Overview

Hemingway scores writing and calls attention to sentences and issues that may weaken or complicate a message. That focus makes it useful for clarity passes on reports, proposals, and other written work, but it is not a substitute for a broader writing workflow. Users can either act on the feedback themselves or use Editor Plus to request changes.

AI processing has a privacy tradeoff: when a document is analyzed or rewritten, its content passes through Hemingway to an LLM provider, currently OpenAI, Google, or Anthropic. Hemingway says it discards processed content afterward, does not store document content after processing, and does not use customer writing to train AI models. Editor Plus is hosted on Render, with servers and storage in the United States, and uses AES-256 encryption for communications and data at rest. It does not yet have SOC 2 or ISO certification.

Key features

Readability feedback: Scores and highlights give writers a focused way to spot passages that may be harder to follow. This is a good fit for self-editing, but writers seeking automated revision will need Editor Plus.
AI editing and review: Editor Plus can rewrite wordy sentences and passive voice, fix grammar, and adjust tone, length, and style. It also reviews a document with insights and suggestions. AI sentence allowances constrain how much rewriting is available, though annual individual plans include unlimited grammar fixes, document review, synonyms, and readability highlights.
File handling: Editor Plus imports and exports Word, Markdown, and HTML files, making it more suitable than Classic for work moving between document formats.
Classic publishing and offline use: Classic works without an internet connection and keeps writing on the computer. It can publish to WordPress with one click and export HTML or Markdown for a blogging platform or CMS. Its one-time purchase excludes AI features.
Support: Hemingway directs users needing help to email support@hemingwayapp.com.

Pricing

The freemium offering gives readers a way to use Hemingway without a subscription, while the paid choices split between AI-equipped Editor Plus and the offline Classic desktop app. Editor Plus includes a 14-day trial. Annual subscriptions are billed upfront, so the monthly equivalent is not the amount charged each month.

Individual 5K: 8.33 USD per month, billed $100 annually, for one user and 5,000 AI sentences per month. It includes unlimited grammar fixes, document review, synonyms, and readability highlights. This is the lower-cost fit for an individual whose AI use stays within that quota.
Individual 10K: 12.50 USD per month, billed $150 annually, for one user and 10,000 AI sentences per month, with the same unlimited features. It suits an individual who needs more AI revisions than the 5K allowance.
Team 10K: 12.50 USD per month per user, billed $150 annually per user, for up to 50 users. Each user gets 10,000 AI sentences monthly, with shared billing and admin roles. This is the team option where centralized billing and administration matter.
Individual 5K monthly: 10.00 USD per month, billed monthly, for AI-assisted editing through Editor Plus. Its higher monthly rate avoids the annual commitment, but the annual individual plan details include broader stated benefits such as unlimited document review and grammar fixes.
Hemingway Editor Classic: 19.99 USD one-time purchase for Mac OS or Windows. It provides offline desktop editing without AI features; choose it for a lasting offline workflow, not AI editing.
Enterprise: Custom pricing for unlimited users and 20,000 AI sentences per user per month, with optional SSO and priority email support. It is aimed at larger deployments needing those controls and support.

Platforms

Hemingway Editor is available on the web and on macOS and Windows. Classic is the desktop choice for offline work; Editor Plus is the AI-enabled route, with document content sent for AI processing when analysis or rewriting is requested.

Who it's for

Individual writers who want a clear readability pass, and who are comfortable making their own edits, can start with the free option. Editor Plus is better for people who want rewrite suggestions, document review, and file exchange, while its team plan targets organizations improving mass communications, internal communications, grants, sales proposals, and other written work. Writers who prioritize offline storage on their computer should choose Classic instead, accepting that it lacks AI features.

Pros and cons

Pro: Readability scoring and highlights keep attention on clarity, useful for writers who want targeted feedback rather than a general-purpose editing workflow.
Pro: Editor Plus combines rewriting, document feedback, and Word, Markdown, and HTML file handling for users who need more than highlights.
Pro: Classic works offline, keeps writing on the computer, and includes WordPress publishing plus HTML and Markdown export for a one-time purchase.
Con: Editor Plus sends document content through Hemingway to an external LLM provider for AI processing, which may not suit sensitive material even with Hemingway's stated deletion and training policies.
Con: Annual AI plans cap rewriting by monthly sentence quotas, so heavy users must pay for a larger allowance; the lower-priced Classic purchase has no AI features.
Con: Editor Plus lacks SOC 2 and ISO certification, a consideration for organizations with formal compliance requirements.

Alternatives

For a different readability-checking approach, consider Text Inspector, whose free plan handles 250 words and automatically deletes data after six hours. Readability Formulas is a fit for readers who want free online calculators and a Readability Scoring System. Choose TextGears if its PRO plan's unlimited checks, translations, and long-text paraphrases, custom dictionary rules, and option not to store texts better match the task.

ProWritingAid is another freemium option for writers who want to begin with a limited free allowance: 500 words per report run, two report runs daily, and limited daily rephrasing and Sparks. Check Readability suits readers looking for a free browser or extension tool with no account or usage fees. AnchorKite Readability Checker is a free, no-signup web option that works offline after loading, while Delimiter Readability Checker offers a free web checker without an account or paywall. Readable is the paid alternative for readers who want a web or API service with a free trial.

For broader category comparisons, browse Readability Checkers, AI Readability Checkers, Writing Style Checkers, and AI writing assistants.

Verdict

Choose Hemingway Editor if your priority is focused readability feedback, with Editor Plus available when you also want AI revisions and document review. Its clear split between AI editing and offline Classic makes the choice straightforward, but external AI processing, sentence quotas, and the lack of SOC 2 or ISO certification are good reasons to look elsewhere for sensitive or compliance-bound work.

	Hemingway Editor	PageRefine
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$0.69/mo	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	macOS, Web, Windows	Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Sentence complexity	—	Yes
Plain-language rewrites	—	Yes
Input formats	—	text

Hemingway Editor vs PageRefine

Hemingway Editor

PageRefine