1. LanguageTool
Open-source grammar checker supporting 30+ languages.
Why it replaces Grammarly: Open source, 30+ languages and self-hostable for sensitive text.
Best Grammarly Alternatives in 2026
Grammarly is a strong option, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Below are 4 alternatives compared on rating, install base, pricing and the use case each one actually wins on.
About Grammarly
Grammarly checks grammar, spelling, clarity and tone in almost any text field in the browser — email, docs, CMS editors and social posts. The premium tier adds full-sentence rewrites, tone adjustment and plagiarism detection, while the generative assistant can draft and shorten text on request.
Comparison at a glance
| Extension | Rating | Users | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammarly (original) | 4.5 | 36M+ | Freemium | Professionals and students who write daily in the browser and want a safety net before hitting send. |
| LanguageTool | 4.7 | 2M+ | Freemium | Multilingual writers and privacy-conscious teams who want a self-hostable alternative to Grammarly. |
| Wordtune | 4.6 | 1M+ | Freemium | Non-native English writers and marketers polishing short-form copy. |
| Monica AI | 4.9 | 3M+ | Freemium | People who want templates and translation alongside a general AI chat panel. |
| Merlin AI | 4.8 | 900K+ | Freemium | Generalists who want a single AI sidebar instead of five separate AI extensions. |
Grammarly alternatives in detail
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2. Wordtune
AI rewriting assistant that rephrases sentences in context.
Why it replaces Grammarly: Stronger at rewriting sentences than at catching grammar errors.
3. Monica AI
AI copilot for chat, translation and writing on any site.
Why it replaces Grammarly: General AI assistant that also handles writing help and translation.
4. Merlin AI
One AI assistant for summarising, writing and answering on any page.
Why it replaces Grammarly: AI sidebar with drafting help across every site.
Compare Grammarly head-to-head
Direct comparisons with the extensions people weigh against it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Grammarly?
LanguageTool is the closest match. Open source, 30+ languages and self-hostable for sensitive text.
Is there a free alternative to Grammarly?
Most options in this category are freemium, with a usable free tier for evaluation.
Why switch away from Grammarly?
Common reasons are pricing, missing sync or team features, and specific limitations: Premium is required for the best rewrites; Can feel intrusive in code editors.