In this article · 8 sections
Good writing tools catch mistakes and make text easier to read. They don't replace your own judgement, but they make editing faster. Here's how the popular options compare. Check current features and pricing on each tool's site, as plans change often.
Grammarly
- Good at: grammar, spelling, punctuation and clarity suggestions as you type, in browsers and apps
- Watch out: some suggestions change your meaning, and it sometimes prefers US style
- Best for: emails, proposals and everyday writing
QuillBot
- Good at: paraphrasing, summarising and grammar checks
- Watch out: paraphrasing other people's articles to pass them off as yours is still copying. See AI content and copyright
- Best for: rewording your own clumsy sentences
Hemingway Editor
- Good at: highlighting long sentences, passive voice and complex words
- Best for: making web copy simpler. See readability tips
LanguageTool
- Good at: grammar checking in several languages, with a useful free tier
- Best for: writers who switch languages
Google Docs and Microsoft Word
Both have built-in spelling and grammar checks, comments and version history. They're often enough for small teams.
AI assistants (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)
- Good at: first drafts, outlines, rewriting in a different tone, and finding weak arguments
- Watch out: they can state wrong facts confidently. Check every number and name
- See AI-written blog posts quality checks and ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude
A simple workflow
- Draft in Google Docs (or with AI help)
- Simplify with Hemingway
- Check grammar with Grammarly or LanguageTool
- Run the proofreading checklist
FAQs
Do I need a paid plan?
Free versions cover most needs for small businesses. Paid plans help teams writing every day.
Was this article helpful?
Your answer helps us improve our guides
