Grammarly is an all-in-one online editor that helps with grammatical errors, plagiarism detection, and spell checking. If you’re a writer you can use Grammarly when writing a business email, social media post, or assignment.
The online editor is helpful as it helps you to comprehend complex writing rules and styles. It comes with a free and paid version that allows you to improve your writing style.
Besides, this writing assistant is compatible with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other social media channels like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Even though Grammarly is an excellent checker, it has some flaws. The online editor is quite pricey, and most small businesses and individuals can’t afford their premium version.
Besides, the account has minimal vocabulary suggestions since it doesn’t have an inbuilt dictionary to provide alternatives to some of the words. Moreover, Grammarly supports only the English language and cannot translate to other languages like other online editors.
You’ll notice that Grammarly misses mistakes on the first attempt, so you need to refresh and let it run to identify new errors.
Therefore, you can’t entirely rely on the writing tool if you’re looking to enhance your writing skills. You’ll always opt to use the greatest ones or combine them with another online proofreading tool.
This article will highlight some effective Grammarly alternatives you can use as your writing assistant.
Best Grammarly Alternatives
1. ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid is a better alternative to Grammarly, especially if you’re working on a budget. Grammarly and ProWritingAid help with spelling and grammatical errors.
However, ProWritingAid helps improve the style and clarity of your writing. Moreover, ProWritingAid is compatible with Microsoft Word/ Outlook, Final Draft, Open Office, and Google Chrome.
What makes ProWritingAid different from Grammarly is the ability to curate in-depth and readable materials. Additionally, its unique combination of tips, videos, quizzes, and articles makes it stand out.
ProWritingAid is valuable to bloggers, copywriters, students, business writers, content writers, fiction, and nonfiction authors.
Compared to other grammar editing software on the market, ProWritingAid has more features exclusive to its product.
Thesaurus is one of the features available on the software. It is an online dictionary that provides synonyms for words in your text to help in spicing your writing. Besides, the tool can tell you which words are adverbs, nouns, pronouns, verbs, etc.
Moreover, the tool can indicate when you’re overusing words and phrases. Using a variety of words and phrases makes your articles more fascinating.
Here are other features of the ProWritingAid tool:
- Improved Integrations
- More than 10 In-depth writing reports
- Improve your power and clarity of writing with valuable insights
ProWritingAid has affordable and flexible pricing. Besides, it also has a lifetime subscription. How cool is that?
The free plan is perfect as it helps improve your writing skills. Here are more additional features in the free plan;
- You get to enjoy a summary report of key issues
- One can edit 500 words at a time
- Available only on the internet
- Gives you 19 writing reports
With $6.58 a month, you can enjoy the ProWritingAid premium plan and save time with error-free articles. The premium payment plan is ideal since you can purchase it for a lifetime, and then you’ll get all future updates.
So what do you get to enjoy on the premium plan?
- All features on the free version
- Have a desktop version
- There is no word restriction
- Integrations for Google Docs, Chrome, MS Word/Outlook, and Scrivener
Unlike Grammarly, ProWritingAid has a lifetime subscription for its members. Moreover, it’s less expensive in comparison to Grammarly.
Additionally, with ProWritingAid, you get to enjoy in-depth writing reports, contextual suggestions, and a thesaurus. Without forgetting, it’s quick integration to multiple platforms.
Besides the minor grammatical mistakes that it sometimes misses, the free plan has a 500-word restriction for every edit. Also, it doesn’t have a plagiarism checker in the premium package.
However, due to its numerous features, ProWritingAid is one of the best Grammarly alternatives available.
Now take your writing to the next level. ProWritingAid offers a robust grammar tool together with an easy to use style-editor, reports, articles, videos, quizzes and more!
2. Hemingway App
The app is an inspiration from Ernest Hemingway’s writing style, direct and concise. It helps you shorten sentences and eliminate unnecessary words and sentences from your writing.
Unlike Grammarly, this app is a free online editor. When you paste your text into the editor, it will indicate all the passive voice, adverbs, hard-to-read, and complex sentences. Besides, it gives you the readability rate of the entire material.
So, if you’re starting and looking into improving your writing skills in Medium or WordPress, you can leverage this editor. With the integration of the Hemingway desktop version, you can post directly from the editor to your blog.
The editor stands out from Grammarly as it allows users to format headings and body text. It’s easy to underline, bold, italicize, and even headline your text.
With its desktop integration, you can publish a live article to your blogging platform medium, among others. You can also use the HTML or Markdown format to save your text.
Besides, you get to enjoy valuable corrections to tidy and spruce up your article. The best part about this editor is that it’s a free online editor, while the desktop version costs $19.90-lifetime.
Therefore, because of this, the Hemingway Editor is easy to use, like Grammarly. However, the only drawback is that the software rarely checks for grammar errors.
It’s advisable to use it in conjunction with another online proofreading tool like ProWritingAid or Grammarly.
Explore some of the best alternatives to the Hemingway App here.
3. Paper Rater
This is another online proofreading tool popular for scholarly work and other academic papers such as research writing. It uses the Auto Grader application to assess grammar and spelling mistakes.
Unlike Grammarly, you don’t need an account to use the grammar and spell checker tool. With the help of its Grendel AI engine, it assists students in improving their grades.
What makes it stand out is the ability to assign grades, rank papers, and suggest ways of improving their work.
Moreover, you stand to gain from this tool as you learn to create better creative, scholarly, and digital content from suggested ideas.
Therefore, you don’t rely entirely on the program, hence achieving the objective of using the best online proofreading tools.
Although Grammarly can also proofread academic content with their Academic Mode, PaperRater emphasizes academic writings. The premium version niches down and handles the scholarly content with more grace.
Besides, the plagiarism checker is a valuable feature of the PaperRater. The software has an extensive paper database that makes it easy to analyze and trace for plagiarism.
Its database contains anonymous work created by different scholars from over 120 countries across the globe. The automated proofreading software will:
- Detect passive voice
- Review Sentence structure
- Check vocabulary use
It works almost similar to the Hemingway Editor. It shares tips on avoiding incorrect words and phrases, monitoring sentence length and variability, and the readability statistics.
According to PaperRater, the free version of the software will remain free for the longest time.
On the other hand, the premium version will improve the grammar, spelling, punctuation, and detect plagiarism.
The premium version allows you to upload a Microsoft Word Doc, Docx, txt, and RTF. However, the browser doesn’t have extensions to install.
Lack of browser extension could be a setback. But, it can be an advantage depending on your browser’s preferred functionality. As much as the software provides adequate feedback on your work, we can’t guarantee it to be at par with your tutor.
4. Outwrite
Outwrite, a rebrand of GradeProof, is another proofreading and plagiarism software powered by AI. The software has premium and free versions. The free plan helps check for basic spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
When signing up for a free Outwrite account, you can choose the version of English you would want to use; whether it’s the US or other nations’ English. Besides, you get to decide the nature of your writing, for instance, a blog post, social media, or email.
These selections help to guide the software on what grammar and spelling suggestions are accurate for you. Just like Grammarly, the software has a Chrome and Google Docs extension for use.
This tool is not popular or widely used but it’s a valuable alternative to the Grammarly account. Moreover, the software gives you a readability score and the average time for reading the post. In addition, it helps check punctuation and spelling errors.
Unlike Grammarly, Outwrite is slightly expensive but the premium plan includes coaching on style and eloquence.
5. WhiteSmoke
WhiteSmoke is the king of effective grammar checkers. It is an all-in-one premium editing tool that combines language translation, grammar checker, and plagiarism features.
The software integrates well both desktop and mobile devices and the four major online browsers as extensions.
Moreover, it supports the correction of approximately 16 grammatical, writing style, clarity among other issues. Besides, it can handle all spelling problems (and their variations), repetitions, sentence structure, and other issues in your writing.
WhiteSmoke works like the Grammarly version. You can edit the errors in real-time (with minimal interruptions). Also, the software allows you to edit into various social media sites like WordPress, LinkedIn, email, Pulse, and other platforms.
One of the notable features of WhiteSmoke is its ability to translate content into over 50 languages. This makes it easier to expand your blog readership and interact with international clients.
Moreover, you can also correspond with non-English native speakers on all of your social media sites. And you will notice a close relation on performance to Google Translate.
Unlike Grammarly this online editing tool is quite resourceful, you can communicate with other content creators with ease. They range from condolences, sorry notes, thank you notes, resumes, cover letters, and reports.
The software has two versions; the Web version and the Premium and Business versions. With the web version, it can help check basic grammar, plagiarism, and produce modest translations.
But the premium and business plans are robust, detailed, and include additional features. It allows you to integrate the software with Windows or macOS to support all browsers with one-click proofreading.
6. 1Checker
1Checker is a decent Grammarly alternative if you’re looking to check basic grammar and spelling mistakes. The beauty about this app is free to use, provided you have an account with them.
It has a few different versions that you can leverage. The online checker is available for use if you don’t want to download the software or when using a Chromebook.
Additionally, you can leverage the desktop apps for Windows and Mac computers. Close to the editor, you can find a small dictionary search bar that you can use.
The advantage of this feature is that it allows you to look up word definitions if you’re not sure how to use the word well. Besides, you can look for translations using the same search bar.
Unlike Grammarly, editor 1Checker provides helpful explanations if it detects grammar errors. For instance, if you mix up “lay” and “lie,” this software will display both definitions to help you decide which one you can use ideally.
7. Ginger
Ginger is one of the oldest players in the industry. It helps check for spelling, punctuation and find synonyms to enhance your writing. Additionally, the tool allows you to correct all the errors at once and undo the same (all at once).
It supports over 40 languages with two English language provisions (US/UK English). On the other hand, Grammarly only supports three English language provisions (US/UK/Australian).
Here is how Ginger and Grammarly compare on various aspects.
Unlike Grammarly, which only supports one language (English), Ginger supports over 40 languages. Besides, you can access the editing software on unlimited devices, whereas Grammarly has a limit of devices.
Ginger offers text-to-speech features, but this feature is not available on Grammarly. In addition, Ginger proofreading editor has an unlimited number of words that you can edit, but Grammarly limits it to 150,000 words.
Besides Grammarly being slightly cheaper than Ginger, it has excellent customer service support with a one-hour turnaround time, but Ginger can take up to 24hrs before they respond.
Ginger has unnecessary services like a translator. Such services are unnecessary because other tools perform the services better, like Google translator. Besides, the lack of plagiarism checkers can’t make it an online publisher’s partner.
Grammarly has exceptional performance in the market. And it continues to improve with currently over 400 factors for detecting errors. With plagiarism features and overall compatibility with most platforms (MS Office, Google Docs, mobile, desktop, and web) Grammarly is more robust than Ginger.
You can see updated pricing by visiting their pricing page.
8. SlickWrite
SlickWrite has fewer features than Grammarly. But, it’s an excellent tool for checking spelling and grammar errors. And the best part, it strives to resolve a significant problem every writer faces – writer’s block.
Here are the main features of SlickWrite:
- Structure Tool: Indicates sentence structure and word count by hovering the cursor on a sentence. Besides, it will show the sentence type.
- Vocabulary Variety Tool: Comes with color-coding to help writers avoid writing bland content. Bright Green indicates the use of a good variety of vocabulary, but red shows sections of your work with a minor variety of vocabulary.
- Flow Tool: Indicates sentence flow using a visual graphical interface. It tracks three main flow components-word length, sentence, and structural flows. Orange color indicates poor flow that is solvable by removing or shortening long sentences.
- Statistics: It has several vital statistics, including readability scores and other grammar and spelling statistics.
But, the main differentiating feature that is not linked to spelling or grammar checks is its Associator.
The Associator strives to remedy writer’s block (staring at computer or journal unproductively). It’s a word game that enhances association to help bring back workflow again.
The Associator feature works this way; you type a phrase or word, presenting several words that associate with your input (phrase or word). As a result, the set of words provided can be applied for fun, improve your writing skills, and eliminate writer’s block.
Grammarly has better and more accurate spelling and grammar checkers than SlickWrite. However, SlickWrite is a free proofreading web-based tool that outperforms Grammarly in certain aspects.
For example, SlickWrite is free and has no feature limitations. Yet, Grammarly’s free plan has restrictions on features in its free plan.
Hence, SlickWrite is free with extra features for better writing and eliminates writer’s block but not as precise as Grammarly in grammar and spelling check.
9. Readable
Readable is a worthy alternative to Grammarly, ProwritingAid, and Hemingway. Its main leverage is on readability score alongside spelling and grammar checker.
It has several methods of measuring readability scores based on specific algorithms as enlisted below;
- Flesch-Kincaid
- Gunning Fox Index
- SMOG Index
- Automated Readability Index
- Flesch Reading Ease
- Coleman-Liau Index
- New Dale-Chall
- IELTS amongst others
The above algorithms and their associated scores are applicable in a specific field, making Readable widely useful to copywriters and businesses (whether large or small).
For instance, the Gunning Fox Index score is widely applicable in professional and business writing. Also, the Flesch Reading Ease score is primarily used in several institutions, including government institutions and agencies.
Besides, the various reading score associated with Readable has key features listed below:
- Readability reports
- Text analysis
- Keyword density
- And more
Also, Readable has wide device compatibility. The tool has impeccable grammar and spelling checking features (like Grammarly), and a great readability score (like Hemingway) that makes it a great proofreading tool.
Updated pricing can be found here.
10. LanguageTool
LanguageTool is an open-source writing assistant and an alternative to Grammarly. You can use it to fix your writing style, spelling, or grammar errors.
It has free Firefox and Chrome extensions that support over 25 languages (alongside their subsequent variations). They include;
- 6 English variations (American, Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand, and South Africa)
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Polish
- Russian
- And more.
Additionally, it comes with an add-on for MS Office, LibreOffice, and Google Docs.
LanguageTool makes it easier to improve your writing by identifying incorrect words and phrases alongside relevant suggestions and explanations.
Both Grammarly and LanguageTool have wide device compatibility, including Web, Mobile, and Desktop.
The tool has two advantages over Grammarly; unlimited word and free. Besides, it will be easier to use if you have experience with Grammarly because they have almost similar user interfaces.
What makes LanguageTool stand out from Grammarly is its affordability. So, if you’re working on a budget you can leverage this software to improve your writing style.
11. Sapling
Like Grammarly, Sapling uses AI to provide grammar results for your writing. The software has a free version extension that integrates well with Outlook, Google Chrome, and Docs.
After signing up for your free Sapling account, you will access their free premium account. But, you can continue using the free plan indefinitely after your free premium trial ends.
Most people who engage customers daily find this software efficient for messaging. The software offers grammar solutions, snippets, chat suggestions, and autocomplete.
Making texts efficient and minimizing repetitive messaging tasks increases the number of happy clients. Besides, you get to enjoy a great customer experience since they are live 24/7 to assist and satisfy their clients’ needs.
However, more advanced corrections and auto-complete functions are only available on the premium version. With its user-friendly interface, this software is a good Grammarly alternative.
For updated pricing, visit their pricing page.
Take Away
Several Grammarly alternatives can help you improve your writing, but only a few can act as Grammarly substitutes.
This difference occurs because the other options have different features that may be better than Grammarly. Below are some of the options alongside features that are better than Grammarly:
- ProWritingAid – Cheaper
- Hemingway App – Better readability score
- 1Checker – Linked to a small dictionary
- Ginger – Supports over 40 languages, has a text-to-speech feature, and it’s cheaper
- SlickWrite – Has an additional useful tool, Associator, which helps eliminate writer’s block
- Readable – Superior and robust reading score with broad applications
- Language Tool – Free
Therefore, only a few Grammarly alternatives can be used as a complete substitute like ProWritingAid.
Others like the Hemingway App and Readable can only compliment them as they provide more robust features than Grammarly. But, they lack the robust plagiarism, spelling, and grammar checker that is also critical in quality writing.
Therefore, we would settle on ProWritingAid as a complete substitute and alternative to Grammarly. But, you may still need to complement it with others like Hemingway and Readable for advanced reading score features.
Cassie Riley has a passion for all things marketing and social media. She is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, language, music, writing, and unicorns. Cassie is a lifetime learner, and loves to spend time attending classes, webinars, and summits.