Choosing between QuillBot and Grammarly in 2026 isn't straightforward—both are powerful AI writing assistants, but they serve different primary purposes. After analyzing hundreds of real user reviews and testing both platforms extensively, we've compiled this unbiased comparison to help you make the right choice.
The Core Difference: Paraphrasing vs Grammar
Here's the fundamental distinction that matters most:
QuillBot excels at rephrasing and changing sentence structure. It's designed for content creators, students, and writers who need to rework existing text efficiently. Think of it as your paraphrasing specialist.
Grammarly shines at catching grammar and spelling mistakes with exceptional accuracy. It's your all-in-one writing assistant with real-time style, tone, and clarity suggestions. Think of it as your professional editor.
Try Both Tools Risk-Free
Both platforms offer free versions so you can test them yourself
Try QuillBot Free → Try Grammarly Free →Head-to-Head Comparison: Real User Experiences
Grammar Checking Accuracy
Winner: Grammarly
According to user testing documented in multiple 2026 reviews, Grammarly fixed all grammar mistakes and made sentences sound natural—changing things like "seen" to "saw" and "runned" to "ran." QuillBot found most mistakes but missed some nuances.
A real user on G2 stated: "Grammarly is best for everyday work, liking the real-time corrections and options related to the tone of maintaining formality."
Paraphrasing Quality
Winner: QuillBot
Users consistently report that QuillBot's paraphrasing capabilities are exceptional. One user noted: "My overall experience is fantastic, having used it since age 15-16 and now turning 23." The tool improved vocabulary, drastically reduced proofreading time, and provided better flow and clarity in writing.
However, users warn that QuillBot can sometimes completely change content's overall message, requiring careful review.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | QuillBot | Grammarly |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar Checking | Good (misses some errors) | Excellent (catches all) |
| Paraphrasing | Excellent (7 modes) | Limited |
| Plagiarism Detection | Available (Premium) | Available (Premium) |
| Tone Adjustment | Basic | Advanced |
| Summarizer | Yes (Excellent) | No |
| AI Writing (GrammarlyGO) | Yes (AI Chat) | Yes (Advanced) |
| Free Word Limit | 125 words | Unlimited |
| Real-Time Suggestions | Basic | Comprehensive |
Pricing: Value for Money Analysis
QuillBot Pricing (2026)
- Free: 125 words per paraphrase, limited features
- Premium: $9.95/month (annual plan) or $19.95/month (monthly)
- Includes: Unlimited paraphrasing, 7 writing modes, faster processing, advanced grammar, plagiarism checker
Grammarly Pricing (2026)
- Free: Basic grammar and spelling checks, unlimited text
- Premium: $12/month (annual) or $30/month (monthly)
- Business: $15/month per member (annual)
- Includes: Advanced grammar, tone detection, plagiarism checker, GrammarlyGO AI writing
Value Winner: QuillBot for students and budget-conscious users. As one reviewer noted: "QuillBot is more affordable and straightforward" with the annual plan remaining highly cost-effective.
Pros & Cons Based on Real User Reviews
QuillBot Pros
- Exceptional paraphrasing with 7 different modes
- More affordable pricing ($9.95/month)
- Excellent summarization tool
- Improved vocabulary and writing flow
- Great for students and content creators
- Intuitive, easy-to-use interface
QuillBot Cons
- Can change the original message completely
- Free version limited to 125 words only
- Grammar checking less accurate than Grammarly
- Suggestions can sound robotic or too formal
- Slow performance reported by some users
- Rigid refund policy (reported issues)
Grammarly Pros
- Exceptional grammar accuracy (catches everything)
- Unlimited text scanning (even on free plan)
- Advanced tone and style suggestions
- Real-time feedback across all platforms
- Professional-grade plagiarism detection
- Straightforward, consistent interface
- GrammarlyGO AI for content generation
Grammarly Cons
- More expensive ($12-30/month)
- Limited paraphrasing capabilities
- Tone suggestions sometimes miss context
- Can't recognize product/brand names
- Requires internet connection
- No multi-language support
- Best features require Premium subscription
Performance Testing Results (2026)
According to independent testing documented in multiple reviews:
"QuillBot slightly edges ahead in 2025 with grammar accuracy, paraphrasing quality, AI performance, and value-for-money, while Grammarly remains the top choice for real-time style, tone, and writing guidance."
Who Should Choose QuillBot?
QuillBot is ideal if you:
- Frequently need to paraphrase or rephrase content
- Are a student working on essays and research papers
- Need to summarize long documents regularly
- Want an affordable writing assistant ($9.95/month)
- Create content and need to avoid repetitive phrasing
- Need to improve vocabulary and writing flow
Who Should Choose Grammarly?
Grammarly is ideal if you:
- Write professionally and need flawless grammar
- Require real-time feedback while typing
- Need advanced tone and style adjustments
- Write emails, reports, and business documents
- Want comprehensive plagiarism checking
- Can afford the premium ($12-30/month)
- Are a non-native English speaker needing guidance
Can You Use Both Together?
Absolutely! Many power users combine both tools:
- Use QuillBot for paraphrasing and initial draft improvement
- Use Grammarly for final grammar checking and tone refinement
One user testimonial states: "Using both gives you the best of both worlds—QuillBot for content transformation and Grammarly for polish."
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
For Students & Content Creators: Choose QuillBot. The paraphrasing capabilities, summarizer, and affordable pricing ($9.95/month) make it unbeatable for academic and creative writing.
For Professionals & Business Writers: Choose Grammarly. The superior grammar accuracy, tone detection, and real-time feedback justify the higher price for professional use.
Budget-Conscious Users: Start with QuillBot's free plan (125 words) or Grammarly's free plan (unlimited text). Upgrade based on your primary need—paraphrasing or grammar.
Best Overall Value: QuillBot wins on value-for-money with more features at a lower price point, but Grammarly wins on professional-grade accuracy and comprehensive writing assistance.
Ready to Make Your Choice?
Try both tools free and decide which fits your workflow best
Start with QuillBot → Start with Grammarly →Frequently Asked Questions
Is QuillBot better than Grammarly for students?
Yes, for most students. QuillBot's paraphrasing tool is invaluable for research papers and essays, and at $9.95/month, it's more affordable than Grammarly's $12-30/month plans. Students also benefit from the summarizer for reading assignments.
Which tool has better grammar checking?
Grammarly has significantly better grammar checking. User testing shows Grammarly catches all errors while QuillBot misses some nuances. If grammar accuracy is your top priority, choose Grammarly.
Can I use QuillBot and Grammarly together?
Yes, many users use both. Typically, they paraphrase with QuillBot first, then run the final text through Grammarly for grammar and tone refinement. The combined cost is still reasonable at ~$22/month for both premium plans.
Which free version is better?
Grammarly's free version offers more value with unlimited text scanning and basic grammar checks. QuillBot's free version is limited to 125 words per paraphrase, which can be restrictive for longer documents.
Does QuillBot work for academic writing?
Yes, QuillBot is extremely popular among students for academic writing. The paraphrasing tool helps avoid plagiarism while maintaining meaning. However, always review paraphrased text carefully as it can sometimes change the original message.
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on user reviews, independent testing, and publicly available information as of January 2026. Pricing and features may change. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase.
