People looking for a free grammar checker usually start at Grammarly and then want to know what else exists. This page names seven options and what each one is for.
An earlier version reported a scored test: errors caught, false positives, and an accuracy ranking that put our own checker near the top. That test is withdrawn. Nothing below is a measurement.
What each one is for
LanguageTool is a rule-based checker with a browser extension and support for many languages. It also documents a self-hosted install, which matters if the draft cannot leave your machine. The free tier has a character cap; the paid plan lifts it.
Coda One is an English grammar pass in the browser. You paste a draft, it marks grammar and wording, and you edit. It does not check plagiarism. The free allowance is on the pricing page, and the checker is at /grammar-checker.
Grammarly's free tier covers basic spelling and punctuation in the browser extension. Style, tone, and the plagiarism check sit on the paid plan. Text is processed on their servers.
ProWritingAid's free tier is a short sample of a product built for long-form style reports. The reports are the paid product.
Microsoft Editor is the checker inside Microsoft 365. If you already write in Word or Outlook, it is there without another account.
Ginger is an older grammar-and-rephrase product. Check its current site for what the free tier includes before you rely on it.
Hemingway Editor highlights long sentences, passive voice, and adverbs. It is a style tool, not a full grammar checker. The web version is free to try.
How to choose
- Several languages, or the text cannot leave your machine: look at LanguageTool.
- A quick English grammar pass in the browser: Coda One or Grammarly's free tier.
- Style reports on a long draft: ProWritingAid, or Hemingway if you only want the highlights.
- You already live in Word: Microsoft Editor.
We have not published a count of errors caught or a ranking of these tools. A page that gives you one is describing a test you cannot check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a reasonable free grammar checker?
It depends on the job. LanguageTool covers many languages and can be self-hosted. Coda One is an English grammar pass in the browser. Hemingway is a style highlighter, not a full grammar checker. None of these is a scored ranking.
Is Grammarly free actually free?
The free tier covers basic spelling and punctuation. Style, tone, and the plagiarism check are on the paid plan. Confirm the current split on Grammarly's own pricing page.
Which grammar checker has the lowest false positive rate?
We do not publish one. A checker that flags less often is not automatically the right one, and we have not measured these tools against each other.
Can I use a grammar checker offline?
LanguageTool documents a self-hosted install. Hemingway has a desktop app. The hosted checkers, including Coda One, send the text to a server.
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