8 Best Punctuation Checker Options

Here, we feature the 8 best punctuation checkers to help you edit and publish error-free writing.

Do you find yourself getting tripped up by commas and periods? If punctuation is a problem, then you may want to brush up on your grammar rules.

While you do, try one of these best punctuation checkers to make your writing more effective through proper punctuation. They can help you address issues like errant commas, missing full-stops and incorrect usage of the apostrophe.

Most punctuation checkers are built into grammar checkers. By using one of these, you can be confident that your writing will be error-free.

Grammarly is a robust grammar checker that is free to use. It also includes an option to upgrade to a premium version for $30 a month. It catches a wide range of punctuation errors, like errant commas and a lack of ending punctuation.

Bloggers and online writers love Grammarly because it has a browser plugin that lets them check their work as they write. It also works well for businesses that need clean grammar.

I use Grammarly the most frequently to check and revise sentences and punctuation in articles and blog posts. It proposes rewrites and also catches other issues like missing full stops and incorrect apostrophe usage.

Read our Grammarly review

ProWritingAid is more than just a punctuation checker, though it does do that job. This powerful program will catch spelling mistakes, writing style issues, typos, and grammatical errors. It has a free version to allow people to try it before buying the paid option. However, you can only check punctuation up to 500 words. It costs $60 per year.

While editing my last book, I used the various reports inside of ProWritingAid to check individual book chapters. It worked nicely with Scrivener. As you can see in the below picture, it catches missing commas and other punctuation issues.

Read our ProWritingAid review

WhiteSmoke is a web-based or desktop software that catches punctuation, spelling and grammar mistakes in the English language. It also has an algorithm that uses artificial intelligence to offer suggestions to correct errors. It has a style checker, grammar checker, punctuation checker, video tutorials and spell checker. It caught some punctuation issues in our test, however the user interface was slower than the above tools.

It costs $6.99 per month. Whitesmoke is a relatively useful tool, although Grammarly and ProWritingAid are both more powerful and easier to use.

The Ginger software program includes a strong punctuation checking system. It checks for unneeded spaces, errant commas, semicolon issues, and more. This is a relatively useful grammar corrector that checks spelling and syntax as well as grammar and punctuation, so you can eliminate most writing errors and really improve your writing skills.

A few years ago, Ginger was a good alternative to ProWritingAid and Grammarly. However, today it lacks the same writing reports as its competitors and isn’t available on a Mac. It costs $13.99 per month, at a discount.

Read our comparison Grammarly vs Ginger

PaperRater proofreads through an online platform to help you find errors in punctuation and grammar quickly. It is a free online system, so you have nothing to download and no costs for use. PaperRater also checks for passive voice construction. It costs $11.21 per month, although you can check five pages for free.

LanguageTool is a helpful tool for checking English grammar as well as grammar in many different languages. It is an open-source application, and it has a free punctuation checker built into the program. Most people find that it is simple to use so they can start checking their work right away for common grammatical mistakes. It costs approximately $5 per month.

After the Deadline, also called Polish My Writing, provides quick and simple grammar and spelling checking. It highlights grammar and punctuation errors in green with spelling errors in red.

This program was made by the creators of WordPress. Unfortunately, it’s no longer in development or being maintained. So don’t expect updates. To be honest, it’s easier to use the Chrome plugin for Grammarly. However, After the Deadline is free.

Antidote is a lesser-known grammar and punctuation checker. Developed in France, it’s available on Mac Windows, Linux and Chromebook.

It costs $59.95 per year. Unlike, other checkers here, Antidote works locally on your computer. It’s a good choice if you dislike uploading your work to the cloud or online. It’s popular with businesses and academic institutions.

That said, the company also offers Antidote+, which operates online like Grammarly.

Our Testing Criteria

We regularly update this roundup of punctuation checkers as the products evolve. We test new features by checking articles, book chapters, and blog posts for grammatical mistakes and other issues. Typically, we test using them by using the web app and or the desktop app.

Why You Can Trust Us

I’ve written and published dozens of articles for newspapers, magazines and online publications including, Forbes and Lifehacker. I’m also a best-selling non-fiction author, a trained journalist and a copywriter.

Punctuation software forms a key part of my writing workflow for non-fiction. I use this software to improve my work and also to check work by freelance writers who publish content on this site.

Final Word on the Best Punctuation Checker

The best punctuation checker includes a built online grammar checker that helps you edit and fine-tune a piece of writing. We like ProWritingAid and Grammarly due to their accuracy, price point and ease of use. Antidote is another interesting option that’s suitable for those who dislike cloud software. We also like them as they help with analyzing readability.

In short, these tools will help you transform a piece of writing into a powerful, effective work.

FAQs on the Best Punctuation Checker