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Grammarly vs LanguageTool
Grammarly vs LanguageTool
A side-by-side look at Grammarly (the paid SaaS) and LanguageTool (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Grammarly | LanguageTool | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | AI-powered grammar, spelling and tone checker. | Open source grammar, spelling and style checker. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | LGPL-2.1 |
| Pricing | Free tier; Premium from $12/month. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 2/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Grammar and style checking that can run fully offline on your server.
LanguageTool strengths
- Supports 25+ languages.
- Self-hostable — your text never leaves your server.
- Browser extensions and editor integrations.
LanguageTool weaknesses
- Grammar feel less polished than Grammarly on edge cases.
- Premium rules require paid tier or self-host config.
- Java-based deployment footprint.
What's the catch with Grammarly?
- Cloud-based — your writing is sent to Grammarly servers.
- Premium features are paywalled aggressively.
- Browser extension can feel invasive.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Grammarly: see Grammarly alternatives, or learn more about LanguageTool on its project page.