4 alternatives to QuillBot
Compare free and open-source solutions before building your own. Check each option’s license, setup, and limitations.
A browser sidebar that reads the page, rewrites the selection, and saves custom actions; your local model does the thinking.
LicenseMIT
PlatformsOn your machine
InstallationInstall the extension from the Chrome, Edge or Firefox add-on store
ModelsOllama, Chrome AI (Gemini Nano) and OpenAI-compatible local endpoints such as LM Studio or llamafile
DataChats, settings and other extension data are stored in the browser's local storage; only the optional share feature contacts the project's server
Limitations compared to QuillBotIt can paraphrase with a local model, but it lacks QuillBot's predictable modes, sentence-level controls, grammar suite, and citation workflow.
SetupThe extension installs cleanly, but it still needs a running local model endpoint and browser-to-localhost connectivity
Facts verified 2026-08-14
Select text anywhere, hit a hotkey, and fix, rewrite, summarize, or obey a custom instruction without opening another tab.
LicenseGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your machine
InstallationUse the portable Windows ZIP or macOS DMG; Linux currently runs from source
ModelsGemini, native Ollama and any OpenAI-compatible cloud or local endpoint on Windows/Linux; the macOS port also supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, OpenRouter, Gemini, MLX and Ollama
DataAPI keys and configuration stay on the device; the app does not retain writing or logs, and selected text goes only to the chosen cloud provider unless a local model is used
Limitations compared to QuillBotIt handles selected-text rewrites well, but lacks QuillBot's structured paraphrasing modes, synonym controls, citation generator, and integrated editor.
SetupYou must supply an API key or install a local model; macOS needs Accessibility permissions, while Linux installation and Wayland support remain rough
Facts verified 2026-08-14
System-wide selected-text commands, reusable experts, a scratchpad, and document context; bring the model and skip the subscription.
LicenseAGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your machine
InstallationDownload a desktop binary from GitHub Releases; macOS also supports `brew install --cask witsy`
ModelsOpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, xAI, Meta, Ollama, LM Studio, Mistral, DeepSeek, OpenRouter, Groq, Cerebras, Azure and OpenAI-compatible endpoints, plus optional image, video, speech, search and MCP providers
DataConversation history, experts, settings and document repositories live in the local application profile; local files are indexed locally, while prompts and retrieved context sent to a cloud model leave the machine
Limitations compared to QuillBotIt can run rewrite commands anywhere, but results depend on prompts and models rather than QuillBot's purpose-built paraphrase controls and writing-tool suite.
SetupIt is BYOK unless you install Ollama and a local model; system-wide commands also need OS accessibility permissions
Facts verified 2026-08-14
Proofread, rewrite, shorten, or change tone almost anywhere, assuming your Apple hardware made the guest list.
LicenseFree, closed source
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationBuilt into current macOS, iOS and iPadOS; enable Apple Intelligence and let the required models download
ModelsApple on-device foundation models and, for harder requests, Apple Private Cloud Compute; optional ChatGPT is used for Compose
DataEdits are applied to text in the host app rather than kept in a separate Writing Tools library; on-device requests stay local, Private Cloud Compute says request data is not stored, and optional ChatGPT receives the selected content
Limitations compared to QuillBotIt covers basic proofreading and rewriting, but lacks QuillBot's dedicated paraphrase modes, synonym controls, citation tools, and broad cross-platform availability.
SetupRequires Apple Intelligence-compatible Apple hardware, a supported language/region and several gigabytes of downloaded models
Facts verified 2026-08-14
Updated 2026-08-14 · no paid listings
| Tool | License | Setup | Platforms | Stars | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page Assist | MIT | One-click installation | android, browser-extension | 8,100 | 2026-08 |
| Writing Tools | GPL-3.0 | One-click installation | macos, windows | 2,400 | 2026-05 |
| Witsy | AGPL-3.0 | One-click installation | macos, windows, linux | 2,000 | 2026-04 |
| Apple Writing Tools | Free, closed source | One-click installation | macos, ios | — | — |
They pay because it is available where they write and has purpose-built controls. If those points do not matter to you, the options above could save $99.96 per year.
Is there a free alternative to QuillBot?
Yes: Page Assist, Writing Tools, Witsy. This page lists 4 free or open-source options. Check the limitations of each.
Should I build my own QuillBot?
Our verdict: Buildable. A paraphraser/summarizer/grammar wrapper over an LLM and LanguageTool is easy to build; the paid app wins on UX, extensions, plagiarism workflows, and bundled tools. The complete prompt is on the QuillBot page on Vibe Radar.
