Grammarly has earned its place as one of the most popular writing tools in the digital age. With features like real-time grammar checking, clarity suggestions, and tone detection, it’s a go-to app for writers, bloggers, marketers, and students alike. But for authors, particularly those working on long-form fiction or nonfiction, Grammarly’s functionality can sometimes feel limited.
Whether you’re looking for better style suggestions, manuscript editing tools, AI-assisted rewriting, or simply a more cost-effective alternative, this guide offers the 10+ best Grammarly alternatives for authors in 2025. These tools will help you refine your prose, tighten your structure, and polish your manuscript to perfection.
Why Authors Need More Than Just a Grammar Checker
While Grammarly is exceptional at catching surface-level issues (like punctuation, basic grammar, and some style choices), authors need more nuanced feedback:
- Character and plot consistency
- Tone and voice analysis
- Readability tailored to genre
- Deep stylistic editing
- Manuscript formatting
The tools listed below go beyond the basics, offering features designed for storytelling, narrative clarity, and professional-level publishing standards.
1. ProWritingAid ★★★★★
Best for: Fiction writers, novelists, and editors
Overview:
Often dubbed “Grammarly on steroids,” ProWritingAid is a powerhouse editing tool tailored specifically for authors and long-form content creators. It offers over 20 detailed writing reports, including grammar, style, overused words, clichés, pacing, dialogue tags, and more.
Top Features:
- Detailed manuscript analysis
- Integrates with Scrivener, Word, and Google Docs
- Genre-specific suggestions
- In-depth readability and structure checks
Why Authors Love It:
It balances AI editing with writer-centric insights, making it ideal for refining narrative voice without feeling too robotic.
Pricing:
Free version available; Premium starts at $10/month (billed annually)
2. Hemingway Editor ★★★★☆
Best for: Clarity, simplicity, and conciseness
Overview:
Hemingway doesn’t focus on grammar—it’s all about making your writing bold and clear. It highlights adverbs, passive voice, and complex sentences that reduce readability.
Top Features:
- Grade-level readability score
- Color-coded text suggestions
- Offline desktop version available
Why Authors Love It:
It’s especially useful during self-edits before professional proofreading, helping you trim the fat from your prose.
Pricing:
Free online version; Desktop app $19.99 (one-time)
3. Quillbot ★★★★☆
Best for: Rewriting sentences and paraphrasing
Overview:
Quillbot is an advanced AI paraphraser and grammar checker. Its standout feature is its ability to rephrase content in multiple styles, making it useful for reworking awkward sentences or improving flow.
Top Features:
- AI-powered paraphraser with multiple tone settings
- Grammar checker and summarizer
- Integrates with Chrome and Microsoft Word
Why Authors Love It:
Ideal for authors looking to reword sentences without changing the meaning. Great for creative inspiration too.
Pricing:
Free basic plan; Premium starts at $8.33/month
4. Slick Write ★★★☆☆
Best for: Fast, browser-based editing
Overview:
Slick Write is a free grammar and style-checking tool that analyzes your text for flow, structure, and potential weaknesses in word use.
Top Features:
- Flow and structure reports
- Vocabulary variety tracker
- Browser-based and lightning-fast
Why Authors Love It:
Simple, no-frills editing that catches a lot of small errors Grammarly might miss.
Pricing:
Free
5. AutoCrit ★★★★★
Best for: Fiction editing and storytelling mechanics
Overview:
Built specifically for fiction authors, AutoCrit analyzes your manuscript for pacing, dialogue strength, clichés, repetition, and emotional tension.
Top Features:
- Fiction-focused editing reports
- Compare your writing to famous authors (Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, etc.)
- Real-time manuscript scoring
Why Authors Love It:
AutoCrit offers insights that no grammar checker provides—especially helpful for fine-tuning plot and pacing in storytelling.
Pricing:
Plans start at $30/month
6. LanguageTool ★★★★☆
Best for: Multilingual authors and international English variations
Overview:
LanguageTool supports over 25 languages and variants like British, American, Canadian, and Australian English. It’s known for being more inclusive and culturally aware than Grammarly.
Top Features:
- Multilingual grammar and spell-checking
- Style and tone suggestions
- Integration with browsers and Office tools
Why Authors Love It:
Perfect for non-native English speakers or authors writing for international markets.
Pricing:
Free basic plan; Premium starts at $4.99/month
7. Ginger Software ★★★☆☆
Best for: Quick grammar and translation
Overview:
Ginger combines grammar correction with sentence rephrasing and translation features. It’s a bit lighter than ProWritingAid or Grammarly but still effective.
Top Features:
- AI-based grammar and spell-checking
- Sentence rephrasing
- Built-in dictionary and translator
Why Authors Love It:
Good for on-the-go corrections or if you’re writing in multiple languages.
Pricing:
Free limited version; Premium from $6.99/month
8. Fictionary ★★★★☆
Best for: Plot development and story structure
Overview:
Fictionary isn’t just about grammar—it’s a story-editing software. It helps you evaluate your plot, scenes, characters, and setting using professional editorial standards.
Top Features:
- Visual story arc builder
- Scene-by-scene breakdown
- Character and setting tracking
Why Authors Love It:
Helps you edit like a developmental editor—especially useful after your first draft.
Pricing:
14-day free trial; Subscription starts at $20/month
9. Scribens ★★★☆☆
Best for: Writers looking for a free, easy alternative
Overview:
Scribens offers grammar, punctuation, and style suggestions, with a clean, intuitive interface and no account required.
Top Features:
- Grammar and stylistic checking
- Word count and sentence length analysis
- Integration with Chrome, Firefox, and MS Word
Why Authors Love It:
It’s straightforward, free, and catches many of the same issues as Grammarly without locking features behind a paywall.
Pricing:
Free
10. Microsoft Editor ★★★☆☆
Best for: Authors who use Microsoft Word
Overview:
Microsoft has stepped up its game with Microsoft Editor, offering smart suggestions directly inside Word and Outlook. It’s similar to Grammarly in its core functions.
Top Features:
- Grammar, spelling, and style suggestions
- Clarity and conciseness feedback
- Available as a browser extension
Why Authors Love It:
If you’re already using Word, this integrated tool is cost-effective and convenient.
Pricing:
Included in Microsoft 365 (starting at $6.99/month)
11. Typely ★★★☆☆
Best for: Distraction-free editing for long texts
Overview:
Typely is a minimalist editor that focuses purely on style, readability, and overused words without grammar checking.
Top Features:
- Readability scores and sentence flow suggestions
- Distraction-free interface
- Tracks adverbs, passive voice, repetition
Why Authors Love It:
Great for those final-stage edits where you just want clean, readable prose.
Pricing:
Free
Comparison Chart: Grammarly Alternatives for Authors
| Tool Name | Best For | Fiction Focus | Free Version | AI-Powered | Rating |
| ProWritingAid | In-depth editing & reports | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ★★★★★ |
| Hemingway Editor | Clarity and simplicity | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ★★★★☆ |
| Quillbot | Paraphrasing and rewriting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ★★★★☆ |
| Slick Write | Quick grammar and style checks | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ★★★☆☆ |
| AutoCrit | Fiction structure and pacing | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ★★★★★ |
| LanguageTool | Multilingual grammar correction | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ginger Software | Grammar and translation | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Fictionary | Plot structure and scene editing | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ★★★★☆ |
| Scribens | Free, quick grammar suggestions | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Microsoft Editor | Word integration and simplicity | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Typely | Minimalist editing | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ★★★☆☆ |
Final Thoughts: Which Tool Should You Choose?
While Grammarly is a great start, serious authors benefit from more targeted tools depending on their needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- For full manuscript editing: ProWritingAid, AutoCrit
- For story development: Fictionary
- For rewriting sentences: Quillbot
- For clear prose: Hemingway Editor, Typely
- On a budget: Slick Write, Scribens
Ultimately, the best Grammarly alternative for you depends on your writing style, project type, and editing phase. Try combining two or three tools to cover grammar, style, and structure for a truly professional manuscript.
