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Quillbot review 2025: my honest review


As a senior copywriter who’s been working in the commercial content industry for 10 years, I always strive to deliver error-free, grammatically perfect copy. Given the fast-paced nature of my field, it's only natural that I resort to additional tools to help refine my craft. Over the past couple of years, however, I’ve come to realize that while there are many AI-powered writing and editing tools out there, not all of them are worth my attention or money.

That’s why I’ve decided to write an explicit QuillBot review. The platform claims to be one of the top AI tools for improving clarity and fixing grammar. To determine whether it’s not some made up claim or just another marketing ploy to attract customers, I’ve written this brutally honest review.

Here’s an at-a-glance table that packs key information that is important to know about Quillbot. In the table, I’ve included our overall rating, a brief description, and pricing plans currently available.

For the sake of this tell-all, I teamed up with the Cybernews research team and put QuillBot through months of real-world testing. We evaluated its features against key criteria and integrated it into our daily writing workflows. In this review, I break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether QuillBot lives up to the hype for writers, students, and professionals alike.

Without further ado, let’s dive into my explicit review of QuillBot.

Quick overview of Quillbot

Before we delve into the nitty gritty of QuillBot, I’ve prepared a quick summary of what you can expect from the AI-writing and editing tool. Take a closer look at QuillBot’s key features, pricing, and overall rating below.

Rating:
4.2
Key features:Paraphraser, grammar checker, AI detector, plagiarism checker, summarizer, translator, citation generator, QuillBot flow
Pricing:Free to $8.33/month billed annually; $13.31/month billed quarterly; $19.95/month billed monthly

Pros and cons of Quillbot

It’s safe to say that Quillbot is a practical AI tool, traditionally known by users for its paraphrasing and grammar checks.

However, as with any technology out there, you can pinpoint QuillBot’s key strengths and weaknesses. Upon spending a considerable amount of time with the tool, I’ve uncovered some insights.

To summarize, I can strongly state that Quillbot is an honest option for budget-conscious users. Compared to Grammarly’s tone-adjusting features or ChatGPT’s human-like intelligence, which are worthy Quillbot alternatives, the software focuses on simplicity and value. It’s not perfect, but for the price, it works.

What is Quillbot?

According to my research, QuillBot is a popular tool that can elevate your writing process. Over the years, it has introduced a wide range of features, transforming into an all-in-one solution for improving clarity, accuracy, and originality.

QuillBot relies on natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to analyze and refine text. In simpler terms, it helps you create original content, improve fluency, and avoid unintentional plagiarism by employing AI.

Since I work daily with editing and writing, I’m always curious to explore the features each platform offers. Over the years, I’ve seen industry-leading giants charge hefty subscription fees while offering only a handful of features that barely work.

Fortunately, that’s not the case with QuillBot. It includes integrated features like paraphrasing, grammar checking, AI detection, humanization tools, and more. As a copywriter, my heart warms at the idea of having everything in one place – making writing and editing easier than ever. From this perspective, QuillBot truly serves as a centralized, all-in-one platform.

quillbot main features
QuillBot’s main features

With all of the features QuillBot has to offer, it would appear to me that the platform caters to a broad audience – something I can personally attest to as a copywriter. Whether you're a student, content creator, or just looking to speed up your daily email writing, this tool can help refine your content, save time, and cut down on effort.

How does Quillbot work?

As previously mentioned, QuillBot runs on NLP. But to help you better understand how it actually works in practice, here’s a simplified breakdown of the process behind the QuillBot’s engine:

  • Text preprocessing. QuillBot cleans the input by removing punctuation, special characters, and common filler words to focus on meaningful content
  • Numerical conversion. QuillBot then converts the cleaned text into numerical representations, enabling the NLP model to interpret patterns, structure, and contextual relationships
  • Linguistic transformation. The tool then applies synonym replacement, sentence reordering, and subtle semantic shifts to create a rephrased version of your input
  • Output generation. Using a transformer-based language model – which is similar to GPT-4 – the QuillBot then generates a coherent and contextually relevant output
  • Post-processing. In the end, QuillBot run one final check to perfect grammar, refine fluency, and ensure the result aligns closely with the original meaning of your text

Key features of Quillbot

QuillBot offers a diverse set of tools designed to handle a wide range of writing and editing tasks – from paraphrasing and grammar correction to summarization and citation generation.

To give you a clearer understanding of how each feature performs, I break them down below and share my personal experience using them in real-world scenarios.

Paraphrasing tool

QuillBot launched with its paraphrasing tool as the core feature of the platform, so it’s no surprise that it remains one of its most widely used functions. The tool lets you rewrite text while preserving the original meaning, tone, and context. Using advanced AI, the paraphraser can restructure sentences, swap words with synonyms, and adapt content to suit different writing needs.

For instance, I find the variety of available modes especially useful depending on the context and itnent. Whether you’re writing a casual message or a formal business email, the tool offers flexibility with various modes.

quilbot's paraphrasing tool
QuillBot’s Paraphrasing Tool

As a copywriter, I frequently use QuillBot’s paraphraser to rework AI-generated drafts that often feel flat or unnatural. The most impressive addition to the paraphraser is the synonym slider – it allows you to control how much the output deviates from the original. Also, the clickable word suggestions help fine-tune phrasing.

That said, while I find the paraphraser particularly helpful for short-form and academic content, it doesn’t always bypass AI detection – even in Creative Mode. After all, AI rewriting AI doesn’t always produce human-like results. Still, its intuitive interface and quick performance make it a dependable tool for refining language and enhancing clarity.

Grammar checker

Having grammatically correct text is the cornerstone of any serious writing – and that’s where QuillBot’s great grammar checker comes into play by successfully scanning for spelling, grammatical, punctuation, and stylistic errors.

quillbot's grammar checker
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker

I liked how it ensured clarity and enhanced professionalism in my writing. The great thing about a Grammar Checker is that it is available in various English dialects (US, UK, CA, AU) and other languages: German, French, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. I find the grammar checker a handy tool for quick revisions when you want to polish your content without extensive proofreading.

Summarizer

Another great feature on QuillBot’s roster is the summarizer, which is especially useful when it comes to saving time when deadlines loom. The tool condenses lengthy content into digestible formats – whether I need a short paragraph or bullet points. It also consistently extracts key points with speed and accuracy.

quilbot's summarizer
QuillBot’s Summarizer

I’ve found QuillBot’s summarizer surprisingly useful, especially when dealing with long-form content like research papers, articles, or even dense PDFs. I tested it on a 1700-word article and it returned a 100-word summary that captured the main ideas well.

Whether I’m prepping a blog post, skimming research for an outline, or just need a quick overview of a lengthy source, the summarizer works efficiently and delivers clean, digestible output. It’s not perfect and can miss many important points, but for academic and professional tasks, it’s a handy feature I’ve come to rely on.

Plagiarism checker

QuillBot's Plagiarism Checker scans over 100 languages and helps detect potential plagiarism or improper citations. In the era of mass information online, the checker has become one of my go-to tools when finalizing any written piece, especially for blog content or academic drafts.

quillbot's plagiarism checker
QuillBot’s Plagiarism Checker

With the checker, you get a plagiarism score so that you can verify that the content is unique before publishing. From my experience, it’s straightforward to use – all you have to do is just paste your text and run the scan. Within a few moments, you get a clear report showing any matching content and its source.

I tested it by pasting in AI-generated content, and the scanner quickly flagged matches from existing sources online. I appreciate that it caught even subtle duplications, helping me ensure originality before publishing. While it doesn’t rewrite flagged content for you, it’s a reliable safety net for avoiding unintentional plagiarism.

Citation generator

QuillBot’s citation generator has been incredibly helpful, especially when I’m working on research-heavy content or academic-style articles. I just paste in a URL, book title, or journal name, and the tool instantly generates accurate citations in formats like APA, MLA, or Chicago.

quillbot's citation generator
QuillBot’s Citation Generator

What makes it even better is the option to include in-text citations alongside the full references – something I used to struggle with manually. It’s clean, fast, and saves me from bouncing between external citation tools. For students or professionals who need to cite sources regularly, this feature is a real time-saver and can permanently replace Google Scholar.

QuillBot Flow

QuillBot Flow is one of the most versatile additions to the platform – it’s like a centralized workspace for writing, editing, researching, and organizing content. I’ve used it to draft articles from scratch, generate outlines, paraphrase sections, and even research sources without switching tabs.

quillbot flow
Quillbot Flow

The ability to insert citations, check grammar, and run plagiarism scans all within the same editor makes the workflow smooth and efficient. While it’s not a full AI writer like some other tools, it’s excellent for hands-on writing where you want control with smart assistance. For structured, long-form writing, QuillBot Flow really ties everything together.

Additional features

Now that we’ve explored QuillBot’s core tools, let’s take a quick look at a few additional features that can further streamline your writing and editing workflow:

  • Synonym generator. I’ve found QuillBot’s synonym generator to be a subtle but powerful tool. While using the paraphraser, I can click on any highlighted word to see multiple synonym suggestions that fit the context. It’s especially useful when I want to fine-tune tone or vary word choice without altering meaning. This provides more control over phrasing and helps avoid repetition – a major plus for polishing copy.
  • Translator. The translator feature is straightforward but surprisingly effective. I’ve used it to convert content between English, Spanish, and a few other languages, and it handled the basics well. It’s not a substitute for a native speaker, but for quick, functional translations – especially when paired with the paraphraser – it gets the job done.
  • AI review. QuillBot’s AI Review offers quick feedback on clarity, completeness, and grammar. When I tested it on a blog draft, it flagged vague sentences and suggested ways to improve flow. It’s not as detailed as a human editor, but for a fast second opinion or polishing a rough draft, it’s genuinely helpful.

Quillbot pricing and plans

Let’s take a closer look at the Quillbot Free vs Premium pricing tiers. It’s worth noting that the longer your subscription is, the more you save. With its Free plan, you get the essentials like paraphrasing up to 125 words, fixing basic grammar errors, and generating up to 50 AI prompts daily.

If this isn’t enough, I highly recommend Premium since it unlocks unlimited paraphrasing, advanced grammar suggestions, plagiarism detection, and custom summaries. Here’s a clear breakdown of Quillbot’s pricing tiers.

PlanMonthly costBilled amountSavings
Free$0$0N/A
Monthly Premium$19.95/month$19.95/monthN/A
Quarterly Premium$13.315/month$39.95 every three monthsSave 33%
Annual Premium$8.33/month$99.95/yearSave 58%

The Premium plan also includes a 3-day money-back guarantee, so anyone can try it risk–free, and you can pause your subscription if you like, without losing any of your benefits. Quillbot discounts for teams of five or more members are also available. Overall, Quillbot is one of the more affordable writing tools.

Using Quillbot: my experience

QuillBot is relatively straightforward to use. Here is how to start working with this popular AI writing tool and my real-life experience from everyday workflow.

Using the free web extension

  1. I started by visiting the QuillBot website, where I was prompted to add the Chrome extension. I tested the process on a few different browsers, and QuillBot automatically detected each one. quillbot main page
  2. After being redirected to the Chrome Web Store, I easily installed the extension. I also had to create an account. quillbot extention
  3. When I tested it in a Google Docs file, QuillBot immediately caught all the typos. A convenient sidebar appeared on the right, displaying suggestions for grammar fixes and improvements. quillbot grammar fixes
  4. I also discovered that the extension allows you to select the language of the text – a useful feature for non-English writing or localization. quillbot language selection
  5. Additionally, the tool offers insights into your content, including audience type, text difficulty, and overall readability. This helped me better understand how my writing would be perceived and where it could be improved. quillbot insights
  6. You can also use the sidebar anywhere to paste in text and have it paraphrased. However, I found the process a bit clunky — since you have to manually input the text, it feels less seamless than it could be. I’d prefer the option to simply highlight text and have QuillBot paraphrase it instantly within the extension. quillbot paraphrase

How to get Quillbot Premium: step-by-step

  1. To get the QuillBot Premium subscription, I began by navigating to the QuillBot website. The homepage immediately presented the option to use the tool for free or upgrade to a Premium subscription. At the top of the page, I clicked on the Premium option, which redirected me to a dedicated pricing page showcasing the available subscription plans. quillbot premium
  2. The page displayed multiple payment options – monthly, quarterly, and annual. I went with the suggested annual plan, as it was marked as the best value and offered the most savings. quillbot plans
  3. Before finalizing the purchase, I was asked to create an account. QuillBot made this process easy by offering sign-in options through Google, Facebook, Apple, or a standard email address. quillbot create account
  4. Once signed up, I filled out my payment information and confirmed the subscription. The entire process was smooth and only took a few minutes to complete.

Who should use Quillbot?

If you’re struggling to make your writing clear or polished, this tool can help rectify that. Students, researchers, content creators, and professionals globally use it.

This is actually one of the best writing tools for student essays and assignments. Do you have a dense article to read? The Summarizer pulls out key points for quick understanding. Do you need to paraphrase without sounding robotic? The Paraphraser keeps your work original while improving clarity. It even has a Citation Generator to handle APA or MLA formats for you.

Researchers, this tool makes technical writing sharper. The Plagiarism Checker avoids accidental overlap, and the Grammar Checker improves readability. The Summarizer also pulls key insights from complex studies.

Quillbot for content creators can be used as a brainstorming partner. You can use it to rework awkward sentences, refine blog posts, or fine-tune captions. For example, adjust the Synonym Slider to nail the right tone.

Quillbot is also one of the top AI writing software for professionals. You can use the tool to clean up emails, reports, and proposals, fast. The tone features help you sound professional, confident, or approachable.

All in all, Quillbot is simple, fast, and works for wherever and whatever you write. Try it, and see how much time and effort it saves.

Quillbot alternatives

Though Quillbot is very popular worldwide, there’s always competition, and some contenders clearly challenge some of its strengths. For instance, Quillbot alternatives like Jasper AI, Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Ginger may be more relevant to the task at hand.

Grammarly is perhaps the most recognized name for grammar correction and paraphrasing, and that’s far from the only features it has. Over the years, Grammarly has added real-time grammar checks, tone adjustments, clear writing suggestions, and AI. It’s fantastic for general proofreading and is considered one of the best AI writing tools.

However, when looking at Quillbot vs Grammarly, the former is the better paraphraser and significantly cheaper at $4.17/month vs $12/month when billed annually.

Jasper AI is another top choice geared toward content creators and marketers. It really shines in generating SEO-friendly content like blog posts and ads, with 80+ templates for creative work. It's a specialist tool for marketers, and it’s also more expensive than Quillbot at $39/month.

ProWritingAid is a niche tool focused on authors and long-form writers. It includes features like terminology management, custom style guides, and comparing your writing to real writers. Priced at $10/month and $12/month for the Premium and Premium Pro plans, it’s around the same price as Grammarly.

Ginger is also an AI-powered writing assistance tool like Quillbot and Grammarly. It supports 40+ languages and integrates with Microsoft Office. However, Ginger lacks a plagiarism checker, style guides, and team features. This tool is almost just as affordable as Quillbot, unlike the others, at $4.99/month when billed yearly.

There are better tools than Quillbot for specific purposes like marketing and long-form writing. However, at a price of $4.17/month/, Quillbot’s surprisingly rich suite of features are great value, and its solid reputation is hard to beat.

Quillbot user reviews and feedback

I looked at QuillBot reviews to see other users' opinions and experiences, as they might have different issues and challenges with this tool. Many online commenters, especially students, view it as a helpful tool for improving writing. Features like the paraphrasing tool and Summarizer get a lot of praise for making academic work easier.

In fact, one Trustpilot reviewer said they strongly recommend it because of how much time it saved them. On G2, others noted how it simplifies tasks like rephrasing and generating citations.

With that said, there was negative user feedback on Quillbot, too. For instance, technical hiccups and customer service delays frustrate some users. More specifically, a common issue is the 5,000-character limit in the free version, which I think can deter writers from tackling large projects.

Some also feel the paraphrasing tool struggles with nuance, especially when handling complex ideas. For example, on Reddit, one person pointed out that it’s useful but still requires double-checking to avoid awkward phrasing. The Plagiarism Checker is another problem area as some people wish it didn’t require extra payment.

So, is Quillbot reliable? Many users agree that the tool is great for basic writing tasks or quick edits. It’s an affordable tool that is easy to use, and dependable when used thoughtfully. If you’re a student or someone working on shorter pieces, I think it’s a solid pick.

As one Youtuber noted, don’t rely on it alone for high-stakes writing tasks. When I consider everything that’s been said by real-world users and reviewers, my conclusion is to use the tool to guide and support, not replace, your writing efforts.

Final verdict: is Quillbot worth it?

To sum up my review of QuillBot, I think it’s is a handy tool, and I recommend it for anyone with a substantial workload. If you need help to make emails seem more professional, student essays more academic, or when you need a quick summary of lengthy PDF files, QuillBot is great at performing these tasks. Checking for grammar mistakes and its flagship feature of paraphrasing is available for $8.33 monthly.

Quilbot may lack some of the advanced features competitors like Grammarly and Jasper AI have, but its advantage is in ease of use, focused features and affordable pricing. I like its core functionalities, and QuillBot can be an exceptional asset in everyday workflow.

Its limitations, like the word cap in the free version and additional costs for plagiarism checks, might discourage some users, but its overall value is on the positive side of the scale.

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