Following the publishing of the ‘3 Second Rule’ dissertation paper, we’ve decided to take a look at the best writing assistants available online. This is an essential resource because AI-written papers can be detected, will not be accepted and institutions, in fact, use AI to detect AI!
In light of this, in today’s digital landscape, effective, natural human writing and communication is still more important than ever. Whether you’re crafting an important email, writing a research paper, or creating content for your website, your writing needs to be clear, engaging, and error-free.
Fortunately, numerous online writing assistants have emerged to help writers of all levels improve their work. This article compares the ten best writing assistants available online, highlighting their unique features, strengths, and limitations to help you choose the right tool for your specific needs. Please note that almost all of the following writing tools use some form of AI, so make sure your writing is your own, and only use the appropriate features to enhance your work.
Grammarly stands as one of the most recognized names in the writing assistant space, and for good reason. This comprehensive tool offers real-time grammar, spelling, and punctuation checking across various platforms.
Key Features:
- AI-powered suggestions for clarity, engagement, and delivery
- Tone detection to ensure your writing matches your intended audience
- Plagiarism checker (Premium version)
- Browser extension that works across websites
- Native desktop applications and mobile keyboards
Pricing: Free basic version; Premium plans start at $12/month (billed annually)
Best For: General writing across all contexts, from emails to essays to social media posts
Limitations: Advanced style suggestions are only available in the premium version, and some users find it can be overly prescriptive with suggestions.
Ludwig.guru takes a unique approach to writing assistance by functioning as a “sentence search engine.” It helps users find examples of how words and phrases are used in reliable contexts.
Key Features:
- Provides authentic sentence examples from reliable sources
- Offers contextual synonyms and alternative phrasing
- Helps with academic and professional writing styles
- Grammar checker and paraphrasing tool
- Specialized for non-native English speakers
Pricing: Limited free searches; Premium plans start at approximately $5/month
Best For: Academic writers, non-native English speakers, and those working on formal documents
Limitations: Not as comprehensive for general grammar checking as some alternatives, and the interface can be less intuitive for beginners.
3. WebsitePlanet Spell Checker
The WebsitePlanet Spell Checker provides a straightforward, no-frills approach to checking spelling and basic grammar issues in your content.
Key Features:
- Free and accessible without registration
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- Performs quick spelling checks on any text
- Multiple language support
- No login required to use basic features
Pricing: Free
Best For: Quick spelling checks and basic grammar review, particularly useful for bloggers and web content creators
Limitations: Lacks the advanced features and contextual suggestions provided by premium services, and doesn’t offer browser integration.
ProWritingAid positions itself as a grammar checker, style editor, and writing mentor all in one package, with particular appeal to fiction writers and long-form content creators.
Key Features:
- Over 20 different writing reports for comprehensive feedback
- Integration with major word processors and browsers
- Detailed explanations of grammar rules
- Style suggestions specific to different genres of writing
- Built-in thesaurus and contextual suggestions
Pricing: Limited free version; Premium plans start at $20/month with significant discounts for annual or lifetime purchases
Best For: Long-form content creators, novelists, and academic writers who need detailed stylistic feedback
Limitations: The full-featured desktop app can be resource-intensive, and some users find the number of suggestions overwhelming.
Named after Ernest Hemingway’s concise writing style, this tool focuses on making your writing bold and clear rather than just grammatically correct.
Key Features:
- Color-coded highlighting of complex sentences
- Readability scoring
- Identification of passive voice and adverbs
- Word count and reading time estimates
- Standalone application available for offline use
Pricing: Free web version; desktop app is a one-time purchase of $19.99
Best For: Content writers, bloggers, and marketers focused on readability and engagement
Limitations: Doesn’t offer grammar checking or integration with other platforms, focusing solely on readability and style.
Ginger combines grammar checking with translation features and a personal trainer for English learning, making it particularly valuable for multilingual users.
Key Features:
- Grammar and spelling checker
- Sentence rephraser for better expression
- Text reader to hear your content
- Translation features supporting over 40 languages
- Personal dictionary for specialized terminology
Pricing: Limited free version; Premium starts at approximately $7.49/month (billed annually)
Best For: Non-native English speakers and multilingual content creators
Limitations: Browser extension sometimes conflicts with other writing tools, and mobile apps have occasional synchronization issues.
7. QuillBot
QuillBot specializes in paraphrasing and offers several modes to help users rework existing content for different purposes.
Key Features:
- Multiple paraphrasing modes (Standard, Fluency, Creative, etc.)
- Grammar checker
- Summarizer tool for condensing long texts
- Citation generator
- Chrome extension and Microsoft Word add-in
Pricing: Free basic version; Premium plans start at $8.33/month (billed annually)
Best For: Students, researchers, and content creators who need to rephrase content while maintaining meaning
Limitations: Free version limits paraphrasing length, and some users report occasional awkward phrasing in certain modes.
8. LanguageTool
LanguageTool stands out for its exceptional multilingual support, making it ideal for writers working across different languages.
Key Features:
- Support for over 20 languages with extensive grammar rules
- Browser extensions and add-ons for various platforms
- Style checking beyond basic grammar
- Team features for collaborative writing
- On-premises enterprise solutions for privacy-conscious organizations
Pricing: Free basic version; Premium plans start at $4.99/month
Best For: Multilingual writers and international teams
Limitations: Interface is less polished than some competitors, and specialized terminology checking is limited.
Wordtune leverages advanced AI to help you rewrite sentences while preserving their original meaning, with options to make your writing more casual or formal.
Key Features:
- Smart rewrite suggestions with multiple alternatives
- Tone adjustment (casual vs. formal)
- Length control (expand or shorten content)
- Chrome extension for use across the web
- Integration with major platforms like Google Docs and Gmail
Pricing: Free limited version; Premium plans start at $9.99/month
Best For: Professionals who need to adjust their writing tone for different audiences and contexts
Limitations: Free version has strict usage limits, and some users find it works better for certain types of content than others.
10. Writefull
Writefull focuses specifically on academic writing, offering targeted assistance for researchers, students, and scholarly authors.
Key Features:
- Language suggestions based on academic writing conventions
- Title generator for research papers
- Specialized feedback for methodology and results sections
- Citation language assistance
- Integration with LaTeX editors and Overleaf
Pricing: Free basic version; Premium academic licenses available
Best For: Academic writers, researchers, and graduate students
Limitations: Very specialized for academic contexts and less useful for general writing needs.
Conclusion
The best writing assistant for you depends largely on your specific needs, writing style, and budget. Grammarly offers the most comprehensive general solution, while specialized tools like Ludwig.guru and WebsitePlanet’s Spell Checker excel in specific areas. For academic writers, Writefull provides targeted assistance, while content creators might prefer the readability focus of Hemingway Editor.
Consider starting with free versions to test which interface and suggestion style works best for your writing process. Many professional writers actually use multiple tools in combination—perhaps using Hemingway to streamline their prose, Grammarly for grammar and spelling, and Ludwig.guru for checking usage examples.
Regardless of which tool you choose, remember that these assistants are meant to enhance your writing, not replace your unique voice and style. The most effective approach is to use these tools as collaborators in your writing process while maintaining your authentic expression.
If you are looking for help with writing dissertations or improving any subject from GCSE to university level, contact us for more information. We’d be happy to arrange a trial session – free of charge.
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