Best Online Spellcheck Software: 13 Top Options (2024)

Discover the best online spellchecker for error-free writing in this roundup.

As a writer, you already understand the importance of online spell check software. Spelling mistakes are not uncommon among professional writers.

Fortunately, the best grammar checkers also have spell-checking options. They allow you to create content free of mechanical writing errors. This spell checker review covers the most popular spell checker applications, both free and paid. I tested these tools extensively by pasting in drafts of various articles and book chapters over the course of several months.

Best Grammar Checker For 2023

ProductEase of UseAccuracyInsightsFree Trial Get Discount



Grammarly
Browser, web and desktop appsBest in class online grammar checkerAI-powered writing assistantYesGET 25% OFF
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ProWritingAid
Desktop appOver 20 powerful writing reportsInstructional videos and guidesYesGET 25% OFF

1. Grammarly

Pricing: Ranges from $29.95 per month to $11.66 for an annual subscription

Grammarly-Business grammar checker
Grammarly is fast and reliable, with a well-designed interface

Grammarly is fast and reliable, with a well-designed interface Its AI-powered writing assistant is best-in-class.

This spell checker comes with a well-designed interface. Use it to check emails, Facebook posts, tweets, and more. You just need to copy and paste your work into it.

It even uses more than 400 grammar rules like subject-verb agreement, errant commas, passive voice, and much more to catch grammatical errors. It does not have a WordPress plugin, but the browser extension will still work as you write up blog posts.

The free version is a good spell checker.

However, you need a paid subscription or the premium version to access advanced features like the plagiarism checker and the punctuation checker.

Grammarly also has an add-on for MS Word and a Google Chrome extension. This online spelling tool is also available on iOS and Android as well.

Pros
  • One of the most powerful spelling checkers available
  • Supports US, British and Canadian English
  • Quick and easy to use
  • Fix spelling errors with a click
  • Add custom words to a dictionary (Grammarly Business only)
Cons
  • Not a replacement for human proofreaders
  • Monthly subscription may put off some

Impressions

Most writers vouch for the accuracy and ease of use of this checker. The free check options in Grammarly are accurate as well.

Priceg

The pricing is as follows:

  • Grammarly Premium monthly subscription is priced at $29.95 per month.
  • Grammarly Premium quarterly subscription costs $19.98 per month, billed as a single payment of $59.95.
  • Grammarly Premium annual subscription is priced at $11.66 per month, billed as a single payment of $139.95.
Grammarly
Grammarly Premium monthly subscription is priced at $29.95 per month

You can also send your writing to a human proofreader for between 0.02 and 0.12 cents per word, depending on how soon you need it.

Get 20% Off Grammarly Premium Here

Best AI writing assistant
Grammarly
From $12 Per Month

We tested dozens of grammar checkers, and Grammarly is the best tool on the market today. It'll help you write and edit your work much faster. Grammarly provides a powerful AI writing assistant and plagiarism checker.


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2. ProWritingAid

Pricing: Ranges from $20 per month to $299 for a lifetime subscription

ProWritingAid-Style-report-Grammarly-Alternative
This spelling checker includes plug-ins that integrate into other writing applications

ProWritingAid is a trainer intended to improve your writing style, but you can use it as an online spell checker too.

This spelling checker includes plug-ins that integrate into other writing applications like Word and Scrivener.

ProWritingAid is available for Mac users as a desktop app, allowing them to check Word documents. Additional formats for the desktop app include HTML and OpenOffice.

Pros
  • An all-around grammar and spelling checker
  • Spell checks large documents fast including book chapters
  • Add custom words to a dictionary
  • Accurate and fast
  • Supports US and American english
Cons
  • No mobile app
  • Free version is limited to 500 words

Impressions

Writers typically use ProWritingAid as editing software for articles and books. English e-book authors are fond of using it to proofread their work and address basic grammar issues before publication. It’s a powerful alternative to Grammarly.

Price

The prices are:

  • $20 per month for a monthly subscription
  • $79 for an annual subscription, or $6.58 a month
  • $299 for a lifetime subscription, one-time payment
ProWritingAid pricing
ProWritingAid costs $20 per month for a monthly subscription

You can also use a two-week free trial of ProWritingAid.

20% OFF
ProWritingAid
$3̶0̶ $24 per month

ProWritingAid is a powerful, accurate grammar checker and style editor. It's suitable for non-fiction and fiction writers and doesn't require a monthly subscription. Save 20% per month or year.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

3. Ginger

Pricing: Ranges from $29.96 per month to $12.48 per month for an annual subscription

The Ginger grammar checker
Ginger offers a contextual spell checker and punctuation checker

Ginger offers a contextual spell checker and punctuation checker.

Ginger is a reliable and user-friendly online spell checker available on multiple platforms, including Windows and Mac.

A variety of add-ons, extensions, and virtual keyboards also allow users to install the Ginger spell checker on their mobile devices.

It is a contextual spell checker and a punctuation checker with a text reader and translator along with a dictionary you can update.

This spelling checker tool is most suitable for users looking for a more affordable alternative to Grammarly, who still want a powerful spell checker. Ginger’s personal trainer feature is another reason to select it over Grammarly.

Pros
  • Easy to install
  • You can buy a lifetime license
  • Supports Uk and American english
Cons
  • This spell checker tool isn’t as powerful or accurate as Grammarly
  • Struggles more with complex grammar issues and checks

Impressions

Ginger is a good choice for users as it offers more functions than any other spell checker tool. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to pay Grammarly’s higher subscription cost.

Price

The pricing structure is:

  • Monthly subscription at $29.96 per month.
  • Quarterly subscription at $19.98 per month if you pay upfront.
  • An annual subscription at $12.48 per month if you pay upfront.
Ginger pricing
This app is most suitable for users looking for a more affordable alternative to Grammarly

Ginger also offers a 7-day, 100% money-back guarantee.

Read our Ginger vs Grammarly comparison.

Ideal for Non-English Speakers
Ginger
$20

Ginger is a popular alternative to Grammarly. Although it doesn't have as many features, it's relatively accurate and affordable. It's also useful for non-english speakers.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

4. Microsoft Word

Pricing: Starts from $6.99 a month

Spelland-Grammar-Check-Shortcut-for-Word-_
This word processor is currently available as a standalone product

Microsoft Word was first released in 1983 and has remained the popular spell check software for Windows.

This word processor is currently available as a standalone product and as a component of the Microsoft Office software suite. If you add a word to a custom dictionary in any MS Office program, it makes that word available for spell checks in all Office programs.

The Microsoft Word word processor is already installed on many computers, making it one of the handiest spell check tools available.

However, the capabilities of MS Word aren’t as advanced as some of the more dedicated online spellchecker tools available.

Pros
  • Microsoft Word’s spellchecker is available at no extra charge
  • Microsoft Word works offline, so it doesn’t require internet connectivity
Cons
  • MS Word has only basic capabilities as compared to the other spell checkers. For example, it ignores writing styles and sentence structure, unlike many other spell checkers.
  • Generally slower compared to other spell checkers

Impressions

Word has many smart spell features such as a built-in spell checker, allowing it to rival many standalone spell checking applications for general use. It’s what most people use.

Price

Word is a part of the Microsoft 365 package (Office 365), the price of which starts from $6.99 a month. This includes MS PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Publisher, and Access.

5. Microsoft Editor

Price: Free To $7 Per Month

Microsoft Editor

If you already have Microsoft Office 365, then Microsoft Editor is now available too. It works with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook. It can pick up most spelling errors. It will also catch grammatical mistakes, and guide you to rework your writing so it flows better.

Pros
  • It’s more affordable than some of its competitors
  • Works on MacOS, iOS, Linux, Android, and Windows
  • Supports US, British and Canadian English
Cons
  • Fewer features than other’s on the market
  • It’s limited to the English language only

Impressions

If catching spelling errors is your main concern, then there’s no need to invest in the Premium version of Microsoft editor. The free package acts just fine as a spelling tool. It should fix more errors than the basic MS Word checker.

Read our Grammarly vs Microsoft Editor comparison

Price 

The pricing is as follows:

  • Free version 
  • Premium version costs $7 per month or $70 for an annual subscription

6. Google Docs

Pricing: Ranges from free to $5 per user

Google Docs spell checker

The distinctive feature of Google Docs compared to any other spellchecker is its ability to allow more than a few people to check a document at once.

It has inbuilt grammar and proofreading tools. Combining these capabilities with a spellchecker means that Google Docs is highly effective in eliminating spelling errors and grammatical errors especially for team efforts.

Consider it a free spell checker. It also works well with Gmail as you can connect Google docs easily enough.

Pros
  • Enabling other users to check your document is a huge plus.
  • This spellchecker is free for use.
Cons
  • Spellchecker capabilities are about as basic as those of Microsoft Word.
  • Slower since it performs many other functions in addition to checking punctuation, spelling mistakes, and grammar.

Impressions

All Google Docs users should turn on its spelling and grammar checking features. A third-party plugin is also available for improving this spell check tool for websites, usually at an additional cost. It’s comparable to Microsoft Word.

Price

Google Docs is free for use. You could also buy G Suite Business at monthly plans that start at $5 per user. It also works well with Grammarly.

Learn how to add Grammarly to Google Docs.

7. WhiteSmoke

Pricing: Ranges from $5 to $11.50 per month

Whitesmoke proofreader
Whitesmoke proofreader can check internet content such as English newspaper articles, blog posts, and webpages

WhiteSmoke is another online spell checker alternative to Grammarly. The Whitesmoke proofreader can check internet content such as English newspaper articles, blog posts, and webpages

This checker uses Natural Language Processing (NLP), which can detect your spelling mistakes and writing style on the fly. WhiteSmoke can then make a grammar suggestion to increase the richness of your writing that other Internet spell check tools are unable to match.

This online grammar check and online spell check tool can check internet content such as English newspaper articles, blog posts, and webpages, allowing it to incorporate new words as they’re added to the lexicon.

Pros
  • Has many features, including over 600 templates and a personal tutor
Cons
  • This English checker is expensive compared to most other spell checkers.
  • Its use of NLP to check spelling and grammar makes the checker slower and more resource-intensive.
  • Users who are new to spell check software may find WhiteSmoke to be overly complicated.

Impressions

WhiteSmoke is suitable for professional writers, teachers, and students, especially those who write on technical topics. Its interface is clunky but it’s cheaper than other premium tools here.

Read our Whitesmoke vs Grammarly comparison.

Price

  • Whitesmoke Essential: $5 per month, billed as a single payment of $59.95
  • Whitesmoke Premium: $6.66 per month, billed as a single payment of $79.95.
  • Whitesmoke Business: $11.50 per month, billed as a single payment of $137.95.
Whitesmoke pricing

WhiteSmoke doesn’t offer a monthly subscription. But, you can choose to buy a 3-year subscription to save money.

 

8. AutoCrit

 

Price: Free, $30 per month for Professional membership 

 

Price: Free, $30 per month for Professional membership 

 

Price: Free, $30 per month for Professional membership 

Price: Free, $30 per month for Professional membership 

AutoCrit Spell checker
AutoCrit can suggest synonyms without taking away from your unique voice

AutoCrit is a spell-checking and editing tool for fiction writers.

If you’re an author, you probably want to spend as little time as possible scanning your work for potential spelling mistakes. So, AutoCrit can help you clean up your manuscript before submitting it for publication.

It also expands well beyond this niche. It can scan your work for repetition, pacing, and evaluate your words of choice. So, you don’t need a thesaurus on hand. AutoCrit can suggest synonyms without taking away from your unique voice. You can even compare your work to others in the genre. This can help see if you’re on the right path when it comes to getting your manuscript published within a certain genre.

It’s ideal for writing books. If you’re a blogger, reporter or are working on social media posts, AutoCrit is not the spellchecker for you.

Pros
  • Checks for spelling errors
  • Helps to refine writing by catching crutch phrases or repetition
  • Supports English dialects such as British, American, Canadian, Australian, and South African English
  • Can compare your writing to your ideal genres
Cons
  • It’s not suitable for different languages like Spanish, French or German
  • Not applicable beyond writing a book
  • There is a word count limit; you can’t enter your whole novel in one go
  • Not very compatible with text editors or other software

Impressions

The most experienced writers probably will not benefit from AutoCrit much. While newer authors can use it to refine their writing skills if you simply need a spell-check, this app is not essential.

Read our AutoCrit review.

Price

  • Free version with limited features
  • $30 per month for the Professional package, or $297 per year

 

9. Writer.Com

 

Price: Free, $11 per month for the Pro version, $18 per month for teams

 

Price: Free, $11 per month for the Pro version, $18 per month for teams

 

Price: Free, $11 per month for the Pro version, $18 per month for teams

Price: Free, $11 per month for the Pro version, $18 per month for teams

Writer.com spell checker
Writer.Com acts as a spell-checker and grammar tool

Writer.Com is a spelling checking tool for businesses. So, if you’re a novelist or blogger, this is not the app for you.

Writer.Com acts as a spell-checker and grammar tool, but it also does so much more. As maintaining a style is important for businesses, it allows users to create detailed guidelines for their language and tone.

Pros
  • Checks grammar, spelling and style
  • Simple to use
  • Allows users to build their own content rules
  • Tons of resources available
Cons
  • Takes time to set up a thorough style guide
  • Is not suitable for all kinds of writers

Impressions

This app is useful for marketing and sales departments to ensure all of their copy is uniform. However, if all you need is some basic spell-checks then it’s irrelevant.

Read our Writer.Com review.

Price

The pricing for Writer.Com is as follows:

  • Free version available for basic writing suggestions
  • $11 per month for the Pro version for individuals
  • $18 per month for teams to maintain consistency

Read our Writer.com review

 

10. Linguix

 

Price: Linguix Premium is $18.95 per month or $96 per year, and Linguix for Teams costs $10 per month per member

 

Price: Linguix Premium is $18.95 per month or $96 per year, and Linguix for Teams costs $10 per month per member

 

Price: Linguix Premium is $18.95 per month or $96 per year, and Linguix for Teams costs $10 per month per member

Price: Linguix Premium is $18.95 per month or $96 per year, and Linguix for Teams costs $10 per month per member

Linguix spell checker
Linguix is one of the more affordable spelling checkers available

Linguix is an AI-based writing assistant. It edits your work quickly as you type, so it’s perfect if you’re on a tight deadline.

Linguix is one of the more affordable spelling checkers available – at least compared to Grammarly. It swiftly catches these kinds of small errors in your writing. Linguix also supports customizable style guide so you can add custom words.

If you want something more substantial – like reworking long sentences, it is not the best choice.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Available on Android, Windows, and Mac 
  • Has a free plugin for Chrome, Mozilla, Firefox, and Edge 
  • Easy to use
  • Allows you to build a customizable style guide
Cons
  • Linguix does not catch advanced writing issues

Impressions

If you can’t afford Grammarly, Linguix is a good alternative. The fact that it has a plagiarism checker is a bonus. However, in terms of catching spelling, grammar errors, and wordy writing, it only catches basic mistakes. 

Read our Linguix review.

Price

Linguix has the following price plans:

  • Linguix Premium costs $18.95 per month or $96 per year
  • Linguix for Teams costs $10 per month for each member

 

11. Chegg

 

Price: $10 per month

 

Price: $10 per month

 

Price: $10 per month

Price: $10 per month

Chegg spell checker
Chegg also checks for plagiarism, similar to Turnitin

Chegg is another affordable spelling checker. It can catch details as small as misplaced commas. It will even suggest clearer ways to format your writing. Plus it checks for plagiarism, similar to Turnitin. It’s a great choice for students as you can even ask an expert for help on your paper. 

Pros
  • Affordable 
  • Inlcudes plagarism checker
  • Can fix citations
Cons
  • It is not a free grammar checker 
  • Not all writers will benefit from it

Impressions

Chegg is a powerful spell-check tool. It can flag more than 200 grammatical errors. It’s very affordable, especially given the additional tools it comes with. It’s very beneficial for students, but other writers may not find it as useful.

Read our Grammarly vs Chegg comparison

Price 

Chegg costs $10 per month

 

12. Outwrite

 

Price: Free plan.  $25.95 per month, or $44.85 every three months/$95.52 per year for the pro version

 

Price: Free plan.  $25.95 per month, or $44.85 every three months/$95.52 per year for the pro version

 

Price: Free plan.  $25.95 per month, or $44.85 every three months/$95.52 per year for the pro version

Price: Free plan.  $25.95 per month, or $44.85 every three months/$95.52 per year for the pro version

Outwrite spell checker
Outwrite offers suggestions to improve your writing style

Outwrite is a top-notch proofreading tool for spelling checking your work. It acts as a writing assistant and will pick up spelling and grammar errors. It will also make suggestions for making your writing clearer by providing better ways to get your point across. 

Pros
  • Checks for plagiarism
  • Offers suggestions to improve your writing style
Cons
  • The plagiarism checker is limited
  • Outwrite can miss some spelling and grammatical errors 

Impression

Outwrite is a decent spell checker, but it is not always the most accurate. If you’re not going to be using the additional features such as features is its grade level detection or plagiarism checker, then it might not be worth it for you.

Read our Grammarly vs Outwrite comparison.

Price

Outwrite has the following price plans:

  • $25.95 per month
  • $44.85 every three months
  • $95.52 per year

 

13. Antidote

 

Price:  €4.92 per month for individual use, €8.25 per month for up to five users, or €119.00 one time purchase

 

Price:  €4.92 per month for individual use, €8.25 per month for up to five users, or €119.00 one time purchase

 

Price:  €4.92 per month for individual use, €8.25 per month for up to five users, or €119.00 one time purchase

Price:  €4.92 per month for individual use, €8.25 per month for up to five users, or €119.00 one time purchase

Antidote spell checker
Antidote will flag spelling errors

Antidote has 25 years of experience. Antidote will flag spelling errors. It also acts as a grammar checker tool by drawing attention to misused commas and redundancies. It takes it one step further by correcting typography and style.

Pros
  • Available in French and English 
  • A subscription gives access to Antidote’s computer app, web browser, and mobile
  • Has a plan for multiple users
Cons
  • Some users find the program glitchy

Impressions

Antidote is great for students, but other users might not find it as beneficial. If you opt for the Antidote 11 version, you will not be apple to get updates. You can only avail of technical assistance for one year on this plan too. 

Price

Antidote has three price options:

  • It costs €59.00 per year for individual use or $4.92 per month
  • The Antidote+ Family plan for up to five people is $99.00 per year or €8.25 per month
  • Antidote 11 requires a one-time fee of €119.00 for one user

Free Vs. Paid Spell Check Software

Today’s spellcheck is either free of charge or may incur a monthly fee, depending on your requirements. The latter has more advanced grammar features, but that doesn’t mean a free spell-check tool isn’t useful.

Generally, to use the paid ones, all you need to do is insert your text, by uploading a file or copying it into the program and allowing it to get to work. Then you accept changes to any misspelled words, punctuation errors, or grammatical errors that are highlighted, or revert back to the original version.

Commercial spell check software or virtual writing tutor providers sometimes offer trial versions of their software at no charge, which typically have fewer features and more limited spell capabilities than paid versions.

The features included in a paid spell checker and grammar tool are of value to serious writers.

These include the correction of any unrecognized word, phonetic mistakes, spelling mistakes, punctuation mistakes, passive voice checking, sentence structure checking, and checks for other grammatical errors. Some of them even have an inbuilt plagiarism checker.

All this can help give your writing proper grammar and more professional quality.

Paid grammar software also tends to have more extensive dictionaries so that no false mistake or English grammar error gets reported. Some of them also let you add words to a custom dictionary.

This capability is particularly essential for technical writing, which uses everyday words differently. For example, you needn’t capitalize the term “agile” when used as a common word. However, you need to capitalize when referring to “Agile software development.”

A paid checker is more likely to allow the addition of words to its dictionary, which helps check for any spelling error or grammar error on proper nouns.

English and multi-language capability is another common benefit of paid spell checker software. For example, “colour” will be highlighted as a misspelling in US English, but it is used in UK English. At the same time, “color” is the correct spelling in US English.

Why You Can Trust Us

We’ve reviewed dozens of writing and grammar apps across Become a Writer Today and spent dozens of hours testing these apps for various writing projects of all sizes. You read reviews written by our team of expert writers and decide what makes the most sense for your budget and needs.

Our Testing Criteria

We regularly update this roundup as these spell checker tools evolve. We test new features by checking articles, book chapters and blog posts for spelling mistakes and other issues. These articles and writing samples range from several hundred to several thousand words in length. Typically, we test them using the web, desktop, and browser apps and plugins. We tested and review these tools using an iPhone, web browser, and tablet.

Final Thoughts On The Best Online Spellchecker

Your readers may notice a mechanical writing error or a spelling error more often than you might expect, which distracts them from your message. Spelling checkers will catch phonetic spelling mistakes, typos, irregular verb conjugations, similar-sounding word errors, on top of plenty of grammatical mistakes.

A thorough understanding of English spelling rules is essential for professional or academic writing, and even to enter any spelling test.

The best spell check software tools charge a monthly fee instead of a one-time cost. However, don’t dismiss free spell check software tools, which are surprisingly powerful.

(Previously we included After the Deadline in this review but it’s no longer actively supported so we removed it.)

FAQs On The Best Online Spellchecker

Who Should Use Spell Check Software?

Just about anyone who writes anything online! This includes bloggers, students, professionals, and copywriters. They will help you write something that sounds and reads professionally and error-free.

How Do You Use A Spell Checker?

Depending on the software, generally, you simply paste your text into a tool or upload it to the system. From there it will flag up your misspelled words, misused words, and other mistakes. You can implement the changes as you see fit.

How Does A Spell Checker Checker Work?

Spell checkers and grammar checks typically work in four common ways. They are either dictionary-based, based on predefined rules either based on language or from a personal dictionary, based on statistical information, or are language-based.

Some grammar checking and spell check software also use a combination of these approaches. They rely on an exhaustive dictionary, using thousands of rules, and sometimes even a statistical database to find rare mistakes.

There could be errors in your word choice, English grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and even spelling mistakes in languages other than English that the software will weed out. Most of these online grammar check tools have a word and character count as well.

Why Use Spellcheck Software?

Spelling check software reduces writing errors, although it isn’t a replacement for a professional proofreader.

However, these proofreading programs can identify a majority of common spelling errors and offer spelling suggestions. Quality content is particularly important to content writers because search algorithms like Google penalize writing and grammar errors in their search page results.

What Types Of Mistakes Can Spell Checkers Detect?

A spelling checker and grammar corrector tool can detect several of these grammatical errors such as phonetic spelling mistakes and typos, irregular verb conjunctions, and readability issues. They can also flag mistakes with capitalization, Passive voice Run-on sentence, many more common grammar mistakes.

Author

  • Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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