Hemingway App Review 2026 - Features, Pricing & Deals

Last Updated
•
Feb 14, 2026

The Hemingway Editor analyzes your writing and highlights areas that need improvement, much like having a skilled editor review your work.

Named after Ernest Hemingway's direct writing style, this tool spots complex sentences, unnecessary adverbs, and passive voice. It assigns a readability grade to your text and uses color-coding to point out specific issues. Yellow marks show lengthy sentences, while red highlights very complex ones that might confuse readers. Blue highlights adverbs, and green shows passive voice.

You can use the editor online for free or buy the desktop app for $19.99. The desktop version works offline and lets you export to PDF, Word, HTML, and Markdown formats, plus publish directly to platforms like WordPress and Medium. Both versions offer a clean interface with two modes: Write for distraction-free drafting, and Edit for detailed analysis. The paid version also includes AI features like text polishing, tone adjustment, and shortening through OpenAI integration.

It won't replace a human editor, but it's a useful first step in the editing process.

Who is Hemingway App for?

The Hemingway App helps writers who want to cut wordiness and make their text easier to understand.

  • Content creators who need to maintain consistent readability across multiple platforms
  • Students writing papers who want to simplify complex ideas
  • Business professionals who need emails, reports, and presentations that get to the point quickly
  • Bloggers and journalists aiming for a specific reading level
  • Non-native English speakers looking to spot and fix common writing issues
  • Marketing teams who need copy that connects with customers immediately
  • Anyone who writes for general audiences and wants to avoid confusing sentences

From marketing agencies and newsrooms to educational institutions and corporate communications departments, this tool serves as a first-pass editor before human review.

Online Reviews (Last 6 Months Summarised)

Users like how quickly it catches adverbs, passive voice, and overly complex sentences. The interface is straightforward, and bloggers and students appreciate how it simplifies writing and improves readability scores. Many say the free version is sufficient for basic needs. It's particularly effective for short-form content where clarity matters most.

It lacks advanced grammar checking like Grammarly offers. The readability score can be overly strict or inaccurate for certain writing styles. There's no mobile app. The tool locks you into Hemingway's specific writing style without customization options. Some find ads in the free version intrusive. It's not ideal for academic or technical writing where complexity is sometimes necessary. Users recommend treating it as one tool in your editing process rather than relying on it exclusively.

Features

  • Readability Grade Analyzer: Shows a readability score from 1st to 12th grade, so writers know how accessible their text is to different audiences.
  • Color-Coded Editing: Visual highlights that instantly show complex sentences (yellow and red), passive voice (green), and adverbs (blue) for quick identification of writing issues.
  • Real-Time Writing Feedback: Instant suggestions to improve sentence structure, eliminate unnecessary words, and improve clarity.
  • Distraction-Free Writing Modes: Switch between write and edit modes to focus on content creation or detailed editing without interruptions.
  • Writing Metrics: Displays word count, estimated reading time, and readability insights.
  • Export and Publishing Options: Desktop version allows export to PDF, Word, HTML, and Markdown, plus one-click publishing to Medium and WordPress.
  • AI Writing Features: Paid plans include AI-powered text polishing, tone adjustment, and shortening capabilities through OpenAI integration.

Pricing

  • Free online version provides basic copyediting capabilities directly in web browser without requiring an account or payment.
  • Desktop app available for a one-time payment of $19.99, compatible with Mac and Windows, offering offline use, spell checker, formatting tools, import/export capabilities, and direct publishing to WordPress and Medium.
  • Individual 5K Plan at $8.33/month ($100 billed annually) includes 5,000 AI sentences per month with unlimited basic features.
  • Individual 10K Plan at $12.50/month ($150 billed annually) includes 10,000 AI sentences per month with unlimited basic features.
  • Team 10K Plan at $12.50/user/month ($150 per user billed annually) includes 10,000 AI sentences per user per month with team management features.
  • 14-day free trial available for Hemingway Editor Plus plans with up to 200 sentence corrections, no credit card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Hemingway Editor compare to Grammarly or ProWritingAid?

The Hemingway Editor focuses specifically on making your writing clear by highlighting complex sentences, passive voice, and suggesting simpler alternatives. Unlike Grammarly, which offers in-depth grammar checking and plagiarism detection, Hemingway aims to improve readability rather than fix every grammatical error. ProWritingAid provides more detailed stylistic analysis with over 20 reports, while Hemingway keeps it simple with color-coded feedback. If you want grammar checking, pick Grammarly; for readability improvements, Hemingway; and for in-depth style analysis, ProWritingAid.

Can I use the Hemingway Editor offline?

Yes, but only if you purchase the desktop app version for $19.99. The desktop app works on both Mac and Windows computers without needing an internet connection. The free online version requires internet access. The desktop version also lets you save your work directly to your computer and export to PDF, Word, HTML, and Markdown formats, plus publish straight to WordPress or Medium.

Will the Hemingway Editor change my writing style too much?

The Hemingway Editor suggests changes but doesn't force you to accept them. Some writers worry it makes writing too plain or strips away their voice. Remember that it's just a tool—you can ignore suggestions that don't fit your style. The app works best for business, marketing, or informational content where clarity matters most. For creative writing or academic work, you might want to use it more selectively. The goal is to make your writing clearer, not to completely change your voice.

What are the AI features in the paid plans?

The paid subscription plans (starting at $8.33/month) include AI-powered features through OpenAI integration. You get text polishing to refine your writing, tone adjustment to match your intended voice, and shortening capabilities to make text more concise. The Individual 5K Plan gives you 5,000 AI sentences per month, while the 10K plans offer 10,000 AI sentences monthly. The desktop app doesn't include these AI features—you need a subscription plan for them.

What reading level should I aim for with the Hemingway Editor?

Most professional content aims for a grade level between 6 and 8, which works well for general audiences. The lower the grade level, the more readable your content will be for most people. However, the right level depends on your audience. Technical or academic writing might naturally score higher. News outlets like The New York Times typically aim for around grade 8, while content for broader audiences might target grade 6. Don't obsess over hitting a specific number—use the grade level as a guideline rather than a strict rule.

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