Works offline
Refine
Yes. Once an AI model is downloaded, Refine can check writing completely offline.
Grammarly
No. Grammarly describes itself as an online application that requires a stable internet connection.
Refine vs Grammarly
The private Grammarly alternative that works offline.
Refine gives you AI grammar checking, fluency improvements, explanations, translation, and custom writing prompts with local processing on your Mac.
v1.30
macOS 14+
Full-featured 7-day free trial
Quick comparison
| Feature | Refine with local model | Grammarly |
|---|---|---|
| Works offline | Yes Completely offline after the model is downloaded | Requires internet |
| Where text is checked | On your Mac Nothing is sent to external servers | Online Text is sent to Grammarly for suggestions |
| Uses your data for AI training | No With local models, writing stays on your Mac and is not used for AI training. | Depends on the account Training is on by default for individual accounts and multi-user Pro bought on Grammarly's website. It is off by default for Enterprise, Education, and plans bought through Sales. |
| Price | $29 one-device lifetime license Pay once. No monthly or yearly subscription. | Free plan; Pro $30 per member/month Also available as $60 per member/three months or $144 per member/year. |
Works offline
Refine with local model
Yes
Completely offline after the model is downloaded
Grammarly
Requires internet
Where text is checked
Refine with local model
On your Mac
Nothing is sent to external servers
Grammarly
Online
Text is sent to Grammarly for suggestions
Uses your data for AI training
Refine with local model
No
With local models, writing stays on your Mac and is not used for AI training.
Grammarly
Depends on the account
Training is on by default for individual accounts and multi-user Pro bought on Grammarly's website. It is off by default for Enterprise, Education, and plans bought through Sales.
Price
Refine with local model
$29 one-device lifetime license
Pay once. No monthly or yearly subscription.
Grammarly
Free plan; Pro $30 per member/month
Also available as $60 per member/three months or $144 per member/year.
Refine vs Grammarly feature comparison
Grammarly is a powerful cloud-based writing assistant. Refine is built for people who want AI writing help without sending their writing to the cloud.
Where your writing is processed
Refine
On your Mac, using AI models stored locally.
Grammarly
Online. Grammarly says its apps use secure cloud infrastructure to provide suggestions.
Privacy setup
Refine
Your documents and writing can stay on your Mac.
Grammarly
Privacy and security controls are available, but suggestions require online processing.
Writing stays off Refine servers
Refine
Because Refine checks text on your Mac, your checked writing is not uploaded.
Grammarly
Text is sent to Grammarly servers for suggestions. On Enterprise plans, Grammarly can sanitize certain data types before sending text if data loss prevention is enabled.
Online account required
Refine
Designed as a local Mac app with AI models stored on your Mac.
Grammarly
Built around an online Grammarly account.
Grammar checking
Refine
Available.
Grammarly
Available.
Explains corrections
Refine
Available.
Grammarly
Available.
Languages supported
Refine
50+ languages and regional variants.
Grammarly
Suggestions work in English plus 22 other languages. Paragraph rewrites are available in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Ukrainian.
Translation while writing
Refine
Available.
Grammarly
Available on paid plans when generative AI is enabled; team admins can control access on organization-managed plans.
Custom writing instructions
Refine
Available through custom prompts and instructions.
Grammarly
Available through style guides, snippets, brand tones, and team controls depending on plan.
Works across apps
Refine
Works across most Mac apps.
Grammarly
Works across desktop apps, websites, browser extensions, and mobile apps.
Platform support
Refine
macOS 14+.
Grammarly
Windows 10+, macOS 11+, iPhone, iPad, Android, and browser extensions.
Price
Refine
$29 one-time for a one-device lifetime license. $59 one-time covers 3 Macs. No monthly or yearly subscription.
Grammarly
Free plan available; Pro costs $30 per member/month.Also available as $60 per member/three months or $144 per member/year. Each annual renewal is about 5x Refine's one-device price.
Usage limits
Refine
No usage limits for local grammar checks.
Grammarly
Monthly AI prompt limits apply: 100 on Free, 2,000 per member on Pro, and unlimited per member on Enterprise.
Best for private writing
Refine
A strong fit for journals, drafts, client notes, confidential writing, and text you do not want uploaded.
Grammarly
A better fit when sending text online is acceptable and features across devices matter more.
Main focus
Refine
Private, offline AI grammar checking that keeps your writing on your Mac.
Grammarly
Cloud-based AI writing assistant for individuals, teams, and enterprises.
Runs on your Mac
Offline grammar checks
Download an AI model once, then check writing without a live connection.
Processing on your Mac
Local checks run on your Mac, which keeps private writing out of Refine servers.
Which writing assistant should you choose?
Choose Refine when privacy comes first
Refine is built for Mac users who want AI grammar checks, fluency improvements, explanations, translation, and custom prompts without sending local writing to Refine servers.
- You write confidential drafts, client notes, journals, or internal documents.
- You need writing help while traveling, offline, or away from stable internet.
- You prefer a one-time lifetime license, starting at $29, over another monthly subscription.
Choose Grammarly when team controls matter more
Grammarly is a mature cloud writing platform with broad device coverage and strong team admin controls.
- Your team needs single sign-on, data loss prevention, domain controls, and central administration.
- You want writing assistance across Windows, Mac, and mobile.
- Your workflow can send writing online for suggestions.
Refine vs Grammarly FAQ
Is Refine an offline Grammarly alternative?
Yes. Refine is designed as an offline AI grammar checker for Mac. Once an AI model is downloaded, Refine can check grammar, improve fluency, explain suggestions, and translate text without a live internet connection.
Does Refine process writing locally?
Yes. Refine processes writing on your Mac when you use local models. Your local checks are not sent to Refine servers.
Can Grammarly work offline?
Grammarly's support page says Grammarly is an online application and requires a stable internet connection to analyze text and provide suggestions.
Which app is better for private writing?
Refine is the better fit when you want writing help on your Mac without uploading text for grammar checking. Grammarly is stronger when you want writing features across many devices and team admin controls.
How do Refine and Grammarly compare on pricing?
Refine uses a one-time lifetime license for the Mac app: $29 for one Mac or $59 for 3 Macs. Grammarly has Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans. Grammarly Pro costs $30 per member/month, $60 per member/three months, or $144 per member/year by default in USD, while Enterprise is listed as Contact Sales. Regional prices may appear at checkout, and Grammarly says it does not offer lifetime or one-time plans.
When is Grammarly a better fit than Refine?
Grammarly is a better fit for teams and enterprises that need web and mobile coverage, single sign-on, data loss prevention, domain controls, and central administration.
Source notes
Grammarly details are based on public Grammarly support and plans pages reviewed May 8, 2026. Source links use the closest relevant Wayback Machine snapshots. Pricing and feature availability can vary by region, account type, and admin settings.
- Can I use Grammarly offline?
- How does Grammarly work?
- Does Grammarly support languages other than English?
- How much does Grammarly Pro cost?
- Grammarly prices and plans
- Grammarly product improvement and AI training settings
- Is Grammarly safe?
- Grammarly data loss prevention settings
- Introducing Grammarly's translation feature
Try private grammar checking on your Mac
Download Refine and use the full-featured trial before buying a lifetime license.
v1.30
macOS 14+
Full-featured 7-day free trial