Best Grammarly alternatives in 2026
A grammar and writing assistant whose citation generator handles MLA, APA, and Chicago; automatic citations require its full product. If you're looking for a Grammarly alternative, here are the best citation tools to consider — starting with our top pick.
1. CitePlex
A free, ad-free citation and academic writing platform. The best all-round Grammarly alternative for students and researchers who want clean, accurate citations without ads or paywalls on the basics.
- All 11 citation styles free (incl. Bluebook, IEEE, AMA)
- No ads, no forced sign-up
- AI essay tools — thesis, outline, paraphrase, summarize
- Export to Word, BibTeX & RIS (Pro)
2. EasyBib
A long-running, Chegg-owned generator with a free MLA tier; APA and other styles require a paid plan, and the interface carries ads.
CitePlex vs EasyBib3. Citation Machine
Another Chegg-owned tool with a limited free tier and paid upgrades; public reviews often cite its heavy ads.
CitePlex vs Citation Machine4. Scribbr
A polished, ad-free generator known for strong APA guidance, covering four styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard) alongside paid proofreading services.
CitePlex vs Scribbr5. MyBib
A free, ad-free generator with a very large CSL style library; great for breadth, with auto-generated output that can vary in quality.
CitePlex vs MyBibHow to choose a Grammarly alternative
Check whether your citation style is free (many tools gate APA behind a paywall), whether the interface is ad-free, and whether you need extras like legal Bluebook citations, saved projects, or AI writing tools. CitePlex covers all of these for free; Grammarly may still suit you if grammarly is excellent if your priority is real-time grammar and style help across every app you write in; citations are a secondary feature there.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use CitePlex or Grammarly for citations?
For citations specifically, CitePlex supports 11 styles (including Bluebook) versus Grammarly's three and offers dedicated source forms. Grammarly remains the stronger choice for real-time grammar help across your whole workflow.
Does CitePlex check grammar like Grammarly?
CitePlex includes a free grammar and punctuation checker for essays and papers. Grammarly offers more advanced, real-time grammar assistance as its core product.