Grammarly vs QuillBot (2025): In-Depth Comparison of Features, Pricing & Best Use Cases

Grammarly and QuillBot are two of the most popular AI-powered writing assistants, but they serve very different purposes. Grammarly focuses on grammar, clarity, and professional tone—making it a top choice for business and professional communication. QuillBot, on the other hand, specializes in paraphrasing with nine distinct modes plus a Custom Mode, supported by a citation generator and summarizer, making it a favorite for students, researchers, and content creators.

In this guide, we’ll break down their features, pricing, and real-world use cases—so you can decide which tool best fits your writing workflow.

Start the Comparison

Quick Overview of Grammarly and QuillBot

Before diving into detailed comparisons, here’s a quick snapshot of how Grammarly and QuillBot differ in their core focus, ideal users, and starting price.

Tool Core Focus Best For Starting Price
Grammarly Grammar, clarity, professional tone Professionals, business writers, teams $12/month (annual plan)
QuillBot Paraphrasing, rewriting, academic support Students, researchers, SEO writers $8.33/month (annual plan)

Key Features Comparison

Grammarly and QuillBot overlap in grammar checking and plagiarism detection, but they serve different primary purposes. Below is a feature-by-feature breakdown.

Feature Grammarly QuillBot
Grammar & Spelling ✔️ Advanced grammar, punctuation, spelling ✔️ Basic grammar checker included
Paraphrasing Basic rephrasing (focus on clarity and tone) 9 modes + custom modes for advanced rewriting
Plagiarism Detection ✔️ Available in Premium & Business plans ✔️ Included in Premium plan
Citation Tool ❌ Not available ✔️ Built-in citation generator
Summarizer ❌ Not available ✔️ Summarizer tool included
AI Writing Assistance ✔️ AI suggestions for clarity, tone, structure ✔️ Paraphrasing and expansion features
Integrations MS Word, Google Docs, Email, Desktop, Mobile Chrome/Edge extensions, MS Word, Google Docs

Paraphrasing & Writing Modes

When it comes to paraphrasing, QuillBot clearly stands out with its 9 built-in modes plus a Custom Mode. These modes range from Standard and Fluency to Academic and Professional, making it especially useful for students, researchers, and SEO writers. On the other hand, Grammarly offers basic rephrasing suggestions aimed at improving clarity, conciseness, and tone.

Example: Same Sentence in Different Tools

Original: This tool helps improve your writing.

Grammarly (Clarity): This tool helps you write more clearly.

QuillBot (Creative): This software enhances your writing in unique ways.

QuillBot (Formal): This application assists in refining the quality of your writing.

  • Grammarly: Limited paraphrasing, focused on clarity and tone adjustments.
  • QuillBot: 9 modes (Standard, Fluency, Formal, Simple, Creative, Expand, Shorten, Academic, Professional) + Custom Mode.
  • Extra advantage: QuillBot also supports dedicated paraphrasing functions not found in Grammarly.

If paraphrasing is your primary need, QuillBot is the stronger choice. However, if your goal is to refine grammar and ensure professional tone across all your writing, Grammarly remains unmatched.

Pricing & Plans

Cost often plays a big role in choosing a writing assistant. Here’s how Grammarly and QuillBot compare in terms of pricing tiers and included features.

Plan Grammarly QuillBot
Free Basic grammar and spelling checks Basic paraphrasing (2 modes), limited grammar checks
Premium $12/month (annual billing)
Advanced grammar, tone, clarity, plagiarism detection		 $8.33/month (annual billing)
9 modes + Custom Mode, plagiarism checker, summarizer, citation generator
Business / Team Custom pricing
Team management, security, integrations		 Team plan available
Central billing, collaboration features

If your focus is on advanced grammar, tone adjustments, and enterprise-grade features, Grammarly Premium or Business is worth the higher price. For students, researchers, and content creators looking for affordable paraphrasing and academic support, QuillBot Premium is often the better deal.

Want more options? Check out our full guide on free AI writing tools or explore our growing list of AI tool comparisons.

User Experience & Integrations

Both Grammarly and QuillBot are designed to be user-friendly, but their interface style and integrations differ significantly. Grammarly feels more polished and professional, while QuillBot prioritizes speed and simplicity for academic users.

Grammarly Experience

  • Clean, professional interface with real-time suggestions.
  • Browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox.
  • Integrations with MS Word, Outlook, Google Docs, Gmail.
  • Desktop apps (Windows, macOS) + Mobile apps (iOS, Android).
  • Best suited for business professionals and teams.

QuillBot Experience

  • Simpler dashboard focused on paraphrasing and citation tools.
  • Chrome & Edge browser extensions.
  • Integrations with MS Word and Google Docs.
  • Web-based; no dedicated desktop or mobile apps.
  • Popular among students and researchers for academic writing.

If you need deep integrations across email, office apps, and mobile, Grammarly has the upper hand. If your workflow is primarily academic and browser-based, QuillBot provides a faster, lighter experience without unnecessary extras.

Use Cases: Who Should Use Grammarly vs QuillBot?

Different users have different writing needs. Here’s how Grammarly and QuillBot stack up across key user groups, from students to business professionals.

🎓 Students & Researchers

QuillBot shines for academic users thanks to its paraphrasing modes, citation generator, and summarizer. This makes it perfect for rewriting essays, avoiding plagiarism, and creating references. 👉 See more in our guide: Best AI Tools for Students.

💼 Business & Professional Writers

Grammarly is the go-to tool for professionals who need clear, polished, and error-free communication. From emails to reports, its tone and clarity suggestions are invaluable. 👉 Recommended reading: Best AI Tools for Small Business.

✍️ Content Creators & Bloggers

For SEO writers and content marketers, QuillBot’s paraphrasing tool helps rewrite articles and generate variations, while Grammarly ensures posts are grammatically accurate and professional. 👉 Explore more options in Best AI Tools for Bloggers.

👥 Teams & Enterprises

Grammarly Business offers team management, security, and enterprise-grade integrations, making it ideal for larger organizations. QuillBot Teams provides shared billing and collaboration but lacks advanced enterprise controls. 👉 See also: Best AI Tools for Agencies.

In short: choose QuillBot if you’re a student, researcher, or SEO writer focused on paraphrasing. Choose Grammarly if you’re a professional or business user who values grammar, tone, and enterprise support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is QuillBot free to use?
Yes, QuillBot has a free plan that includes limited paraphrasing modes and grammar checks. For unlimited access to all 9 modes plus plagiarism detection, you’ll need the Premium plan. 👉 You can also check out our guide to free AI writing tools.
Is Grammarly free?
Grammarly offers a free version with basic grammar and spelling checks. The Premium version unlocks tone, clarity, conciseness, and plagiarism detection.
Which is better for paraphrasing: Grammarly or QuillBot?
QuillBot is better for paraphrasing because it offers 9 modes + Custom Mode. Grammarly only provides light rephrasing focused on clarity and tone.
Does QuillBot have plagiarism detection?
Yes. QuillBot Premium includes a plagiarism checker that scans documents across the web and journals.
Does Grammarly have plagiarism detection?
Yes, Grammarly Premium and Business plans include plagiarism detection. It scans billions of web pages and academic databases.
Can QuillBot help avoid AI detection?
QuillBot’s paraphrasing can make AI-generated text look more human-like, but results vary depending on the detection tool. For deeper insights, see our article on AI plagiarism checkers.
Does QuillBot include a citation generator?
Yes, QuillBot has a built-in citation generator for APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, making it useful for academic work.
Is Grammarly better for business users?
Yes. Grammarly Business includes advanced security, team management, and integrations, making it a strong choice for enterprises. 👉 Related: Best AI Tools for Agencies.
Can I use both Grammarly and QuillBot together?
Yes. Many writers use QuillBot first for paraphrasing and Grammarly afterward for grammar and tone corrections. This combination offers the best of both worlds.
Which is more affordable: QuillBot or Grammarly?
QuillBot Premium starts at $8.33/month (annual plan), while Grammarly Premium starts at $12/month. 👉 If price is your main concern, QuillBot is cheaper, but Grammarly provides more enterprise features. See also: full AI tool comparison page.

Conclusion: Grammarly or QuillBot?

Both Grammarly and QuillBot are excellent writing assistants, but they serve different purposes.

Choose QuillBot if you:

  • Need advanced paraphrasing with 9 modes + Custom Mode.
  • Are a student, researcher, or SEO content creator.
  • Want built-in citation and summarizer tools.
  • Prefer a lower cost option at $8.33/month.

👉 Explore our full guide: Best AI Tools for Students.

Choose Grammarly if you:

  • Need advanced grammar and spelling correction.
  • Write professional emails, reports, or client documents.
  • Want real-time clarity, conciseness, and tone suggestions.
  • Work in a team or business environment with enterprise needs.

👉 Also see: Best AI Tools for Small Business.

Still unsure? Browse our full AI comparison hub or discover other niche tools like AI tools for bloggers and AI tools for agencies. The best choice ultimately depends on your writing goals and workflow.