ToolRankBest AI writing tools with desktop apps
Updated 18 Oct 2026 · Prices from vendor pages only · How we rank →
The short answer
Each of these AI writing tools runs as a desktop app (Mac, Windows or Linux) rather than only in a browser. Grammarly comes first: works across apps with a solid free tier and a modest Pro plan. The cheapest verified paid plan here is ProWritingAid Premium ($10/month yearly ($120) or $30 monthly). 3 of the 4 have a free plan we could confirm. Every price below is from the vendor’s own page, checked 16–18 Oct 2026.
Ranked shortlist
- Grammarly: Works across apps with a solid free tier and a modest Pro plan. Plan: Pro: $12/month
Includes team features previously only in Business - Hemingway Editor: Readability editor with AI rewrite suggestions. Plan: Not yet verified
- ProWritingAid: Grammar and style checker aimed at fiction writers. Plan: Premium: $10/month yearly ($120) or $30 monthly
Unlimited line editing reports - DeepL Write: DeepL's AI writing and rephrasing assistant. Plan: Not yet verified
Order follows ToolRank’s editorial ranking in Writing & Content, filtered to tools that fit this page. Anything we couldn’t confirm on a vendor page says “Not yet verified”.
Side by side
| Rank | Tool | Relevant plan | Starting price | Free plan | Best for | Main limitation | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Grammarly | Pro: $12/month Includes team features previously only in Business | $12/month (Pro) | Spelling and grammar corrections | Anyone writing emails and docs who wants clean, correct text | Free tier is spelling/grammar; full-sentence rewrites and tone need Pro. | 18 Oct 2026 |
| #2 | Hemingway Editor | Not yet verified | Not yet verified | Free online editor and checkers; Plus has a 2-week free trial | Making writing clearer and more readable | Plus price not verified | 16 Oct 2026 |
| #3 | ProWritingAid | Premium: $10/month yearly ($120) or $30 monthly Unlimited line editing reports | $10/month (Premium, billed yearly $120; $30 monthly) | Free plan with core editing tools | Fiction and long-form writers who want manuscript-level editing reports | Monthly billing costs roughly three times the yearly rate | 18 Oct 2026 |
| #4 | DeepL Write | Not yet verified | €7.49/month (DeepL Pro Individual, billed annually) | DeepL Write has a free version; Pro has a 30-day free trial | Polishing and translating text in several languages | Prices are listed in euros; Write Pro comes bundled with DeepL Pro | 16 Oct 2026 |
Prices as listed by each vendor on the last-checked date, USD, before tax. Plans and limits change, so follow the sources below.
Who should pick which
Pick Grammarly for anyone writing emails and docs who wants clean, correct text (Pro: $12/month); think twice if you need long-form creative generation. Pick Hemingway Editor for making writing clearer and more readable (price not yet verified). Watch out: plus price not verified. Pick ProWritingAid for fiction and long-form writers who want manuscript-level editing reports (Premium: $10/month yearly ($120) or $30 monthly). Watch out: monthly billing costs roughly three times the yearly rate. Pick DeepL Write for polishing and translating text in several languages (€7.49/month (DeepL Pro Individual, billed annually)). Watch out: prices are listed in euros; Write Pro comes bundled with DeepL Pro.
FAQ
Which of these is cheapest?
ProWritingAid Premium ($10/month yearly ($120) or $30 monthly) is the lowest paid price we verified on this list (https://prowritingaid.com/pricing, checked 18 Oct 2026). Check the vendor page for tax, billing period and usage limits.
Which of these have a free plan?
Grammarly: Spelling and grammar corrections; ProWritingAid: Free plan with core editing tools; DeepL Write: DeepL Write has a free version; Pro has a 30-day free trial.
How were these tools chosen?
They are the tools in ToolRank's rankings with a desktop app listed by the vendor, confirmed on the vendor's own website on 16–18 Oct 2026. Tools we could not verify are left out rather than guessed, and anything unconfirmed is marked Not yet verified.
Sources
- Grammarly: Grammarly plans checked 18 Oct 2026
- Grammarly: Grammarly desktop checked 18 Oct 2026
- Grammarly: Grammarly mobile checked 18 Oct 2026
- Hemingway Editor: Hemingway Editor pricing checked 16 Oct 2026
- ProWritingAid: ProWritingAid pricing checked 18 Oct 2026
- DeepL Write: DeepL Write pricing checked 16 Oct 2026
Related comparisons
Profiles: Grammarly · Hemingway Editor · ProWritingAid · DeepL Write
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