Grammarly is the best-known writing assistant, but it is not the only good one, and its premium features can feel expensive for occasional writers. Some people want deeper style reports for long-form work, others need support for many languages, and privacy-minded teams may want an option that can run on their own servers. This list covers the strongest alternatives for 2026.
We reviewed each tool’s own website for grammar and style features, language support, integrations and free plan limits. Rankings reflect that review, not payment. If readability is your main concern, our comparison of Grammarly and Hemingway goes deeper on that choice.
Top Grammarly Alternatives To Try
| Tool | Best For | Free Plan |
|---|---|---|
| ProWritingAid | Fiction and long-form style editing | Yes, limited |
| LanguageTool | Multilingual grammar checking | Yes |
| Hemingway Editor | Clear, readable prose | Yes, web app |
| QuillBot | Paraphrasing and summarizing | Yes, limited |
| Microsoft Editor | Microsoft 365 users | Yes, basic |
| Wordtune | Rewriting sentences in different tones | Yes, limited |
| DeepL Write | Polishing text in several languages | Yes |
1. ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid combines grammar checking with detailed reports on style, pacing, repetition, dialogue and readability. It integrates with Word, Google Docs and Scrivener, making it a favorite of novelists and long-form writers who want to understand patterns in their writing, not just fix errors.
Best for: authors, editors and long-form content writers.
2. LanguageTool
LanguageTool checks grammar, spelling and style in more than 30 languages, including English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Browser extensions and add-ons cover most writing apps, and its open-source core can be self-hosted, which suits privacy-sensitive teams.
Best for: multilingual writers and teams that need a self-hosted option.
3. Hemingway Editor
Hemingway Editor highlights long sentences, passive voice, adverbs and complex words, and shows a readability grade for your text. The web version is free, and a paid edition adds AI suggestions and a desktop app. It improves clarity rather than catching every grammar error.
Best for: writers who want plainer, more readable prose.
4. QuillBot
QuillBot is best known for its paraphrasing tool, with modes for fluency, formality and simplicity, alongside a grammar checker, summarizer, citation generator and translator. Students and researchers use it to rework drafts and summarize sources.
Best for: students and anyone who rewrites or summarizes text often.
5. Microsoft Editor
Microsoft Editor provides spelling and grammar checking in Word, Outlook and the Edge browser, with more advanced refinements for Microsoft 365 subscribers. For people who already pay for Microsoft 365, it may cover most everyday needs at no extra cost.
Best for: Microsoft 365 users who mainly write in Word and Outlook.
6. Wordtune
Wordtune, from AI21 Labs, suggests alternative ways to phrase a sentence, shorten or expand it, or shift its tone between casual and formal. It works as a browser extension across email, documents and social platforms.
Best for: professionals who want quick rewrites and tone adjustments.
7. DeepL Write
DeepL Write, from the makers of the DeepL translator, corrects and improves text in several languages and suggests alternative phrasings and styles. It is especially useful for non-native English speakers who want natural-sounding writing.
Best for: non-native speakers and multilingual teams.
One Check Worth Making
Check how each tool handles your data. Writing assistants send text to their servers for analysis, and some may use it to improve their models. If you work with confidential documents, review the privacy policy and look for business plans with data controls, or a self-hosted option such as LanguageTool.
Conclusion
ProWritingAid is the best Grammarly alternative for long-form writers, LanguageTool leads for multiple languages and privacy, and Hemingway Editor is the go-to for readability. QuillBot and Wordtune excel at rewriting, Microsoft Editor suits Microsoft 365 users, and DeepL Write helps non-native speakers.
If you want to add your company to this list, drop us a line or submit a form in the Best Choices section. After a thorough review, we’ll decide whether it’s an appropriate addition.
