Your assignment deadline is coming up soon…

You’ve done your research, created an essay plan, and have a first draft to send to your advisor. The good news is that in 2022 you don’t have to solely rely on one pair of eyes to edit and proofread your essays. There are 20+ AI-powered writing assistants out there that can save you time, money, and the embarrassment of handing in an essay full of typos.

A writing assistant is a software program that uses artificial intelligence technology to help you edit and proofread whatever it’s you’re writing. This can include everything. From offering a grammar checker to assisting with the nuances of the language to make the writing more engaging.

If you’re looking for a tool to help you with your writing, this article is for you! You don’t have to go through the trouble of tracking them all down to find the most suitable one for you and your budget.

I’ve handpicked the top 5 free writing software, which I have personally used and benefited from as a professional writer, editor, and proofreader.

Is writing assistant software for me?

AI writing assistants will be of much help if you:

• Struggle with sentence structure
• Over-use adverbs or the passive voice
• Write long or hard-to-ready sentences
• Need to find synonyms for overused words

Important disclaimer: A writing assistant cannot replace the need for background research, understanding your essay topic, and cultivating writing skills. But the right writing tool can help improve readability, reduce grammar mistakes and help you avoid inadvertent plagiarism.

Top 5 free AI writing assistants

Grammarly

Grammarly is an intuitive, easy-to-use program that is quite thorough in grammar checking.

Cost: The free version mostly checks for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency. You can get Grammarly premium from $30 a month. The paid version also offers plagiarism detection.

Pros

• Reports syntax errors as well as grammar and punctuation

Cons

• Lacks some features in the free version
• Lags sometimes when checking large texts
• Over-use adverbs or the passive voice
• Write long or hard-to-ready sentences
• Need to find synonyms for overused words

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is a tool that allows you to perfect your writing by avoiding common grammar errors and updating your style. It provides a detailed overview of your writing from style to tone and common mistakes. It’ll tell you which words you overuse, which areas you need to work on, and how seamlessly you connect your thoughts.

Cost: There is a free trial option or $20 a month.

Pros

• Offers a highly accurate grammar and style checker

Cons

• Has an extra cost for the plagiarism checker

Hemingway Editor

Hemingway Editor offers a readability functionality that can help you avoid longwinded phrases and passive voice over-use. The software is inspired by the celebrated writer, Earnest Hemingway famous for his ability to communicate effectively in just a few sentences. When combined with a grammar checking program (like Grammarly), Hemingway is a great tool to enhance the readability and conciseness of your text.

Cost: Absolutely free!

Pros

• Uses numerous colours to highlight different types of errors

Cons

• Offers no recommendations for errors detected
• Doesn’t offer grammar checker

Readable

Readable is a word processing tool and editor that help you analyse and improve the readability of your prose. It then provides a score based on how readable the text is or would be for the average person. The software also tests the grammar and spelling of your text. It points out signals of verbose prose before sending it out into the world.

Cost: It’s free for use via the web for texts less than 1,000 words and up to 3 times per day. Readable pro is available with $4 a month (billed as $48 annually).

Pros

• Makes your text more readable and accessible

Cons

• Its free version allows for limited features and text length

LanguageTool

LanguageTool is another AI grammar checker with a browser add-on, office plug-ins, and a desktop app. Its primary function is checking for grammar and spelling mistakes.

Cost: Pick the free version or pay $4.92 a month ($59 a year) for the premium version.

Pros

• Has no upfront cost for the free version
• Can detect incorrect numbers, such as ISBN numbers

Cons

• Only checks grammar and spelling
• Not as precise as Grammarly

Which one should I choose?

To answer this question, think what is it that you really need?

If you only need a reliable grammar and spelling checker, then LanguageTool should do the job. If you over-use passive voice, then Hemmingway is a good shot. If you need a more comprehensive checker, covering grammar, syntax, and tone, then Grammarly is ideally suited for you.

Should I pay for an AI writing assistant?

Not necessarily. Combining the free versions of writing assistant software is an excellent way to ensure you avoid critical spelling and grammar mistakes and increase your paper’s readability. It’s also a good idea to use their browser plug-ins to ensure your emails are professional and error-free.

How should I use writing assistants?

Once you paste your text in whichever software you choose, allow it to scan your writing as you write. Take advantage of its suggestions to tighten up your essay and make your text more robust and accessible for the examiners to read.

Remember, however, this is an AI. A programme is no substitute for your writing, research, or analytical skills as a student or researcher. You have the final say in how something should be read and understood.

NYR insight

As a professional writer and editor, I use the right combination of the writing tools described above to accelerate and review my work. I embrace artificial intelligence to strike the perfect balance between professional work, affordable prices, and quick turnaround.

These versatile resources complement my excellent command of the English language and many years of editorial and writing experience. They don’t form the gist of my work.

So don’t worry too much if you can’t be bothered getting a hold of these tools. I am here to provide end-to-end editing/proofreading support and enhance your academic and career path.