Free alternatives to Grammarly
Last updated · Prices change often; confirm on each tool's site.
The best free alternative to Grammarly is LanguageTool, a grammar and style checker that works in 30+ languages, with QuillBot's free tier if you also want paraphrasing, and ChatGPT or Claude for rewriting whole paragraphs. Grammarly's own free plan still fixes spelling and grammar, so you only need an alternative for other languages, rewrites, or the Pro features ($12/month).
Quick comparison
| Tool | Free tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammarly | Spelling and grammar fixes; 100 AI prompts a month | Pro $12/mo | Corrections everywhere you type, in English |
| LanguageTool | Checks up to 2,000 characters per text field; 3 AI rephrasings a day | Premium (paid) | Grammar checking in 30+ languages |
| QuillBot | Paraphraser (2 modes, 125 words at a time) and basic grammar checker | Premium from $8.33/mo billed yearly | Paraphrasing and summarizing |
| ChatGPT | Free plan | Go $8/mo, Plus $20/mo | Rewriting a whole paragraph in a new tone |
Who should pick which
- Pick Grammarly if you mostly want typos and grammar caught in English as you type. The free plan does that; Pro adds full-sentence rewrites, tone changes and plagiarism and AI-text detection.
- Pick LanguageTool if you write in a language other than English, or switch between several. The free plan checks up to 2,000 characters per text field, so longer documents need checking in parts.
- Pick QuillBot if you're a student who paraphrases and summarizes sources. The free paraphraser works on 125 words at a time.
- Pick ChatGPT if you want a paragraph rewritten, shortened or made more formal. You paste text in; it doesn't underline mistakes in every text box the way a browser extension does. Claude works the same way and is also free to start.
Good to know
- Don't paste confidential text into any free tool without checking its privacy policy first.
- Grammar checkers miss things and sometimes suggest wrong fixes. Read every suggestion before you accept it.
FAQ
Is there a completely free alternative to Grammarly?
Yes. LanguageTool's basic plan and QuillBot's free tier cost nothing, and both include a grammar checker. The limits are a 2,000-character cap per text field on LanguageTool and 125 words per paraphrase on QuillBot's free tier.
Is LanguageTool better than Grammarly?
Neither is better for everyone. LanguageTool's strength is support for 30+ languages; Grammarly focuses on English. Both have free plans, so run the same text through each and keep the one whose suggestions you accept more often.
Can ChatGPT replace Grammarly?
For rewriting and tone changes, often yes. For catching mistakes as you type in email, docs and forms, no: ChatGPT works on text you paste into it, while Grammarly and LanguageTool check text where you write it.
How much is Grammarly Pro?
Grammarly lists Pro at $12/month. It adds full-sentence rewrites, tone adjustment, plagiarism and AI-text detection, and 2,000 AI prompts a month (the free plan has 100).
Related guides
Sources
Prices and limits come from each vendor's own pricing or help pages unless noted, checked October 17, 2026.
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