An AI grader reads student work against your rubric and drafts scores and written feedback, so you spend your time checking and personalising rather than starting from scratch. Essay graders suit writing-heavy classes, while broader teaching assistants also handle quizzes and lesson materials. Always review the draft before a student sees it.
Marking is the part of teaching that eats evenings and weekends. A stack of essays can take hours, and by the twentieth one it's hard to give the same care you gave the first.
Here are ten free AI grader tools, listed in no particular order and sorted alphabetically. Some focus on essays and written feedback, some handle quizzes and problem sets, and some are broader teaching assistants with grading built in.
The best way to think about them is as a first reader. They draft comments and suggested scores against your rubric, and you decide what stands, what changes and what the student needs to hear.
That approach isn't just good practice, it's what official guidance recommends, as the next section explains.
Free AI grading tools at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own pages describe free access, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free versions often come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisk Teaching | Browser teaching assistant | Feedback inside documents | Yes |
| Class Companion | AI tutor and feedback tool | Instant feedback on student drafts | Yes |
| CoGrader | AI essay grader | Rubric-based essay feedback | Yes |
| Eduaide | AI teaching assistant | Feedback and resource creation | Yes |
| EssayGrader | AI essay grader | Fast essay scoring and comments | Yes |
| Gradescope | Assessment platform | Grading exams and problem sets | Yes |
| GradeWithAI | AI grading tool | Grading inside your existing workflow | Yes |
| Kangaroos AI | Teacher toolkit | Essay grading and teacher tools | Yes |
| Khanmigo | AI teaching assistant | Teacher tools from a learning nonprofit | Yes |
| Writable | Writing instruction platform | Writing practice with AI feedback | Trial only |
Ten AI grading tools for teachers
Brisk Teaching
Best for: Teachers who want feedback suggestions right inside the documents students submit.
Class Companion
Best for: Teachers who want students to get feedback on drafts before final submission.
CoGrader
Best for: Teachers who grade many essays against a set rubric each week.
Eduaide
Best for: Teachers who want feedback tools alongside lesson resources.
EssayGrader
Best for: Teachers who want quick first-pass comments on a pile of essays.
Gradescope
Best for: Teachers and lecturers grading handwritten exams and problem sets.
GradeWithAI
Best for: Teachers who want AI grading that fits the tools they already use.
Kangaroos AI
Best for: Teachers who want an essay grader plus other small time-saving tools.
Khanmigo
Best for: Teachers who want an AI assistant from a well-known learning nonprofit.
Writable
Best for: Schools that want writing practice and AI feedback in one platform, starting with a trial.
Where the teacher has to stay in charge
Here's the guidance that matters most. The US Department of Education's report on artificial intelligence and the future of teaching and learning makes its first recommendation to education leaders very clear: emphasise humans in the loop.
In practice, that means the AI drafts and the teacher decides. Read every comment before it goes back to a student, adjust any score that doesn't match your judgement, and add the personal note only you can write. Students can tell when feedback is generic, and they deserve to know a person read their work.
What to check before you use an AI grader
- Your rubric: the tool should grade against your criteria, not its own.
- Student privacy: check what the tool stores and whether your school approves it.
- Editable feedback: you need to change comments easily before sharing.
- Consistency: test it on a few pieces you've already marked.
- Your school's policy: confirm AI grading is allowed where you teach.
Trying an AI grader with your class
- Pick one assignment with a clear rubric.
- Mark three pieces yourself first.
- Run the same pieces through the tool and compare.
- Adjust the rubric or settings where it drifted.
- Use it for the rest of the pile, reviewing every draft.
Keep a note of where the tool's comments needed the most editing. Those patterns tell you whether to tighten your rubric, change the tool's settings or keep that type of work for your own marking.
Start small. One class and one assignment type is plenty for a first try, and it shows you quickly whether the tool saves time or simply moves the work around.
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More support for teachers
If you're new to the classroom, here are some reasons people love becoming an elementary school teacher that keep them going through marking season.
And for older students working on applications, here's how to write a college essay on time, which you can share with your class.
Do you make AI grading or teaching tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free AI graders
Use an AI grader as a first reader, never the final word. It's brilliant for getting comments started on a big pile of work, but your judgement and your knowledge of each student are what make feedback useful.
Try one tool on one assignment, compare it with your own marking, and only then use it more widely. If it saves you an evening a week without lowering the quality, it's earned its place.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AI grader?
A tool that reads student work against a rubric and drafts scores and feedback for a teacher to review.
Are AI graders free?
Several offer free versions for teachers, often with limits on how much you can grade.
Can AI grade essays accurately?
It can be close on clear rubrics, but a teacher should review every result.
Should students know AI was used?
Many schools encourage being open about it. Check your school's policy.
Is student work safe in AI grading tools?
Check each tool's privacy terms and whether your school has approved it.
Can AI graders handle handwriting?
Some assessment platforms handle scanned handwritten work.
Will an AI grader replace teachers?
No. Official guidance stresses keeping a human in the loop.
How do I make AI feedback sound personal?
Edit the draft and add a line about the student's own progress.
Can I use my own rubric?
Most AI graders let you upload or build your rubric.
Do AI graders work for maths?
Some focus on essays, while assessment platforms suit problem sets.
How much time can an AI grader save?
It varies, but first-draft comments are where most teachers save time.
What if the AI score seems wrong?
Change it. The teacher's judgement is the one that counts.
