Guideline answers · Comparisons
Comparisons · Guideline AI tools
How does Cal compare to Guideline Buddy?
Both answer mortgage guideline questions in a chat. Guideline Buddy says it covers Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA and non-QM, with a free plan and a $12 a month Premium plan. Cal answers from agency guides and wholesale lender guidelines with the section on each answer, and the effective date where the source states one, at $99 a month after seven days free.
Checked against the sources below on October 29, 2026. Reviewed by Chris Black, NMLS 275073, on November 2, 2026.
Side by side
| Cal | Guideline Buddy | |
|---|---|---|
| Guidelines covered | Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and USDA guides, plus wholesale lender guidelines | Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and USDA, and non-QM, per its features page |
| Lender overlays | Answers from the guideline documents of the wholesale lenders in its library (live count on askcal.io/status) | Says it tracks changes to guidelines, including lender overlays |
| Citations | Answers cite the source section; with no source, Cal says so instead of answering | Basic plan lists links to original sources |
| Effective dates | Shows the effective date; flags a date it cannot source as unconfirmed | Not stated on its website |
| Price | $99 per month for one loan officer | Free Basic plan; Premium $12 a month or $144 a year; Company plan custom |
| Trial | 7 days free, no credit card | Free plan, no card required |
| Built for | Independent mortgage loan officers and brokers | Mortgage professionals, including loan officers, brokers, underwriters, sales and compliance managers and product developers |
Watch for
- Products and prices change. Check each company's current site before you decide.
- We list only what each company states on its own site. We did not test the other products.
Sources
Compare loan eligibility across Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, and USDA all in one prompt
Include links to original sources
askcal.io, What Cal will not do
It will tell you what the guideline says, which section it came from, and when that section took effect.
No credit card required. Your trial starts at your first verified sign-in.
Your file is never the textbook case. Ask Cal with the borrower's facts and get the agency rule, plus the overlays of the wholesale lenders in Cal's library, each cited to the section.
Try Cal free for 7 days