Hemingway Editor
Elevates writing clarity and style with AI, offering instant enhancements and style matching.. [Freemium]
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What is Hemingway Editor?
Hemingway Editor is a web-based writing tool that makes your writing bold and clear by highlighting common writing errors and scoring readability. The free online editor identifies lengthy and complex sentences (yellow for moderately complex, red for very dense), adverbs and weakening phrases (blue), passive voice (green), and words with simpler alternatives (purple). It provides real-time feedback as you type, showing word count, reading time, and an overall readability grade level.
Hemingway Editor Plus is the paid version that adds AI-powered features including an advanced grammar checker that fixes errors beyond simple spellcheck, instant AI suggestions to simplify wordy sentences and passive voice, AI synonyms for finding better word choices, and tools to adjust tone (confident, friendly, casual, formal, persuasive), length (shorten or add detail), and formality. The Feedback tool analyzes your writing to identify what works well and suggests improvements. Users can export work as Word doc (.docx), Markdown (.md), or HTML.
The tool is designed for writers who want to improve clarity and readability, including bloggers, authors, students, technical writers, content creators, professionals, and anyone who writes regularly. It works in any web browser on any operating system, requires no download for the free version, and the desktop app is available for Mac and PC. The distraction-free Write mode lets you draft without highlights, while Edit mode shows all annotations.
The editor emphasizes that clear writing demonstrates mastery of information and makes prose easier for all readers to follow. It targets a default 9th-grade reading level (average for US adults) but allows users to adjust targets for accessible (lower grade), default, or technical/academic (higher grade) writing.
Hemingway Editor pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
The free version of Hemingway Editor is available online with no login required, offering readability scoring, color-coded highlighting of writing issues, word count, and reading time. Hemingway Editor Plus is a paid subscription with a 14-day free trial (up to 200 sentence corrections, no credit card required). Plans include: Individual 5K at $8.33/month ($100 billed annually) with 5,000 AI sentences per month; Individual 10K at $12.50/month ($150 billed annually) with 10,000 AI sentences per month; Team 10K at $12.50/user/month ($150 billed annually) with 10,000 AI sentences per user, admin roles, and single billing. All paid plans include unlimited grammar fixes, advanced grammar checker, AI sentence simplification, tone adjustment, AI synonyms, Feedback tool, and export options. Monthly option available at $25/month for Individual 5K. Invoice/wire transfer payment available via [email protected].
Hemingway Editor pros
- Free online version requires no login or download
- Real-time highlighting as you type
- Color-coded system for different error types
- Advanced grammar checker in paid version
- AI-powered sentence simplification
- 14-day free trial with 200 sentence corrections
- No credit card required for trial
- Adjustable readability target levels
- Export to Word, Markdown, and HTML
- Distraction-free writing mode
- AI synonyms with up to 8 alternatives
- Tone adjustment to 8 different styles
- Unlimited grammar fixes in paid plans
- Works on any operating system via browser
- Dropdown menu for formatting (bold, italic, headings, lists)
- Reading time estimate included
- Privacy-focused - data never sold or used for AI training
- Team plan with admin roles and single billing
- Invoice/wire transfer payment option available
- AI credits not used for qualifiers or simpler alternatives
Hemingway Editor cons
- No auto-save in web version
- No built-in spell checker in free version
- USA-centric grade level and readability scores
- Does not catch every run-on or confusing sentence
- AI sentence credits limited in paid plans
- Requires login for AI features
- Monthly plan costs more than annual ($25 vs $8.33/month)
- Some reviewers find it too simple
- May flag complex but well-written sentences
- No offline functionality for web version
- AI credits don't carry over month to month
- Limited to 5,000 or 10,000 AI sentences per month
- Cannot fix every highlighted issue automatically
- Learning curve for understanding all color highlights
- Team plan requires managing user licenses
Frequently asked questions about Hemingway Editor
What is the difference between Hemingway Editor and Hemingway Editor Plus?
The free Hemingway Editor highlights text issues and scores readability but cannot fix them. Hemingway Editor Plus is a paid subscription that adds AI-powered features to actually fix problems with a click, including an advanced grammar checker, instant AI suggestions to simplify wordy sentences and passive voice, tone adjustment, AI synonyms, and the Feedback tool. The free version scores readability and identifies issues; Plus fixes them using cloud-based AI.
How does the free trial work?
Hemingway Editor Plus offers a 14-day free trial with up to 200 sentence corrections and no credit card required. The trial ends automatically after 2 weeks without charging you. You only pay if you elect to sign up for a paid plan and enter payment information. You can access the trial by logging in or signing up on the website.
What are AI sentence credits?
Hemingway Editor Plus comes with an allotment of AI sentences each month (5,000 or 10,000 depending on plan). Each time you use AI to rewrite a sentence (simplify, polish, rephrase, adjust tone/length), you use one credit. Grammar fixes are unlimited and don't use credits. Qualifiers and words with simpler alternatives also don't charge credits. Credits reset monthly and don't carry over.
What readability level does Hemingway target by default?
By default, Hemingway Editor Plus targets a 9th-grade reading level, which is the average for adults in the United States. Users can adjust this to three options: Accessible (lower grade level for accessibility and young audiences), Default (most popular for most audiences), or Technical (higher grade level for academic and technical writing).
What does each highlight color mean?
Yellow highlights indicate moderately complex sentences that should be shortened or split. Red highlights show very dense, complicated sentences that readers will struggle to follow. Blue highlights adverbs and weakening phrases. Green highlights passive voice phrases. Purple highlights words that have simpler alternatives you could use instead.
Can I use Hemingway without an internet connection?
The free online version requires an internet connection to work. The desktop app for Mac and PC may offer offline functionality. To use AI features in Hemingway Editor Plus, you must be logged in with an active subscription or trial, which requires internet connectivity for the cloud-based AI.
How do I export my writing?
Hemingway can export your writing as a Word doc (.docx), Markdown (.md), or HTML. Click the File menu, select Export, then choose your desired file type. You can also always copy and paste your text into another program manually.
What file formats can I import?
You can paste text written in another program directly into the editor, or import a file. The editor accepts text input through pasting and file import functionality. Export formats include Word doc (.docx), Markdown (.md), and HTML.
Is my data private?
Yes. Hemingway states they will never sell your data, let others use it to train an AI, or use it for advertising. The service emphasizes privacy you can trust when using their AI features.
How do I cancel my trial or subscription?
No action is needed to cancel the trial - it ends automatically after 2 weeks without charging you. To cancel a paid subscription, you must elect not to renew. The annual plan renews each year unless you cancel. Monthly plans offer flexibility to cancel at the end of any month. Contact [email protected] for billing assistance.