Grammarly vs Hemingway Editor: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Grammarly and Hemingway Editor comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Grammarly is our overall pick for AI writing workflows. Pick Hemingway Editor if you need writing & content.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Grammarly
Write with clarity, confidence, and correctness
Best for you if:
- • You need AI writing features specifically
- • AI writing assistant
- • Grammar and spelling checks
Hemingway Editor
Editor that makes your writing bold and clear
Best for you if:
- • You need writing & content features specifically
- • Clear writing for professionals
- • Readability scoring improves content
| At a Glance |  Grammarly |  Hemingway Editor |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | AI Writing | Writing & Content |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Grammarly or Hemingway Editor?
Choose Grammarly if
Write with clarity, confidence, and correctness
- Works across many platforms
- Real-time suggestions
- Tone and clarity feedback
- Budget matters (Free vs Free)
- Your work is AI writing-shaped, not writing & content-shaped
Choose Hemingway Editor if
Editor that makes your writing bold and clear
- Writing clarity tool
- Readability scores
- Simple interface
- Your work is writing & content-shaped, not AI writing-shaped
| Feature | Grammarly | Hemingway Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 20,150 reviews | ★4.4/5 12 reviews |
| Categories | AI WritingWriting Apps | Writing & ContentGrammar & Style |
In-Depth Analysis
Grammarly
Write with clarity, confidence, and correctness
Strengths
- +Works across many platforms
- +Real-time suggestions
- +Tone and clarity feedback
- +Good free tier
Weaknesses
- -Premium features expensive
- -Sometimes suggests unnecessary changes
- -Privacy concerns with cloud processing
Key features
Hemingway Editor
Editor that makes your writing bold and clear
Strengths
- +Writing clarity tool
- +Readability scores
- +Simple interface
- +One-time purchase option
- +Good for editing
Weaknesses
- -Limited features
- -No grammar check
- -Desktop app dated
- -No collaboration
- -Grammarly more comprehensive
Key features
Pricing: Grammarly vs Hemingway Editor
| Plan | Grammarly | Hemingway Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $12 month Pro | $19.99 lifetime Desktop |
| Tier 3 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Grammarly pricing and Hemingway Editor pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Grammarly
Want the highest-rated option?
Grammarly: 4.7/5 (20,150 reviews). Hemingway Editor: 4.4/5 (12 reviews).
Go with: Grammarly
Value user reviews?
Grammarly: 20,150 reviews (4.7/5). Hemingway Editor: 12 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Grammarly
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Grammarly is a AI writing tool. Hemingway Editor is in writing & content. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Grammarly is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Grammarly
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (20,150 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Hemingway Editor
- Better fit for writing & content
The Bottom Line
Grammarly is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grammarly or Hemingway Editor better?
Grammarly is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Grammarly and Hemingway Editor used for?
Grammarly: Write with clarity, confidence, and correctness. Hemingway Editor: Editor that makes your writing bold and clear.
What does Grammarly cost vs Hemingway Editor?
Grammarly is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Hemingway Editor is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.