View all Writing Alternatives

Best Free Alternatives to ProWritingAid

Stop paying $20/mo. Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.

Category: WritingVerified for 2025

Top Recommended Replacements

Grammit

FREE

Best Overall FOSS Alternative

Why we like it

Runs locally on your device for total privacy; uses an on-device Large Language Model (LLM) to check grammar and style; 100% free with no server-side data tracking.

Keep in mind

Requires more hardware power (RAM) since the AI runs locally on your computer.

LanguageTool

Best for Multilingual Writers

Why we like it

Excellent open-source core; supports 30+ languages; 'Picky Mode' catches advanced stylistic issues; works as a browser extension or standalone app.

Keep in mind

The most advanced style suggestions (comparable to PWA) are behind a premium subscription.

Slick Write

FREE

Best for Stylistic Reports

Why we like it

Completely free; provides detailed reports on adverbs, passive voice, and 'prepositional starts' similar to ProWritingAid's 20+ reports.

Keep in mind

The interface is functional but feels dated; lacks AI-driven 'rewriting' features found in newer tools.

Hemingway Editor

FREE

Best for Readability

Why we like it

Classic tool for stripping 'fluff' from writing; highlights hard-to-read sentences and weakens verbs; perfect for punchy, direct prose.

Keep in mind

Does not catch spelling or complex grammar errors; web version is free but the desktop app is a one-time purchase.

QuillBot (Free Tier)

FREE

Best for Paraphrasing

Why we like it

Unmatched AI paraphraser; free version includes unlimited grammar checking; helps rephrase awkward sentences to improve flow.

Keep in mind

Free tier has word-count limits for the paraphraser; plagiarism checker is a paid feature.

Scribens

FREE

Best for Detailed Explanations

Why we like it

Uses a sophisticated AI syntaxical recognition algorithm; provides detailed explanations for every error to help you learn; supports 30+ languages.

Keep in mind

The free plan has a character limit per check (approx. 8,000 characters).

Trinka AI (Free Tier)

FREE

Best for Academic Writing

Why we like it

Specialized in technical, medical, and formal English; catches terminology errors that general tools miss; prioritizes data privacy.

Keep in mind

Limited monthly 'credits' for advanced checks in the free version.

Virtual Writing Tutor

FREE

Best for ESL/Education

Why we like it

100% free; includes tools for checking topic sentences, essay structure, and even target vocabulary levels.

Keep in mind

The interface is very cluttered and geared toward students rather than professional novelists.

Wordtune (Free Tier)

FREE

Best for Contextual Rewriting

Why we like it

Focuses on 'meaning' rather than just rules; helps you rewrite sentences to be more formal, casual, or concise.

Keep in mind

Free plan is limited to 10 rewrites per day.

PaperRater

FREE

Best for Automated Scoring

Why we like it

Analyzes your writing and gives it a 'grade' based on vocabulary and style; includes a basic plagiarism check for free.

Keep in mind

Web-based only; interface is ad-heavy.

Sapling (Free Edition)

FREE

Best for Customer Support Teams

Why we like it

Extremely fast; provides grammar checks in real-time across CRM and helpdesk tools; great for professional brevity.

Keep in mind

Advanced 'Style Guide' features are paid.

Grammarly (Free)

FREE

Best for Basic Polish

Why we like it

The most polished interface; excellent real-time spelling and punctuation; high reliability across almost all web apps.

Keep in mind

The free version is much more restrictive than ProWritingAid, only offering basic grammar and spelling.

Need more options?

Explore our full directory of Writing software alternatives.

Browse the Writing Hub