Level Up Your Writing With These Best Proofreading Tools
Free & Paid Editing Options Compared
Hello, fellow writers! Whether you're polishing a blog post, novel, or email, the right editing tool can make all the difference. But let’s be honest: there are a lot of options out there. Some are grammar wizards, others help with style, and a few are so specific they basically say, “Hey, novelist, I got you.”
Below is a practical, no-fluff comparison of the best editing tools for writers in 2025. I’ve included both free and paid options, personal tips, and what makes each one worth checking out.
🔴 Hemingway Editor
Best for: Simplifying and tightening your writing style
Cost:
Free: Use the web editor without signing up
Hemingway Editor 3 (Desktop): $19.99 one-time purchase
Hemingway Editor Plus: $25/month or $100/year
Why I Like It:
Hemingway is about grammar and style. It highlights wordy sentences, passive voice, adverbs, and complex structures that bog down your message. It helps you write like Hemingway (though ironically, he wouldn’t always pass his own test).
I used this tool constantly back in college. It was my go-to when I couldn’t afford subscriptions.
Pros:
Excellent for big-picture feedback and clarity
Free web editor—no login required
Desktop app is a one-time fee (rare these days!)
Color-coded highlights make issues easy to spot
HTML/Markdown export from desktop
Cons:
No spellcheck
Doesn’t give specific rewording suggestions
No browser extension or app integration
🔵 AutoCrit
Best for: Fiction writers who want tailored feedback
Cost:
Free plan available
Professional plan: $30/month or $180/year
Why I Like It: AutoCrit is built specifically for fiction. It compares your writing to a database of bestselling novels and provides feedback on pacing, dialogue, word choice, repetition, and more. I use it when editing novels and combine it with ProWritingAid for the best results.
Pros:
Fiction-specific editing reports
Unique comparative tools
Supportive author community and courses
Cons:
Lacks strong grammar support
Pricey for limited features
🟡 ProWritingAid
Best for: Long-form writers (novels, essays, blog posts)
Cost:
Free version with limited features
Premium: $20/month, $79/year, or $399 lifetime
Premium Plus (with plagiarism checks): $24/month, $89/year, or $499 lifetime
Why I Like It: ProWritingAid is my top pick for editing book-length projects. It offers deep feedback on grammar, style, pacing, overused words, and sentence variation. It's great for seeing patterns in your writing.
Pros:
Most comprehensive reports of any tool
Plagiarism checker available (Premium Plus)
Customizable for different English dialects
Works with Scrivener, Google Docs, and Word
Lifetime option available
Cons:
Not ideal for casual users or short posts
Premium versions can get expensive
No mobile app
Steeper learning curve
🟢 Grammarly
Best for: Everyday proofreading and catching basic grammar issues fast
Cost:
Free version with grammar and spelling checks
Premium: $29.95/month, $59.94/quarter, or $139.95/year
Business: $12.50/user/month (minimum 3 users)
Why I Like It: Grammarly is the most user-friendly tool on this list. It checks grammar, spelling, tone, and clarity in real time. Whether you're writing in Word, Chrome, or even your email, it integrates almost everywhere.
Pros:
Free version is powerful
Works with browsers, Google Docs, MS Word
Available on mobile (iOS/Android)
Plagiarism checker in Premium
Tone detector and formality adjustments
Cons:
Doesn’t give deep writing feedback
No lifetime plan
Not compatible with Scrivener or Pages
Limited file size in web editor
🟠 Fictionary
Best for: Developmental editing for fiction writers
Cost:
Storyteller: $19/month or $14/month (annual)
Storyteller Premium: $29/month or $21.58/month (annual)
StoryCoach (for editors): $49/month or $33.25/month (annual)
Why I Like It: Fictionary is different, it’s not a grammar tool. It's designed to help authors develop stronger plots, arcs, and character journeys. It’s great for revising drafts and prepping for professional edits.
Pros:
Great for developmental edits
Strong visual tools for plot and structure
Clean, intuitive interface
Cons:
No grammar/spelling tools
Requires a lot of author input
No subplot tracking
🟣 Quillbot
Best for: Rewriting, summarizing, and academic-style editing
Cost:
Free version available
Premium: $19.95/month, $13.33/month (semi-annual), $8.33/month (annual)
Why I Like It: Quillbot is powered by AI and offers tools like paraphrasing, grammar checks, summarization, and even citation generation. It's especially handy for students and non-fiction writers.
Pros:
Paraphraser, summarizer, plagiarism checker, and citation tool
Free version available
Affordable pricing
Cons:
Not great for long-form fiction
No lifetime option
Free version has strict limits
🟤 Ginger Software
Best for: Quick grammar checks and translations
Cost:
Free version available
Premium: $13.99/month, $89.88/year, $159.84 for 2 years
Why I Like It: Ginger checks grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and also offers a translation feature for over 40 languages. It’s best for casual writing, emails, or quick grammar fixes—not full manuscript editing.
Pros:
Works across browsers, MS Word, Android, and iOS
Includes a translator and sentence rephraser
Free version offers basic functionality
Cons:
Limited features compared to ProWritingAid or Grammarly
Doesn’t analyze writing style deeply
Lacks robust reporting tools
Free vs Paid Editing Tools: Which Should You Use?
Not sure if it’s worth upgrading from a free editor to a premium plan? You’re not alone. Writers often ask: Is the paid version really better? Or just another shiny subscription? This post breaks it down — when to stick with free tools, when to invest, and how to get the most value either way.
Core Sections:
What Free Editing Tools Can Do (Surprisingly a Lot)
Basic grammar and spelling
Readability suggestions (Hemingway)
Ideal for short-form content like blog posts or emails
What Paid Tools Bring to the Table
Advanced stylistic feedback (ProWritingAid, AutoCrit)
In-depth genre-specific analysis (Grammarly Premium, Fictionary)
Long-form editing support
When You Should Stick With Free
Just starting out
Working on short pieces or social media content
Budget constraints
When It’s Worth Paying For
Editing novels, nonfiction books, or thesis papers
Hiring editors and needing collaboration features
Needing plagiarism checks or citations (Quillbot, Grammarly)
Tips for Trying Before Buying
Use free trials strategically
Compare multiple tools on the same sample
Watch for discounts or lifetime licenses (ProWritingAid, Hemingway app)
Final Thoughts: Which Tool Should You Choose?
If you’re editing a novel: ProWritingAid + AutoCrit or Fictionary
If you’re writing blog posts or casual emails: Grammarly + Hemingway
If you’re in academia or need citations: Quillbot + Grammarly
If you’re strapped for cash: Hemingway (free) + Grammarly (free)
If you write fiction and want guidance on structure: Fictionary
Each tool has its strengths, and no single one can replace the rest. We recommend starting with a free version, experimenting with your actual writing, and investing only in what genuinely improves your workflow.
TIP:
Free tools are a fantastic start. But when your writing goals level up, the right paid tool can save you hours of frustration and catch what free tools often miss.
Keep writing!
Winterwolf Press
P.S. What editing tools have you tried? Let us know your favorite, or your biggest letdown, so we can crowdsource the ultimate author stack.