QuillBot vs Grammarly: Paraphrasing Tool vs Writing Assistant in 2026

Last updated: 2026-04-10

Our Pick

Grammarly

QuillBot and Grammarly are both AI writing tools, but they specialize in different aspects of the writing process. QuillBot excels at paraphrasing — rewording text while preserving meaning across 7 different modes. Grammarly is a comprehensive writing assistant covering grammar, clarity, tone, and engagement. Many writers use both, but if you're choosing one, the right pick depends on whether your main need is rewording or editing.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Category	QuillBot	Grammarly	Winner
Paraphrasing	4.8/5	3.2/5	QuillBot
Grammar Checking	3.5/5	4.8/5	Grammarly
Tone & Style	2.5/5	4.5/5	Grammarly
Academic Writing	4.5/5	3.8/5	QuillBot
Pricing	3.8/5	3/5	QuillBot
Integrations	3.5/5	4.5/5	Grammarly

Paraphrasing

QuillBot's 7 paraphrasing modes (Standard, Fluency, Formal, Simple, Creative, Shorten, Expand) give you precise control over rewriting. Grammarly offers sentence rewrites but without dedicated modes or the same level of paraphrasing control.

Grammar Checking

Grammarly's grammar checking is the industry standard — it catches more errors, provides clearer explanations, and has better contextual understanding. QuillBot's grammar checker is competent but less comprehensive.

Tone & Style

Grammarly analyzes and adjusts tone, formality, and engagement across entire documents. QuillBot has tone-shifting through its paraphrasing modes (Formal, Simple) but doesn't provide holistic tone analysis.

Academic Writing

QuillBot's citation generator, plagiarism checker, and Formal paraphrasing mode are specifically designed for academic papers. Grammarly has plagiarism detection too, but QuillBot's academic-focused workflow is more cohesive.

Pricing

QuillBot Premium is $9.95/month (or $4.17/month annually). Grammarly Premium is $12/month (annual) or $30/month (monthly). Both have useful free tiers, but QuillBot is cheaper at every tier.

Integrations

Grammarly works everywhere — browser extension, desktop app, mobile keyboard, Microsoft Office, Google Docs. QuillBot has Chrome extension and Word integration but fewer touchpoints overall.

Who Should Choose QuillBot

QuillBot

3.9

$10/mo

Free tier

QuillBot is an AI paraphrasing and writing improvement tool that excels at rewording, grammar checking, and academic writing support. It's the go-to choice for students and professionals who need to rephrase content while maintaining meaning.

Pros

Best-in-class paraphrasing — 7 modes let you adjust formality, creativity, and conciseness
Free tier is genuinely useful with unlimited grammar checking
Strong academic tooling: citation generator, plagiarism checker, and summarizer in one platform
Seamless browser and Word integrations put it where you already write

Cons

Not a content generator — it rewrites and improves existing text, not blank-page writing
Free paraphrasing limited to 125 words at a time
Plagiarism checker has a limited number of pages per month on paid plans
Premium features feel overpriced compared to Grammarly's broader editing suite

Try QuillBot

Who Should Choose Grammarly

Grammarly

4.5

$30/mo

Free tier

Grammarly is the gold standard for AI-powered grammar and style checking, trusted by millions of writers, students, and professionals. Its real-time suggestions and broad platform integration make it an essential tool for anyone who writes in English.

Pros

Unmatched accuracy for grammar and style correction
Works across virtually every writing environment via browser extension
Free tier is genuinely useful for everyday grammar checking
Tone and clarity suggestions improve communication quality noticeably

Cons

Pro plan is pricey relative to what it offers beyond the free tier
Can be overly aggressive with suggestions that change the author's voice
AI writing features lag behind dedicated AI writing tools

Try Grammarly

The Bottom Line

For overall writing improvement, Grammarly is the more complete tool — it catches grammar issues, adjusts tone, and improves clarity across everything you write. For dedicated paraphrasing — rewriting sentences with precise control over formality, length, and creativity — QuillBot is the specialist. Students and academics should lean toward QuillBot. Professionals who write across many contexts should lean toward Grammarly. Using both together is the power move if budget allows.

Learn More

Grammarly Review QuillBot Review Grammarly Alternatives QuillBot Alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both QuillBot and Grammarly together?

Yes, and many writers do. Use Grammarly for real-time grammar and tone checking, then use QuillBot to paraphrase specific passages that need rewording. Their browser extensions work side by side.

Which has the better free tier?

Grammarly's free tier is more broadly useful — unlimited grammar checking across all your writing. QuillBot's free tier is limited to 125 words per paraphrase, which makes it feel constrained for regular use.

Is Grammarly replacing QuillBot's niche?

Partially. Grammarly has added AI rewriting features that overlap with QuillBot's paraphrasing. But QuillBot's 7 dedicated modes still offer more paraphrasing precision. The gap is narrowing, but QuillBot retains an edge for dedicated rewording tasks.

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