If you’re a student in 2025, and you haven’t at least heard of Caktus AI or caught a glimpse of its smiling mascot, your friends probably have a secret group chat without you (ouch, sorry). This tool has been buzzing around campus halls and TikTok feeds since 2022. Marketed as a homework helper with AI muscle, Caktus AI is currently known as a go-to tool for getting through assignments without falling into a plagiarism trap.
The main focus of my writing as a content editor and researcher is the academic sphere, but with all the modern technologies available, I’m looking for ways to make writing more enjoyable using various tools and AI-powered software. I’ve already written dozens of reviews about different tools and gotten tons of “thank you”s in feedback from young adults, so I can’t see any reason to stop.
In this review, I will present the Caktus AI writer to you. First, let’s take a closer look at the tool, and if you’re a newbie, you may need some information to understand what it is. It started as a project built specifically for students — not business teams or corporate users — and that’s still the angle they push hard: Caktus aims to “normalize generative AI in education” by finding ways to use it safely and truthfully. From AI-generated essays to giving you poem and hook drafts, the platform is trying to cover all the bases. But is it powerful enough to take on the challenge it sets? Or is it just another shiny distraction?
I’m here to give you the answers to all these questions. If this is what you’ve been looking for, just make a cup of tea, sit comfortably, and proceed with reading. This will be a pretty short talk with lots of insights.
Why I Decided to Test Caktus AI
Having seen so many Caktus AI reviews, I simply couldn’t resist the temptation to try out this helper myself, since it promised to solve all my issues and help me succeed more than I would with ChatGPT. So, I browsed the website and found all the features the tool offers, and I should say that I was really curious about its functions and results. The website says that Caktus AI is an AI-powered platform with academic tools created for high school and college students who need assistance with writing, math, and coding assignments, as well as with more nuanced skills that can be built up over time, like language learning.
Caktus AI pitches itself as a “learning tool”, which is technically true. But a quick glance at how it’s being used tells a different story. It seems like students turn to it when they need a rough draft or a quick way to get past AI detection software, which can be a real issue in the academic scene, especially for those first-year learners who still don’t understand all the rules of academic integrity perfectly. For now, this is just a guess from my side, but let’s see what the tool actually says about how it works and how users should use it.
How I Tested Caktus AI
When I decided to test Caktus AI, I had an essay topic for discussion, and I realized that I had to try it in a real scenario. Thus, I just put in my topic, “Exam Anxiety in College Learners: Psychological Triggers and Consequences”, set a word count, told it I wanted an analytical essay, and stated that I needed the essay written in APA format.
However, what I got was less of an “academic partner” and more of a “mystery subscription service with commitment issues.”
The first surprise? I couldn’t even take a look at the result until I paid $19.99 for a subscription. At that point, I joked that I might as well have bought a mystery box — because I had no idea what was in it until I opened it. Finally, I paid the sum and was allowed to get the output.
What I got was an essay that was just okay; it wasn’t as polished or professional as I’d hoped, and I definitely had to go back in and fix things to make it worthwhile. So much for autopilot writing.
To be honest, I wasn’t that surprised because I had read tons of feedback and was prepared for a scenario where I’d just get basic assistance. A lot of reviewers have also reported surprise charges, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and some other organizational issues that, in my opinion, should not be the case when you’re working with a tool that costs $20 without offering any free version. Some people actually call the whole service a “scam” (or, to be more polite, a platform with terrible customer service issues) because of how hard it is to unsubscribe. So yeah, my test cost me money, a few laughs (and eye rolls), and a fair bit of manual editing. But at least now I have something to tell you about beyond spec sheets and shiny promises!
How Does Caktus AI Work?
If you think you’ll need a set of instructions on how to use Caktus AI, don’t worry. It’s easy enough. Once you sign up (as we have already discussed, an account is required, and all the actions will need a subscription), you’re dropped into a pretty full dashboard. The services include a wide range of tools, such as an essay writer, a paragraph generator, a paraphraser, a summarizer, and many more. Some AI tools are very specific — for example, there’s a LinkedIn Summary Generator, but who knows what you’ll want to use this tool for, even after paying $19.99?
The interface is minimal and easy to figure out because of it — fewer buttons and text boxes to get lost in. You select the tool you need, enter a prompt or question, and the AI gets to work. The Caktus AI essay writer I used allows users to pick a citation style and upload their own documents as sources. As a registered user, you can also opt to search the platform’s database for reputable references.
Besides writing, Caktus AI also features tools for Python and Java learners and step-by-step math solutions. That’s a nice touch, though not all of them work equally well. The writing tools seem to be the strongest part of the platform, while the technical tools often vary in accuracy, making this tool a good consultant but one whose responses you will have to manually check for correctness.
What Caktus AI Can Do: My Personal Experience
Let me say it again: All the insights I give in this article are my personal experience with Caktus AI, and since I don’t pretend to be a frequent user of the tool, my opinion isn’t the only analysis you should rely on. Still, based on my hands-on test, I’ve come up with a list of things you can realistically expect from Caktus AI, without the marketing glitter.
- Yes, it can generate a full essay. I gave it my topic, selected the style, set a word count, and asked for APA formatting, and the tool did get back to me with a structured essay. So, if your main goal is to avoid staring at a blank page at 2 a.m. and you have an extra $20 lying around, give it a try.
- The content is decent. The arguments made sense, the flow was logical, and it sounded “academic enough” at first glance. Of course, I needed to fix some things, like its slightly repetitive ideas and some surface-level analysis. Overall, it felt like a solid draft written by a tired student, but unfortunately not a polished paper written by a pro.
- It’s really fast. It just took me about a minute to get the output, and that’s probably the main argument for using it.
Essay Writing Tool — My Results
So, I got an essay, but I can’t really say that it was much more professional than the one I could create for free with the help of ChatGPT. Maybe Caktus AI really was trained on more academic papers than ChatGPT, but the difference is too slight, in my opinion, to really notice. So, I highly recommend thinking of it more as a brainstorming and drafting assistant, not an academic miracle worker. If you treat it as a starting point rather than a final answer, you’ll be much less disappointed (and a lot less stressed).
Other Features I Tried
I also tried the humanizer by Caktus AI, hoping it would make the essay sound more natural. Honestly, it did help soften the robotic phrasing, but I tried some AI detectors, like CopyLeaks, Grammarly, and ZeroGPT, and all of them concluded that the text had been created by a machine. As a result, I can just say that this feature is not one you should rely on when you need original AI-free content because the results usually need tweaking to sound fully human and scholarly.
Caktus AI Pricing — Is It Worth It?
Caktus AI pricing starts at $19.99 per month, which gives you full access to all the tools, like the one that can help you summarize large PDF documents or the reference finder. On the other hand, if you need an annual paid subscription, you’ll pay just $8.33 per month. Unfortunately, there’s no Caktus AI free trial, and this issue makes users hesitant. With so many alternative AI writing tools available, typically with a stronger focus on research assistance and professional-level work, Caktus AI’s high cost is more likely to be an obstacle for students on a budget than a selling point.
Pros and Cons
After spending some real time with Caktus AI, I can now clearly see both the strengths and weaknesses of the platform and will be glad to share them with you.
What I Liked
On the plus side, I can include the following features:
- Speed. The tool is fast — once you’re inside, it delivers content almost instantly, which is a lifesaver when deadlines are looming.
- User-friendly interface. It’s easy to use, though sometimes, it seems that there are too few buttons and texts to get answers to all your questions.
Actually, I can’t say that there’s anything that makes this tool extraordinary. As with many others, you’ll be able to set a topic, choose an essay type, and get a structured draft that’s good for brainstorming, outlining, or getting unstuck.
What Didn’t Work for Me
Now, the downsides, and unfortunately, my list is pretty long, and all the points are quite significant.
- The mandatory subscription is, in my opinion, the biggest issue. Paying $19.99 upfront without really knowing what you’ll get feels risky, especially for students.
- Content quality is another mixed bag. It’s okay, but don’t expect professional quality.
- The humanizer doesn’t fully “humanize” the text. Be ready to see all the most trusted AI detectors flag the content as AI-generated. Mind that professors with a sharp eye are more likely to still notice something’s off.
Who Caktus AI Is Actually Good For
To sum up this helper, I can just say that Caktus AI might be worth trying if you’re a busy student who needs different types of writing assistance, or maybe if you have a coupon to access the tool with a discount.
When Caktus AI Might Not Be the Best Choice
If you need professional text generation, I am not sure that this tool can help you meet the requirement. It seems that even giving it a try, you risk getting problems and extra issues to solve, like unsubscribing and fixing the writing errors. Thus, if you are on a budget yet need writing assistance, there are a lot of alternatives that can do the same work at a lower cost.
Caktus AI vs Alternatives
I have already told you that there are a lot of alternatives that can give you more benefits for the same price, or even lower. The Caktus AI alternative I like most, for now, is Textero. Their prices start at $9.99 with full access to all the features and built-in tools. Moreover, you can get a 3-day free trial to make sure the app meets your needs and demands. I guess this is a great alternative where you get better value and don’t have to pay for a mystery box.
| Feature | Caktus AI | Textero |
| Citation & Research | Research materials with summaries, quotes, references, and sources uploaded. | Full and in-text citation generator, vast database of reputable papers, and custom source uploads. |
| Pricing | Monthly Plan for $19.99/month. No trial period. | Premium subscription for $9.99/month with unlimited access. A 3-day trial is available. |
| User Experience | Fast, but nothing special. Plus, users report issues with canceling their subscription. | Quality help, academic focus, and advanced features, like a Personal Library for source management. |
| Best for | High-school and college students who need assistance with getting through assignments. | Professional writers and students who need comprehensive support with academic writing. |
So, Is Caktus AI Legit?
Here we have come to the end of this Caktus AI review, and you can answer for yourself whether the Caktus AI Essay Writer is worth your subscription. If you’re a multitasking student, Caktus AI has some nifty tools that could save you time, but I’m sure that there’s nothing special about this tool compared to other platforms. As for me, Textero is a better fit if you need more in-depth plagiarism-free essays.
FAQ
Is Caktus AI better than ChatGPT?
The Caktus AI writer is more academically-oriented, but I can’t really say that it’s better than ChatGPT. Actually, everything depends on the prompt you give it. In both cases, you can get a structured essay, but the main difference is the cost, at least based on my personal experience. For academic guidance and quick homework support, Caktus has an edge. For flexibility and creativity, ChatGPT offers more versatility overall.
Can Caktus AI be detected?
Yes, content created with Caktus AI can still be flagged by AI detectors. I tried some of the popular ones, and there were no options with a 0% result. Thus, this is definitely not an undetectable AI writer.
Is Caktus AI worth it?
Caktus AI is worth it if you’re a student grinding through multiple subjects and need quick writing or homework help. The tools the site offers are convenient, but they are not flawless. It’s more expensive than some alternatives and a login as well as a subscription are required, so it’s a better fit for users who really need all its features, not just essay writing.
Is Caktus AI Safe?
Caktus AI can be safe if you use it properly; use this AI writing tool for ideas, not to ask it to do your work for you entirely, because submitting AI-generated work can cost you a lot. At the same time, you may wonder if the tool is safe for you and your funds; in this case, we have a lot of claims from other users reporting billing issues, unwanted charges, and poor support, so caution is wise before subscribing. Knowing all these issues, I used my optional bank account that I never refill, so I paid once and wasn’t worried about such extra charges.
How do I cancel my Caktus AI subscription?
To stop the charges, you can cancel the subscription through the device you used to sign up for it, or you can email them and request cancellation. Again, keep in mind that many users, including me, report having difficulty canceling. Thus, I highly recommend saving your confirmation and checking your bank statements afterward.
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