Grammarly is one of the most popular grammar-checking tools available, providing both free and premium features to help writers improve their spelling, grammar, and writing style. However, its premium subscription can be pricey, leading many to look for alternatives to Grammarly that are either more affordable or come with unique features. In this guide, we’ll explore the best free and paid alternatives to Grammarly, helping you find the right tool for your writing needs.
What Does Grammarly Offer? Before diving into the alternatives, it’s important to understand what Grammarly provides so we can compare other options effectively. Grammarly offers a wide range of features, both in its free and premium plans.
Grammarly Free Plan:
- Grammar and spelling checker
- Punctuation correction
- Basic style suggestions
- Browser extension (works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge)
- Microsoft Word and Outlook integrations
- Sentence structure suggestions
- Limited style tips and a passive voice checker
Grammarly Premium Plan (Paid):
- Advanced grammar and punctuation checks
- Style and tone suggestions
- Plagiarism detection
- Sentence structure improvements
- Subject-specific writing suggestions
- More comprehensive fluency and writing enhancement features
Grammarly’s premium plan costs $12/month with annual billing, but for some users, it may not offer enough value for the price. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to Grammarly that can meet your needs for grammar and style correction, sometimes at a lower price or with more features in the free version.
ProWritingAid: The Best Alternative to Grammarly
ProWritingAid stands out as the top alternative to Grammarly for writers seeking a comprehensive writing assistant. Not only does it offer all of Grammarly’s features, but it also provides advanced style improvements and detailed reports, making it an ideal tool for authors and professionals alike.
Key Features:
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation checkers
- Passive voice detection (available in free version)
- Sentence structure analysis
- Over 20 in-depth writing reports
- Genre-specific style suggestions
- Plagiarism detection (premium)
- Integrates with MS Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, and more
Pricing:
- Free Plan: Great for basic grammar and style checking
- Premium: $30/month, $120/year, or $399 for lifetime access
Why It’s Great: ProWritingAid offers a far more robust set of features than Grammarly’s free version, making it the best overall alternative for writers on a budget.
Ginger: A Strong Competitor
Ginger is another excellent alternative to Grammarly. It’s especially known for its translation capabilities and grammar lessons, making it ideal for non-native English speakers.
Key Features:
- Grammar and spell check
- Sentence rephrasing tool
- Translation to over 40 languages
- Text-to-speech function for reviewing content
- Mobile and desktop apps
Pricing:
- Free Version: Offers grammar and spelling checks, but lacks some premium features
- Premium Plans: Starts at $19.99/month, with discounts for longer subscriptions
Why It’s Great: Ginger’s unique translation feature sets it apart from other tools, especially for those writing in multiple languages.
WhiteSmoke: For Professionals
WhiteSmoke is a popular alternative to Grammarly with a focus on more professional, industry-specific writing. Its advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology ensures accurate and context-sensitive suggestions.
Key Features:
- Grammar and style checking
- Plagiarism detection
- Over 100 templates for professional writing
- Business, medical, and legal writing tools
Pricing:
- Web Version: $5/month
- Premium Plan: $6.66/month
- Business Plan: $11.50/month
Why It’s Great: WhiteSmoke is ideal for professional writers in industries like law, medicine, and academia, offering specialized tools to meet the needs of these fields.
PerfectIt: Ideal for Editors
For writers working with longer documents or those who need a virtual editor, PerfectIt is a great choice. Unlike Grammarly, which focuses on grammar and spelling, PerfectIt is designed to ensure consistency and adherence to style guides.
Key Features:
- Checks for formatting, capitalization, headings, and list consistency
- Supports multiple style guides (APA, Chicago, etc.)
- Generates reports for easy corrections
Pricing:
- Annual Plan: $70/year
Why It’s Great: PerfectIt is the go-to tool for professional editors looking to streamline their proofreading process.
LanguageTool: Open-Source Power
LanguageTool is an open-source writing tool that offers powerful grammar and spell-checking functionality. Its open-source nature allows for customizations, making it a versatile alternative to Grammarly for users seeking a free solution.
Key Features:
- Grammar and spell check
- Supports over 25 languages
- Passive voice and style suggestions
- Customizable settings
Pricing:
- Free Version: Includes basic grammar and style checking
- Premium Version: Starts at $19.90/month
Why It’s Great: LanguageTool is especially helpful for multilingual writers and offers a free version that works well for casual writers.
PaperRater: A Budget-Friendly Option
PaperRater is an affordable alternative, particularly suited for students or anyone needing basic proofreading tools. It provides AI-powered suggestions for grammar, punctuation, and even style.
Key Features:
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation checks
- Plagiarism detection (limited checks in the free version)
- Style suggestions and word choice improvements
- Automated scoring for academic papers
Pricing:
- Free Version: Includes basic grammar checks and plagiarism detection (up to 1,500 words)
- Premium Plan: Starts at $11.21/month
Why It’s Great: PaperRater is an excellent, budget-friendly tool for students, offering a range of academic-focused features.
Virtual Writing Tutor: Free and Helpful
If you’re looking for a completely free tool, Virtual Writing Tutor is an excellent choice. Designed primarily for ESL students, it offers comprehensive spelling, grammar, and vocabulary checks, as well as a text-to-speech feature.
Key Features:
- Grammar and spelling check
- Essay scoring and writing feedback
- Vocabulary enhancement
- Text-to-speech functionality
Pricing:
- Free!
Why It’s Great: It’s a fantastic, no-cost solution for ESL students and anyone wanting to improve their writing at no expense.
Hemingway Editor: Focus on Clarity
Hemingway Editor is unique in that it doesn’t focus on grammar or spelling errors. Instead, it helps you write clearer, more concise content by identifying complex sentences, excessive adverbs, and passive voice.
Key Features:
- Highlights complex sentences and passive voice
- Offers suggestions for simplifying sentences
- Available online for free or as a paid desktop version
Pricing:
- Free Version: Online tool
- Premium Version: $19.99 (one-time payment)
Why It’s Great: Hemingway is perfect for improving readability and flow, particularly for writers working on long-form content like novels and articles.
Slick Write: Free and Comprehensive
Slick Write is a completely free tool that checks grammar, style, and sentence structure. It also offers statistical analysis to help you improve your writing style over time.
Key Features:
- Grammar and spelling checks
- Sentence structure analysis
- Statistical insights and benchmarks for writing improvements
- Passive voice detection
Pricing:
- Free!
Why It’s Great: Slick Write offers a free, feature-rich alternative to Grammarly, making it a solid option for casual writers and students.
Conclusion: Finding the Best Grammarly Alternative
When it comes to finding the right alternative to Grammarly, it ultimately depends on your needs. For most authors, ProWritingAid offers the most comprehensive set of features, while for multilingual writers, LanguageTool and Ginger are great choices. If you’re on a tight budget, PaperRater and Slick Write provide powerful free options.
Experiment with these tools to find the one that suits your writing style and goals the best. No matter which you choose, these alternatives can help elevate your writing without the hefty price tag of Grammarly Premium.