Candid vs GrantStation
Candid and GrantStation are the two directories small nonprofits reach for first, and they differ most on price and depth.
Or see a third option ↓Prices and features checked October 22, 2026
GrantStation is the lower-cost directory: $199 a year for 350,000 funder records, including government, Canadian and international funders, plus proposal-writing tutorials. Candid goes deeper: 1.9 million organizations to search, with funders of your peers and key staff contacts on Premium at $1,199 a year. On a tight budget, start with GrantStation, unless you can use Candid free.
The two tools
Candid
The sector's reference database: search 1.9 million organizations, with key staff contacts and funders of your peers on Premium, and compliance data on Ultimate.
- Price
- Free (limited); Premium $219/mo or $1,199/yr; Ultimate $1,699/yr.
- Best for
- Deep research on any nonprofit, or anyone who qualifies for free access.
- Watch out for
- AI tools use credits: 25 a month on Premium.
GrantStation
A funder directory with training: 350,000 funder records, including Canadian and international funders, with proposal-writing tutorials and templates, planning tools and a grant calendar.
- Price
- $199/yr; $75–$139 through many state nonprofit associations.
- Best for
- Tight budgets, and anyone who wants writing training too.
- Watch out for
- You read each profile and sort the results yourself.
Side by side
Coverage
Candid lets you search 1.9 million organizations, nonprofits and funders alike, so you can look up a funder or a peer organization in the same place.
GrantStation lists 350,000 funder records, including US government funders and international and Canadian funders.
Bottom line: Candid covers more organizations; GrantStation reaches further outside the US.
Research depth
Premium adds key staff with LinkedIn profiles and the funders of your peers. Ultimate adds compliance data. An AI assistant runs on credits: 25 a month on Premium, 250 on Ultimate.
GrantStation is a directory: you search its funder records and read each profile to decide who fits.
Bottom line: Candid goes deeper on each organization and on who funds your peers.
Writing help and training
Candid lists an AI LOI writer, which uses the plan's monthly credits. Candid also works in Claude on all accounts.
GrantStation includes proposal-writing tutorials and templates, plus planning tools and a grant calendar.
Bottom line: GrantStation is better for learning to write proposals; Candid offers an AI letter writer.
Price and free access
Premium is $219 a month or $1,199 a year; Ultimate is $1,699. There's a limited free plan, free access at partner libraries, and a free Premium year for small Gold Seal nonprofits through Go for Gold, until Dec 31, 2026.
GrantStation is $199 a year, bought direct. Many state nonprofit associations offer it to members at a discount ($75–$139 through PANO, for example).
Bottom line: GrantStation costs less: $1,000 a year less than Candid Premium, unless you get Candid free.
Which one fits
Pick Candid if
- You want key staff contacts with LinkedIn profiles.
- You research the funders of organizations like yours.
- You can use it free at a partner library.
Pick GrantStation if
- Your research budget is $199 a year or less.
- You apply to Canadian or international funders.
- You want proposal-writing tutorials and templates included.
A third option: Grantlas
Grantlas is $99 a month or $999 a year: more than GrantStation, and less than Candid Premium ($200 a year less, or $120 a month less paid monthly). You get a ranked shortlist: a Fit and the reason on every match, red flags first, plus a Tracker and board reports.
- Red flags first: invitation only, outside your area, no new grantees.
- Reminders 60 to 3 days before each deadline, plus a calendar feed.
- Board reports with win rate and money awarded, as one link.
All three, side by side
| Feature | Candid | GrantStation | Grantlas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid monthly | $219/mo (Premium) | Not listed | $99/mo (Solo) |
| Paid yearly | $1,199/yr (Premium) | $199/yr | $999/yr |
| Discounts and free access | ✓ Limited free plan; partner libraries | $75–$139 via state associations | 7-day trial; matches before a card |
| Coverage | 1.9M organizations | 350,000 funder records | 137,257 US foundations |
| Canadian and international | Not listed | ✓ International and Canadian funders | ✗ US only |
| Funders of your peers | ✓ Funders of your peers (Premium+) | Not listed | ✓ Peer prospecting, every plan |
| Key staff contacts | ✓ Key staff with LinkedIn (Premium+) | Not listed | Board and trustee listings |
| Ranked matches with a reason | AI assistant, 25 credits/mo (Premium) | Not listed | ✓ Fit and reason on every match |
| Writing help | LOI writer (AI tool, uses credits) | ✓ Proposal writing tutorials and templates | In Claude or ChatGPT, connected to Grantlas |
| Works in Claude and ChatGPT | ✓ Claude, all accounts. ChatGPT not listed | Not listed | ✓ Every plan |
Questions
Is GrantStation cheaper than Candid?
Yes. GrantStation is $199 a year, or $75–$139 through many state nonprofit associations. Candid Premium is $219 a month or $1,199 a year. Candid does have a limited free plan.
Which has more data?
Candid lets you search 1.9 million organizations, with staff contacts and funders of your peers on Premium. GrantStation lists 350,000 funder records, including Canadian and international funders.
Can I use Candid for free?
Often, yes. There's a limited free plan, and Candid is free at Funding Information Network partner libraries. Small nonprofits with a Gold Seal can get a free year of Premium through Go for Gold, until Dec 31, 2026.
Is there an option that ranks funders for me?
Grantlas is $99 a month or $999 a year, more than GrantStation. It ranks foundations and open grants against your organization with a Fit and the reason, and tracks applications with reminders and board reports.
More comparisons
- Grantlas vs Candid →A ranked shortlist instead of a reference database.
- Grantlas vs GrantStation →A ranked shortlist, not a directory to sort.
- Instrumentl vs Candid →Instrumentl runs the whole process; Candid costs less.
- Instrumentl vs Grant Frog →Instrumentl covers more; Grant Frog costs less.
- Grantlas vs Instrumentl →Same first question, $250 a month less.
- Grantlas vs Grant Frog →Funder research with a Tracker, not a grants office.
- Grantlas vs GrantWatch →Ranked for your nonprofit, not a list for everyone.
- Grantlas vs Grantable →Find the funder first, then write where you already write.
- Instrumentl alternatives →From free to $219 a month, sorted by who each tool fits.
- Foundation Directory alternatives →Candid Search and five other ways to find foundation funders.
Prices and features checked October 22, 2026
- GrantStation membership
- Candid pricing
- GrantStation
- GrantStation member pricing (PANO example)
- Candid Go for Gold
- Candid connector for Claude
Instrumentl, Candid, Foundation Directory, Grant Frog, GrantStation, GrantWatch, Grantable, Grantsights and Engrant are trademarks of their owners. Grantlas isn't affiliated with any of them. Prices and features come from each company's public pages on the date shown and can change. If something here is out of date, email team@grantlas.com and we'll fix it within a week.