Introduction
Grammarly has become synonymous with online writing assistance. But is it the only game in town? Absolutely not. Whether you’re a student, blogger, author, or professional, you might find that some Grammarly competitors better suit your workflow, budget, or writing goals.
In this article, we’re uncovering 5 surprising Grammarly competitors you haven’t tried yet, including tools that are free, AI-powered, or specialized for different types of writing.
If you’re looking for websites like Grammarly, apps like Grammarly but free, or even AI writing assistants similar to Grammarly, this guide is for you.
Why Consider Grammarly Alternatives?
Grammarly is robust—but not perfect. Here’s why users search for Grammarly alternatives:
- Price Sensitivity: Grammarly Premium can be expensive for students or casual writers.
- Different Features: Not all users need Grammarly’s tone suggestions or AI rewrites.
- Better Native Language Support: Grammarly is great for English, but what about other languages?
- Customization: Some alternatives offer better control for style or formal writing.
- Browser Compatibility: Alternatives may have better Chrome extensions or integrations.
Let’s explore 5 tools similar to Grammarly but with a twist you’ll appreciate.
1. ProWritingAid
Overview
ProWritingAid is a powerful writing assistant that combines grammar checking with in-depth style and readability analysis. It’s particularly loved by fiction and non-fiction authors.
Key Features
- Detailed reports on grammar, sentence structure, pacing, and readability.
- Integrates with Google Docs, MS Word, Scrivener, and web browsers.
- In-app suggestions and editing support for fiction writers.
- Built-in thesaurus and contextual synonym suggestions.
Pricing Structure
- Free Plan: Limited to 500 words per check.
- Premium Plan: Starts at $10/month billed annually. Lifetime licenses available.
- Best For: Authors, bloggers, and professionals who want deep writing insights.
2. LanguageTool
Overview
LanguageTool is an open-source Grammarly alternative that supports more than 30 languages. It excels in grammar, punctuation, and style suggestions—especially for multilingual users.
Key Features
- Works in English, Spanish, French, German, and more.
- Smart style suggestions and spelling corrections.
- Excellent browser extension and Gmail/Google Docs support.
- Supports team writing and custom rules.
Free vs Paid Versions
- Free Plan: Up to 10,000 characters per text.
- Premium Plan: Starts at $4.99/month, includes advanced grammar and style features.
- Best For: Bilingual users, international teams, and users who want an affordable Grammarly substitute.
3. Ginger Software
Overview
Ginger offers grammar and spell checking with a real-time translator and personal trainer features. It’s lightweight and mobile-friendly, making it a favorite among on-the-go users.
Key Features
- Grammar check + translation in 40+ languages.
- Text-to-speech for learning pronunciation.
- Sentence rephrasing to improve clarity.
- Works across Windows, iOS, Android, and browser extensions.
Comparing to Grammarly
- Better for: Multilingual translations and ESL learners.
- Weakness: Fewer advanced style suggestions compared to Grammarly.
- Pricing: Starts at $7.49/month billed annually.
4. QuillBot
Overview
QuillBot isn’t just a grammar checker—it’s an advanced AI paraphrasing tool that helps rewrite, shorten, expand, and improve writing in seconds.
Key Features
- Paraphrasing with multiple tone options (standard, creative, formal, etc.).
- Grammar check powered by AI.
- Integrated citation generator and plagiarism checker.
- Summarizer tool for research and academic writing.
Best Use Cases
- Best For: Students, researchers, and marketers who need to repurpose content.
- Free Plan: Access to limited paraphrasing modes.
- Premium: Starts at $8.33/month with unlimited modes and faster processing.
5. Hemingway Editor
Overview
Hemingway isn’t trying to be like Grammarly—it’s designed to make your writing bold and clear. This minimalistic editor helps cut the fluff and simplify complex sentences.
Key Features
- Highlights passive voice, adverbs, and hard-to-read sentences.
- Offers a readability grade level score.
- Works offline with the Hemingway Desktop app.
- Focuses on clarity over grammar.
When to Use
- Best For: Writers who want to write in a concise, journalistic style.
- Pricing: Free on web, $19.99 one-time for desktop.
- Not Ideal: If you need grammar or spelling corrections.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for software like Grammarly but with a different spin—be it pricing, features, or use case—you now have several impressive options.
Here’s a quick recap of these Grammarly competitors:
Tool | Best For | Free Plan | Key Differentiator |
---|---|---|---|
ProWritingAid | Authors & Bloggers | ✔️ | Deep writing insights and reports |
LanguageTool | Multilingual Writers | ✔️ | 30+ language support |
Ginger | ESL Learners & Mobile Writers | ✔️ | Built-in translation + text-to-speech |
QuillBot | Students & Researchers | ✔️ | Powerful AI paraphrasing |
Hemingway | Journalists & Copywriters | ✔️ | Simplicity + Readability optimization |
No matter your writing style or budget, these applications like Grammarly offer compelling reasons to switch—or supplement—your current setup.
So, which Grammarly alternative free or paid will you try next?
Yes, there are several free apps similar to Grammarly, such as LanguageTool, Ginger, Hemingway Editor, and the free version of QuillBot. While they may have usage limits, they still offer grammar checks, style suggestions, and rewriting features at no cost.
Absolutely. ProWritingAid and LanguageTool Premium are excellent Grammarly alternatives for professional or long-form writing. They offer in-depth grammar, style, and structure analysis for writers, authors, and content creators.
Grammarly vs QuillBot comes down to use case. Grammarly excels in grammar, tone, and writing flow. QuillBot is better for AI-powered paraphrasing, summarizing, and citation generation. Many students use both together for academic writing.
For casual or creative writing, Hemingway Editor and ProWritingAid serve as great Grammarly substitutes. Hemingway simplifies your writing style, while ProWritingAid provides deeper feedback on narrative flow and readability.
Yes. Tools like Hemingway Editor (web-based) and LanguageTool Free are sites like Grammarly but free. They might have fewer features than Grammarly Premium but are still effective for grammar and style improvements.
The answer depends on your needs. If you’re looking for language support, LanguageTool is better. For paraphrasing, QuillBot wins. For detailed writing analytics, ProWritingAid outshines Grammarly. There’s no one-size-fits-all, so try what aligns with your writing goals.