See the separate self-hosted LanguageTool comparison

Refine vs LanguageTool

The private LanguageTool alternative that works offline

Use Refine with a local model for offline grammar checks, fluency improvements, explanations, and translation on your Mac. Hosted providers connected with your API key process the selected task online.

Download for Mac

v1.39

macOS 14+

Free, no account

Quick comparison

Works offline

Refine with local model

Yes
Completely offline after the model is downloaded

LanguageTool

Partly
Desktop help describes offline checking; website, extension, integration, and API flows are hosted.

Where text is checked

Refine with local model

On your Mac
Nothing is sent to external servers

LanguageTool

Often online
Hosted checks use LanguageTool infrastructure; the desktop app is the documented offline-capable exception.

Languages supported

Refine with local model

36 languages
Includes regional variants

LanguageTool

30+

Price

Refine with local model

$38 one-device lifetime license
Pay once. No monthly or yearly subscription.

LanguageTool

Free plan; Premium $24.90/month
Also available as $49.90/three months, $69.90/year, or $119.80/two years.

Refine vs LanguageTool feature comparison

LanguageTool is a powerful cross-platform writing assistant. Refine is built for people who want AI writing help without sending their writing to the cloud.

Works offline

Refine

Yes. Once an AI model is downloaded, Refine can check writing completely offline.

LanguageTool

Partly. LanguageTool help says its desktop app can check without internet, while website, extension, integration, and API flows are hosted.

Where your writing is processed

Refine

On your Mac, using AI models stored locally.

LanguageTool

Often online. LanguageTool's hosted service uses cloud servers for text checking, with the desktop app documented as an offline-capable exception.

Privacy setup

Refine

Your documents and writing can stay on your Mac.

LanguageTool

LanguageTool says it does not store app and extension review content except in limited cases, but it can store input metadata, ignored text fragments, temporary checked records, and website or Editor content.

Writing stays off Refine servers

Refine

Because Refine checks text on your Mac, your checked writing is not uploaded.

LanguageTool

Standard LanguageTool checking can send text to LanguageTool servers. Its desktop offline path is a narrower case than the broader product workflow.

Online account required

Refine

Designed as a local Mac app with AI models stored on your Mac.

LanguageTool

Not required for every basic check, but Premium, team, and saved cross-device workflows are account-based.

Grammar checking

Refine

Available.

LanguageTool

Available.

Explains corrections

Refine

Available.

LanguageTool

Available.

Custom writing instructions

Refine

Available through custom prompts and instructions.

LanguageTool

Available through Premium Style Guide. Teams add shared style guide, team dictionary, and user management.

Works across apps

Refine

Works across most Mac apps.

LanguageTool

Available across Windows, Mac, iOS, and API workflows.

Platform support

Refine

macOS 14+.

LanguageTool

Windows, macOS, iOS, and API integrations.

Price

Refine

$38 one-time for a one-device lifetime license. $68 one-time covers 3 Macs. No monthly or yearly subscription.

LanguageTool

Free plan available; Premium costs $24.90/month.Also available as $49.90/three months, $69.90/year, or $119.80/two years.LanguageTool's checkout lists team plans at $69.90/user/year for up to 20 users, before quantity discounts.

Best for private writing

Refine

A strong fit for journals, drafts, client notes, confidential writing, and text you do not want uploaded.

LanguageTool

A better fit when server-backed checking is acceptable and Windows, Mac, iOS, API, or team features matter more.

Main focus

Refine

Private, offline AI grammar checking that keeps your writing on your Mac.

LanguageTool

Cross-platform grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style checking.

Runs on your Mac

Refine is designed for writing that should stay local: sensitive messages, client notes, private documents, research drafts, and everyday writing.

Your writing stays on your Mac

Local checks run on your Mac, which keeps private writing out of Refine servers.

Offline grammar checks

Download an AI model once, then check writing without a live connection.

Local AI with optional cloud keys

Use built-in local models by default, or connect your own OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google key when you explicitly want a cloud model.

Mac writing, not just one app

Across Mac apps

Refine works in the apps where Mac users already write, with automatic checking, manual shortcuts, and a Floating Editor fallback.

Custom prompts

Tune feedback for your own tone, style guide, domain vocabulary, or recurring error types without building a team workspace.

36 languages

Refine supports multilingual writing on Mac, including regional variants.

No token meter for local checks

Refine's local grammar and fluency checks do not add extra token fees to your one-time license.

Which writing assistant should you choose?

Choose Refine when privacy comes first

Refine with a local model suits Mac users who want writing help without uploading text during checks. Hosted providers process text remotely.

  • 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 $38, over another monthly subscription.

Choose LanguageTool when broad coverage matters more

LanguageTool is a mature cross-platform writing assistant with Windows, Mac, iOS, API, and team workflows.

  • You want a paid checker across Windows, Mac, and iOS.
  • You rely on API or team integrations.
  • Your workflow can use server-backed checking for standard LanguageTool flows.

Refine vs LanguageTool FAQ

Is Refine an offline LanguageTool 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 LanguageTool work offline?

Partly. LanguageTool has desktop-app help that describes checking without internet, but its website, extension, integration, and API workflows are hosted. Refine is built around offline local AI on Mac.

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. LanguageTool is stronger when you want Windows, Mac, iOS, API, or team workflows.

How do Refine and LanguageTool compare on pricing?

Refine uses a one-time lifetime license for the Mac app: $38 for one Mac or $68 for 3 Macs. LanguageTool offers a free tier and recurring Premium subscriptions listed in USD at $24.90/month, $49.90/three months, $69.90/year, or $119.80/two years. Its team checkout lists subscriptions at $69.90/user/year before quantity discounts. Regional checkout pricing and discounts may vary.

When is LanguageTool a better fit?

LanguageTool is a better fit when you need writing assistance across Windows, Mac, and iOS, or when API and team workflows matter more than local offline AI on Mac.

Source notes

LanguageTool details are based on public LanguageTool pricing, privacy, and help pages reviewed May 9, 2026. LanguageTool USD prices are based on its public Premium checkout pricing for US customers; checkout pricing, discounts, and feature availability can vary by region, plan, and account type.

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Try private grammar checking on your Mac

Download Refine and try it free in the apps you already use. Upgrade to a lifetime license whenever you're ready.

Download for Mac

v1.39

macOS 14+

Free, no account