You just found a mistake in something you’ve published — something you swore you’d double-, triple-, and even quadruple-checked. And it hurts.
But aside from your own careful self-editing (eyes on the page), what tools can help you eliminate those errors in the next piece of writing you put out there?
Or, in other words, what’s the best proofreading software for writers? And what proofreading and editing app has everything you need at an affordable price?
What you learn might surprise you.
The Best Proofreading Software for Writers
Only you know whether you want an app that focuses on spelling and grammar errors or one that can help you write with more clarity and elegance.
For quite a while, Grammarly has been the gold standard for proofreading software.
But some of the Grammarly alternatives are well worth a try. So, I hope you’ll check them out for yourself and see how well they serve you.
Only you know whether you want an app that focuses on spelling and grammar errors or one that can help you write with more clarity and elegance.
A comparison of Hemingway vs. Grammarly can help you decide on the right software for your needs.
But the best way to sort that out is to try them both yourself. Think of his post as your launchpad. The links are there for a reason.
Grammarly
This is probably the easiest tool to use with every bit of writing you do on your computer or smartphone.
It doesn’t provide detailed feedback, but it catches plenty of mistakes that most word processor spell-checkers miss. And it can follow you just about everywhere.
Just don’t expect to use it with Google Docs. Grammarly gets along with Google Chrome but not with Google Drive’s flagship word processor.
Here’s hoping they fix that.
Features:
c
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
Hemingway App
For those who want a proofreading app that can help them become a better writer, the Hemingway app is definitely worth a look.
For now, there’s no browser extension and, as far as we know, it’s not in the works, but fingers crossed.
But you can still copy and paste text into the Hemingway Editor to get detailed feedback and a helpful overview of your writing style or someone else’s.
Hemingway vs. Grammarly is like apples vs. oranges. Hemingway doesn’t check for spelling, nor does Grammarly check for style issues. So, if you want both, you’ll need both Hemingway and either Grammarly or a comparable alternative (Ginger, etc.).
The real competition is between that combo and ProWritingAid.
Features:
c
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
ProWritingAid
The software you choose may depend on your computer. The best proofreading software for Mac isn’t always the best option for a PC.
But in this case, ProWritingAid delivers for both major platforms.
If we look at ProWritingAid vs. Grammarly, it doesn’t even look like a fair fight.
ProWritingAid is less expensive than Grammarly.
And it combines an efficient grammar and spelling checker with stylistic tools to help you become more aware of your writing peccadillos (passive voice, overuse of adverbs, run-on sentences, etc.) — so you can write with more clarity and power.
This might be overkill for social media posts, but it’s a huge help for more substantial pieces like books and long blog posts.
Features:
b
Pros:
c
Cons:
More Related Articles
The Perfect Writing Software And Apps For Your Writing Style
Are You Ready To Test Your Proofreading Skills?
Want To Become A Book Editor? Here’s Your Step-By-Step Guide
c
Ginger
Similar to Grammarly in both function and price, this one differentiates itself with a read-aloud feature and translation feature none of the other proofreading apps have.
Of all the Grammarly alternatives, this one may be the most comprehensive.
The Chrome extension allows you to use the free version immediately. And the tiny Ginger logo (small white G in a blue circle) shows up when you’re writing to let you know Ginger is on the job.
Features:
c
Pros:
Con:
c
WhiteSmoke
This Grammarly alternative comes with a smaller price tag and checks style as well as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
If you want an app that works on your smartphone as well as on your PC/laptop, this is a viable option.
Features:
c
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
LanguageTool
I include this one partly because of my soft spot for open source software. Unlike the previous app, this one has a free version.
And unlike most of the apps in this post, LanguageTool supports multiple languages.
That said, its free version isn’t as robust as Grammarly’s, Ginger’s, or ProWritingAid’s. And it doesn’t have a browser extension.
You basically copy and paste your text into its editor (like the Hemingway app).
But in its defense, the premium version is still one of the cheapest on the list.
Features:
c
Pros:
x
Cons:
x
PerfectIt
Lauded as the “leading software among professional proofreaders and editors,” this app can even enforce the rules of the particular stylebook you use.
It also checks consistency, locates undefined abbreviations, and works for US, UK, CA and AU English.
Check out the free trial and see if this program has what you need to up your self-editing game — or even to earn some income as a professional editor or proofreader.
Features:
c
Pros:
c
Cons:
c
Did you find the best proofreading software for your needs?
So, now that you’ve had a chance to look over the features, pros, and cons of seven different proofreading apps, which ones stand out as the ones most likely to serve you well with your writing?
What do you look for in proofreading software? And what are your deal-breakers?
Keep in mind that you can try all of these to get a better sense of what they do and what it’s like to use them.
Give them all a look and a test-drive. Read some customer reviews to see what other users have said.
Then see what each can do to a sample of your own writing. Find out which is the most helpful for you.
And don’t forget to share what you’ve learned with your fellow writers.
