Softwr

Developer Tools · head to head

ESLint vs Grammarly

ESLint logo

ESLint

Developer Tools

Find and fix problems in JavaScript code

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Grammarly logo

Grammarly

Documentation

Great writing, simplified

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ESLint slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome; Grammarly occasional false positives and grammatically incorrect suggestions that can introduce errors

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESLint and Grammarly actually diverge.

Attributes where ESLint and Grammarly differ
AttributeESLintGrammarly
PlatformsBrowser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environmentWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDocumentation
Founded20192009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ESLint

Nothing recorded that Grammarly does not also cover.

Only in Grammarly

  • Grammar checking
  • Spelling correction
  • Punctuation
  • Clarity suggestions
  • Engagement feedback
  • Delivery insights
  • Plagiarism checker
  • Citation generator

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ESLint

  • Statically analysing JavaScript and JSX to find problems before runtimenot Grammarly
  • Automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewritesnot Grammarly
  • Enforcing a consistent code style across a teamnot Grammarly
  • Running as a CI step to block non-conforming codenot Grammarly
  • Writing custom rules for project-specific conventionsnot Grammarly

Grammarly

  • Email writingnot ESLint
  • Document editingnot ESLint
  • Academic writingnot ESLint
  • Business communicationnot ESLint
  • Content creationnot ESLint

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ESLint

  • Slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome
  • Complexity in configuration from scratch, particularly for TypeScript support
  • Limited built-in TypeScript support, requiring separate parsers and coordination with new TypeScript features

Grammarly

  • Occasional false positives and grammatically incorrect suggestions that can introduce errors
  • Privacy concerns about sending text to Grammarly's servers for analysis
  • AI capabilities sometimes produce hallucinations and fabricated citations that appear grammatically correct

Pricing, plan by plan

ESLint

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ESLint review.

Grammarly

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic grammar and spelling checks
    • Tone visibility
    • 100 AI prompts per month
  • Pro$12/month
    • Sentence rewrites
    • Tone adjustment
    • Plagiarism and AI detection

Which should you pick?

Choose ESLint if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment.
ESLint review

Choose Grammarly if

  • You need grammar checking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want spelling correction.
Grammarly review

Questions people ask

Is ESLint or Grammarly better?
Neither clearly leads. ESLint starts at Free and Grammarly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESLint or Grammarly?
ESLint starts at Free and Grammarly at Free.
Does ESLint or Grammarly run on more platforms?
ESLint runs on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment. Grammarly runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use ESLint for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ESLint best used for?
ESLint is most often used for statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime, automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites, enforcing a consistent code style across a team, running as a ci step to block non-conforming code. Of those, statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime and automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites are not what Grammarly is typically brought in for.
What can ESLint do that Grammarly cannot?
Grammarly covers Grammar checking, Spelling correction, Punctuation, Clarity suggestions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ESLint: Does ESLint automatically fix code issues?

Many problems ESLint finds can be automatically fixed via the --fix flag. ESLint fixes are syntax-aware so you won't experience errors introduced by traditional find-and-replace algorithms.

Source
Grammarly: Does Grammarly have a free version?

Yes, Grammarly offers a free tier with basic spelling, grammar, and punctuation checks, tone visibility, and 100 AI prompts per month. The Pro plan ($12/month annual) adds sentence rewriting, plagiarism detection, and 2,000 AI prompts.

Source
ESLint: How much does ESLint cost?

ESLint is completely free and open-source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation. The project accepts voluntary donations from sponsors.

Source
Grammarly: What platforms does Grammarly work with?

Grammarly works across 1 million+ apps including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Slack, Gmail, and web browsers. It also integrates with productivity tools like Asana, Jira, Monday.com, Confluence, and HubSpot.

Source
ESLint: Can I write custom ESLint rules?

Yes. You can develop custom rules that work alongside built-in functionality through ESLint's plugin system, allowing complete customization for your project needs.

Source
Grammarly: Can I use Grammarly offline?

Grammarly requires an internet connection to function, though the browser extension works with some offline text areas. For offline use, the desktop app and browser extensions sync when reconnected.

Source
Grammarly: What is included in the Enterprise plan?

The Enterprise plan includes unlimited team members, dedicated support, custom roles and permissions, data loss prevention, bring-your-own-key encryption, and unlimited AI prompts. Pricing is custom and available by contacting sales.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on ESLint

More on Grammarly

Keep looking

Other head to heads