Updated January 2026

GPT-5.2 o1 vs Grammarly

A comprehensive 2026 comparison to help you choose the right AI tool for your needs. We tested both extensively.

Winner
OpenAI

GPT-5.2 Thinking

4.9
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Grammarly

Grammarly

4.6
Try Grammarly Free

Quick Verdict: GPT-5.2 o1 vs Grammarly

After extensive testing, **GPT-5.2 Thinking** comes out ahead with a 4.9/5 rating. It's the better choice for most users, especially those focused on Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs. However, Grammarly remains competitive and may be preferable if you prioritize Grammar checking, professional emails, academic writing.

Our Pick for 2026
GPT-5.2 Thinking

GPT-5.2 Thinking edges out Grammarly with superior overall performance and features that make it the better choice for most users in 2026. With a 4.9/5 rating, it excels particularly in Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs.

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Feature Comparison Table

Side-by-side comparison of key features and capabilities

Feature
GPT-5.2 o1
Grammarly
Performance Ratings
Overall Rating
4.9
4.6
Coding
4.8
-
Writing
4.5
4.8
Reasoning
5.0
4.0
Speed
3.8
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
4.5
Pricing
Monthly Price
$200
$12
Free Tier
Input (per 1M tokens)
$15
-
Output (per 1M tokens)
$60
-
Capabilities
Context Window
128K
50K
Vision/Images
Audio
Video
Code Generation
AI Agents

When to Use GPT-5.2 o1 vs Grammarly

Choose GPT-5.2 o1 When You Need:

  • Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs
  • Superior coding assistance and code generation
  • Processing longer documents with 128K context

Choose Grammarly When You Need:

  • Grammar checking, professional emails, academic writing
  • Better quality content writing and creative tasks
  • Faster response times for time-sensitive work
  • Testing capabilities with a free tier before committing

In-Depth Analysis: GPT-5.2 o1 vs Grammarly

Performance & Capabilities

In our comprehensive testing for 2026, we evaluated both GPT-5.2 Thinking and Grammarly across multiple dimensions including coding tasks, creative writing, reasoning problems, and general conversation quality. GPT-5.2 Thinking emerged as our top pick with an overall rating of 4.9/5.

GPT-5.2 Thinking scored 4.8/5 on coding tasks, making it an excellent choice for developers. In comparison, Grammarly also performs well in this category.

Pricing & Value

When it comes to pricing, Grammarly offers a free tier for testing. For paid plans, Grammarly is more affordable at $12/month compared to $200/month.

Use Cases & Target Audience

GPT-5.2 Thinking is particularly well-suited for Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs. Its strengths make it ideal for professionals who need advanced coding help, quality content creation, and reliable AI assistance.

Grammarly, on the other hand, excels at Grammar checking, professional emails, academic writing. Users who prioritize fast response times, complex reasoning, will find it particularly valuable.

GPT-5.2 Thinking Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Best reasoning model from OpenAI
  • Edges out Gemini 3 and Claude Opus 4.5 on most tests
  • Performs at/above human expert level on GDPval
  • Excellent for coding, math, and document analysis
  • State-of-the-art on SWE-Bench Pro

Cons

  • Expensive ($200/mo for Pro subscription)
  • Slower than Instant variant
  • Requires Pro subscription for full access
  • Writing can feel robotic

Grammarly Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Works everywhere (browser, desktop, mobile)
  • Excellent grammar and spelling
  • Tone detection
  • Plagiarism checker
  • GrammarlyGO AI assistant

Cons

  • Not for creative writing
  • Premium features require subscription
  • Can be overly corrective

Best For: GPT-5.2 o1

Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs

Best For: Grammarly

Grammar checking, professional emails, academic writing

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about GPT-5.2 o1 vs Grammarly

Is GPT-5.2 Thinking better than Grammarly in 2026?

Based on our benchmarks and analysis, GPT-5.2 Thinking performs better overall with a rating of 4.9/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - GPT-5.2 Thinking excels at Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs, while Grammarly is better for Grammar checking, professional emails, academic writing.

What is the price difference between GPT-5.2 o1 and Grammarly?

GPT-5.2 Thinking costs $200/month for paid plans. Grammarly offers a free tier and costs $12/month for paid plans.

Which is better for coding: GPT-5.2 o1 or Grammarly?

Both tools can assist with coding tasks. Check our detailed comparison above to see benchmark results.

Can I use GPT-5.2 o1 and Grammarly for free?

GPT-5.2 Thinking requires a paid subscription. Grammarly does offer a free tier with limited features. Both tools offer trial periods or limited free access for new users.

Which AI has a larger context window: GPT-5.2 o1 or Grammarly?

GPT-5.2 Thinking has a larger context window at 128,000 tokens, compared to 50,000 tokens. Larger context windows allow processing more text in a single conversation.

Is GPT-5.2 o1 faster than Grammarly?

In our speed tests, Grammarly is faster with a speed rating of 5.0/5. Response times can vary based on server load and query complexity.

Which is better for writing content: GPT-5.2 o1 or Grammarly?

For content writing, Grammarly excels with a writing rating of 4.8/5 versus 4.5/5. Consider your specific writing needs when choosing.

Do GPT-5.2 o1 and Grammarly support image generation?

GPT-5.2 Thinking supports image understanding and analysis. Grammarly does not have built-in image capabilities. For dedicated image generation, consider specialized tools like DALL-E or Midjourney.

Which AI should beginners choose: GPT-5.2 o1 or Grammarly?

For beginners, we recommend Grammarly since it offers a free tier. GPT-5.2 Thinking has a slightly better overall user experience based on our testing.

Can I switch from GPT-5.2 o1 to Grammarly easily?

Yes, switching between AI tools is straightforward since they use similar prompting interfaces. Your conversation history won't transfer, but you can export important outputs. Many professionals use both tools depending on the task - GPT-5.2 Thinking for Complex reasoning, software engineering, research, math proofs and Grammarly for Grammar checking, professional emails, academic writing.

Ready to Get Started?

Both tools offer free tiers or trials. Try them out and see which one works best for your workflow in 2026.