Grammarly and QuillBot are both writing-assistant tools, but they work in opposite directions. Grammarly corrects the writing you produce; QuillBot rewrites it for you. After testing both on the same sample texts, the right choice comes down to what’s actually wrong with your writing.
Grammarly vs QuillBot: What Each One Does
| Feature | Grammarly | QuillBot |
|---|---|---|
| Core job | Grammar + tone correction | Paraphrasing / rewriting |
| Works inside your apps | ✓ Browser, Word, email | ✗ Web app / add-on |
| Free tier | ✓ Basic grammar | ✓ 125 words/pass, 2 modes |
| Pricing / mo | $12 annual | $19.95 monthly ($8.33 annual) |
| Best for | Everyone who writes in a browser | Rephrasing existing text |
Prices verified August 2026. QuillBot’s $8.33/mo is its annual rate; $19.95 is the monthly. Grammarly’s Premium is $12/mo on annual billing.
Grammar: Grammarly Wins, but the Gap Shrinks
Grammarly is the category leader for grammar — it catches subtle subject-verb issues, tone drift, and punctuation that a rewriter won’t. QuillBot’s grammar checker is decent and improving, but on long documents Grammarly’s suggestions are more precise. If your problem is “I make mistakes,” Grammarly is the tool.
Rewriting: QuillBot Has No Equal at Its Price
QuillBot’s paraphrasing engine is the standout: flip a sentence through its synonym modes (Standard, Fluency, Formal, etc.) in one click. The free tier caps at 125 words per pass with two modes, which is genuinely useful. Grammarly can rephrase too, but it’s a tone suggestion, not a rewrite engine — a different experience.
Pricing Math
Grammarly Premium: $12/mo on annual billing. QuillBot Premium: $8.33/mo annual or $19.95 monthly. For most people, the honest recommendation is the free tiers first: Grammarly Free for corrections, QuillBot Free for rewrites. Pay only when you hit the caps.
Who Should Pick Which
- Non-native speakers and anyone fixing grammar → Grammarly.
- Writers rephrasing existing drafts → QuillBot.
- Budget-conscious → use both free tiers; they cover most real use.
The Same Sentence, Tested Side by Side
To see how differently they work, we ran one clunky sentence through both: “The meeting was really long and there were a lot of points that were discussed and I think it could have been shorter maybe.”
Grammarly flagged the redundancy, suggested trimming “really” and “a lot of,” tightened the passive construction, and proposed: “The meeting ran long and covered many points; it could have been shorter.” It corrected without changing the sentence’s shape.
QuillBot went further — its paraphrase modes produced a rewritten sentence: “Given the length of the meeting and the number of topics covered, a shorter session might have sufficed.” Same idea, different voice, and you can flip modes until you like the tone.
That one example captures the whole difference: Grammarly polishes your sentence, QuillBot gives you a different one.
For Students and Researchers
Both tools live in the student toolbox, and the honest advice is different per task. QuillBot’s free paraphrasing is a fast way to restate a point in your own words — but academic-integrity rules matter: rephrasing to avoid citation, or “humanizing” AI-written text, is exactly what detectors flag. Grammarly is the safer default for student writing because it improves the text you already wrote instead of replacing it. If you use QuillBot, use it to clarify your sentences, keep citations, and run the result through Grammarly anyway.
The Verdict in One Paragraph
If you misplace commas, overuse “really,” and want your emails to read cleaner, Grammarly is the tool — its free plan covers 90% of that. If you stare at a sentence you can’t fix and want three alternative phrasings in one click, QuillBot is the tool — its free tier covers 125 words a pass, enough for the occasional block. Paying for both is overkill for most people; picking the free tier of whichever matches your bottleneck, then upgrading only when you hit the caps, is the budget move that covers almost everyone.
The Bottom Line
If you make grammar mistakes, Grammarly. If you want to rephrase sentences fast, QuillBot. Most people genuinely benefit from the free tiers of both.
Try Grammarly Free →Try QuillBot Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grammarly or QuillBot better?
Different jobs. Grammarly is the better grammar checker; QuillBot is the better rewriter. If you fix mistakes, Grammarly — if you rephrase, QuillBot.
Which is cheaper, Grammarly or QuillBot?
On annual billing, QuillBot ($8.33/mo) undercuts Grammarly ($12/mo). Monthly, QuillBot is pricier ($19.95 vs $12).
Does QuillBot have a free version?
Yes — free with 125 words per paraphrase pass, two modes, and a limited summary tool.
Is Grammarly free?
Yes — a basic free plan covering grammar and spelling. Premium adds tone, fluency, and full-sentence rewrites at $12/mo annual.
Can QuillBot detect plagiarism?
QuillBot has a plagiarism checker on paid plans. Grammarly Premium also includes plagiarism detection.