Are you looking for proofreading software? Not every writer has the time, ability or interest to put in lots of extra time proofreading and improving their written projects, whether they are penning a novel or crafting content for a blog or other short-form writing tasks. Human editors are invaluable, adding an authentic touch to writing improvements, but many writers are looking for consistent and convenient proofreading and writing support without having to use the services of a qualified editor all the time.
Instead, authors often choose to use proofreading software programs or apps to help boost their writing quality with digital support that can be accessed with a click of a button.
Should I Use Proofreading Software?
While most writers who choose to use proofreading software or tools combine the strength of digital proofreading with human editing support, deciding if a proofreading software program or app is right for you is the first step in figuring out what will work best for your writing situation.
Using proofreading software is a good idea for many writers who don’t want to solely rely on their editing skills to ensure that their writing is clean, grammatically correct, and rises to a high level of readability. Beyond those initial needs, writers who should consider implementing a proofreading software editing support program will have a few other concrete characteristics, needs and wants that will make a proofreading software program worth trying.
- You have the interest and budget to invest in your writing skills. A proofreading software program will help you write better by polishing your content, but you have to be willing to pay for the initial program cost or potentially even ongoing subscription costs for some.
- You are looking for individualized feedback on your writing that will help you improve your writing. Some programs will give a writer unique, specific feedback to help improve writing skills, so being open to this kind of support is key to working successfully with an editing or proofreading software program.
- You want advanced writing support and specialized help like plagiarism checking. Depending on your unique writing needs, software that can help you sidestep any concerns of plagiarism can be a huge help. In addition, programs like these often offer high-level writing advice that can help spark writers to refine their skills.
Five Best Proofreading Software Options
Selecting the software that matches what you want out of the program is important, but proofreading programs come with a variety of offerings so you can make the best choice.
1. Ginger Software
This paid software extension is perfect for those who write in multiple languages, need translation polishing or want simple quick fixes in writing. Ginger helps writers in many languages and its simple install and use setup makes it quite easy to get started using this AI-powered software. A good way to see if Ginger is the right software for you is to try the free version that offers a somewhat limited version while still providing useful support.
- Best for scriptwriters or novelists writing dialogue-heavy stories because Ginger’s rephrasing tool can help writers create unique, impactful dialogue.
2. Grammarly
Offering both a free and paid version of the software, Grammarly is very user-friendly and works well for everyone from students to professionals. This software enables users to take advantage of plagiarism checking, quick writing fixes as well as the chance to opt in for writing improvement suggestions. AI-powered, Grammarly is an excellent option that writers can use for spell-checking and basic grammar needs, but the stylistic suggestions are rather limited.
- Best for article writers and scriptwriters because Grammarly offers comprehensive tools to help with the clarity and readability necessary for online content and the plagiarism checkers essential to the authentic scriptwriting process.
3. Hemingway Editor
This proofreading software focuses on helping writers utilize strong verb choices and concise, well-written sentences. One vital editing step that Hemingway Editor does not include is grammar checking, so this software is best used in conjunction with another proofreading tool that will help writers look at all aspects of their work during the editing process. AI options like grammar fixes and rewriting are also available in the Hemingway Editor Plus version which also comes with the ability to import and export common files to work with, making this version attractive to writers.
- Best for article writers because Hemingway Editor’s ability to streamline grammar and quickly improve writing with rewriting tools can ensure that online content is grammatically correct, concise, and easy to read.
4. ProWritingAid
This software toolkit offers a huge amount of writing support with three different subscription levels: free, premium, and premium plus. At the highest level, ProWritingAid gives writers a host of support options like in-depth writing analysis and personalized, actionable feedback on writing projects that move beyond basic grammar checking.
Writers can use this software to check for sensory language, passive language, readability, or even plagiarism through one of the program’s 25 writing reports available. The ability to set language rules is a unique function within the program that improves consistency with writing style. ProWritingAid comes with a comprehensive package to assist novice to experienced writers, but the sheer volume of support options on offer may mean a longer on-ramping for new users.
- Best for novelists because ProWritingAid will do everything from suggesting stylistic improvements and grammar changes to identifying plot holes and making suggestions on how to fix them. ProWritingAid is a comprehensive software that can even assist with dialogue creation and help writers adjust the pacing of a story, critical support for writers of every ability.
5. Slick Write
This free proofreading program is perfect for students, new writers, or anyone who wants to improve their content without investing any money. Slick Write offers users a solid grammar checker as well as customizable feedback to help them improve their writing. This software extension available for Chrome and Firefox is quick and easy to use, making it a perfect option for writers interested in reliable, no-frills editing software that will take their writing up a notch.
- Best for casual writers, new writers, or students because Slick Write offers a good quality editor at no cost.
Choosing Free vs. Paid Versions
One of the best ways to see if a program fits your needs is to test out the free or trial version before purchasing a program. Consider experimenting with a few draft versions of recent writing as well as using the software to write something new to see what kind of feedback the program provides and if it is in line with your expectations. Choosing a proofreading software can be an investment, so testing out more than one is a great way to get the most out of this writing tool so you can catch errors, improve your skills, and ramp up your writing ability quickly with the right program.
Using Editing Software Can Help You Finish Your Book
Writing, editing, and revising your book takes a lot of time, effort, and expertise. Using a software program or extension can be a great way for pro writers to take their concept and raw writing and rapidly turn it into a polished, beautiful manuscript ready to be published without relying solely on their editing skills or finding an editor with the time and ability to make necessary changes to the writing.
When you use proofreading software designed to catch the small errors that keep your book from looking professionally crafted, you can confidently finish your book and move into the printing phase much more quickly whether you decide to additionally work with a human editor or not. Once your book is polished and ready for publication, partnering with a printer like Dazzle Printing can help you turn your writing into a beautiful book that your readers will love because not only will your printed final copy of your book look great, but your proofreading software will ensure that your writing looks professionally crafted and polished as well.
