You've likely spent countless hours crafting the perfect cover letter for each job application only to wonder if anyone even reads them. Cover letters add the human element to an application. They explain your motivation and tell a story about why you’re the right fit, which resumes alone can’t do. The truth is, cover letters still make or break applications in 2025, but the way you customize them has completely changed with automated job search tools.
Whether you're tired of writing the same introduction over and over or struggling to stand out in a crowded job market, AI-powered cover letter generators have changed this important step in your job search. Today, we'll list a few of the best AI cover letter generator tools that will speed up your job application process.
TLDR:
83% of hiring managers say a strong cover letter can persuade them to interview a candidate
Cover letters are harder and more time-consuming to write than resumes because they require deeper self-reflection and clear articulation of your “why”
Sprout combines cover letters, resume tailoring, and job applications in one swipe
ChatGPT offers flexibility but requires precise prompting and time investment
Free templates work well but take time and lack personalization
Integrated solutions outperform standalone generators for high-volume applications
Why Cover Letters Still Matter in 2025
A good cover letter can provide context for your application and set you apart from other candidates. While traditional job application processes have evolved a lot, cover letters remain important, and research strongly supports this.
According to a survey, 72% of hiring managers believe cover letters are important. When asked how cover letters impact their hiring decisions, 83% responded that a strong cover letter can persuade them to invite a candidate for an interview, even with a weaker resume.
Unlike a resume, which is factual and structured, a cover letter is persuasive and narrative. It’s your chance to speak directly to a hiring manager, explain your motivation, and show why you’re a standout fit for this specific role. This is why so many job seekers struggle with how to write a good cover letter. It requires personalization, self-reflection, and clear articulation of your “why.” For anyone looking for personalized cover letter tips, this is where AI tools can save hours of effort.
This shows why cover letters are still required in many industries, even when they’re listed as optional.
#1 Sprout: The Complete Job Application Solution
Sprout turns job hunting into a simple swipe. With our Swipe to Apply feature, you can instantly apply to jobs you love, just like Tinder. Swipe right, and our AI will automatically create a tailored resume and cover letter for that specific job, then submit your application for you.
Unlike standalone cover letter generators, Sprout is your ultimate job search assistant. It uses AI-driven job applications to help you land your dream job faster.
What sets Sprout apart from other AI cover letter generators is its complete integration with the job application process. The AI cover letters are often stronger than anything you could write in the rush of applying to various job posts each week.
It's like having a personal recruiter 24/7 that applies to jobs, writes cover letters, and keeps you organized. The results speak for themselves, with hundreds of reviews from recent graduates and job seekers who used Sprout.
Feature | Sprout | Standalone Generators |
|---|---|---|
Cover Letter Generation | ✓ | ✓ |
Resume Customization | ✓ | ✗ |
Job Application Automation | ✓ | ✗ |
Application Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
Mobile-First Experience | ✓ | Limited |
The mobile app makes job searching accessible anywhere, turning downtime into productive application sessions.
#2 Grammarly AI Cover Letter Generator
Grammarly's cover letter generator uses AI writing assistance to help you quickly craft a quality cover letter for the job you want. Built on the foundation of their proven writing assistance technology, Grammarly's approach focuses heavily on writing quality and refinement.
Grammarly's AI cover letter generator is helpful for polishing language, but it doesn’t speed up high-volume applications the way integrated tools like Sprout do. The tool integrates smoothly with their existing writing enhancement features, offering real-time suggestions for tone, clarity, and effectiveness.
However, Grammarly's builder requires more work than other options.
When using Grammarly's AI assistance to help you craft cover letters, it's best to provide a lot of information. The more detailed your prompts are, the clearer and more engaging your cover letter will be. This makes it ideal for users who enjoy the writing process but want AI assistance with structure and refinement.
For job seekers who need to apply to multiple positions quickly, this detailed approach can become time-consuming. That's where solutions like Sprout's automated approach offer major advantages for high-volume applications.
#3 ChatGPT for Cover Letters
ChatGPT is the tool that pushed generative AI to the masses. While it doesn't offer specialized cover letter templates, its open-ended nature gives you flexibility to craft your message. Many job seekers turn to ChatGPT for its accessibility and conversational interface that allows for iterative refinement.
Several specialized tools have been built on ChatGPT's foundation, including Cover Letter Copilot and custom GPTs designed for cover letter creation. With Cover Letter Copilot, you can now generate a compelling cover letter in a matter of seconds, using ChatGPT.
The primary advantage of ChatGPT lies in its flexibility for experienced users. The real magic happens when you refine your prompts.
However, this flexibility requires a major time investment and prompting expertise. Getting quality results demands understanding how to structure effective prompts, iterate on responses, and maintain consistency across multiple applications.
For users who want ChatGPT-level quality without the complexity, integrated solutions provide the same AI tools with simple workflows. This is particularly valuable when you're applying to remote positions where competition is fierce and speed matters.
#4 Zety Cover Letter Builder
Zety takes a guided approach to cover letter creation, walking users through the process step by step. Just upload your resume from your phone or computer, input your target job, and they'll generate a personalized cover letter for you, taking care of tone, layout, and content.
You can use features like:
Tailored suggestions for specific jobs
Follows industry standards and best practices
Walks you through each section step-by-step
Zety takes a slower, step-by-step approach that can help beginners understand each part of a cover letter, but for modern job seekers applying to many roles, this method is inefficient compared to Sprout's automation.
This guided approach can be time-consuming when applying to multiple positions. For job seekers targeting finance careers or other competitive fields where volume matters, more automated solutions work better and save time.
FAQ
How long does it take to generate a cover letter with AI tools?
Most AI cover letter generators can create a personalized cover letter in under 2 minutes, with tools like Sprout generating them instantly as part of the job application process. More detailed tools like Grammarly may require 5-10 minutes for optimal results.
What's the main difference between standalone cover letter generators and integrated solutions like Sprout?
Standalone generators focus only on creating cover letters, while integrated solutions like Sprout combine cover letter generation with resume customization, job matching, application tracking, and automated submission, eliminating the need to use multiple separate tools.
Can AI-generated cover letters actually help me get more interviews?
Yes, according to the survey data mentioned, 83% of hiring managers say a strong cover letter can persuade them to interview an otherwise weak candidate, and many users report getting interview requests much faster when using AI-powered personalized cover letters.
When should I use a free template versus an AI generator for cover letter?
Use free templates when you have time to manually customize each application and prefer full control over content, but choose AI generators when applying to multiple positions quickly or when you need personalized content that matches specific job requirements automatically.
Are cover letters still important in 2025 while applying for jobs?
Yes, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS), but recruiters still read cover letters to assess motivation, personality, and fit. 72% of hiring managers say cover letters matter because they explain context that resumes can’t, such as career changes or specific skills for the role.
Who actually reads cover letters?
Cover letters are usually read by hiring managers or recruiters during the shortlisting stage. Unlike resumes, which are often shared with the recruiter, hiring manager, interview panel, and even the broader decision-making team, a cover letter is primarily written for the hiring manager making the final decision. It gives them a direct window into your motivation, your “why,” and your fit for the role. Think of the resume as a broad factual document for all stakeholders, and the cover letter as a targeted narrative for the decision-maker.
Final thoughts on AI cover letter generators
The job search has evolved, and your tools should too. While free templates and ChatGPT have their place, the clear winner for most job seekers is an integrated solution that handles everything from cover letters to applications. A resume gets you in the door, but a great cover letter can be the reason a hiring manager decides to interview you. Sprout changes what used to be hours of work into a simple swipe, letting you focus on preparing for the interviews that follow.
