Side by side
Lightbulb vs Lyra
Both stand on ai writing tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan ExtensioniPhoneMac
Lightbulb puts rewriting, translation, saved snippets, and reminders inside an iOS keyboard. The free tier has a three-item shelf limit, while Pro pricing is not provided.
Visit Lightbulb
Free plan APIWeb
Lyra provides a controlled workflow from topic discovery through human-reviewed pull requests. Its plans scale publishing volume, seats and analytics, but the GitHub setup and customer-managed AI credentials are requirements.
Visit LyraThe facts
| Lightbulb | Lyra | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Extension, iPhone, Mac | API, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Annual Lightbulb Pro: $29.99 a year | Starter: $39 a month |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | lightbulbai.app | trylyra.ai |
| On ai writing tools | #41 of 269 | #37 of 269 |
Lightbulb: what it does well
- Rewrites and polishes text in apps
- Supports tone changes, grammar, and translation
- Offers reminders and follow-up alerts
- Free plan includes a 7-day Pro trial
- Normal typing stays on device until AI action
What to know first
- Free shelf limited to three pinned items
- Requires iOS 17 or later
- Full Access is required for network AI
Lyra: what it does well
- Researches live search topics
- Checks and rewrites drafts across several criteria
- Human approval required before publishing
- Brand voice and SEO controls
- Free plan includes three posts
What to know first
- Requires GitHub repository and GitHub App
- Users supply their own Anthropic key
- Invite-gated access
- Monthly post limits pause new posts
Alternatives to Lightbulb Alternatives to Lyra The whole list