Grammarly
AI writing assistant — free grammar and spell checking
Our Verdict
Grammarly's free plan catches basic grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors effectively, and the browser extension integrates everywhere you write. It's a noticeable step up from your browser's built-in spell checker. However, the free tier deliberately withholds the most useful features — clarity suggestions, tone detection, vocabulary enhancements, and plagiarism checking are all paid-only. You'll see constant nudges to upgrade. For basic proofreading, it's helpful. For serious writing improvement, you'll hit the paywall fast.
About Grammarly
Grammarly's free plan catches grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors across your browser, email, and documents. The browser extension works everywhere you write online, making it effortless to produce clean, error-free text. For most people, the free version is all they'll ever need.
Pros
- +Browser extension works across Gmail, Google Docs, social media, and most web forms
- +Catches grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors reliably
- +Tone indicator gives basic sentiment feedback
- +Available on web, desktop, and mobile keyboard
- +Simple interface that doesn't require any configuration
Cons
- −Most valuable features (clarity, vocabulary, tone adjustments) are paid-only
- −Constant upgrade prompts can be annoying on the free plan
- −Plagiarism checker is paywalled
- −Privacy concerns — your text is sent to Grammarly's servers for analysis
- −Can produce false positives, especially with technical or creative writing
- −Doesn't support all languages — primarily English-focused
Key Features
- ✓Grammar checking
- ✓Spelling correction
- ✓Punctuation fixes
- ✓Browser extension
- ✓Mobile keyboard
Use Cases
- •Email writing
- •Blog posts
- •Social media
- •Academic papers
Best For
Non-native English speakers and casual writers who want basic grammar checking across the web. Power users will likely want to upgrade or look at alternatives.
Alternatives to Grammarly
Open-source alternative with better multilingual support and a more generous free tier
Free web app focused on readability and conciseness rather than grammar
Deeper style analysis for long-form writers with premium reports
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is free Grammarly worth installing?
- For basic grammar and spelling checking, yes — it catches errors your browser spell-checker misses. But set expectations appropriately: the free plan is a proofreader, not a writing coach. The clarity, engagement, and delivery suggestions that make Grammarly truly useful require Premium ($12/month).
- Does Grammarly sell or read your data?
- Grammarly states they don't sell your data, but your text is processed on their servers. For sensitive business or legal documents, this is a valid concern. They offer a privacy-focused enterprise plan, and you can review their data practices at grammarly.com/privacy-policy.