Best Grammarly Alternatives 2025 (Free)

Grammarly is the default recommendation for grammar and style checking—but in 2026 it’s far from the only good option.

Some writers want stronger style reports (especially for long-form and fiction). Others care more about privacy, offline apps, multilingual support, or a cheaper plan that still catches real errors.

This guide covers the best Grammarly alternatives (including free options), with 2026 pricing snapshots, key features, real pros/cons, and a practical “which one should you pick?” verdict.

Pricing note (2026): AI tool pricing changes often and varies by region and promotions. I list typical public pricing and the plan structure you’ll see most often. Always confirm on the vendor’s pricing page before buying.

Quick verdict (pick the right alternative fast)

• Best overall Grammarly alternative for serious writers: ProWritingAid (deep reports + long-form analysis)
• Best free Grammarly alternative (privacy-friendly): LanguageTool Free (great core grammar; Premium is strong value)
• Best for clarity and cutting fluff: Hemingway Editor (readability + simplicity, not a full grammar suite)
• Best for rewriting and tone options: Wordtune (rewrites, shortening/expanding, tone)
• Best for academic paraphrasing + citations workflow: QuillBot (paraphraser + summarizer + citation tools)
• Best for teams / brand voice consistency: Writer (enterprise-ready style guide + governance)

What to consider before switching from Grammarly

1) Do you need corrections or coaching?

• Corrections = spelling, grammar, punctuation, obvious clarity fixes.
• Coaching = repeated-word analysis, pacing, readability trends, sentence variety, overuse patterns, genre expectations.

Grammarly is strong at corrections and quick suggestions. If you want coaching and deep reports, tools like ProWritingAid do more.

2) Where do you write?

Make sure your alternative supports your workflow:

• Browser extension (Google Docs, email, web apps)
• Desktop app (Windows/macOS)
• Microsoft Word add-in
• Google Docs add-on
• Mobile keyboard (iOS/Android)

3) Privacy and data controls

If you write client work, legal content, or sensitive drafts, look for:

• Clear data handling policies
• Enterprise options (SOC 2 / SSO / admin controls)
• Self-hosting (rare in grammar tools, more common in automation)

4) Languages

If you write in more than English, LanguageTool is usually the best value.

Comparison table: top Grammarly alternatives (2026)

Why this table matters: Grammarly alternatives tend to specialize. The best choice depends on whether you want report-driven editing, multilingual accuracy, or rewriting.

1) ProWritingAid (best overall for serious editing)

What it is: ProWritingAid (PWA) is an editing suite built around reports—readability, sentence variety, overused words, pacing, dialogue tags, and more. It’s the best alternative if you want Grammarly-like corrections plus deeper feedback.

Standout features (2026):

• 20+ writing reports (repeats, readability, transitions, sticky sentences, etc.)
• Style and consistency checks for long documents
• Rephrasing tools and “sparks”/AI assistance for rewriting
• Integrations: browser, Word, Google Docs (varies), Scrivener support in some workflows

Typical pricing (2026 snapshot):

• Free plan with strict limits
• Premium: ~$30/month or $120/year
• Premium Pro: ~$36/month or $144/year

Pros:

• Best-in-class long-form analysis
• Reports make it easier to systematically improve a draft
• Strong value annually compared to Grammarly for power users

Cons:

• Can overwhelm beginners with too many suggestions
• Some advanced “story” tools may require credits or higher tiers

Best for: novelists, nonfiction authors, bloggers, editors, and anyone who edits in multiple passes.

2) LanguageTool (best free alternative + best for multiple languages)

What it is: LanguageTool is a grammar and style checker known for strong multilingual support and a more privacy-forward reputation than many consumer AI tools.

Standout features:

• Excellent grammar/spelling coverage across many languages
• Browser extensions + desktop integrations
• Optional “picky mode” and style suggestions

Typical pricing (2026 snapshot):

• Free plan available
• Premium is often advertised around $4.99/month billed annually (with higher month-to-month pricing)

Pros:

• One of the best options if you write in German, Spanish, French, etc.
• Great value on annual pricing
• Strong core proofreading

Cons:

• Fewer deep writing reports than ProWritingAid
• Less “rewrite magic” than tools like Wordtune

Best for: multilingual writers, students, and privacy-conscious users.

3) Hemingway Editor (best for readability and cutting fluff)

What it is: Hemingway is a readability tool. It highlights long, complex sentences, passive voice, adverbs, and hard-to-read sections.

Standout features:

• Clear readability scoring and highlight system
• Great for tightening marketing copy, blog posts, and landing pages

Pros:

• Instant clarity feedback that improves writing fast
• Encourages simple, scannable language

Cons:

• Not a full grammar checker
• Can push you toward overly simplistic style if used blindly

Best for: content marketers, bloggers, and anyone rewriting dense text.

4) Wordtune (best Grammarly alternative for rewrites)

What it is: Wordtune focuses on rewriting: shorten, expand, rephrase, adjust tone, and suggest alternatives.

Standout features:

• Multiple rewrite options for a single sentence
• Tone adjustments (formal/casual) and length controls

Pros:

• Great when you know “this sentence is bad” but don’t know how to fix it
• Helpful for non-native English writers

Cons:

• Not the best choice for deep proofreading of a full document
• Can introduce subtle meaning shifts

Best for: polishing emails, LinkedIn posts, and short-form business writing.

5) QuillBot (best for paraphrasing + academic workflows)

What it is: QuillBot is a popular paraphraser/summarizer with extra writing utilities.

Standout features:

• Paraphraser modes (fluency, formal, etc.)
• Summarizer, grammar checker, and citation-related helpers

Typical pricing (2026 snapshot):

• Free plan available
• Premium commonly starts around $9.95/month (lower when billed annually)

Pros:

• Strong paraphrasing UX
• Useful toolbox for students and researchers

Cons:

• Paraphrasing can be misused (and may violate academic policies)
• Requires careful fact-checking and meaning checks

Best for: summarizing sources, rephrasing drafts, and quick paraphrase variations.

6) Writer (best for teams, brand voice, and governance)

What it is: Writer is built for organizations: style guide enforcement, terminology, brand voice, and controlled AI features.

Standout features:

• Central style guide + terminology
• Admin controls and team governance
• Useful for consistent marketing and support writing

Pros:

• Makes writing consistent across teams
• Great when compliance and approved language matter

Cons:

• Usually priced for businesses (per-seat)
• Too heavy for casual personal writing

Best for: marketing teams, support teams, and companies with strict brand voice requirements.

7) Ginger (simple grammar + rephrasing)

Ginger is a long-running grammar checker with rephrase features. It can be a decent pick if you want a straightforward UI and basic writing help without the “editing suite” complexity.

Best for: quick proofreading and simpler needs.

8) Linguix (budget-friendly business writing)

Linguix aims at business writing improvements (emails, sales copy, short docs). It’s often cheaper than Grammarly and includes templates/snippets depending on the plan.

Best for: budget teams and sales/support writing.

How to choose the best Grammarly alternative (decision guide)

If you write long documents (books, essays, newsletters)

Pick ProWritingAid.

If you write in multiple languages

Pick LanguageTool.

If you mostly want “make this clearer”

Pick Hemingway (and optionally pair it with LanguageTool for grammar).

If you want rewriting suggestions more than corrections

Pick Wordtune.

If you need paraphrasing and summarizing tools

Pick QuillBot.

If you need team style guides and brand voice

Pick Writer.

Can you replace Grammarly completely?

For many people: yes.

But Grammarly’s sweet spot is always-on corrections everywhere (docs, web forms, email) with a simple UX. If that’s your main need, choose a replacement with excellent extensions (LanguageTool) or accept a two-tool workflow:

• LanguageTool (always-on grammar)
• Hemingway (clarity pass)
• Optional: Wordtune for rewrites when you’re stuck

This combo often costs less than Grammarly and can outperform it in specific scenarios.

FAQs (for SEO / schema-ready)

What is the best free alternative to Grammarly?

LanguageTool Free is one of the best free Grammarly alternatives in 2026 because it covers core grammar well and supports many languages. Free plans have limits, but it’s a strong everyday checker.

What is better than Grammarly for long-form writing?

ProWritingAid is often better than Grammarly for long documents because it provides detailed reports (repeats, pacing, readability trends) that help you revise a full draft systematically.

Is Hemingway an alternative to Grammarly?

Hemingway is an alternative for readability and clarity, not for full grammar checking. Many writers use Hemingway alongside another tool (like LanguageTool) to cover both clarity and correctness.

Which Grammarly alternative is best for non-native English writers?

LanguageTool and Wordtune are popular choices. LanguageTool is strong for grammar across languages, while Wordtune helps rephrase sentences into more natural English.

Are Grammarly alternatives safe for confidential writing?

It depends on the vendor and plan. If privacy is critical, look for strong data controls, enterprise options, and clear policies. Avoid pasting highly sensitive content into any cloud tool unless your organization approves it.

Conclusion

The “best Grammarly alternative” is really the tool that matches your writing style:

• ProWritingAid for deep, report-driven editing
• LanguageTool for a strong free option and multilingual writing
• Hemingway for clarity and readability
• Wordtune or QuillBot for rewriting/paraphrasing workflows

If you want the closest Grammarly-like experience at a lower cost, start with LanguageTool Premium—and if you want to level up your editing process, add ProWritingAid.

Last updated: February 2026