Grammarly is probably the default writing tool for most people because, for a long time, it was the obvious choice. And to be fair, there’s a reason for that.

It’s easy to use, it catches a lot of surface-level mistakes, and for quick cleanup, it does the job well. I’ve seen plenty of writers lean on it as their first line of defense before they publish anything.

But here’s the thing…

Once you’ve used enough writing tools, you start to realize Grammarly is only one kind of solution.

Some tools go deeper on style. Some are better for long-form writing. Some give you more for free. And some just fit the way authors actually work a whole lot better. So if you’ve been using Grammarly and wondering whether there’s something better for your needs, there probably is.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best Grammarly alternatives, who they’re best for, and where each one stands out.

Grammarly-style alternatives (for editing, not writing)

If you like what Grammarly does, but want something a little different, this is where to look.

These tools focus on improving what you’ve already written.

They’ll catch grammar mistakes, tighten up your sentences, and help with clarity. Some go deeper than Grammarly in specific areas. Others keep things simpler and more focused.

I’ve used a mix of these over the years, and the biggest difference usually comes down to how much feedback you want.

Some writers want detailed reports and suggestions they can dig into. Others just want something that highlights issues and gets out of the way.

That’s really what separates the tools below. They’re all trying to make your writing better, just with slightly different approaches.

1. ProWritingAid (my top pick)

ProWritingAid (PWA) is my top choice for authors looking for a Grammarly alternative. It does everything Grammarly does (and a whole lot more) while costing less and offering deeper analysis for long-form writing.

Grammarly is great for catching basic mistakes, but ProWritingAid goes further. It helps you improve your style, tone, pacing, sentence variety, and even echoes, things that really matter when you’re writing a book or trying to polish up an article.

Whether you're working on a fantasy novel, a blog post, or an academic paper, PWA gives you insights that go beyond grammar rules. And that's a big reason I recommend it.

ProWritingAid Features

The free version gives you a solid taste of what the tool can do, though most of the advanced features live behind the Premium or Premium Pro plans.

live behind the Premium or Premium Pro plans.

Free Features:

• Browser extension
• Spelling and grammar checker
• Punctuation checker
• Definitions and synonyms (double-click)
• Limited style suggestions
• Sentence structure tips
• Access to 20+ writing reports (with limits)
• Emailed writing stats

Premium Adds:

• Passive voice detection
• Advanced grammar and style suggestions
• Inclusive language checks
• Genre- and tone-based enhancements
• Formatting and fluency improvements
• Full access to in-depth writing reports
• Plagiarism checker (with Premium Plus plan)
• Integrations with Google Docs, Word (Windows), and more

Premium Pro Adds (AI Tools):

• AI Rephrasing Tool
• AI Sparks (creative suggestions to enhance your writing)
• Context-specific rewrite suggestions
• AI-powered snippet expansions
• 10,000 AI credits/month included

If you're looking for Grammarly-level feedback with stronger customization and optional AI features, Premium Pro gives you all of it under one roof, and it still costs less than Grammarly in most cases.

PWA Integrations

One reason authors love ProWritingAid? It works where we write. You can use it in Word (Windows), Google Docs, and most major browsers. It even plays nicely with Scrivener and, better yet, Atticus.

That’s not something you get with Grammarly.

While it doesn’t have a native integration with Atticus, you can easily copy your writing over for analysis, which is what I do. If you're formatting your book with Atticus, it's a smooth handoff.

ProWritingAid offers integrations with:

• Google Docs
• Microsoft Word (Windows only)
• Outlook (Windows only)
• Open Office
• Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
• Atticus and Scrivener (via manual copy-paste workflow)

Whether you’re editing a blog post or a 90,000-word manuscript, ProWritingAid has the flexibility and depth to support your writing process.

ProWritingAid Pricing

You have a few different options for PWA pricing. And remember, you can try out the free version before you buy! Honestly though, the free version is the best free Grammarly alternative, as well. You really can't go wrong with this tool.

• Premium Plan:
  • Monthly: $30/month
  • Yearly: $10/month ($120 billed annually)
  • Lifetime: $399 one-time payment
• Premium Pro Plan:
  • Monthly: $36/month
  • Yearly: $12/month ($144 billed annually)
  • Lifetime: $699 one-time payment

Of course, if you're a Kindlepreneur reader, you get a 20% discount on the annual plans and a 10% discount on lifetime. See below:

• Premium Plan:
  • Yearly: $8/month ($96 billed annually) – 20% discount
  • Lifetime: $359.10 one-time payment – 10% discount
• Premium Pro Plan:
  • Yearly: $9.60/month ($115.20 billed annually) – 20% discount
  • Lifetime: $629.10 one-time payment – 10% discount

Click here to try ProWritingAid at Kindlepreneur's special discounted price. Or, check out our in-depth review here. 

We also have an in-depth ProWritingAid vs. Grammarly guide.

When you consider that the best deal for Grammarly Pro comes out to $144 a year, ProWritingAid is significantly cheaper for better functionality.

2. Ginger

Ginger has been around for a while, making them a well-known and viable Grammarly alternative. The tool finds spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. It can also read your text back to you, which is an excellent way to find awkward sentences and strange phrasings. You can even use this feature to listen to articles instead of reading them! #LifeHack

The best thing that Ginger has going for it is the translation feature. It can translate into over 40 languages! It does this with neural machine translation, which is something neither Grammarly nor PWA can do. Plus, if you're not a native English speaker, it offers some grammar tutorials to help you improve your writing.

However, it should note noted that Ginger's interface and update cadence are noticeably slower than both Grammarly and ProWritingAid, which could impact usability (depending on the speed of your machine)

Ginger Features

• Grammar and spelling checker
• Rephrase suggestions
• Browser extension (not for Firefox)
• Translates to over 40 languages
• Grammar lessons
• Desktop and mobile apps available
• Microsoft Office add-in
• Free version

Ginger Pricing

Ginger's pricing isn't much better than Grammarly's. And it doesn't have as many features as Grammarly does, either. Still, you can always try the free version and see how you like it.

• Monthly – $19.99 per month
• Quarterly – $15.98 per month
• Annual – $12.48 per month

Ginger has regular discounts, so it's worth checking the price if you're interested! You can also check out our Ginger review to learn more. 

3. Hemingway Editor

The Hemingway Editor stands apart on this list. Instead of picking out and underlying each grammatical or spelling error, the Hemingway app highlights things like complicated sentences, passive voice, adverbs, and excessive wordiness. Essentially, it's designed to make your writing more concise and clear through flow, word choice, and sentence structure. But it rarely gives you concrete suggestions on how to rephrase or restructure your writing. That's up to you.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have a browser extension. The website is free to use, allowing you to copy and paste your text in. Or you can purchase the premium desktop version, which allows you to import and export files. This makes things easier if you're checking long documents. (Like, say, a book manuscript.) Hemingway can certainly strengthen your writing, but you'll likely need one of the other tools on this list to locate the odd grammar error and spelling mistake because Hemingway does not.

Hemingway Editor Features

• Checks for adverbs
• Checks for passive voice
• Highlight complex and wordy sentences
• Website version is free
• Formatting options available in free version
• Super affordable premium version

Hemingway Editor Pricing

Since this tool deals with more complex writing issues and doesn't give suggestions, you'll learn to become a better writer if you use it consistently. That's not to say that you should always change anything it highlights. But it definitely guides you in the right direction.

• Website version only – Free
• Premium Desktop Version (Windows and macOS) – Single payment of $19.99

Check out our Hemingway App review for more information.

4. LanguageTool

LanguageTool is a spelling and grammar tool that operates much like Grammarly or ProWritingAid. It's an open-source tool that you can try for free without even giving over your email address. If you regularly write in a language that's not native to you, LanguageTool is an excellent proofreading option.

With the “Mother tongue” features, you can select your native language and the other language you write in. This tool then looks for common mistakes between the two, in addition to looking for basic grammar and spelling errors. You can also use “Picky mode” to ensure you maintain your voice and style throughout your writing. The free version also does many of the same things Grammarly does, like highlighting passive voice and suggesting synonyms with a click of the mouse.

LanguageTool Features

• Basic grammar and spell check functions
• Checks punctuation
• Passive voice detection
• One-click synonyms
• Free version available
• Works in over 30 languages
• Ideal for those who write in a non-native language
• Affordable premium option

LanguageTool Pricing

The two major features that this tool doesn't have are reports and plagiarism detection. But if you purchase yearly, the price of the premium version may just make it worth your while! Definitely check out the free browser version to see if you like it before purchasing.

• Monthly – $19.90 per month
• Quarterly – $13 per month
• Yearly – $59.90 (comes to $4.99 per month)

Check out my full LanguageTool review.

AI-Powered Grammarly alternatives

This is where things start to feel a little different from what Grammarly does.

Because while Grammarly is built to clean up your writing after the fact, these AI tools tend to jump in much earlier in the process. Instead of just flagging mistakes or suggesting small tweaks, they’re often trying to help you reshape what you’ve already written, or even give you something to work with when you don’t have much on the page yet.

In my experience, that changes how you use them quite a bit. You’re not just running a final check before you publish. You’re using them while you write, whether that’s to test a different way of phrasing something, expand an idea that feels a little thin, or get past a section that just isn’t coming together the way you want.

That can be incredibly useful, especially if you’re writing a lot or working on longer pieces. At the same time, it’s easy to lean on these tools too much if you’re not paying attention, since they can start to smooth everything into the same kind of voice if you let them.

So the goal here isn’t to replace your writing. It’s to give you better options while you’re doing it, and to speed up the parts that tend to slow you down.

5. Jasper

Jasper feels less like a grammar tool and more like a full writing assistant.

If Grammarly is there to catch mistakes, Jasper is there to help you move faster. You can feed it a rough idea, a paragraph, or even just a prompt, and it’ll give you something usable to work with.

Where it stands out is in long-form writing. It’s built for things like blog posts, emails, and marketing copy, not just sentence-level fixes. So instead of tweaking what you wrote, it often helps you get something on the page in the first place.

That said, it’s not a “set it and forget it” tool. You still need to guide it, shape the output, and make sure it sounds like you. But as a way to speed up drafts or break through a blank page, it can be a big upgrade over traditional editing tools.

6. Writesonic

Writesonic sits in a similar lane, but it leans a little more toward quick outputs and flexibility.

It’s the kind of tool you open when you need options. You give it a sentence or idea, and it comes back with multiple variations you can choose from or build on. That makes it especially useful when you’re stuck on phrasing or trying to tighten something up.

It’s also a bit more lightweight in how it feels compared to some heavier AI tools. You don’t need to overthink it. You just drop something in, see what comes back, and decide if it helps.

In practice, that makes it a good middle ground. Not as deep as some tools, but faster to use when you just need a nudge in the right direction.

7. Wordtune

Wordtune is probably the closest thing in this group to a direct Grammarly replacement… just with more flexibility.

Instead of flagging issues, it focuses on rewriting what you’ve already written. You highlight a sentence, and it gives you alternative versions. Some shorter, some clearer, some more casual or more formal.

I’ve found it especially useful for tightening up clunky sentences. The kind where nothing is technically wrong, but it still doesn’t read quite right.

It doesn’t try to take over your writing. It stays pretty focused on sentence-level improvements. And because of that, it’s one of the easier tools to integrate into your normal workflow without feeling like you’re handing over too much control.

8. QuillBot

QuillBot is built around one core idea: rewriting.

You drop in a sentence or paragraph, and it gives you a reworked version based on the mode you choose. Some versions aim for clarity. Others try to be more concise or more formal.

It’s straightforward, and that’s part of the appeal. You don’t have to learn a system or set up a workflow. You just use it when you need to rephrase something quickly.

Where it works best is in small doses. Fixing awkward sentences, simplifying explanations, or reworking sections that feel repetitive.

It’s not trying to be a full writing assistant. But for targeted rewrites, it does its job well… and it’s often faster than trying to fix those sentences manually.

Other Grammarly alternatives

Beyond the tools above, there are a handful of other Grammarly alternatives you’ll see mentioned from time to time.

I’ve tried most of these at one point or another, and they’re not bad… they just don’t come up as often in real workflows anymore.

Some feel a bit dated. Some are more niche. And a few just don’t keep up with the newer tools in terms of features or usability.

Still, depending on what you’re looking for, one of these might fit.

9. WhiteSmoke

WhiteSmoke is another proofreading tool that has been around for some time. In addition to checking spelling and grammar errors, WhiteSmoke uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to make suggestions based on your writing style. This is a good way to ensure that the style suggestions don't leave your writing flat and lacking personality (unless you want it to).

It checks for things like passive voice, subject-verb agreements, mechanical errors, and sentence structure. WhiteSmoke also includes a translation feature and plagiarism checking. Unfortunately, there's no free trial and no free version of the software. You can't try before you buy. That said, there are some other useful features included.

WhiteSmoke Features

• Grammar checking
• Spell checking
• Style checking
• Translator
• Plagiarism checker
• Video tutorials
• Over 100 templates for professional writing needs (business, medical, and legal writing, among others)

WhiteSmoke Pricing

This tool is cheaper than Grammarly, but you can't try it before you purchase. And it's more of a tool for professional writers in fields like law, medicine, and academia. Still, the pricing isn't bad! The lowest price tier only gets you the web version. Premium gets you the web version and the desktop version. Business gets you three licenses.

• WhiteSmoke Web – $5.00 per month (one yearly payment of $59.95)
• WhiteSmoke Premium – $6.66 per month (one yearly payment of $79.95)
• WhiteSmoke Business – $11.50 per month (one yearly payment of $137.95)

Check out my WhiteSmoke review to take a closer look!

10. PerfectIt

I've found that sometimes what I really need is a virtual editor rather than a virtual proofreader. If this piques your interest, PerfectIt might be right for you. Instead of pointing out spelling and grammar errors, PerfectIt looks for consistency across your document. Essentially, it's designed to help editors get the job done quickly and efficiently.

PerfectIt looks at things like hyphens, dashes, capitalization, abbreviations, headings, and bullet points. It will point out inconsistencies, allowing you to correct them with a couple of clicks. There are several style sheets you can work from, like the Chicago Manual of Style, so you can ensure clean, concise, and consistent writing.

And in 2024, it launched an enhanced AI consistency engine that helps match corporate style guides even more precisely.

PerfectIt Features

• Checks spelling consistency (won't flag spelling errors)
• Checks formatting, headings, abbreviations, lists, tables, and figures
• Generates reports of all corrections
• Provides different style sheets and allows you to customize your own
• Only available for MS Word but works on both Mac and PC
• 14-day free trial available

PerfectIt Pricing

You'll get the most use out of this tool if you're a proofreader or an editor. Or, if you write industry-specific papers a lot.

• Yearly – $70 per year

Want to know more? Check out my in-depth PerfectIt review.

11. PaperRater

PaperRater is a free online writing analysis tool that checks your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and includes automatic scoring and a basic plagiarism checker. The free version caps submissions at about 300 words per page, and you must copy/paste text into the site. Premium unlocks longer submissions, fewer ads, and faster processing

PaperRater can still be useful for short academic assignments, but due to its word‑count limits and lack of integration with writing software, it’s not ideal for authors working on longer manuscripts or needing deep style features.

It doesn't have a browser extension, so the only way to use it is to go to the website and upload or copy and paste your text. And you're limited by how much text the tool can check: 1,500 words for the free version and 6,000 for the premium version. That said, it is cheap, and it definitely excels at some things, like checking for passive voice and varied sentence starts.

PaperRater Feature

• Spelling and grammar check
• Passive voice detection
• Plagiarism checker
• Style and word choice suggestions
• Automated scoring
• Free version that includes 10 plagiarism checks per month
• Cheap premium version

PaperRater Pricing

In my in-depth PaperRater review, I tested out the plagiarism checker against Copyscape. PaperRater's checker isn't very accurate, which is worrisome. I wouldn't completely rely on it. But its other features are great if you're writing high school or college papers! You can try their free version to see if you like it.

• Free Plan – Gives you 50 submissions and 10 plagiarism checks per month
• Premium Plan – $14.95/month (if paid monthly) or $95.40/year (if paid annually)

12. Virtual Writing Tutor

The handy Virtual Writing Tutor is a completely free tool designed to help teachers, students, and those who are learning English as a second language. It's kind of like PaperRater in that it has features designed with essay writing and grading in mind. Still, you can use it as a general proofreading tool by picking and choosing only the features that you need.

Like other proofreading tools, this website-based checker will underline each spelling error in red to tell you it's an error. But it won't suggest how to fix it. The other features, like the grammar checker, won't underline your mistakes. Instead, it generates a report under the text window to show you your mistakes. While this can help you learn what you're doing wrong, it takes time to go back, locate the mistake, and fix it. Plus, the max number of words you can check is 3000.

If English is your first language, this tool may not be the best fit for you. However, in 2025, Virtual Writing Tutor added support for IELTS and TOEFL prep tools, boosting its value for ESL learners.

Virtual Writing Tutor Features

• Check spelling and grammar
• Check vocabulary and punctuation
• Check topic sentence
• Essay scoring
• Proofreading gamification for new teachers
• Lots of tools for ESL students
• Text-to-speech feature
• Completely free

Virtual Writing Tutor Pricing

Virtual Writing Tutor is completely free. However, there are different capabilities for members and non-members. Members can have 3000 words checked, whereas non-members can only check 1000 at once. Membership is free.

• Free!

13. Slick Write

Similar to Hemingway, Slick Write isn't so much an error location tool as it is a style enhancement tool. It underlines grammar mistakes, examines sentence structure, locates adverbs, roots out passive voice, and ensures that you vary the beginnings of your sentences. And it does it all for free, which is nice.

Slick Write also provides a nice statistical analysis of your writing. Along with these statistics, it offers benchmarks for certain things, suggesting a percentage to keep your writing under. For example, they say the percentage of adverbs in your total text shouldn't exceed 5%. Pretty cool! It also offers a word association feature, which is great for busting through writer's block.

Slick Write Features

• Checks grammar
• Helps enhance writing style
• Locates adverbs
• Provides statistical insights
• Underlines prepositional phrases
• Passive voice detection
• Completely free
• Word association feature

Slick Write Pricing

Since there's no premium option, you can't download a desktop version of this tool to use offline, as you can Hemingway. Still, the online version is pretty great, especially since it's free. But you'll still need a tool to locate any spelling mistakes!

• Free!

Read our in-depth Slick Write review here. 

So, which Grammarly alternative should you actually use?

Grammarly is still the name most people start with, and for basic editing, it holds up fine. But once you’ve tried a few of these alternatives, it becomes pretty clear it’s just one option in a much bigger mix of tools.

What you end up using usually comes down to how you write.

If you’re working on longer pieces like books or blog posts, something like ProWritingAid tends to go a lot deeper and gives you more to work with over time. It's my personal favorite, and I think it's a great option.

If you just want quick clarity fixes, tools like Hemingway Editor or Wordtune can be easier to drop into your workflow without overthinking it. And if you’re experimenting with AI to speed things up, there’s a whole category of tools now that Grammarly never really set out to compete with in the first place.

In most cases, you won’t know what fits until you try a couple of them side by side. That’s usually when the differences start to click… not just in features, but in how each one affects the way you write.

If you’re still poking around and want to see a few more options, I’ve got another breakdown that goes a bit deeper into proofreading tools specifically.