Whether you're looking for a more private option, something that works offline, a cheaper alternative, or a tool that integrates better with macOS, there are several solid Grammarly alternatives in 2026. We've compared the main options so you can choose the right tool for your needs.
Why People Switch from Grammarly
Before we get into the alternatives, it's worth understanding why users look for Grammarly replacements:
- Privacy concerns — Grammarly processes all text on their cloud servers. For confidential writing, this is a real risk.
- No offline mode — Grammarly stops working without internet.
- High cost — Grammarly Premium is ~$12/month.
- Limited Mac integration — Works best in browsers, not natively across all Mac apps.
1. Grambo — Best Private Offline Alternative
Grambo
Native macOS grammar checker with full offline AI processing. Works in every Mac app via keyboard shortcut. No internet required, no data sent externally in offline mode. $2.99/month or $14.99 lifetime.
2. LanguageTool — Best Free/Open-Source Option
LanguageTool
Rule-based grammar checker with an open-source core. Works via browser extension and desktop app. Free tier available. Sends text to cloud by default; self-hosting requires technical setup.
3. DeepL Write — Best for Text Rephrasing
DeepL Write
Excellent writing improvement and rephrasing tool from DeepL. Web-only, no Mac app, no offline mode. Good for those who primarily work in a browser and need style improvements more than grammar correction.
Privacy Comparison
For users concerned about where their writing goes, here's how these tools compare on privacy:
- Grambo (offline mode) — Text stays on your Mac entirely. No network requests for grammar processing.
- LanguageTool (self-hosted) — Can be fully private if you run it locally, but requires Java server setup.
- Grammarly — All text processed on their servers. Optional AI training opt-out available.
- DeepL Write — Text processed on DeepL servers, governed by their privacy policy.
If privacy is your primary concern, Grambo's offline mode is the only option that is architecturally private by default — not just policy-based.
Price Comparison
- Grambo: $2.99/month or $14.99 lifetime (7-day free trial)
- Grammarly Premium: ~$12/month annually
- LanguageTool Premium: ~$5.99/month
- DeepL Write Pro: ~$8.74/month
Which Grammarly Alternative is Right for You?
Choose Grambo if you're a Mac user who wants offline AI, privacy, and system-wide integration at an affordable price.
Choose LanguageTool if you need a free/open-source option or want grammar rule explanations.
Choose DeepL Write if rephrasing is more important than grammar correction and you work in a browser.
For a detailed feature comparison, see our Grambo vs Grammarly and Grambo vs LanguageTool pages.
Try the Best Grammarly Alternative — Free
Download Grambo free for 7 days. Offline AI, native Mac integration, no credit card needed.
Download Grambo for Mac