Best AI Proofreaders (2026): 10 Tools Compared

A typo in an invoice, a missing word in a proposal, a name spelt two ways on the same page: none of it ruins a business, but all of it chips away at how professional you look. An AI proofreader reads your text before anyone else does and flags the slips you've stopped being able to see.

Here are ten AI proofreaders, in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Three are familiar names and the rest are smaller or more specialised. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and directory listings, so check the current details on each site before you paste in anything confidential. If you're also drafting with AI, my article on AI writing tools in a content process shows where proofreading fits in.

AI proofreaders at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free plan or free use. No means I couldn't confirm a free plan from the maker's own pages. Free use usually limits how much text you can check at once or hides the deeper suggestions, so test it with a real document.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Grammarly	Writing assistant	Spelling, grammar and tone everywhere	Yes
Harper	Open-source checker	Private, offline grammar checking	Yes
LanguageTool	Grammar checker	Many languages and browser add-ons	Yes
Linguix	Grammar and writing app	Checks in Gmail, Docs and browsers	Yes
Outwrite	Writing assistant	Clear sentences in email and documents	Yes
Paperpal	Academic proofreader	Research papers and technical writing	No
ProWritingAid	Editing tool	Deeper style and readability reports	Yes
QuillBot	Grammar and paraphrasing	Fixing errors and rewording text	Yes
Reverso	Grammar checker	Quick English checks in the browser	Yes
Sapling	Team writing assistant	Suggestions for support and sales teams	Yes

Ten AI proofreaders for everyday business writing

Grammarly

Best for: Owners who write in email, documents and chat and want one assistant checking all of it.

Harper

Best for: Privacy-minded writers who want a free, open-source checker that works without sending text away.

LanguageTool

Best for: People who write in more than one language and want a checker for browsers and documents.

Linguix

Best for: Small teams who want a grammar checker plus AI writing help inside the apps they use.

Outwrite

Best for: Everyday writers who want help tightening sentences inside Google Docs, Word and Gmail.

Paperpal

Best for: Researchers and students who want proofreading tuned to academic papers and journal submissions.

ProWritingAid

Best for: Authors and content writers who want detailed style reports on longer pieces.

QuillBot

Best for: Students and busy writers who want grammar fixes and a paraphraser in one place.

Reverso

Best for: Anyone writing in English as a second language who wants a quick check and rephrasing.

Sapling

Best for: Customer-facing teams who want writing suggestions across email, chat and help desk tools.

What to check before you trust an AI proofreader

Proofreading tools differ more than their websites suggest. Some only catch spelling, while others rework whole sentences.

• Spelling and grammar first. Make sure the basics are covered in the English you use, whether that's British, American or another variety.
• Style suggestions. Rewording help is useful, but it can flatten your voice. Look for a way to ignore a suggestion with one click.
• Where it works. A browser extension, a Word or Google Docs add-in and a website you paste into each fit a different routine.
• Document length. Free checks often cap the amount of text, so a long report may need to go through in sections.
• Privacy. Find out whether your text is stored or used to train a model, especially for client work.
• Explanations. A tool that tells you why something is wrong teaches you as you go.

AI proofreading or a human proofreader?

An AI proofreader is quick, and it never gets tired of reading your fifteenth draft. What it can't do is know what you meant. It may leave a word that is spelt correctly but wrong for the sentence, or it may change a phrase that was deliberately unusual. For a brochure, a book or anything that will be printed, a second pair of human eyes is still worth having. For everyday emails, web pages and proposals, an AI check plus your own read-through is usually plenty.

If you're using AI to draft as well, my notes on ChatGPT prompts for business content cover how to get a cleaner first version, so there's less to fix.

A privacy note on pasting text into a proofreader

Most online proofreaders send your text to a server. Before you paste in a contract, a client email or anything with personal details, read the tool's privacy page and look at how long text is kept. Some tools run on your own device, and a few are open source. If the text includes personal data about customers or staff, UK GDPR may apply, so check the official guidance for your own situation. This isn't legal advice.

Questions to ask before you pick an AI proofreader

• Does it cover the kind of English I write?
• Where will I use it: browser, Word, Google Docs or a phone?
• What does the free option include, and what is locked away?
• Does it store or learn from my text?
• Can I turn off suggestions that change my tone?
• Will it handle a long document, or only short passages?

Why a smaller AI proofreader can be a smart pick

Smaller proofreaders often focus on one group, such as academics, support teams or privacy-minded writers, so their suggestions can fit that group better. Many are quick to change when their users ask. Check that the product is still being updated, read its privacy page and run a document you've already corrected by hand, to see what it catches that you missed.

Do you make an AI proofreader or writing checker? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Trying out your shortlist of AI proofreaders

Pick two or three and check the same page in each: a short report, an email and something you've written quickly. Note which slips each one catches, which suggestions you'd never accept and how clearly it explains itself. Keep the one that finds real mistakes without bending your voice, and write down anything you'd like to ask the maker.

Frequently asked questions

What is an AI proofreader?

It's a tool that reads your writing and flags spelling, grammar, punctuation and sometimes style problems. Many then suggest a fix you can accept or ignore.

Can an AI proofreader replace a human?

For everyday emails and web copy it often covers most of what you need. For printed material or high-stakes documents, a human read is still wise, because AI can miss meaning and context.

Are free AI proofreaders any good?

Many do a solid job on spelling and grammar. Deeper style help and long documents are more often limited, so check what the free option includes.

Is it safe to paste confidential text into a proofreader?

Read the privacy page first. Look at whether text is stored or used for training, and leave out sensitive personal data where you can.

Do these tools work with British English?

Many let you choose a variety of English, but not all do. Check the settings or help pages of any tool you try.