Best AI Proofreaders Chosen by Real People on Reddit

On your third page of Google results for the best AI proofreader, and still no clear winner? Every tool promises flawless grammar, smoother sentences, and error-free writing…but which ones actually deliver?

Sure, you can compare feature lists and pricing charts all day, but nothing beats hearing it straight from the people who use these tools daily.

The masses have spoken. 

We dove deep into Reddit threads to really know which free AI proofreaders are worth your time. From first-hand success stories to brutally honest critiques, here are the top AI proofreader tools Reddit users swear by…

…,ranked by genuine feedback, not just hype.

#1. editGPT

Writers, late-night editors, and academics all say one common denominator with their editGPT reddit mentions: it’s how human editGPT’s AI proofreader feels, and it’s the tool you should use if you don’t want to strip your writing of your unique and personal voice, tone, and purpose. 

"I've tried a few proofreading services, but nothing compares to editGPT. It catches nuanced errors and improves clarity without losing your voice. Definitely worth checking out along with the free services here."

Some even compared it to a smart friend who proofreads for you, except that editGPT makes the process faster.

"editGPT is a godsend for Wattpad imo, it's like having a super smart friend proofread for you but way faster."

"i've found that using editgpt really enhances the proofreading process. it catches mistakes that other proofreaders often miss, which is a huge plus for my writing. the way it analyzes text helps refine my work significantly, making it a valuable tool alongside traditional methods."

And that’s not an exaggeration. 

Contextual and intelligent editing is what editGPT has that most AI proofreaders today don’t. 

editGPT offers academic modes and prompts for your theses and research papers. But fanfiction writers, published authors, and marketers love it for its ability to grasp the context, tone, and intent behind every piece.

That way, however your piece may get edited, the original voice it has will remain. Your piece will still feel like you. 

This is why some Redditors described it as “too human, it’s almost unbelievable.”

"for fiction, most ai tools feel too stiff, grammarly constantly wants to formalize dialouge, and quillbot just rephrases stuff robotically. editgpt has been better at keeping my characters' voices intact while still cleaning up clunky sentences. definitely not perfect, but it feels like it understands narrative better."

"If you're looking to clean up AI-ish sounding bits without killing your voice, EditGPT's been helpful. You can tweak tone, flow, grammar and stuff kinda like a smarter Grammarly built for ChatGPT outputs."

Redditors also rave about editGPT’s generous free tier, which lets you explore plenty of features and get a real feel for the tool before spending a dime.

"editgpt really stands out as a proofreader. it catches mistakes that others often miss, like subtle grammar issues and awkward phrasing. it's a game changer for self-published authors looking for that extra polish."

"I've found that using editGPT for proofreading has been a game changer. It catches mistakes I often overlook and gives suggestions that really enhance my writing. Definitely worth trying if you're self-publishing."

Its user- and beginner-friendly interface is also one of the top reasons why the digital world loves editGPT. 

It might look minimalistic at first glance, but its clean interface has everything you need, neatly organized and ready in its panels. 

Using it is effortless.

Just paste your text and choose a prompt. You can even create your own custom prompts and tweak the multi-language settings to fine-tune the tool to your exact editing style.

All in all, editGPT is Reddit’s top pick for AI proofreading because it’s easy enough for beginners to enjoy right away, smart enough to understand context without erasing your unique voice, and powerful without being complicated.

"Makes sense. I’d actually check EditGPT, then: it’s very geared towards what you describe, with a time-saving interface to individually or collectively accept/reject all changes, and even lets you input custom proofreading prompts (as well as others) that might do it even more how you want it. Last I heard, it used GPT-3.5, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the creator had since updated it to GPT-4o mini, being at the same time cheaper and better. At any rate, they have a free tier with 10,000 words per month, more than enough to try it and see if it’ll work as you want enough to get any of the paid tiers—and either way, you’d save your entire ChatGPT quota ;)"

"editgpt is like if chatgpt got tired of being your therapist and became your editor instead."

"editgpt has really impressed me with its ability to catch errors that other proofreaders miss. it seems to understand context better and picks up on subtle mistakes that can slip through the cracks. definitely worth considering for anyone serious about their writing."

2. Grammarly

Grammarly has been around for so long that using it on paperwork now feels second nature… and it seems most writers and academics on Reddit feel the same way.

"I used it extensively when I went back to college at age 40ish. So helpful with all those midterms & final papers I had to write."

It’s one of the most frequently mentioned AI proofreading tools across different discussion boards, and a clear pattern emerges from those mentions:

Redditors overwhelmingly credit Grammarly for helping them with school and university papers, especially for grammar and punctuation checks. 

And that’s where Grammarly truly shines.

"Grammarly is good but not perfect. I have the program installed on both my computers, so I use it often.

If you want to use Grammarly effectively, you should have some personal knowledge of grammar so that you can see when the program makes mistakes, which it does occasionally. For me, it saves time as it gives the correct answer and sometimes good suggestions for changing the sentences 90% of the time."

As one Redditor put it, Grammarly gives great suggestions “about 90% of the time.”

So where’s the missing 10%?

According to countless threads, Grammarly struggles to pick up on the writer’s context, intent, and voice. The result? Edits that can sometimes feel robotic, especially when working on pieces that are highly emotional or meant to connect with readers on a deeper level.

"Imho you should only use it to check for grammar and spelling errors. If you start taking every suggestion it gives you say goodbye to author voice and personal style."

"Grammarly is good for teaching yourself grammar error and sentence structure. I have it, I love it. It tells you what you did incorrectly, and showed you. The only annoying part of it, is the constant corrections when I am writing a character to actually have grammar issues or for different people from different places talking differently in a conversation."

Many Reddit writers also point out that Grammarly often flags issues where the suggested fix is locked behind a paid feature.

That said, you can still use Grammarly for free, and it will cover the basicsgrammar, spelling, and punctuation checks. Judging from the Reddit threads, that’s more than enough for many users, especially students.

"Fellow non-English here and I use Grammarly. It helps with the comma rules and keeping me going in the same grammatical tense.

I usually write in British English, but thought I'd have better chances if I changed my ms to American English, and Grammarly was very helpful in that regard. (The comma rules are different from BE to AE, did not know that)."

On top of that, Grammarly remains incredibly easy to use and offers wide integration across browsers, word processors, and even email platforms.

3. Quillbot

"I wanted to share my thoughts on QuillBot, an AI-powered writing assistant that’s been making headlines in the blogging community as something that can help you pass AI detection. There are also different applications circling online for students. You can check the discussion on that topic here.

One of the most notable features is definitely its AI detector. Unlike many other tools, it’s free, and you have unlimited scans. However, it’s not 100% accurate. In fact, no AI detection tool is entirely accurate. One day, I will write a post explaining why.

The grammar checker works well and is no worse than Grammarly. In fact, I’ve noticed that their extension for Chrome loads faster than the Grammarly extension.

While the free version of QuillBot is quite useful, the premium plan unlocks a lot of advanced features and eliminates some of the annoying limitations. Just a heads-up: the AI does not always produce results that sound completely natural, so a little human supervision goes a long way.

Overall, I’d say QuillBot is a useful tool that can streamline some of your writing process. Have any of you tried it? What are your thoughts?"

Quillbot is undeniably one of the most talked about AI proofreading and editing assistant on Reddit. But if you’ve probably already noticed, it’s not so much for its grammar checking, but for its AI detector. 

"Reading the responses so far, I don't think anyone actually read your post.

As to English writing skills, both would be a help, but Quilbot is the easiest to use (FYI both are made by the same Ukrainian company)

However, unless you are doing a lot of writing, it's not worth purchasing a subscription. But, the other respondents have forgotten to mention, both Grammarly and Quilbot have a free use option.

Why I don't know?

If you don't have large documents or only need it occasionally the free option for Quilbot is your best bet. There is word limit per day but again if you're not needing it a lot that's fine.

Also, don't forget that most word process programs like Office Libre, MS Word, Word Perfect, Open Office, have settings for specific English dialects. Like English - US, English - UK, English - Canada, English - Australia etc."

In fact, when Quillbot does come up in discussions about grammar, Redditors usually recommend it for light, basic editing rather than deep, nuanced proofreading.

Many users also describe Quillbot as feeling more like a collection of mini tools than one cohesive writing and editing assistant. You’ve got paraphrasing, summarizing, grammar checking, plagiarism detection, and of course, its AI detection… all in separate modules you can pick and choose from. 

For some, that flexibility is a plus.

But for others, it means jumping between tools rather than working within one seamless editor.

Still, Quillbot earns plenty of praise. Its name never really leaves discussions by writers, editors, and students. 

"I like Quillbot for quick edits. The AI detection isn't perfect, but for a free tool, it's decent."

"I used to use the grammar and punctuation checker parts of Quillbot. The free version points out grammar mistakes as well as anything to do with spelling and punctuation, and if a sentence is repetitive and/or doesn't flow well, it ONLY points it out. To get its full suggestions, you have to pay for a subscription. For me, this was a good tool, as I could think about how to fix my mistakes since I didn't have the full "answer."

Although it may not be the first choice for extensive grammar corrections, Quillbot's versatile toolkit and generous free plan make it a useful resource for any writer, especially those who prefer having multiple tools in one location.

4. ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid has carved out a niche over the years, especially with fiction authors. If there’s one AI editing tool that comes close to how loved editGPT is, it’s ProWritingAid. 

ProWritingAid is particularly loved thanks to its sharpness when it comes to spotting tense shifts and distinguishing between passive and active voice. 

"I am currently using the tool to help sub in for a copy editor as I don't have enough budget to hire more freelancers. I think it's been a great tool so far but it can be pretty resource intensive on a system. You can customize the settings and tell it what you want the tool to look for. I thought it did a great job of identifying present tense when I meant past tense."

Moreover…

It’s also a hit with non-English speakers, who often credit it with helping them improve their English as they edit, thanks to its little bits of grammar lessons. 

That said, if you’re already fluent, some of its feedback can feel a little on the basic and generic side. 

"I really liked using it for my latest book. Didn't use it while writing the initial drafts or revisions, instead I used it for the final passes. It's more like Microsoft Word's spell and grammar check than ChatGPT. It will give a basic explanation of what rule it's trying to correct and push you in the right direction, but it will hold off on re-writing entire sentences for you.

I really enjoyed some of the more in-depth reports, like the one that tallies all the most commonly used verbs, adverbs, or adjectives and tells you how many times you used them. Makes you push your boundaries and use a wider range of words."

Most Redditors also said that they bring in ProWritingAid during the later stages of editing (think third or even fifth draft) rather than relying on it for the entire editing process. That’s because it works best when the obvious grammar slips are already fixed, letting its style reports focus on rhythm, clarity, and polishing the finer details.

"I am on the 3rd revision of my draft. My dev editor suggested I use ProWritting Aid mainly for the punctuation and passive voice. (I am Portuguese writting in English, in the Portuguese language passive voice is more common while in English, active voice is more common, so I have issues wrapping my head around it a bit).

It does the job pretty well, and I am learning to shift my writting style to be more in line with the English written language, but there are instances of "this can't be right". It's not perfect, but it's certainly an amazing help, specially when polishing your draft."

"Love pro writing aid.

They do have some ai features like the sparks and chapter critiques. But most of it is just grammar. If you're uncomfortable with the ai aspects, then don’t use the sparks. Everything else is just grammar suggestions.

AI is a tool and you can choose to use it or not."

"I use it! Though I never use to rewrite features and I do all the changes myself. Basically I let it point out what it thinks are issues, but I use the "ignore" button with impunity.

It's very helpful for grammar, passive voice, repeated phrases and words, filler or glue words, stuff like that. But I do think its important to see those things and then choose to edit them in whatever way you want rather than blindly take it suggestions.

I did try their author and beta read reports, and they were very helpful. The beta reader one especially as it actually DID align a lot with what my actual beta readers said which was very cool. So I think it is a great tool to use in the editing process, but I don't use it until drafts 5+ of any work, and I don't do so blindly."

"Yes, I do, OP. I use PWA.

But, I use it with a grain of salt as I do.

It's nice to have another set of "eyes" on your work, and to possibly catch what you didn't. To tell you that this needs work, or that needs work. To let you know by module where you seem to be doing well and where improvements would help. I have used many of their modules since I got the program, and I'm duly impressed with its ability.

It's not foolproof though. Hardly."

5. Hemingway Editor

"I like it.

Being new, it helps me become more aware of what to look out for and by using it I've learned I am a lover of compound-complex sentences. I am also wordy.

This at least alerts me to it right now. I am sure as I keep writing, I will start to see it myself and one day won't need to use it, but right now I think it's a help."

Hemingway Editor sure is well-known in writing circles. It’s also one of the OGs, so it’s not surprising that it has a household name status today. 

But like Quillbot, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. 

Many writers on Reddit say that they don’t use it fully to proofread and edit their work. Instead, they turn to it for a quick check on what might need attention. 

Remember this: if your writing style leans toward long, intricate sentences, you’ll want to take Hemingway’s feedback with a grain of salt. After all, short and simple sentences aren’t always the best fit for every piece of writing. 

"I think Hemingway's suggestions, as with all AI editors, should be taken with a grain of salt.

It can be helpful in identifying the muddier parts of your prose, and it brings your attention to things that may need to change. That being said, there's nothing wrong with using more complicated words or sentences throughout a piece – as long as they don't overwhelm your writing.

Write clearly, but don't edit your own voice out of a work. We don't all have to be Ernest Hemingway, and that's a good thing!"

Hemingway Editor is best known for its color-coded highlighting system, which instantly shows where your writing might be too dense, overly passive, or heavy on adverbs. 

"I often use it to reaffirm that my writing is perfect and that I don't need an editor.

Just kidding. I've got a sparse style anyway, so it usually doesn't highlight anything that wasn't already a conscious decision. It's fun to play with, though. And it really helps fight a lot of the more common errors new writers have with their prose.

Don't rely on it too much, like with any aid. A good rule of thumb is that you should follow rules of thumb until you're good enough at whatever you're doing that you don't need to follow rules of thumb. That goes for a lot of things."

It also assigns a readability score, which can be useful for gauging how easily your audience might understand your work.

While it’s not a comprehensive proofreader that will catch every error, Hemingway Editor excels as a clarity tool that helps writers tighten their prose without completely stripping away their personal style.

"It's a tool, and with any other tool, it's mainly how you use it. The most Hemingway does is visualize certain style choices we do: passive voice, adverbs, long sentences (rather than complicated ones, it goes off on how long a sentence is. It doesn't work well with compound sentences). If you want to see how often you use these things, it's a great tool, especially when you use it with the goal to, say... shorten your overall sentence structure or cut off the passive voice. Especially after rereading a piece a bit too often, we writers get a little blind for this kind of stuff, so it's really neat to have it colour-coded."

Best AI Proofreaders on Reddit FAQs

What is the best AI proofreader for beginners?

If you’re just starting out, you should look for an affordable AI proofreader with a free tier that’s loaded with features that aren’t gated behind a paywall. Add that to intelligent editing and you’re all set for professional-level proofreading. A good tool that has all that is editGPT. It’s free, and you can use a lot of its powerful tools and prompts even without investing in it yet. It’s context-aware, so you don’t have to worry about stripping your writing of your unique voice and tone. It’s also very intuitive with a clean and easy interface. 

How is an AI proofreader different from a human editor?

An AI proofreader can efficiently identify grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and may even offer stylistic suggestions. However, human editors provide emotional nuance, cultural context, and a deeper understanding of the text. Many writers benefit from using both. But if you’re always short on time, a human editor might not always be ideal. Good thing, tools with contextual editing like editGPT proofread and edit like a human. It understands the context and intention behind your writing and doesn’t erase the emotion, tone, and voice you have written it with. 

Is Hemingway Editor good for proofreading?

Hemingway Editor is not a comprehensive proofreading tool. It primarily focuses on readability and sentence structure. Its color-coded highlights identify complex sentences, passive voice, and adverbs, helping you clarify your writing. However, for a thorough check of grammar, punctuation, and nuanced tone, consider using it alongside a dedicated proofreading AI.

Which is the best AI proofreader for academic work?

For academic writing, Grammarly is a popular option (and most of the time, the automatic choice) for checking grammar and citations. However, some users prefer editGPT because it excels at maintaining a formal yet natural tone and can be customized for specific tasks, such as enhancing the clarity of research papers or refining a thesis.

What’s the difference between Grammarly and Hemingway Editor?

Grammarly functions as a digital proofreader, scanning your text for grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and awkward phrasing while providing precise corrections. In contrast, Hemingway Editor prioritizes clarity over grammar. Its strength lies in making your writing more impactful and easier to read. It uses a color-coded system to highlight overly complex sentences, excessive passive voice, and adverbs. Some writers appreciate this feature for helping them identify unnoticed habits, while others find it somewhat restrictive, especially if they prefer more descriptive or lyrical styles. Many users combine both tools, using Grammarly for accuracy and correctness and Hemingway for tightening prose and enhancing readability.

Can AI detector really identify AI-written content?

AI detectors analyze text to determine whether it was generated by a machine by examining patterns in word choice, sentence structure, and overall predictability. While they can sometimes identify AI-generated drafts, they’re not infallible, and false positives can occur, and human-written text can be flagged just as easily as AI-assisted content. This is why some writers use tools like editGPT before sharing their work. Such tools help eliminate mechanical-sounding phrases and create a more natural rhythm, making the writing feel less "generated" and more like an authentic human voice. Although no method can guarantee complete anonymity, refining the text to flow naturally often suffices to avoid suspicion.

Is a proofreader AI enough for professional publishing?

The "best" tool depends on your specific needs and how much you want the software to influence your writing style. Grammarly excels in technical accuracy, while ProWritingAid provides in-depth reports, making it ideal for fiction writers and non-native English speakers. The Hemingway Editor, on the other hand, helps tighten sentences for clearer reading. If you're looking for a tool that combines these strengths, such as identifying grammar errors, enhancing readability, and maintaining a consistent tone, many writers on Reddit recommend editGPT. This tool not only catches mistakes but also helps preserve your unique voice while improving the overall flow of your writing. Its ability to balance accuracy with personality makes it a favorite for a variety of writing formats, from essays to blog posts.

Final thoughts

There’s no shortage of free AI proofreading tools out there, so the real question is what you’ll be using it for and whether it matches your style and goals. 

Grammarly’s a solid pick for everyday use, though it tends to lean toward a more polished, formal tone that is perfect for work emails and official write-ups. Hemingway and Quillbot can be handy for academic or research-heavy projects, while ProWritingAid is a long-time favorite in the fiction and creative crowd.

editGPT, though, stands out for working equally well in both worlds. 

Its knack for understanding context means it can fine-tune anything from a research paper to a short story without stripping away your tone or intent, making it feel more like an extension of your own editing process than a separate tool.

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