The 8 Best Grammarly Alternatives in 2026
Whether you want a free option, better privacy, a Mac-native experience, or a tool that actually helps you improve — there is a Grammarly alternative that fits better than the default choice.
Why people look for Grammarly alternatives
Grammarly is a well-built tool — and it is often the first name that comes up when someone searches for grammar help. But after a while, certain limitations become hard to ignore. The Premium subscription is one of the pricier options in this category. The cloud-based model means your writing goes to Grammarly's servers, which doesn't sit well with everyone. And for Mac users who prefer native apps, a browser extension is not always the right fit.
There is also a deeper issue: correction tools that don't explain their fixes don't make you a better writer. You accept the suggestion, move on, and repeat the same mistake next week. For non-native speakers and anyone actively trying to improve, that cycle is frustrating — and it is solvable.
The tools below address different parts of this gap — from multilingual support to long-form reporting to local privacy to genuine learning. One of them is ours.
Disclosure: NotchTutor (#1 below) is our product. We have listed it first because we believe it is the strongest option for the use case it covers — but weigh that knowing the source. All other tools are assessed independently.
The 8 best Grammarly alternatives
NotchTutor
Best for learning from your writing mistakes (macOS)
NotchTutor is a native macOS grammar checker built around a single idea: correction alone does not make you a better writer. Every suggestion comes with a plain-English explanation of the underlying rule, and the app tracks your recurring mistake patterns over time — turning your writing history into a personalised study guide. It runs locally on your Mac, so your text never leaves your device.
Best for: Mac users who want to improve their English, not just fix the current draft — especially non-native speakers and professionals handling private communications.
Strengths
- ✓ Explains the reasoning behind every grammar fix
- ✓ Tracks recurring mistake patterns across sessions
- ✓ Fully local processing — zero data sent to servers
Limitations
- → macOS only — no Windows, iOS, or browser extension
- → Focused on grammar and style; not a paraphrasing or translation tool
Price: Free
LanguageTool
Best for multilingual writers and open-source flexibility
LanguageTool supports over 25 languages, making it the go-to choice for writers who work in more than English. Its grammar engine is open-source at its core, which means it has been vetted and extended by a global developer community. The tool works as a browser extension, desktop app, and API, integrating with Google Docs, LibreOffice, and most major writing environments.
Best for: Multilingual writers, non-native English speakers who also write in their first language, and teams wanting self-hostable grammar checking.
Strengths
- ✓ Strong multilingual support across 25+ languages
- ✓ Open-source core with active community development
- ✓ Flexible integration: browser extension, API, and desktop app
Limitations
- → Free tier has daily character limits on the cloud version
- → English-only depth is narrower than tools built exclusively for English
Price: Free tier available; Premium subscription for advanced features and higher limits
QuillBot
Best for paraphrasing alongside grammar correction
QuillBot combines a grammar checker with a paraphrasing engine, making it useful when you want to rephrase, simplify, or restructure sentences — not just fix them. It offers multiple writing modes (Standard, Fluency, Formal, Creative) that adjust how aggressively it rewrites your text. A summariser and citation generator add value for students and researchers.
Best for: Students, researchers, and content writers who need to rephrase source material or rewrite drafts alongside standard grammar correction.
Strengths
- ✓ Integrated paraphrase tool with multiple tone modes
- ✓ Useful summariser and citation generator
- ✓ Free tier covers most core paraphrasing and grammar needs
Limitations
- → Heavy rewriting can drift from your original voice
- → Grammar detection depth is secondary to its paraphrasing strength
Price: Free tier; Premium subscription unlocks full paraphrase modes and higher word limits
ProWritingAid
Best for long-form writers and detailed style reports
ProWritingAid is built for writers who need deep analysis rather than instant fixes. It generates detailed reports on readability, sentence length variety, pacing, overused words, clichés, and style consistency — the kind of diagnostic that short-form tools skip. It integrates with Scrivener, Word, and Google Docs, making it a practical choice for novelists and long-form content creators.
Best for: Fiction writers, journalists, and content creators who want structured diagnostic reports on long drafts rather than sentence-by-sentence correction.
Strengths
- ✓ Deep style and readability reports beyond basic grammar
- ✓ Strong Scrivener integration for fiction writers
- ✓ Flexible licensing options including subscription and one-time purchase
Limitations
- → Can feel overwhelming for short-form or everyday writing
- → Real-time suggestions are slower than simpler tools
Price: Free tier with word limits; paid plans with subscription and one-time purchase options
Ginger
Best for combining grammar correction with translation
Ginger is one of the longer-established grammar tools, offering grammar and spelling correction alongside sentence rephrasing and a built-in translation feature covering over 40 languages. It works as a browser extension and desktop app. Its Personal Trainer feature provides targeted practice exercises based on the types of errors you make most frequently.
Best for: Non-native English speakers who need both grammar assistance and quick translation between their language and English.
Strengths
- ✓ Translation support across 40+ languages
- ✓ Sentence rephraser built into the core workflow
- ✓ Personal Trainer exercises based on your error patterns
Limitations
- → Free tier is significantly limited compared to paid plans
- → Less actively developed than newer AI-native tools
Price: Free tier available; Premium subscription for full feature access
Hemingway Editor
Best for clarity and readability — not a grammar checker
Hemingway Editor is not a grammar checker in the traditional sense — it does not correct grammar or spelling. Instead, it highlights sentences that are hard to read, overused adverbs, passive voice, and unnecessarily complex phrasing. The result is writing that is more direct and readable. The web version is free; the desktop app is a one-time purchase for macOS and Windows.
Best for: Bloggers, marketers, and nonfiction writers who want to tighten their prose for readability — and understand this is a clarity tool, not a grammar corrector.
Strengths
- ✓ Clear visual feedback on sentence complexity and readability grade
- ✓ Desktop app is a one-time purchase with no ongoing subscription
- ✓ Distraction-free writing interface
Limitations
- → Does not catch grammar or spelling errors
- → No integration with other apps — you paste text into the editor
Price: Free on the web; one-time purchase for the desktop app
DeepL Write
Best for tone and rephrasing quality
DeepL Write comes from the team behind the DeepL translation engine. It focuses on rephrasing and tone correction — offering alternative wordings that preserve meaning while improving flow and register. It is not a comprehensive grammar checker, but its rewriting suggestions are notably natural compared to tools that produce generic alternatives. Currently available for English and German.
Best for: Writers who already have solid grammar but want high-quality rephrasing and tone refinement — particularly professionals writing formal communications.
Strengths
- ✓ High-quality, natural rephrasing suggestions
- ✓ Strong handling of formal register and tone
- ✓ Clean interface from a trusted language technology team
Limitations
- → Limited language support compared to the full DeepL translation product
- → Not a comprehensive grammar checker — some errors may be missed
Price: Free tier available; DeepL Pro subscription for extended usage
Microsoft Editor
Best if you already live in Word and Outlook
Microsoft Editor is the grammar and style layer built into Microsoft 365 — available inside Word, Outlook, and as a browser extension for Chrome and Edge. If your primary writing environment is already the Microsoft ecosystem, Editor works without any additional setup. It covers grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, and inclusivity suggestions, backed by Microsoft's AI platform.
Best for: Office and Microsoft 365 users who want grammar assistance without leaving their existing workflow — especially in Word and Outlook.
Strengths
- ✓ Deeply integrated into Word and Outlook with no extra setup
- ✓ Included at no additional cost with Microsoft 365 subscriptions
- ✓ Covers grammar, spelling, clarity, and inclusivity suggestions
Limitations
- → Value is significantly reduced outside the Microsoft ecosystem
- → Less effective on third-party platforms compared to dedicated tools
Price: Free browser extension; full features included with Microsoft 365 subscription
Quick comparison
A compact overview to help you shortlist the right tool for your situation.
| Tool | Best for | Free tier | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| NotchTutor | Learning from mistakes | Yes — fully free | macOS |
| LanguageTool | Multilingual writing | Yes (limits apply) | Web, browser ext, desktop |
| QuillBot | Paraphrasing + grammar | Yes (limits apply) | Web, browser ext |
| ProWritingAid | Long-form / fiction | Yes (word limits) | Web, desktop, browser ext |
| Ginger | Grammar + translation | Limited | Web, browser ext, desktop |
| Hemingway Editor | Readability / clarity | Yes (web version) | Web, desktop (one-time) |
| DeepL Write | Tone + rephrasing | Yes (limits apply) | Web |
| Microsoft Editor | Word / Outlook users | Yes (browser ext) | Web, Word, Outlook |
Information accurate as of mid-2026. Pricing and features may change; verify with each tool's website.
Want a deeper breakdown? See our full NotchTutor vs Grammarly comparison or compare NotchTutor as a LanguageTool alternative .
How to choose the right one
The right Grammarly alternative depends on your platform, your goals, and whether you want writing improvement or writing assistance. Those are genuinely different things.
If you are on macOS and want to improve your English, NotchTutor is the clear pick — the only tool here that explains the reasoning behind corrections and tracks your patterns over time. Read more about how to learn from grammar mistakes rather than just fix them on repeat.
If you write in multiple languages, LanguageTool's multilingual depth is the right fit. If you need to paraphrase and restructure content, QuillBot is purpose-built for that. For long-form writing with detailed diagnostics, ProWritingAid's style reports are hard to beat. And if your entire workflow lives in Microsoft 365, Microsoft Editor is already available — you just need to turn it on.
For a closer look at what to consider when switching, see our deeper look at what a Grammarly alternative should offer . For a broader overview of writing tools with an AI angle, see our guide to the best AI tools for learning English writing .
Frequently asked questions
Is there a completely free Grammarly alternative?
Yes — several. NotchTutor is fully free with no premium tier on its core features. LanguageTool offers a generous free plan that covers most everyday grammar needs. Microsoft Editor is free as a browser extension and bundled with Microsoft 365. Hemingway Editor has a free web version. Being free does not mean cutting corners; for learning-focused use, NotchTutor outperforms many paid tools.
What is better than Grammarly?
It depends on what you need. For learning English and understanding your mistakes, NotchTutor is the stronger choice — it explains every fix and tracks your recurring patterns. For multilingual writing, LanguageTool's broad language support is hard to beat. For long-form fiction and detailed style reports, ProWritingAid goes deeper than Grammarly. For rephrasing quality, DeepL Write is excellent. Grammarly's edge is platform breadth and its browser extension.
Is Grammarly worth paying for?
If you write across multiple platforms and devices and want real-time style and tone suggestions beyond basic grammar, Grammarly Premium is a reasonable investment. However, for Mac users who want to genuinely improve their writing rather than outsource correction indefinitely, free tools like NotchTutor offer more educational value at no cost. The honest answer: it depends on your goals and primary device.
What's the best Grammarly alternative for Mac?
NotchTutor is purpose-built for macOS — a native app that works system-wide without browser extensions, processes text locally for privacy, and explains every correction so you actually learn. For Mac users who value understanding over just correcting, it's the strongest free option available.
Start with the alternative that teaches
NotchTutor is free, private, and built for Mac. Every grammar fix comes with an explanation — and the app tracks your patterns so you stop making the same mistakes. No subscription required.