Skrib vs Grammarly
Grammarly is a cloud writing assistant that corrects grammar, spelling, and tone in real time across the browser, desktop apps, and its own editor. It is polished and English-focused, and it does the fixing for you.
Skrib is a native macOS app built around a different goal: learning. Select text in any app, press a shortcut, and Skrib corrects it in a notch-style panel and explains the rule behind each mistake, in any language, running on a local model or your own AI key. This page compares the two honestly so you can pick the right tool.
| Skrib | Grammarly | |
|---|---|---|
| What it optimizes for | Teaching: it explains the rule behind each mistake | Fixing: it autocorrects and polishes as you type |
| Where it works | Any macOS app you can select text in | Browser extension, desktop apps, mobile keyboard, web editor |
| Languages | Any language you write in, auto-detected | English (US, UK, and other English variants) |
| Privacy | Local model keeps text on-device; keys in Keychain; no telemetry | Cloud service: text is sent to Grammarly servers |
| AI model | Local (Ollama) or your own Anthropic / OpenAI key | Grammarly cloud models, plus generative AI features |
| Pricing | $29 one-time, no subscription | Free tier; Premium subscription (around $12/mo billed yearly) |
Choose Skrib if
- You want to learn the language, not just accept a fix: you want the rule explained.
- You write in more than one language, or in a language other than English.
- You prefer a one-time purchase and privacy: a local model or your own key, with nothing sent to a vendor.
- You want it in every macOS app behind a single shortcut.
Choose Grammarly if
- You write mainly in English and want real-time inline suggestions as you type.
- You want tone, clarity, and full style rewriting across many platforms, including Windows and mobile.
- You are comfortable with a cloud service and a recurring subscription.
Skrib vs Grammarly: common questions
Is Skrib a good Grammarly alternative?
For learning, yes. Grammarly is built to fix your text as you type; Skrib is built to teach you the rule behind each mistake so you improve. If you want to understand your errors rather than paste a correction, Skrib is the better fit, on macOS, in any language.
Does Skrib work in languages other than English?
Yes. Skrib detects the language you wrote in and works the same across languages. Grammarly is English-focused, so multilingual writers get more from Skrib.
Is Skrib cheaper than Grammarly?
Skrib is a $29 one-time purchase. Grammarly Premium is a recurring subscription (around $12 per month billed yearly), so within the first year Skrib usually costs less, and you keep it after.
Does my text stay private with Skrib?
With a local model (Ollama) nothing leaves your Mac. With your own API key, only the reviewed text goes to the provider you chose, on your account. Grammarly processes your text on its own servers.
Learn from your own writing.
One-time purchase. Local model or your own key. Any language.
Get Skrib for macOS