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Best Free Alternatives to Hemingway Editor
Stop paying $19.99 (Desktop) / Subscription (AI Features). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Editing & ReadabilityVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
LanguageTool
FREEBest Open-Source All-Rounder
Why we like it
Available in 30+ languages; open-source core; 'Picky Mode' provides deep stylistic suggestions similar to Hemingway's color highlights.
Keep in mind
The advanced AI rephrasing and some browser extension features are locked behind a premium subscription.
Slick Write
FREEBest for Detailed Stylistic Stats
Why we like it
100% free; provides incredible visual graphs for sentence length, flow, and word variety; allows for massive custom configuration.
Keep in mind
The interface is utilitarian and ad-supported; lacks the 'Zen' distraction-free environment of Hemingway.
Expresso
FREEBest for Metric-Driven Editing
Why we like it
Analyzes text for 'weak' verbs, filler words, and nominalizations; provides a sidebar with percentages for each stylistic issue.
Keep in mind
Extremely basic, text-only interface; no browser extension or offline app available.
Grammit
FREEBest for Privacy-Conscious AI Editing
Why we like it
Runs a local, on-device AI model to check your writing; zero data sent to external servers; modern, minimalist interface.
Keep in mind
Requires more system resources (RAM) because the AI runs locally on your machine.
QuillBot (Paraphraser)
FREEBest for Fixing 'Hard-to-Read' Sentences
Why we like it
The best tool for instantly rewriting the 'Red' and 'Yellow' sentences Hemingway flags; includes a reliable free grammar checker.
Keep in mind
Free version has word count limits per scan; focuses more on rewriting than original stylistic coaching.
Vale
FREEBest for Developers & Tech Writers
Why we like it
A 'linter' for prose; highly customizable with 'styles' (like Microsoft or Google style guides); works directly in VS Code and terminal.
Keep in mind
Command-line based; very high technical barrier for non-technical writers.
ProWritingAid (Free Tier)
FREEBest for Long-Form Fiction
Why we like it
Produces 20+ detailed reports on pacing, dialogue, and overused words; integrates with Scrivener and Word.
Keep in mind
Free tier is limited to 500 words at a time; the sheer amount of data can be overwhelming for simple blog posts.
After the Deadline
FREEBest Open-Source Classic
Why we like it
Used as the core for WordPress.com's original editor; excellent at detecting 'clichés' and biased language.
Keep in mind
Development has slowed down in recent years; limited browser extension support compared to modern rivals.
Cliché Finder
FREEBest Niche Tool for Originality
Why we like it
Does one thing perfectly: highlights every cliché and trite expression in your text.
Keep in mind
No grammar or spelling checks; very old-school interface.
Virtual Writing Tutor
FREEBest for ESL & Language Learners
Why we like it
Completely free; focuses heavily on common errors made by non-native speakers; includes a vocabulary checker.
Keep in mind
The interface is cluttered with many different tools, making it less focused than Hemingway.
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