GrantForward vs Pocketed in 2026
GrantForward vs Pocketed compared with Raise Buddy for funding searches, prices, setup steps, and questions to check first.
CDings is published by the makers of Raise Buddy and ProductCost, which are compared here alongside other tools.
GrantForward says it uses research interests, publications, and profile information to recommend grant opportunities. [1] Pocketed details are not included in the provided facts, so check its current pages for what it does. Raise Buddy lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for from a description of your business. [2]
| Option | Free entry | Paid prices | Card payment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| GrantForward | Free search option [1] | Institution trial and home subscription, price not published [1] | Not published |
| Pocketed | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Raise Buddy | Free plan opens programs up to $1,000 [2] | Plus $14.99 a month (up to $5,000); Pro $199 a month (every program, advisors' review, AI connection) [2] | Not published |
The short answer
GrantForward says it provides grant opportunity recommendations using research interests, publications, and other profile information. [1] Pocketed details are not included in the provided facts, so check its current pages for the types of funding searches it supports. Raise Buddy takes your website or a short description of what you do and lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for. [2] Each match says whether you can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, with the funder's own words. [2]
What GrantForward, Pocketed is built for
GrantForward says it uses research interests, publications, and profile information to recommend grant opportunities. [1] It says it provides a recommendation service driven by AI. [1] It says its database is continuously updated with over 30,000 sponsors. [1] GrantForward also describes itself as a funding opportunity database and service built by academics for researchers. [1] Pocketed details are not included in the provided facts, so check what funding types and search features it describes before choosing it.
What Raise Buddy is built for
Raise Buddy is made by the team that publishes this site. You paste your website or describe what you do, and it lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding you may be able to apply for. [2] It can read a Schedule C, Form 1120, 1065 or 990, or an IRS letter, from a photo or PDF into a draft profile you confirm, and it does not keep the EIN or the papers. [2] It includes private foundations that take applications, read from their own Form 990-PF tax returns. [2] It keeps track of where each of your applications stands, but you apply on the funder's own site. [2]
Pricing and fees
GrantForward says it offers a free search option. [1] GrantForward also says it offers an institution trial and a home subscription. [1] The provided facts do not state GrantForward subscription prices, so check its current pricing before choosing. Pocketed pricing is not included in the provided facts, so check its current pricing before choosing. Raise Buddy's free plan opens programs up to $1,000. [2] Plus is $14.99 a month and opens programs up to $5,000. [2] Pro is $199 a month and opens every program, with the advisors' review and the AI assistant connection. [2] The first three matches in each section open on every plan. [2] A guest's search list ends after 5. [2]
Getting started
GrantForward says users can try a free search option. [1] It says recommendations use research interests, publications, and profile information. [1] The provided facts do not describe Pocketed's setup steps, so check its current sign-up process before choosing. For Raise Buddy, no install is needed for the web app. [2] The app works on the web and on phones. [2] You paste your website or describe what you do, and the list of funding follows. [2] On the Pro plan, Claude or any compatible AI assistant can search Raise Buddy, and the assistant gets ten tools. [2] Only English is shown for now, even though five more languages are planned. [2]
Things to check before you choose
Ask what funding types the tool covers, such as grants, loans or prizes, and which countries it covers. Ask whether the tool explains why a funding match may apply and what step stands in the way. Ask where an application is submitted and what work remains for the business owner. Ask what happens to documents and identifiers when they are uploaded. Ask whether the tool works in the language needed for daily use.
How to choose
If you want grant recommendations based on research interests, publications, and profile information, GrantForward's sources describe that use. [1] If you want a list of grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding from a business description, Raise Buddy's sources describe that. [2] If you want a match result that says whether you can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, Raise Buddy's sources describe that. [2] If you want funding options beyond grants, Raise Buddy's sources say it covers 25 ways to raise money, such as angel investors, SBA loans and equity crowdfunding, each with its official rules and a first step. [2]
Frequently asked questions
Does GrantForward offer a free search?
GrantForward says it offers a free search option. [1] It also says it offers an institution trial and a home subscription. [1] The provided facts do not state the subscription price, so check GrantForward's current pricing details before choosing a paid option.
How does Raise Buddy find funding programs?
Raise Buddy lets a business owner paste a website or describe what the business does, then it lists grants, loans, credits, prizes and other funding that may be possible to apply for. [2] Each match says whether an application can be made, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear, using the funder's own words. [2]
Does Pocketed have published pricing?
Pocketed pricing details are not included in the provided facts. Check Pocketed's current pricing information before choosing a plan. Compare the published cost, included funding searches, and any limits that apply to the work needed.
Can Raise Buddy submit a grant application?
Raise Buddy keeps track of where each application stands, but the application is made on the funder's own site. [2] Raise Buddy also provides match details that say whether the business can apply, what one step stands in the way, or what is unclear. [2]
What documents can Raise Buddy read?
Raise Buddy can read a Schedule C, Form 1120, 1065 or 990, or an IRS letter, from a photo or PDF into a draft profile that the business owner confirms. [2] It does not keep the EIN or the papers. [2] Check how any funding tool handles documents before uploading them.
Free plan opens programs up to $1,000; Plus is $14.99 a month (up to $5,000); Pro is $199 a month (every program, advisors' review, AI connection). The first three matches in each section open on every plan. [2]
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