When you finally turn in an essay, send an important email, or hit “Publish” on a new blog post, the last thing you want to do is worry.
Did I miss any typos?
Or forget commas in that last sentence?
Was there too much passive voice?
Questions like these are why I signed up for Grammarly Premium.
Though you can use Grammarly for free, the paid version has a few extras, including a plagiarism checker.
Many writers, including myself, have long debated whether those perks are worth the price.
This Grammarly review will help you decide if you should take the plunge.
I’ve included an explanation of its features, what I’d love and what I’d change about it, and best use cases.
Since I paid for the program with my own money, these are my unbiased thoughts.
Why I signed up for Grammarly (and who should consider it)
As a freelance writer, I write, edit, and proofread all of my content before I send it to clients.
However, since some errors can slip by even after several read-throughs, I wanted a service to double-check my work for typos or clunky sentences.
While I know many journalists who use Grammarly, it’s a good choice for anyone who wants some help with their grammar or a boost to their writing quality.
You can use it on everything from work emails to academic essays, which is handy when you’re up against a deadline.
Pricing
At the time of writing, Grammarly Premium costs $144 for a year’s subscription or $30 per month on a monthly billing cycle.
The Business version, which I have yet to try, costs $180 per year or $25 per month.
Both of these options come with AI-enhanced offerings.
The Free version, meanwhile, has basic spell- and grammar-check capabilities.
If you’re still on the fence, thoroughly compare the pros and cons of each plan.
Though annual billing may save you money in the long run, monthly billing is likely best for a single class or project.
Compatibility
No matter how you feel about Grammarly’s services, its compatibility with browsers, software programs, and other tools is undeniable.
Grammarly will fully integrate with almost every search engine out there for a streamlined user experience.
Regarding word processors, Grammarly works with both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
If you need professional social media assistance, you can even install the Grammarly Keyboard on phones to double-check text messages, X posts, and more.
Review of Grammarly’s Features
All versions of Grammarly come with features that will strengthen users’ writing, from the nuts-and-bolts of spelling and grammar to more nuanced edits.
Of course, the Free program won’t include all of these items, but we’ll start with the basics first.
Editing
My favorite feature of Grammarly, the editing function, is surprisingly effective.
If you use a browser plugin, Grammarly suggests edits as you write, though you can also upload your completed drafts to the website if you prefer to write without distractions.
The edits go far beyond your typical spell check. It can catch everything from dangling modifiers to split infinitives, plus all the usual typos.
This is especially helpful for longer pieces since you’re bound to miss some things, no matter how detail-oriented you may be.
Rewriting
Though I was initially skeptical of Grammarly’s rewrites, this feature also proved to be impressively sophisticated.
Of course, you’ll need to review each rewrite individually, but many suggestions can and will improve even the cleanest copy.
This feature corrects, among other errors, passive voice, negative language, and “echoes,” or multiple uses of the same word.
You shouldn’t rely on Grammarly to rewrite everything, but you can use its feedback for future work, just as you would with notes from a human editor.
AI Writing Assistance
Most of Grammarly’s features operate on artificial intelligence, but the program also provides a few AI-specific services.
To start, Grammarly’s Generative AI can spit out ideas for blog posts, outlines, emails, and more.
This is especially handy if you have writer’s block.
Grammarly Business also has AI voice features, which unify tone and make writing sound more like “you.” As with the rewrites, you shouldn’t rely on Grammarly’s AI too heavily.
But if used correctly, it can be an excellent tool for improvement and creativity.
Plagiarism Checker
Plagiarism, whether accidental or not, is a significant issue in academic writing and journalism.
(For the purposes of this review, we’ll assume all plagiarism is accidental.)
I use Grammarly’s plagiarism checker when I edit other writers’ work, as plagiarism isn’t always obvious.
The checker detects plagiarism and shows how much text has been copied, with links to the original source.
It seems to err on the side of caution and often flags text as 1% plagiarized, which might not be cause for concern, but higher percentages are worth investigating.
What I like about Grammarly
After using Grammarly for more than a year and Grammarly Premium for more than a month, I’ve experienced the program’s many features and quirks firsthand.
These are my unvarnished opinions on what Grammarly does right:
Plagiarism peace of mind
As I mentioned, I typically use the plagiarism checker when editing since it takes moments to scour the entire Internet — much more efficient than simply Googling questionable copy.
The checker can match just about any phrase, even if it’s only a few words long.
Grammar edits are top-notch
When it comes to grammar, Grammarly more than lives up to its name.
You should double-check the edit suggestions rather than approving everything automatically — a computer can only go so far, after all — but I’ve found the corrections to be accurate about 90% of the time.
The interface is easy to use
Even the most technologically challenged among us can figure out Grammarly’s self-explanatory interface.
Though tutorials will show you the ins and outs of different features, you likely won’t need them.
This also goes for the plugin, which scans your text as you type it.
It simplifies the rewriting process
Though I don’t always use Grammarly’s AI writing assistance, its rewrite options are a huge help when I’m stuck on a tricky passage.
Those suggestions also serve as valuable inspiration, so I spend less time struggling with specific phrases and more time writing.
What I would change about Grammarly
While Grammarly is an excellent resource for writers, like any software program, it’s not perfect.
I’m aware it’s bound to miss the mark every now and then, but with that in mind, here’s what I’d like to change about Grammarly:
Edit readability is inconvenient
I typically upload my drafts to the site rather than using the plugin because the edits create clutter as I write.
But even on the site, you must click through each edit rather than skimming the suggestions to determine whether a correction is worthwhile.
It suggests less engaging copy
Though Grammarly’s rewrite suggestions are incredibly useful, I’ve noticed that the program defaults to more formal language, even after I adjust the Grammarly Goals.
This does come across as more polished, but it can also make text less engaging overall.
Dismissing edits is tedious
Whether you’re using the plugin or the site, Grammarly might suggest dozens of edits.
But when you dismiss unnecessary corrections, they often return later in the editing process.
It’s frustrating to constantly delete the same notes as you work, especially on longer pieces.
Best Use Cases for Grammarly
Grammarly claims that pretty much everyone and anyone can benefit from using it, even if it’s just for writing emails or texts.
While this is probably true, I believe people in certain professions will likely find the price tag more worthwhile than others.
First and foremost, writers and editors. When I edit copy, I always run it through Grammarly as a last step to see if I missed anything.
Even the most seasoned content creators can benefit from having an extra set of (digital, in this case) eyes on their work.
Academics, self-employed folks, and business owners can also make the most use of Grammarly Premium or Business.
Personally, I think the paid versions of Grammarly are best for people who write and edit frequently in their daily lives—but that’s just my two cents.
Can Grammarly help you?
We hope this unbiased review of Grammarly, which I paid for myself, will help you decide whether or not to subscribe.
As I’ve been on the sending and receiving ends of Grammarly-edited text, I can confirm that it can boost your writing confidence and save time.
That said, should everyone rush out and buy Grammarly?
Not necessarily.
But anyone responsible for a large amount of written text — whether that’s emails and social media posts or articles and essays — would likely benefit from using it.
For those who are still deciding after reading this Grammarly review, try the free version.
If you like what you see, upgrade to Grammarly Premium or Business later.