Alternatives
The best Paperpal alternatives for non-native English writers
By ESL Humanizer editorial team · Prices and limits checked September 2026
Short answer
The best Paperpal alternative depends on why you're switching. If you wrote the text yourself and want it to sound natural without changing your meaning, ESL Humanizer is built for that. Writefull is a good fit if you write journal articles, theses or grant applications, especially in Word or Overleaf; Grammarly is a good fit if you want real-time grammar help in email, Docs and every browser field.
Why people look for a Paperpal alternative
- 200 suggestions a month runs out on a long document
- Academic register can feel stiff for applications and everyday writing
- Writers want a simple paste-and-check tool without installing an add-in
Paperpal and its alternatives compared
Details come from each tool’s own website in September 2026 and can change. ESL Humanizer is our product, so its row sticks to verifiable facts.
| Tool | Built for | Free option | Paid from |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESL Humanizer | Polishing English you wrote yourself | 1 rewrite a day (2 when signed in), up to 1,500 characters (~250 words) each | $24.95/month or $89 for 4 months |
| Writefull | Researchers and students writing academic English | See its pricing page for current free limits | Premium — see its pricing page |
| Grammarly | Correcting grammar and tone as you write; its humanizer rewrites AI-generated text | Grammar and spelling checks, 100 AI prompts a month, basic free humanizer | Pro from $12/month |
| ProWritingAid | Style analysis and editing for long documents | 500 words per document, 2 line edits and 10 rephrases a day | Premium $30/month or $120/year; lifetime from $399 |
| LanguageTool | Grammar and style checking in 30+ languages | Up to 2,000 characters per check, 3 paraphrases a day | Premium — see its pricing page (shown at checkout) |
| Paperpal (for reference) | Researchers and students writing academic English, including many non-native speakers | 200 language suggestions a month and AI features up to 5 times a day | Prime $25/month, or $12/month billed yearly ($144) |
The alternatives, one by one
1. ESL Humanizer — for English you wrote yourself
ESL Humanizer rewrites a non-native writer’s own paragraph so it reads naturally, then shows every change word by word with a meaning score and an AI-detection estimate. It doesn’t generate content and never promises to beat detectors.
- ESL Humanizer rewrites whole passages for natural phrasing and gives each rewrite a meaning score.
- It has pages and modes for applications, IELTS practice and work email, not only research papers.
- Its AI-detection check is shown before and after as an estimate, never as proof.
2. Writefull — researchers and students writing academic English
A language-feedback tool for academic writing, trained on journal articles, with add-ins for Word and Overleaf.
- Choose it if you write journal articles, theses or grant applications, especially in Word or Overleaf
- Watch out for: aimed at research writing; less tuned to personal statements or motivation letters
- Free option: See its pricing page for current free limits
3. Grammarly — correcting grammar and tone as you write; its humanizer rewrites AI-generated text
A grammar and writing assistant that also offers a free AI humanizer for rewriting AI-generated drafts.
- Choose it if you want real-time grammar help in email, Docs and every browser field
- Watch out for: its humanizer is designed for AI-generated text, not for a non-native writer's own draft
- Free option: Grammar and spelling checks, 100 AI prompts a month, basic free humanizer
4. ProWritingAid — style analysis and editing for long documents
A grammar checker and style editor with in-depth writing reports, popular with fiction and long-form writers.
- Choose it if you're writing a novel or long report and want detailed style analysis
- Watch out for: reports take time to act on and assume strong English already
- Free option: 500 words per document, 2 line edits and 10 rephrases a day
5. LanguageTool — grammar and style checking in 30+ languages
A multilingual grammar, style and spelling checker with an AI paraphraser.
- Choose it if you write in German, Spanish, French or other languages as well as English
- Watch out for: error correction won't fix sentences that are grammatical but sound translated
- Free option: Up to 2,000 characters per check, 3 paraphrases a day
When sticking with Paperpal makes sense
- You're writing a thesis, dissertation or journal article
- You want reference, plagiarism and journal-fit checks in the same tool as your editor
Wrote it yourself? Make it sound natural.
Paste a paragraph. ESL Humanizer fixes non-native phrasing, keeps your meaning and highlights every change — free for up to ~250 words.
Quick answers
How much does Paperpal cost?
Paperpal's help center lists Prime at $25 a month, or $144 a year ($12 a month) billed annually, and Pro at $59 a month or $348 a year. A free plan includes 200 language suggestions a month.
Is Paperpal good for non-native English speakers?
Yes, for academic writing in particular — it's built for researchers, and many of its users write in English as a second language. For applications, cover letters and email, a tool that rewrites whole passages and scores meaning may fit better.