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Write It

Roundup

The best free AI writing tools

Free tiers range from genuinely useful to a demo with a paywall. Here is exactly what each one lets you do before it stops.

Write It teamUpdated 2 min read

There is a difference between "free tier" and "free". This list separates them.

Actually free, no catch

  • Zotero. Open source reference manager. Browser connector, PDF storage, annotations, thousands of citation styles. There is paid cloud storage above a threshold, but the software itself is free permanently.
  • Google Docs built-ins. Spelling and grammar checking, voice typing, an outline pane, and version history. Free with any Google account and better than most people realize.
  • Unpaywall. Finds legally free versions of paywalled academic articles. Free browser extension.

Free tiers worth using

  • Write It. 5,000 tokens at signup, plus one Write It Max run and a first Apollo conversation. The core auto typer with variable speed, natural mistakes, and pauses is on the free plan, as is Research Mode. Tokens are the meter — a long agent run costs more than a short rewrite.
  • QuillBot. The free paraphraser has a per-rewrite word limit and fewer modes, but it is genuinely usable. The grammar checker is free.
  • Grammarly. The free tier catches spelling, grammar, and basic punctuation. Clarity, tone, and the deeper style suggestions are paid.
  • ChatGPT. A free tier with usage limits and access to a smaller model than the paid plans.
  • Perplexity. Free searches per day with linked sources.

A workable all-free setup

  1. Research with Perplexity’s free searches

    Use it to orient yourself, then follow the links to the actual sources and read those.

  2. Capture sources with Zotero

    One click per source. Free, unlimited, and yours permanently.

  3. Draft in Google Docs with Write It’s free tier

    Use tokens on the parts that matter most — a stuck section, a paragraph that reads as machine-written — rather than generating everything.

  4. Proofread with the built-in checker and read aloud

    Reading your draft out loud catches more than any free checker does.

Start free, upgrade only if you need to

A Write It account gets 5,000 tokens, one Max run, and a first Apollo conversation. No card required.

Add Write It to ChromeSee plans

Frequently asked questions

Is there a completely free AI writing tool?
Zotero is free and open source with no paid gate on the core product, though it is a reference manager rather than a writing assistant. Most AI writing tools run metered free tiers because the models cost money to run.
What can I do on Write It’s free plan?
The core auto typer with variable speed, natural mistakes, and pauses, plus 5,000 tokens for AI features, one Write It Max run, and a first Apollo conversation. Research Mode is usable on free as well.
What are tokens?
Tokens are how AI usage is metered. Bigger jobs — a long agent run, a full research draft — cost more than a short rewrite. Plus and Premium refill monthly and unused tokens roll over.
How much does Write It cost?
Write It is free to start with 5,000 tokens at signup. Plus is $10 a month or $96 a year and includes 100,000 tokens a month. Premium is $15 a month or $144 a year and includes 200,000 tokens a month. Unused tokens roll over on both paid plans.

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