Founded in 2011 by Chris Banks, ProWritingAid (PWA) is a robust writing and editing platform designed to function as a grammar checker, style editor, and writing mentor—all in one. Best known for its strengths in long-form and creative writing, ProWritingAid delivers powerful insights to help writers improve their grammar, clarity, and overall writing style.
Who Is ProWritingAid For?
ProWritingAid is suited for a broad range of users, including:
- Authors (fiction and nonfiction)
- Editors and proofreaders
- Bloggers and content marketers
- Students and academics
- Copywriters and business professionals
It’s especially beneficial for fiction writers, offering nuanced feedback on pacing, dialogue, and narrative structure, making it a go-to tool for refining manuscripts.
Key Features & Functionality
ProWritingAid separates itself with an expansive set of features—many surpassing what basic grammar tools offer.
✔ Real-Time Scoring and Suggestions
- Live updates on writing quality as you edit.
- Visual underlines identify issues (red: spelling, blue: grammar, yellow: style, purple: passive voice).
✔ 25+ Detailed Writing Reports
These reports are the heart of ProWritingAid, offering deep insights, including:
| Report Type | Highlights |
| Style Report | Flag clichés, passive voice, and readability issues. |
| Grammar Report | Advanced error detection beyond basic spelling and grammar. |
| Overused Words | Identifies repetition and recommends tighter alternatives. |
| Readability Checker | Calculates Flesch Reading Ease score, highlights long or run-on sentences. |
| Sentence Structure Reports | Show variation in sentence lengths and construction. |
| Pacing Report | Distinguishes slow vs. fast-paced scenes for better narrative flow. |
| Dialogue Tags | Helps reign in overuse or inconsistency in speaker attributions. |
| Critique Report | AI-powered analysis on tone, logic, and clarity. |
| Rephrase Tool | Reworks awkward phrases with multiple stylistic options (e.g., formal, fluent, concise). |
| Word Explorer | Tools like Reverse Dictionary, Alliteration Finder, and more for richer vocabulary. |
✔ Customization
- Supports 40+ writing styles (Academic, Business, Creative, etc.)
- Tailors feedback to five English dialects (US, UK, Canadian, Australian, General).
✔ Plagiarism Checker
- Available via credits or the Premium Plus plan.
- Compares text against over a billion pages—often seen as more accurate than Grammarly’s detector.
✔ AI-Powered Features
- Manuscript Analysis and Virtual Beta Reader simulate reader impressions and evaluate story structure. These advanced tools require additional credits, even for subscribers.
Platform Compatibility & Integrations
ProWritingAid integrates well with most writer workflows:
- Desktop Anywhere App: Compatible with Mac and Windows, including MS Word (2007–2019), Markdown, Scrivener, and more.
- Browser Extensions: Chrome, Firefox, Edge—active editing in Gmail, WordPress, Google Docs, and social media.
- Google Docs: Works via extension or add-on, though best performance comes via Desktop Anywhere.
Notably, integration with Scrivener is a standout feature—and one Grammarly lacks.
User Interface & Ease of Use
The interface is clean and functional, though:
- Some users report a dated appearance.
- The large number of reports can create a learning curve.
- Frequent upgrade pop-ups are a recurring complaint.
Performance & Accuracy
ProWritingAid is known for being highly accurate with grammar and stylistic issues, often outperforming Word's built-in tools. However, limitations exist:
⚠️ Known Issues Include:
- Lag on large files: Especially in Google Docs (over 5,000–15,000 words), where it may freeze or crash.
- Questionable Suggestions: Such as recommending “amn’t” instead of “aren’t I?” and rejecting valid adverbs.
- Formatting problems: Pastes can misalign formatting; some desktop versions strip comments or spacing unexpectedly.
- Not ideal for short texts (<700 words): Strength lies in analyzing comprehensive documents.
Pros: What Makes ProWritingAid Stand Out
- ✅ Extensive Report Suite: Over 25 reports that go far beyond grammar/spelling.
- ✅ Acts as a Tutor: Provides rationale behind changes, helping users grow as writers.
- ✅ Scrivener and MS Word Compatibility: Key advantages over Grammarly.
- ✅ Pricing Options: More affordable, with a unique lifetime license.
- ✅ Fiction-Writing Focus: Strong tools for novels, including pacing and dialogue analysis.
- ✅ Strong Rephrasing Options: Smooths out awkward phrases with stylistic freedom.
- ✅ Privacy-Focused: No user content is stored server-side.
Cons: Potential Drawbacks
- ❌ No Mobile App: Editing on mobile is browser-dependent.
- ❌ Performance Issues: Glitchy in Google Docs; slow on long projects.
- ❌ Outdated UI: Steep learning curve for new users.
- ❌ Short-Text Inefficiency: Overkill for tweets, emails, or short snippets.
- ❌ Internet Required: Even desktop apps need an online connection.
- ❌ Refund Policy: Strict 3-day policy. Monthly plans are non-refundable.
- ❌ Extra Charges for AI Features: Some premium tools require separate credits.
- ❌ Customer Support Concerns: Reports of slow responses and difficulty obtaining refunds.
Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Lifetime |
| Premium | $30 | $120/year | $399 |
| Premium Pro | $36 | $144/year | $699 |
- Free Plan Limitations: 500-word submissions, access to only 2 reports daily.
- Frequent Discounts Available: Typically 20–25% off during promotions (e.g., NaNoWriMo).
- Student Discounts: 20% off with proper ID.
Comparison With Competitors
ProWritingAid vs. Grammarly
| Criteria | ProWritingAid | Grammarly |
| Depth of Reports | ✅Extensive (25+ reports) | ⚠️ Basic grammar/style checks |
| Best For | Fiction, long-form | Business writing, short-form |
| UI/UX | ⚠️ Clunky for some users | ✅ Clean & modern |
| Integrations | ✅ Scrivener, Word, Chrome | ✅ Word, Gmail, Chrome |
| Mobile App | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| AI Writing | 🔄 Limited (Critique tool via credits) | ✅ GrammarlyGO for generation & rephrasing |
| Free Version | ⚠️ Highly limited | ✅ Robust |
| Refund Policy | ⚠️ Strict | ✅ Flexible |
| Pricing | ✅ Affordable with lifetime license | ❌ Subscription-only |
Verdict: Use Grammarly for daily documents; turn to ProWritingAid for deep editing and crafting complex manuscripts.
ProWritingAid vs. AutoCrit
| Feature | ProWritingAid | AutoCrit |
| Audience | Broad: fiction, nonfiction, students | Fiction authors |
| Genre Comparison | ❌ | ✅ Tailored by fiction genre |
| Use Stage | Drafting & revising/editing | Post-draft, development editing |
| Linguistic Depth | ✅ Style + grammar + structure | ✅ Deep narrative analysis |
| Learning Capability | ✅ Built-in guidance | ⚠️ Less pedagogical |
Verdict: Go with ProWritingAid for ongoing support; reserve AutoCrit for polishing fiction manuscripts at later stages.
ProWritingAid vs. Others (Linguix & Ginger)
- Ginger: Offers translation + text-to-speech but lacks ProWritingAid’s integration and depth.
- Linguix: Known for SEO-focused writing; best for non-native speakers or marketers needing mobile tools.
- ProWritingAid consistently offers more value, analysis, and flexibility across platforms.
Can It Replace a Human Editor?
No algorithm can fully replace a skilled human editor—especially for nuance, pacing, flow, and narrative structure. However, ProWritingAid dramatically prepares a manuscript for professional editing, making your editor’s job easier (and potentially cheaper).
Security & Privacy
- Claims 100% data security—content is not stored.
- No access to writing unless explicitly permitted.
Final Verdict
ProWritingAid is an exceptional editing ally for serious writers—especially those tackling novels, academic writing, or long-form content. Its feedback is both instructive and comprehensive, and its one-time lifetime license offers unmatched long-term value.
While there are some interface and performance kinks, for those navigating complex writing tasks or seeking to deeply improve their style, ProWritingAid emerges as a top-tier writing tool.
💡 Recommendation: Pair it with Grammarly for quick edits or mobile use, and consider AutoCrit for fiction-specific genre refinement.
For more information, visit Pro Writing Aid & Grammarly websites.
