How this list works: Numbered picks are chosen by our editors and are never for sale. We may earn a commission from some links. Full disclosure.
AI writing tools do very different jobs, so the best one depends on what you write. We compared six that cover editing, rewriting, general drafting, fiction, marketing copy and SEO articles. Our rankings are based on features, pricing, free plans and what users say, including their complaints.
Quick comparison
| # | Tool | Best for | Score | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ChatGPT | Best for flexibility | ★ 4.3 | Freemium | Visit ↗ |
| 2 | Grammarly | Best for editing | ★ 4.3 | Freemium | Visit ↗ |
| 3 | QuillBot | Best for paraphrasing | ★ 4.2 | Freemium | Visit ↗ |
| 4 | Sudowrite | Best for fiction | ★ 4.2 | Free trial | Visit ↗ |
| 5 | Jasper | Best for marketing teams | ★ 4.0 | Free trial | Visit ↗ |
| 6 | Writesonic | Best for SEO content | ★ 3.8 | Free trial | Visit ↗ |
#1: ChatGPT
The most flexible option, handling drafts, rewrites and brainstorming on a free plan. It has no writing-specific templates, so results depend on your prompts, and answers need fact-checking.
#2: Grammarly
Checks grammar, tone and clarity inside the apps you already use, with a useful free plan. Reviewers report renewal charges and AI rewrites that can flatten your voice.
#3: QuillBot
A focused paraphraser and summarizer at a low annual price. The free plan stops at 125 words per run, and rewrites need checking for meaning.
#4: Sudowrite
Built around stories, with a Story Bible and its own fiction model. There's no ongoing free plan, and credits run out faster than many writers expect.
#5: Jasper
Brand voice and marketing agents for teams that need consistent copy. It's priced per seat with no free plan, and most solo writers don't need it.
#6: Writesonic
Pairs an AI article writer with SEO tools and AI-search tracking. Its best-known feature starts on expensive plans, and pricing varies between sources.
How we chose these tools
We looked at what each tool does well, what it costs, how its free plan works and what reviewers report about billing and accuracy. Our rankings are based on official pricing information, user reviews and independent write-ups. We have not run our own trials, and each review says so.
Quick picks
Best for flexibility: ChatGPT.
Best for editing: Grammarly.
Best for paraphrasing: QuillBot.
Best for fiction: Sudowrite.
Best for marketing teams: Jasper.
Best for SEO content: Writesonic.
Which one should you choose?
If you mostly write and edit your own text, start with Grammarly’s free plan. If you reword and summarise a lot, try QuillBot. If you want a draft from scratch, ChatGPT is the cheapest place to start. If you write fiction, test Sudowrite’s trial. If you run a marketing team, compare Jasper’s trial against your brand guidelines, and if you publish SEO articles, look at Writesonic. Many writers pair a free editing tool with a general assistant. See Grammarly vs QuillBot for the most common comparison.
Free plans compared
Grammarly and QuillBot have real free plans, with Grammarly’s including about 100 AI prompts a month and QuillBot’s capping the paraphraser at 125 words per run. ChatGPT has a free plan with usage limits. Jasper, Sudowrite and Writesonic only offer trials, and Jasper’s lasts seven days.
Using AI writing tools responsibly
AI suggestions can be wrong or change your meaning, so read every change. Follow the rules of your school, employer or publisher on AI-written text, and don’t paste confidential material into tools you haven’t checked. AI detectors are unreliable, so don’t treat a score as proof.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI writing tool?
It depends on the job. Grammarly is our pick for editing, ChatGPT for flexibility and Sudowrite for fiction.
Is there a free AI writing tool?
Yes. Grammarly and QuillBot have free plans, and ChatGPT’s free plan covers drafting and rewriting.
Which AI writing tool is best for students?
Grammarly’s free plan and QuillBot’s free plan are common starting points. Check your school’s rules on AI and paraphrasing tools first.
Which is best for novels?
Sudowrite is built for fiction. See our guide to AI for novel and story writing.
How much does Grammarly cost?
See our Grammarly pricing guide.