I’ve been using AI tools for a while now — not just to test them out, but as part of my actual workflow. A year or two ago, I did a quick comparison of Grammarly and ChatGPT. At the time, it was a fun side project. Since then, both tools have evolved, and so has how I use them.
This updated comparison isn’t based on theory — it’s based on real work. I wanted to know: which tool actually saves time, improves quality, and helps me publish faster?
How I Use AI Writing Tools 📬
Every week, I send out a newsletter — usually around 400 to 500 words — and I don’t want to spend hours editing. I need something that keeps my tone intact, catches errors I miss, and helps me move fast.
That’s where Grammarly and ChatGPT come in.
Pricing Breakdown 💰
Grammarly:
- Free version for basic grammar and spelling.
- Grammarly Pro (formerly Premium) unlocks AI writing, tone adjustments, rewriting, plagiarism detection, and more.
- Pricing: $12/month (billed annually) or $30/month if you go monthly.
ChatGPT:
- Free for the older model.
- ChatGPT Plus costs $20/month and gives you access to GPT-4.
- Grammarly’s AI features are built on OpenAI’s models — so technically, you’re using a slice of ChatGPT inside Grammarly.
What I Tested: Real Workflow, Not Just Prompts 🔍
I dropped one of my weekly emails into both tools — nothing fancy, just the kind of writing I do every week for my list.
- In Grammarly, I used the web app. (You can use the browser extension too — it works almost everywhere.)
- In ChatGPT, I used this prompt:
“Check this email for grammar issues, spelling mistakes, and ways to improve tone or flow.”
Fixing Errors: Speed vs Flexibility
Grammarly instantly flagged the usual stuff — a couple of typos, a hyphen I missed, and a sentence that could be clearer. I could fix everything with a few clicks in the sidebar. It’s built for editing fast.
ChatGPT also caught issues, but I had to copy-paste the suggestions and make the edits manually. If you’re working fast, that extra friction adds up.
In my test, Grammarly caught more surface-level issues — punctuation, apostrophes, and spelling. ChatGPT had some smart suggestions too, but Grammarly won for speed and ease.
Readability and Style Adjustments 📏
Grammarly gives you a breakdown of:
- Correctness: Grammar and spelling
- Clarity: Sentence structure
- Engagement: Style, tone, and delivery
The readability score is especially helpful if you’re aiming for content that’s easy to scan and understand — great for newsletters, landing pages, or blog posts.
ChatGPT can do something similar, but only if you ask. It’s all prompt-based, so you need to know what to request each time.
One small feature in Grammarly that makes a big difference for some users: language variants. You can easily switch between different versions of English — like US, UK, Canadian, Australian, or Indian. If you’re writing for an international audience or want to stick to a specific variant for consistency, this saves a lot of manual editing.
ChatGPT doesn’t offer this as a built-in setting — you’ll have to prompt it every time to follow a specific variant.
Rewriting with AI ✨
Grammarly has a “Write with AI” feature that shows up when you highlight text. It gives options like:
- Improve
- Simplify
- Make assertive
- Add detail
You pick what you want, and it offers a few versions. One click to drop the edit in.
ChatGPT can do this too, and sometimes even goes deeper — but you’ve got to be specific with prompts. Grammarly’s approach is more plug-and-play.
Since Grammarly is powered by OpenAI’s models, the rewrite quality is similar to ChatGPT — but easier to access.
Plagiarism and AI Detection 🔎
I tested both tools using content from my site:
- Grammarly flagged the content and pointed to the original.
- ChatGPT recognized it as copied, but didn’t offer a source link.
They both detect AI-generated content as well. I ran a ChatGPT-written paragraph through each, and they both flagged it. Grammarly even suggested citations for it.
That’s useful if you’re ghostwriting or publishing content where originality matters.
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ChatGPT’s Projects Feature: A Useful Edge 🗂️
One standout feature ChatGPT has: Projects.
I created one for my weekly emails, uploaded past editions, and gave it a tone and format guide. Now it knows how I write and what works with my audience.
Grammarly doesn’t have a real equivalent. You can add custom words and some style preferences, but it doesn’t “learn” from your past work in the same way.
Other Useful Features ✅
Some small features that make a big difference for me:
Grammarly Pro
- App actions: You can reply to emails, comments, and DMs with pre-written responses.
- Custom dictionary: Stops it from flagging brand terms or slang you use often.
- Version history: Lets you restore earlier drafts if you change your mind.
ChatGPT
- Longer memory with custom instructions in ChatGPT Plus (beta).
- You can ask it to “act as your editor” with style guidelines saved to your Project.
Both tools are constantly improving, but Grammarly is more consistent for day-to-day editing.
So, Which One Do I Recommend? 🤔
Honestly? Use both — and use them together.
Here’s the workflow that works best for me:
✅ Write and edit in Grammarly — it catches grammar issues, punctuation, and tone problems as you go. Perfect when you’re trying to move fast.
➡️ Then drop your content into ChatGPT and ask for style suggestions, structure improvements, or rewrites. It’s great for tightening up longer pieces or getting a second opinion.
Heads up: And if you are writing a website post and want it to rank on Google, you can use my Humanized SEO-Optimized AI Content Creator Custom GPT to SEO optimize your content without losing your tone or flow.
❓ FAQ: Grammarly vs ChatGPT (2025)
1. Can Grammarly or ChatGPT help me write faster if English isn’t my first language?
Yes — both tools can help improve grammar and sentence structure for non-native speakers. Grammarly is especially helpful for catching basic language issues in real time, while ChatGPT can rephrase and simplify content when prompted.
2. Is it safe to use Grammarly or ChatGPT for client work or confidential content?
Grammarly uses encrypted data and has strong privacy policies, but you should always check client agreements before using any third-party tool. ChatGPT stores chats for improvement unless you disable history. For sensitive work, use caution or explore local/private versions of AI tools.
3. Do these tools work well with long-form content (like ebooks or guides)?
ChatGPT is better for longer content — it can help with outlining, expanding sections, or rewriting whole chapters. Grammarly can assist with editing and clarity, but its UI can lag with very long documents unless you break them up.
4. Can I use both Grammarly and ChatGPT inside Google Docs or Microsoft Word?
Grammarly works natively in Google Docs and via add-ins in Word. ChatGPT doesn’t integrate directly — you’d need to copy and paste content in and out of the platform or use third-party extensions (with caution).
5. Are there cheaper or free alternatives to Grammarly and ChatGPT?
There are alternatives, but they come with trade-offs. Tools like QuillBot, Hemingway Editor, or LanguageTool offer basic grammar help or rewriting, but they don’t match the accuracy or depth of Grammarly/ChatGPT. If you’re doing serious writing or publishing regularly, the paid versions are worth it.
Final Thoughts 💡
Both tools are powerful, and they serve different parts of my workflow.
If you’re publishing a lot of content or handling client work where accuracy matters, Grammarly Pro is worth it.
If you’re brainstorming, experimenting, or building longer pieces — ChatGPT is more flexible and better for ideation.
I pay for both and use them in different ways. The combo helps me write smarter and publish faster, without burning hours editing.
| If you need help with SEO, web design, content strategy, or just want your site to bring in better leads, check out Norzer. We help local and e-commerce brands build sites that work harder. |
