Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Grammarly · ✍️ ai writing
Grammarly vs Writing Tools
Select text anywhere, hit a hotkey, and fix, rewrite, summarize, or obey a custom instruction without opening another tab. Here is how Writing Tools ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Grammarly ($30/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Writing Tools
$0.00/mo · GPL-3.0
Grammarly vs Writing Tools Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Grammarly (Paid) | Writing Tools (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $30 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $360 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $360) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,600 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,600) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source GPL-3.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local (on your machine) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopone-click install |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 2.4k (active may 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Grammarly to Writing Tools
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It is a manual select-text-and-hotkey workflow rather than Grammarly's continuous inline underlines and suggestions across supported apps.
How to deploy Writing Tools
Download the native or portable app, configure a provider or local model, then use the global hotkey
What it takes to run
A model API key or a separately running local model is required; some operating systems may warn about an unsigned or unrecognized binary
Where your data lives
API keys and settings stay locally; selected text goes to the chosen provider or local model, and transient history is cleared when the app closes
Why fork Writing Tools instead of vibe-coding a Grammarly clone?
You can build grammar checks and rewrites, but Grammarly's moat is cross-app extensions, inline UX, enterprise controls, writing telemetry, and long-running language quality.
Grammarly vs Writing Tools FAQ
Is Writing Tools a good free alternative to Grammarly?+
Yes. Writing Tools is a verified open-source (GPL-3.0) replacement for Grammarly. Select text anywhere, hit a hotkey, and fix, rewrite, summarize, or obey a custom instruction without opening another tab.
What is the catch when switching from Grammarly to Writing Tools?+
It is a manual select-text-and-hotkey workflow rather than Grammarly's continuous inline underlines and suggestions across supported apps.
How much do you save switching from Grammarly to Writing Tools?+
Grammarly costs $30/mo ($360/yr) per seat, whereas Writing Tools is $0/mo. Switching saves $360/yr for a solo user, $1,800/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,600/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Writing Tools instead of Grammarly?+
Install: Download the native or portable app, configure a provider or local model, then use the global hotkey. Setup: A model API key or a separately running local model is required; some operating systems may warn about an unsigned or unrecognized binary
