Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Top 13 Free Essay Writing Tools
- Litero AI
- Grammarly
- Quillbot
- Smodin
- Jenni AI
- ChatGPT (Free)
- Hemingway App
- WriteSonic
- Wordtune
- Thesify
- INK Editor
- EssayGenius
- MyEssayWriter.ai
- Litero AI
- Key Takeaways: Why Litero Is the Best Choice for Educators
- Factors Educators Should Consider When Recommending AI Essay Writers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Introduction
In today’s classrooms, writing isn’t just about grammar drills and five-paragraph essays anymore. The landscape is changing—and fast. As educators, we’ve seen firsthand how AI tools are creeping into student workflows. But what if, instead of fearing this shift, we embraced it responsibly?
Used wisely, AI can support writing development by providing feedback, structuring assistance, and even citation support. The key lies in choosing the right tools—ones that align with learning goals, uphold academic integrity, and help students learn to write, not just write to finish.
That’s where this list comes in. Below, you’ll find 13 free online essay writer tools that can complement the writing process. And topping the list is one platform that’s earning praise in classrooms: Litero.
Top 13 Free Essay Writing Tools
1. Litero AI — The Most Academic-F riendly AI Assistant
If there’s one AI tool we’d recommend for classroom use, it’s Litero AI. Why? Because it wasn’t just built for writing—it was built for learning. Designed specifically for students and educators, Litero supports every stage of the academic writing process.
Litero features a tutor-like workspace that offers guided support while preserving student voice. Features like live feedback, memory-based suggestions, and structured citation formats make it an actual learning companion—one that encourages thinking, not shortcuts.
Best For:
High school and college students working on any type of writing tasks: essays, research papers, and reflective writing.
2. Grammarly – For Grammar and Style Enhancement
Grammarly is widely known for improving grammar, clarity, and tone. While it’s not a full essay writer, it’s an invaluable editing tool—perfect for the revision phase. Students can also learn a lot from the real-time grammar explanations it provides.
Best For:
Proofreading and polishing drafts.
3. Quillbot – Paraphrasing and Summarizing
Quillbot helps students rephrase complex sentences and summarize long passages. It’s especially useful when teaching paraphrasing techniques or preventing plagiarism. While it doesn’t help much with organization or structure, it’s great for vocabulary and rewriting.
Best For:
Practicing paraphrasing, summarization, and source integration.
4. Smodin – Quick Drafting for Short Assignments
Smodin is a simple tool that can generate essay drafts based on keywords or prompts. While the output needs refinement, it’s a helpful springboard for students who struggle to get started. Includes citation suggestions and plagiarism checking.
Best For:
Breaking writer’s block with early drafts.
5. Jenni AI – Step-by-Step Draft Assistance
Jenni works like a sentence-by-sentence coach, guiding the student as they write. Educators may appreciate its ability to keep the writer engaged while maintaining logical progression. However, its free version has limits on word count.
Best For:
Students who need structure and don’t know how to begin.
6. ChatGPT (Free) – Idea Generation and Brainstorming
Though not built for education, ChatGPT can help students brainstorm topics, clarify concepts, or generate outlines. Educators should emphasize that it’s best used alongside critical thinking, not instead of it.
Best For:
Topic exploration, outlining, and Q&A-style learning.
7. Hemingway App – Style and Readability
Hemingway doesn’t write for students but teaches them how to write more clearly. Its readability analysis and sentence simplification suggestions are great for ESL learners or students working on style.
Best For:
Improving clarity, sentence structure, and reading level.
8. WriteSonic – Essay Templates and Snippets
WriteSonic offers customizable templates for essays, intros, and outlines. The tone and quality may vary, so students should be guided in evaluating the output. Some educators use it to demonstrate what makes a strong vs. weak argument.
Best For:
Learning from examples and quick content scaffolding.
9. Wordtune – Rephrasing with Intent
Wordtune shines in helping students rewrite unclear passages or improve tone. It doesn’t generate essays but is a good revision partner, especially for developing a consistent academic voice.
Best For:
Refining sentence structure and tone.
10. Thesify – AI-Powered Citation Generator
Citing sources is still a hurdle for many students. Thesify integrates AI with citation support—giving real examples and formats for APA, MLA, and more. Not a full essay tool, but perfect for the final step in the writing process.
Best For:
Citation assistance and bibliographic accuracy.
11. INK Editor – SEO and Clarity Assistant
Originally designed for content marketers, INK’s clarity and structure tools can help students write more concisely. It works well for persuasive essays or op-eds, though some academic features are missing.
Best For:
Polishing persuasive writing and structure.
12. EssayGenius – Fast Essay Draft Generator
A simple generator where students plug in their topic and get an essay outline or first draft. While not academically robust, it’s an option for students struggling to begin.
Best For:
Starting drafts under tight time constraints.
13. MyEssayWriter.ai – GPT-Based Draft Helper
This free tool offers quick content generation based on prompts. The writing style can be generic, so it’s most useful when paired with editing and refinement lessons.
Best For:
Initial idea generation and testing arguments.
Key Takeaways: Why Litero Is the Best Choice for Educators
When evaluating AI tools in education, alignment with learning outcomes is non-negotiable. While many of the above tools can support writing in some form, Litero remains the only platform that fully centers academic integrity, instructional support, and student growth.
What makes Litero a clear winner?
- Built for students and educators — not for marketers or just for general writing purposes
- Helps structure thought — not generate paragraphs
- Includes feedback, keeps the user thinking, and citation tools
- Ethical design with learning-first features
- Encourages collaboration, reflection, and revision
In short, Litero isn’t just a tool—it’s a classroom companion. One that promotes real writing, real thinking, and real results.
Factors Educators Should Consider When Recommending AI Essay Writers
When deciding which tools to suggest (or allow), keep these questions in mind:
- Does the tool promote critical thinking and structure?
- Does it include or support citation formatting?
- Is the student voice preserved in the output?
- Does it support feedback, reflection, and revision?
- Is the tool compliant with your academic policies?
- Is there a transparent privacy policy?
Tools like Litero pass these tests, while some other popular writing tools may not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheating for students to use AI essay writers?
This is one of the most common concerns—and it deserves nuance. Using AI tools to generate entire essays without student involvement or understanding can indeed fall under academic dishonesty. However, not all AI use is cheating. Just like a spell-checker or citation generator, AI writing tools can serve a supportive role when used ethically.
If students are using AI to clarify structure, improve organization, or brainstorm ideas, they’re engaging in a process akin to guided drafting or peer review. These uses can be valuable, especially when AI serves as a thinking partner, not a ghostwriter. As educators, the key is to promote transparency and intention—encouraging students to reflect on how they use such tools and why.
Should I allow students to use AI tools in class?
Many educators now do—with structured guidance. Rather than ignoring AI or banning it outright, a more effective strategy is to integrate it as a scaffold for learning. Think of AI tools like writing tutors: if used under supervision and with purpose, they can enhance learning rather than replace it.
One approach is to have students disclose their use of AI: what tool they used, how they used it, and what they kept or revised. This encourages critical reflection and avoids overreliance. Another strategy is to introduce AI in low-stakes assignments where students can experiment without the pressure of grades. Over time, they develop better judgment on when and how to use AI tools responsibly.
Do any of these tools generate real citations?
Some do—but not all. Many AI models are known for creating what’s called “hallucinated sources”—references that sound plausible but don’t actually exist. This can severely undermine academic work and confuse students unfamiliar with proper research practices.
However, tools that are designed for academic integrity—like Litero —do offer legitimate citation support, often including APA, MLA, and Chicago formats. Still, it’s important to teach students to verify every citation and double-check AI-generated bibliographies against real databases.
A helpful strategy is to have students cross-reference AI suggestions with platforms like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or their library’s own resources. Even better: include a mini research component in assignments where students explain where their sources come from.
Can AI help ESL or struggling students?
Absolutely. For English language learners and students who struggle with writing anxiety, AI can be a powerful confidence booster. It provides real-time feedback, suggests sentence structures, and helps students see their own ideas take shape. For some, this can be the difference between staring at a blank page and producing a draft.
More importantly, AI tools offer non-judgmental, always-available assistance. A student hesitant to ask for help in class might feel more comfortable experimenting with an AI assistant. Educators have noted that, with guidance, these students begin to take more ownership of their writing and feel less intimidated by academic expectations.
Still, support should be contextualized. AI tools aren’t a replacement for good teaching. But they can certainly be part of a multi-layered support system, especially when used alongside writing workshops, peer review, and instructor feedback.
Is there a risk of overreliance on AI?
Yes—and this is where educator involvement is essential. Just as with any technology in education, balance and intention are key. Overreliance can lead to shallow thinking, lack of voice, and reduced confidence in a student’s own abilities. But complete restriction can limit students’ exposure to useful tools they’ll likely encounter in college or the workplace.
The best way to avoid overuse is to teach critical thinking about AI itself. How does it work? What are its limitations? What biases does it carry? Embedding these questions into class discussions helps demystify the tool and reinforces that AI is not a shortcut—but a tool for deeper engagement when used correctly.
Also, emphasize that AI doesn’t replace the need for discipline-specific writing conventions. A good lab report, literary analysis, or reflective essay still requires domain knowledge, interpretation, and original thought—things no AI can replicate.
What should I look for in an AI tool for academic use?
From an educator’s perspective, here are some key features to consider:
- Academic citation support: Does it offer APA, MLA, Chicago, and does it actually use real sources?
- Structure assistance: Can it help outline or build coherent argument flow?
- Voice preservation: Does the tool allow students to maintain their unique voice and tone?
- Privacy & transparency: Does the platform store student data or use it to train models?
- Feedback potential: Can educators see how a student used the tool or what changes were made?
Some platforms even allow for educator-level accounts, where teachers can monitor usage and provide feedback within the tool. This creates a collaborative learning environment and ensures alignment with learning goals.
Can these tools be integrated into assignments or curriculum?
Yes—and many educators are already experimenting with AI-informed pedagogy. For example:
- “Compare and critique” assignments: Ask students to generate a response with an AI tool, then revise it with their own knowledge, followed by a reflection.
- Transparency journals: Include a short statement in every writing assignment on whether (and how) AI was used.
- Workshop days: Use class time to explore different tools, teaching students to assess outputs critically.
These approaches treat AI as a writing partner, not an answer machine. They help students develop awareness, responsibility, and practical skills they’ll carry into higher education and the workplace.
Final Thoughts
AI essay tools are here to stay. As educators, our role isn’t to block them—it’s to shape how they’re used. With thoughtful guidance and the right tools, AI can become a support system for writing instruction, not a threat.
Among all platforms we’ve reviewed, Litero rises to the top—not for how fast it writes, but for how well it teaches writing. Its balance of support, ethics, and structure makes it the #1 choice for classroom integration.
So if you’re looking for a writing assistant to recommend, allow, or even build into your lessons—start with the one designed for learning. Get Started with Litero today.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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