Grammarly vs QuillBot vs Gradily: Best Writing Tool for Students

TL;DR: Grammarly is best for grammar and clarity checking. QuillBot is best for paraphrasing and rewording text. Gradily is best for getting help understanding assignments and learning how to write better. They serve different purposes — most students benefit from using more than one. Here's exactly when to use each.

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Why Students Need Writing Tools

Let's be real — writing is hard. Whether you're cranking out a 10-page research paper or a 500-word discussion post, having the right tools can save you hours and improve your grades.

But there are so many options out there that it's tough to know which one actually helps and which one is just hype. Grammarly, QuillBot, and Gradily are three of the most popular options students use, and they each do very different things.

Let's break down what each tool actually does, what it costs, where it shines, and where it falls short.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Grammarly	QuillBot	Gradily
Primary Function	Grammar & style checking	Paraphrasing & rewording	AI homework help & tutoring
Free Version	Yes (basic grammar)	Yes (limited)	Yes
Paid Price	$12/month (annual)	$9.95/month (annual)	Free tier available
Grammar Checking	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Paraphrasing	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Essay Help	⭐⭐	⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Homework Help	❌	❌	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Citation Help	❌	⭐⭐ (summarizer)	⭐⭐⭐⭐
AI Detection Risk	Low	Medium-High	Low
Learning Value	Medium	Low	High

Grammarly: The Grammar Police

What It Does

Grammarly checks your writing for:

• Spelling and grammar errors
• Punctuation mistakes
• Sentence clarity and readability
• Tone detection (formal, informal, confident, friendly)
• Word choice suggestions
• Plagiarism detection (Premium)

It works as a browser extension, desktop app, and integrates with Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

The Good

1. Catches errors you'd miss. Even strong writers make grammar mistakes, especially at 2 AM. Grammarly catches them reliably.

2. Clarity suggestions are great. It flags wordy sentences, passive voice overuse, and unclear phrasing. These suggestions genuinely improve your writing.

3. Works everywhere. Browser extension means it checks your emails, discussion posts, Google Docs, and more. It's always there.

4. Tone detector. Tells you if your writing sounds too casual for an academic paper or too formal for a blog post.

5. Plagiarism checker (Premium). Not as robust as Turnitin, but useful for a quick self-check before submitting.

The Not-So-Good

1. Premium is pricey. $12/month billed annually ($144/year) is a lot for students. The free version covers basics but misses style suggestions.

2. Doesn't help with content. Grammarly can tell you if a sentence is grammatically correct, but it can't tell you if your argument makes sense.

3. Sometimes wrong. It occasionally flags correct grammar as incorrect, especially with specialized or technical writing.

4. Doesn't help you learn to write. It fixes problems but doesn't teach you why something is wrong in a deep way.

Best For

• Proofreading final drafts
• ESL students improving grammar
• Professional communication (emails, applications)
• Catching the silly mistakes that lose easy points

QuillBot: The Paraphrasing Machine

What It Does

QuillBot specializes in:

• Paraphrasing text (multiple modes: Standard, Fluency, Formal, Academic, etc.)
• Summarizing long texts
• Grammar checking (basic)
• Citation generator
• Translator

The Good

1. Paraphrasing is excellent. If you need to rephrase a quote or restructure a sentence, QuillBot handles it well. Multiple modes let you choose the tone.

2. Great summarizer. Paste a long article and get a concise summary. Helpful for literature reviews.

3. Free version is usable. You get basic paraphrasing with a word limit, which is enough for short tasks.

4. Academic mode. Specifically designed to make text sound more scholarly — helpful when your writing feels too casual.

The Not-So-Good

1. High AI detection risk. Here's the big problem. Text that's been run through QuillBot often gets flagged by AI detection tools. If your professor uses Turnitin or GPTZero, paraphrased text can look suspicious.

2. Doesn't improve YOUR writing. Using QuillBot to rephrase things means you're not learning to paraphrase yourself. Over time, this can hurt your writing skills.

3. Can change meaning. Automated paraphrasing sometimes subtly changes the meaning of sentences. You always need to review the output carefully.

4. It's basically a crutch. If you use QuillBot to avoid plagiarism by rewording sources, you're missing the point of paraphrasing — which is to demonstrate understanding by putting ideas in your own words.

5. Limited free version. Only 125 words at a time in free mode. The paid version ($9.95/month) removes the limit.

Best For

• Quick paraphrasing when you're stuck on wording
• Summarizing long readings
• ESL students working on fluency
• Getting past writer's block on phrasing

⚠️ Warning

Don't use QuillBot to just rephrase sources and pretend it's your own work. That's still a form of academic dishonesty, and many schools treat it the same as plagiarism. Use it as a starting point, then substantially rewrite in your voice. Check out our guide on how to paraphrase without plagiarizing.

Gradily: The Homework Helper & Writing Coach

What It Does

Gradily takes a different approach:

• AI-powered homework help across all subjects
• Step-by-step explanations (not just answers)
• Essay writing guidance and feedback
• Assignment understanding (helps you figure out what's being asked)
• Study support and concept explanations

The Good

1. Actually teaches you. Instead of just fixing your grammar or rewording your text, Gradily explains concepts so you understand them. The goal is learning, not just getting the assignment done.

2. Works for any subject. Math, science, English, history — it's not limited to just writing help.

3. Helps you understand the assignment. Stuck on what your professor is even asking? Gradily can break down assignment prompts and help you figure out where to start.

4. Lower AI detection risk. Because Gradily helps you learn and write your own work (rather than generating text for you), your final output is genuinely yours.

5. Free tier available. You can get started without paying, which matters on a student budget.

The Not-So-Good

1. Not a grammar checker. If you need line-by-line proofreading, you'll still want Grammarly for that final pass.

2. Not a paraphrasing tool. If you need to quickly rephrase a specific sentence, it's not built for that specific task.

3. Newer platform. Grammarly and QuillBot have been around longer and have larger user bases.

Best For

• Understanding difficult assignments
• Learning concepts you're struggling with
• Getting guidance on essay structure and arguments
• All-subject homework help
• Students who want to actually learn, not just finish

When to Use Each Tool

Here's the real answer — these tools aren't competitors. They serve different purposes. Here's a realistic workflow:

Step 1: Understand the Assignment → Gradily

Use Gradily to break down what you need to do, research concepts, and plan your approach.

Step 2: Write Your Draft → You (with Gradily's guidance)

Write your own first draft. If you're stuck on a section, ask Gradily for help understanding the concept or structuring your argument.

Step 3: Proofread and Polish → Grammarly

Run your finished draft through Grammarly to catch grammar errors, improve clarity, and check tone.

Step 4: Specific Rephrasing (if needed) → QuillBot

If a particular sentence is clunky and you can't figure out how to fix it, try QuillBot for alternatives. Then rewrite in your own voice.

The AI Detection Factor

This matters a lot in 2026. Here's how each tool fares:

Tool	AI Detection Risk	Why
Grammarly	Low	Only corrects grammar; your words remain yours
QuillBot	Medium-High	Automated paraphrasing patterns are detectable
Gradily	Low	Helps you learn and write your own work

The safest approach? Use tools that help you write better, not tools that write for you. Check out our guide on how to avoid AI detection issues at school.

Cost Comparison

Student on a Tight Budget

• Grammarly Free + Gradily Free = $0/month
• Gets you basic grammar checking + homework help

Student Who Wants More

• Grammarly Premium ($12/month) + Gradily (free) = $12/month
• Full grammar/style checking + concept learning

Student Who Needs Everything

• Grammarly Premium + QuillBot Premium + Gradily = ~$22/month
• Full suite, but honestly most students don't need all three paid

Our recommendation? Start free with Grammarly + Gradily. That covers 90% of what you need. Only add QuillBot if you specifically need paraphrasing help regularly.

What About Other Tools?

Quick mentions of alternatives:

• Hemingway Editor — Free, focuses on readability. Great companion to Grammarly.
• ProWritingAid — Cheaper Grammarly alternative with more detailed reports.
• Wordtune — Like QuillBot but with a different feel. Worth trying.
• ChatGPT — Can do everything but nothing specialized. Higher AI detection risk.

For a complete breakdown, check our best essay writing tools for students guide.

The Bottom Line

Grammarly = Your proofreader. Catches grammar, spelling, and style issues.

QuillBot = Your rephrasing assistant. Helps reword sentences (but use carefully).

Gradily = Your tutor. Helps you understand, learn, and write better.

The best students don't rely on any single tool. They use the right tool for the right job, and they always make sure the final work is genuinely their own.

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Want more comparisons? Check out ChatGPT vs Chegg vs Gradily and best Chegg alternatives that are free.