A2Z Tools Plain Language Analyzer vs Readability

A2Z Tools Plain Language Analyzer is a free web tool for checking English drafts against plain-language guidance. It links each finding to its source guideline and can flag complex words, GOV.UK words to avoid, hidden verbs, “shall” used for requirements, double negatives, passive voice, long sentences, and long words. A Flesch-Kincaid estimate compares the draft with an audience target. Defaults set thresholds for general-public text, service instructions, or professional readers, and users can add organization jargon with plainer alternatives using an equals sign. Findings can be exported as CSV. Text that is pasted, typed, or dropped is processed in the browser tab; the maker says it is not uploaded, logged, stored, or sent to analytics. The analyzer checks English only, combining US and UK word guidance. Scores measure sentence and word length rather than meaning, so findings are prompts for human review. It is free online at free.

Readability analyzes Markdown files and reports measures of reading complexity. It provides grade level, reading ease and estimated reading time calculated at 200 words per minute. The listed grade-level formulas are Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, SMOG and ARI. It also measures word and sentence metrics and can detect or require MkDocs-style admonitions. Results can be produced as a table, Markdown, JSON, summary or report. Configurable thresholds can fail CI checks when documentation exceeds them, and a.readability.yml file supports path-specific overrides. The project documents a Go command-line tool, Docker, a GitHub Action and pre-commit hooks, alongside CI/CD examples for GitLab CI, CircleCI and Jenkins. Pre-built binaries are listed for Linux and macOS in amd64 and arm64, and Windows in amd64. The project identifies its license as MIT and lists no paid plans. Its documentation cautions that scores measure word and sentence complexity, not accuracy, completeness, context or tone.