Grammarly vs LanguageTool: Which Grammar Checker is Right for You?

You've probably heard of Grammarly – it's everywhere. But LanguageTool? That's the open-source alternative that's been quietly winning fans, especially among multilingual writers and privacy-conscious users. After using both tools extensively for professional writing, academic papers, and casual emails, I'm breaking down exactly what each does well and where they fall short.

The Quick Summary

Grammar Checking Accuracy: The Core Function

Both tools catch basic grammar errors reliably – subject-verb agreement, misplaced modifiers, common typos. Where they differ is in handling complex sentences and contextual errors.

Grammarly's Strengths

Grammarly excels at understanding context. It catches subtle errors that basic checkers miss, like incorrect word usage that's still technically spelled correctly. For example, it'll flag "Their coming to the party" and correctly suggest "They're." Its AI has been trained on billions of sentences, and it shows.

The Premium version goes further with advanced suggestions for clarity, conciseness, and style. It'll tell you when a sentence is unnecessarily wordy or when passive voice weakens your message. These suggestions genuinely improve writing quality.

LanguageTool's Strengths

LanguageTool is surprisingly accurate for its price point. It catches most errors Grammarly does, though sometimes with less helpful explanations. Where LanguageTool truly shines is multilingual support – it checks grammar in 30+ languages with the same level of sophistication.

For English-only users, LanguageTool's premium tier is competitive with Grammarly. It catches stylistic issues, suggests improvements, and even detects regional variations (British vs American English). The gap has narrowed significantly in recent years.

Features Comparison

Pricing: Where Things Get Interesting

This is where LanguageTool makes a strong case for itself.

LanguageTool's annual premium is less than half the cost of Grammarly Premium. For individual users on a budget, that's significant savings – especially if you don't need all of Grammarly's extra features.

Privacy and Data Handling

This matters more than many people realize. When you use a grammar checker, you're sending your writing – possibly sensitive documents – to their servers.

User Experience and Interface

Grammarly wins on polish. Its interface is intuitive, beautiful, and feels premium. The browser extension works flawlessly across sites. Suggestions appear inline with clear explanations. The overall experience is smooth and professional.

LanguageTool's interface is functional but less refined. It gets the job done, but with occasional UI quirks. The browser extension sometimes conflicts with certain websites. For tech-savvy users, this is manageable. For those who want everything to "just work," Grammarly's polish is worth considering.

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

After months of using both tools side-by-side, here's my honest recommendation:

Choose Grammarly if: You write exclusively in English, value a premium user experience, need tone detection for professional emails, and want the most sophisticated AI suggestions available. The higher price is justified if these features matter to your work.

Choose LanguageTool if: You write in multiple languages, are budget-conscious, value privacy, or want offline checking capabilities. The free tier alone is more generous than Grammarly's, making it great for trying before committing.

For most casual users, LanguageTool's free tier or affordable premium plan will meet all needs. For professional writers, content creators, and businesses where writing quality directly impacts revenue, Grammarly's investment pays off.

Final Thoughts

Neither tool is perfect, and the "best" choice depends entirely on your specific needs. Try both free tiers to see which feels more natural for your workflow. Pay attention to which one catches the errors you actually make, which interface you prefer, and whether the premium features justify the cost difference. Grammar checkers are tools, not magic – they enhance good writing but don't replace learning to write well. Use them as assistants, not crutches, and your writing will benefit regardless of which you choose.