The closest Grammarly alternatives are LanguageTool, ProWritingAid, Microsoft Editor and Hemingway Editor, and the right pick depends on which features you really use. If you only need spelling and grammar fixes, a free tool or the checker built into Word or Google Docs is usually enough. If you want tone, style and clarity feedback, a dedicated writing assistant with a premium plan is the better fit.
Before you swap anything, work out which Grammarly features you lean on. Most small business owners use a fraction of them, and that makes switching far easier than it sounds.
What Grammarly does that you need to replace
Open Grammarly and think about a normal week of writing. These are the jobs I'd tick off:
- Spelling and grammar fixes as you type
- Punctuation and comma checks
- Clarity and wordiness suggestions
- Tone feedback, such as whether an email sounds friendly or stiff
- A browser extension that works in email, social media and your website editor
- A shared style guide for a team
- Plagiarism checking
- AI rewriting and sentence suggestions
Most people only need the first three or four. If that's you, you can skip the premium tools altogether. The browser extension matters more than people expect, because it's the reason Grammarly feels effortless. Whatever you pick, check that it works where you write, whether that's Gmail, LinkedIn, WordPress or a Google Doc.
If you're also weighing up AI-style rewriting, my round-up of the best AI writing tools for business owners covers that side in more depth.
Free tools to try first
LanguageTool
LanguageTool is the one I'd try first. It checks spelling, grammar and punctuation, works as a browser extension and in common writing apps, and supports many languages besides English. It has a free plan, with some of the advanced style suggestions held back for higher plans, so check the current plans page before you rely on it. It suits anyone who writes in more than one language or wants a straight swap for the basic Grammarly checks.
Hemingway Editor
Hemingway Editor isn't a full grammar checker. It highlights long sentences, hard-to-read passages, passive voice and adverbs so you can tighten what you've written. It's a handy second pair of eyes for blog posts and sales pages. The limit is that it won't catch every grammar slip, so pair it with a spellchecker rather than treating it as your only check.
Your browser's own spellcheck
Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox all underline spelling mistakes for free. It won't explain grammar, but combined with Hemingway Editor it covers a surprising amount for a solo owner who writes short emails and social posts.
Checkers built into apps you already use
Before you add another extension, look at what's already in your tools. Fewer extensions also means fewer things to slow your browser down.
Microsoft Editor
If you live in Word and Outlook, Microsoft Editor gives spelling, grammar and clarity suggestions inside them, and there's a browser extension for Edge and Chrome. Some of the deeper suggestions depend on your Microsoft plan, so check what yours includes. It suits teams who already work in Word and Outlook and don't want another login.
Google Docs
Google Docs has built-in spelling and grammar suggestions you can accept with one click. It's simple and it sits where you write anyway. The limits are that it gives little style coaching and only works inside Google's own apps.
Apple's built-in tools
Mac, iPhone and iPad have spellcheck and autocorrect across most apps. They're good for quick messages and light on grammar, so I'd treat them as a safety net rather than a replacement.
Dedicated writing assistants with premium plans
If you want the full Grammarly-style experience, these are the usual names. Most offer a limited free option or a trial in some form, so check each plans page before you commit.
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ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid is known for in-depth reports on style, repetition, readability and pacing. Authors and long-form bloggers tend to like it. It suits people who write longer pieces and want to improve, not just correct. The limit is that the detail can feel like a lot if all you write is short emails.
QuillBot
QuillBot is best known for paraphrasing, and it includes a grammar checker too. It suits people who want help rewording awkward sentences. The limit is that rewording tools can flatten your voice, so read the result aloud before you use it.
Wordtune
Wordtune focuses on suggesting different ways to phrase a sentence. It suits non-native English speakers who know what they want to say but want it to sound natural. It's more of a rewriter than a proofreader, so keep a spellchecker on as well.
Ginger
Ginger combines grammar checking with rephrasing and translation. It suits people who write across languages. Features change over time, so compare the current plans against what you need before you decide.
UK vs US English: set it before you switch
This catches people out. Most of these tools lean towards one variety of English by default, and the wrong default will underline correct words or, worse, leave the wrong spelling in place for your readers.
Think of colour and color, organise and organize, centre and center, or cheque and check. British writing also tends to use single quotation marks where US writing uses double. Neither style is wrong, but your spelling should match your audience.
- Set the language variety inside the tool itself. LanguageTool and Microsoft Editor let you choose between UK, US and other English variants.
- Set the document language in Word or Google Docs so the built-in checker agrees.
- Check the browser extension too, because it can have its own language setting.
- If you write for clients in another country, match their spelling, not yours.
- Read your first few documents after switching, because a wrong default is easy to miss.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Group | Suits | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LanguageTool | Free | Basic checks, multiple languages | Some advanced suggestions need a higher plan |
| Hemingway Editor | Free | Tightening blog posts and sales pages | Not a full grammar checker |
| Microsoft Editor | Built in | Word and Outlook users | Depth depends on your plan |
| Google Docs | Built in | Anyone writing in Google's apps | Little style coaching |
| ProWritingAid | Premium | Long-form writers | Can feel like too much detail |
| QuillBot | Premium | Rewording awkward sentences | Can flatten your voice |
| Wordtune | Premium | Non-native English speakers | More rewriter than proofreader |
| Ginger | Premium | Writing across languages | Check current features |
How I'd choose
- Solo owner writing short emails: your browser spellcheck plus LanguageTool.
- Blogger or content writer: Hemingway Editor for readability and a dedicated assistant for deeper edits.
- Team that works in Word and Outlook: start with Microsoft Editor before adding anything.
- Team on Google Workspace: use the Docs checker and add LanguageTool for email.
- Writing in several languages: LanguageTool or Ginger.
- Want AI help drafting too: read my guide to free AI writing tools for bloggers first.
Make a writing or grammar tool? See how to get it featured on this list.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good free alternative to Grammarly?
LanguageTool is the first I'd try for spelling and grammar, with Hemingway Editor alongside for readability. Check the current plans, because free limits can change.
Can I use Grammarly alternatives with UK English?
Yes. Tools such as LanguageTool and Microsoft Editor let you choose a UK or US variety, and Word and Google Docs have their own document language setting. Set all of them to match your audience.
Do I need a dedicated grammar checker if I use Word or Google Docs?
Not always. For short emails and simple documents, the built-in checker is often enough. A dedicated tool starts to earn its place when you want style coaching or a checker that works across every site you write on.
Do these tools replace a human proofreader?
No. They catch common slips, but they can miss context, names and meaning. For anything important, such as a book, a contract or a launch page, ask a person to read it as well.
