’ll lose:
- SERP analysis and every keyword research feature
- The topic score that guides your edits
- Search Console and WordPress connections
📋 How to switch:
- Export your Frase briefs and drafts as documents
- Open a CoWriter account on the free tier
- Rebuild your house style using custom tones
🔄 Switching from CoWriter to Frase?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- SERP analysis across the top 20 results
- A topic score for measurable content production quality
- Search Console data feeding your briefs
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The built-in citation formatting
- AI detection proof rewriting
- A free tier and a much smaller bill
📋 How to switch:
- Copy your CoWriter drafts into plain documents
- Start a Frase Starter plan and link Search Console
- Import each draft and rework it against the topic score
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on solo writers and small content teams. We did not test enterprise contracts, API access or bulk seat licensing on either platform. Our notes reflect the July 2026 versions, and both companies ship changes often. If you write in a language outside Frase’s eight supported options, your results will differ from ours.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | CoWriter |
| 🔍 Research and Search Intent | Frase |
| ✍️ AI Writing Quality | CoWriter |
| 📈 Content Optimization | Frase |
| 🧱 Outline Building | Frase |
| 🎓 Academic Support | CoWriter |
| 🔌 Integrations | Frase |
| 📊 Analytics | Frase |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Frase |
🏆 WINNER: FRASE
Frase wins 5 out of 8 categories.
Best for: keyword research, content briefs, reworking existing posts, agency content production
These two products are not really chasing the same buyer. Frase is a search-first platform that happens to include an ai writer. CoWriter is a drafting companion that happens to produce long articles.
CoWriter is the better pick for essays, papers and anything needing citations. It is also four times cheaper, which matters on a student budget.
If your work is judged by rankings, Frase is the safer investment. Our full Frase review covers the editor in more depth if you want the granular view.
More of Frase Compared
Here is how Frase measures up against other seo content tools:
Frase vs Surfer SEO
Frase wins on: faster brief generation, question research depth, lower entry price
Surfer SEO wins on: tighter on-page scoring, cleaner editor, broader integration list
Frase wins on: far lower cost, quicker onboarding, more accessible for solo writers
MarketMuse wins on: site-wide topic modelling, deeper competitive inventories, enterprise reporting
Frase wins on: Search Console linkage, richer question data, stronger brief templates
NeuronWriter wins on: friendlier scoring screen, cheaper monthly tiers, gentler learning curve
Frase wins on: SERP research accuracy, brief customisation, import of existing posts
Scalenut wins on: bundled writing credits, cruise-mode drafting, all-in-one pricing
More of CoWriter Compared
Here is how CoWriter stacks up against other drafting tools:
CoWriter vs Jenni
CoWriter wins on: lower entry price, script generation, custom tone presets
Jenni wins on: in-line citation search, larger paper database, smoother autocomplete
CoWriter vs Paperpal
CoWriter wins on: outline building, idea prompts, cheaper monthly plan
Paperpal wins on: language editing accuracy, journal submission checks, Word add-in polish
CoWriter vs QuillBot
CoWriter wins on: full-draft generation, structured outlines, IEEE formatting
QuillBot wins on: paraphrasing control, summariser quality, generous free tier
CoWriter wins on: generating drafts from nothing, citation output, topic ideation
Grammarly wins on: everyday correction accuracy, browser coverage, team style guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Frase for free?
No. There is no free version and no trial. You pay upfront, and a 5-day money-back guarantee covers you if the platform disappoints.
How does Frase work?
You enter a target keyword. The platform reads the top 20 Google results, builds a brief with essential terms, then scores your draft against those pages.
What does Cowriter do?
It generates article ideas, outlines and long-form drafts. Extras include an IEEE citation generator, custom tones and an AI detection proof mode for academic work.
Is cowriter AI free?
A limited free tier exists. Paid plans run $11.99/month for Pro and $23.99/month for Premium, which adds VIP support and early access to new features.
Is Frase legit?
Yes. It launched in Boston in 2017 and reviewers call it reliable and safe. Support earns consistent praise, though the interface occasionally glitches.
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