The 6 best free AI writing tools (2026 review)

Searching for a genuinely "free" AI writing tool can be challenging, as many options come with restrictive usage limits or require an upgrade after a short trial.

This guide evaluates several AI writing tools with free plans, focusing on their features, limitations, and best use cases. The goal is to help users find a suitable tool for tasks like trying to launch a blog, polishing an important email, or overcoming writer's block.

What are the best free AI writing tools?

AI writing tools are pieces of software that use large language models (LLMs) to help with text-based tasks. They can function as assistants that can generate, edit, or improve writing. Their capabilities range from outlining an article to correcting grammar and punctuation.

They usually fall into two main categories, as this infographic illustrates:

• AI Text Generators: These tools create content from scratch. Users provide a prompt or a topic, and the tool can write a blog post, a social media update, or an email draft.

• AI Writing Assistants: These tools act more like a partner in the writing process. They focus on improving existing text by helping with grammar, clarity, and style, and rephrasing sentences to sound more natural.

The tools on this list were evaluated based on the quality of their output, user interface, and the practical applications of their free plans.

Quick comparison of the best free AI writing tools

To give you a quick snapshot, here’s how our top picks stack up against each other.

The 6 best free AI writing tools in 2026

Alright, let's get into the details of what makes each of these tools stand out. We’ll cover their strengths, weaknesses, and who they’re really built for, so you can find the perfect match.

1. eesel AI blog writer

The eesel AI blog writer is designed to generate complete, SEO-optimized blog posts from a single keyword. It produces a full article structure, including AI-generated images, relevant YouTube videos, and embedded Reddit quotes, aiming to reduce the manual editing and formatting process. According to eesel AI, this tool was used to grow its own blog traffic significantly. The tool is focused on streamlining the process from idea to published article.

• Pros: Its all-in-one approach can save time by automating many parts of the content creation process. It produces structured, human-like content designed for search engine ranking.

• Cons: It is very specialized for long-form blog content. For users who need to write a short tweet or a two-sentence ad, this may not be the most suitable tool.

• Pricing: You can generate a free blog post to evaluate the output. After that, paid plans are available, such as a package of credits for multiple blogs ($99 for 50 blogs).

2. ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a well-known AI writing tool due to its flexibility. Its conversational format makes it adaptable for many tasks. It can be used to brainstorm ideas, explain complex topics in simple terms, write code snippets, or create a first draft of an email.

The open-ended chat functionality was great and you can use it to brainstorm and re-write during the writing process.

Reddit

• Pros: Its main strength is its versatility. It can handle a wide range of requests and provide a solid starting point for many creative and technical tasks.

• Cons: The free version has usage limits, including a limited number of messages with its most advanced models. The output often serves as a first draft and typically requires editing, fact-checking, and formatting for professional use.

• Pricing: The core features are free, with usage caps. ChatGPT Plus and other paid plans offer higher limits, faster responses, and access to new features.

3. Grammarly

While many tools focus on generating new content, Grammarly is designed to help users improve their own writing. It's an AI assistant that checks for grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and clarity in real-time. Its newer generative AI features can also help rephrase sentences or compose quick replies, but its primary function is to polish user-written work.

Even paid users are limited to 1000 prompts/month which heavy users would run through quite fast.

Reddit

• Pros: A key benefit is its integration across various platforms, acting as a live proofreader and style coach to help improve writing confidence and quality.

• Cons: The free plan’s generative AI features are capped at 100 prompts per month. This is suitable for quick edits but not for generating full articles. It is designed to assist, not create from scratch.

• Pricing: The free plan is robust for basic corrections and includes 100 generative prompts. Pro plans start at $12 per member per month (billed annually) and unlock more advanced style suggestions and 2,000 AI prompts.

4. Rytr

Rytr is a popular option for those new to AI writers. It features a clean interface and over 40 different templates (or "Use Cases") for various content types, from blog intros and YouTube descriptions to ad copy. Users select a template, provide context, choose a tone, and generate text.

Where it falls short though is riffing off what you've already written and working in line with that style. This, along with the stilted sentences makes it less-than-ideal for creative writing.

Reddit

• Pros: Rytr’s main advantages are its simplicity and the wide variety of templates it offers. It is well-suited for generating short-form content without a steep learning curve.

• Cons: The free plan's monthly character limit can be restrictive for longer pieces of content. The output may sometimes require manual editing to add a more distinct voice or personality.

• Pricing: A free plan is available that provides a set number of characters to generate each month. Paid plans offer higher limits and more features.

5. Copy.ai

Copy.ai has evolved from a simple copy generator into a comprehensive AI platform for sales and marketing teams. It is now focused on go-to-market (GTM) workflows, helping teams automate tasks like researching leads, personalizing outreach, and creating campaign content.

• Pros: For marketing teams looking to integrate AI into their daily work, it is a powerful option. It is built for collaboration and increasing the efficiency of complex processes.

• Cons: Copy.ai no longer offers a free plan for new users. The 2,000-word free trial it was known for has been replaced by paid plans aimed at teams.

• Pricing: Paid plans start at $29/month for the "Chat" tier, which is designed for small teams and individuals.

6. ParagraphAI

ParagraphAI's most notable feature is its mobile integration. It offers a custom keyboard for both iOS and Android that allows users to generate replies to emails, texts, and social media comments with a single tap. It is designed for productivity while away from a computer.

• Pros: The mobile keyboard is a convenient feature for managing communications on the go without constantly switching between applications.

• Cons: The free plan is limited to just 5 uses per day, making it suitable for quick personal tasks rather than high-volume content creation for professional marketers or writers.

• Pricing: The free plan offers 5 daily uses. The Pro plan with unlimited use starts at $12.49/month (annual plan).

Getting the most out of free AI writing tools

Whatever tool you choose, it is helpful to treat it as an assistant, not an author.

Use AI for tasks like creating an outline, writing a first draft, or rephrasing a sentence. The final steps, such as fact-checking, adding unique perspectives, sharing personal stories, and ensuring the tone fits your brand, are what elevate the content. This human oversight is crucial for producing high-quality, valuable content rather than generic text.

Which free AI writing tool is right for you?

Ultimately, the "best" tool depends on the specific task.

For quick ideas and general-purpose help (within its usage limits), ChatGPT is a versatile option. For making your own writing sharper and more professional, Grammarly is a strong choice. And for a simple way to generate many different types of short-form copy, Rytr is a solid place to start.

For users whose primary goal is to create high-quality, SEO-optimized blog content with minimal manual rewriting and formatting, a specialized tool may be the most efficient option. The eesel AI blog writer is designed for this purpose, delivering a complete article with additional elements. Users can generate a free blog post to evaluate the output.

For a more comprehensive look at different free tools and what they offer, check out this video review.

This video from The Nerdy Novelist reviews nine of the best free AI writing tools for various tasks.