I Evaluated 9 Best Free Plagiarism Checker Software for 2026

December 3, 2025

best plagiarism checker

As writers, we all want our work to stand out as genuinely our own. But with the internet saturated with information, the risk of unintentional plagiarism is more real than ever. I’ve been there; it’s not always easy to draw the line between healthy inspiration and crossing into someone else’s territory.

Manually checking for plagiarism can be exhausting, and it to also unreliable when it comes to detecting self-plagiarism or accidental overlaps. That’s where free plagiarism checker software steps in, helping you safeguard your originality and avoid reputation risks, academic consequences, or even legal trouble.

So skip the endless digging and second-guessing. Below, you’ll find the top 10 plagiarism checkers to help you protect your work and stay confidently original. Let’s dive in!

Comparison of the best free plagiarism checker software 

If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about the above list of free plagiarism checker software, this comparison table will help you with all the important aspects:

Best free plagiarism checker software G2 Rating Free plan Paid plan
Compilatio 4.5 /5 ⭐ Free trial available
Contact the sales team for pricing
Feedback Studio (Turnitin)
4.4 /5 ⭐ Free trial available
Contact the sales team for pricing
Grammarly 4.7 /5 ⭐ Free plan available
Starting at $12/month
GPTZero 4.3 /5 ⭐ Free version (AI detection only)
Starting at  $8.33/month
Noplag 4.2 /5 ⭐ Free trial available
Starting at
$72/year
Plagiarism Checker X
4.3 /5 ⭐ Free plan available
Starts at $39.95 (one-time)
PlagiarismCheck.org
4.8 /5 ⭐ Free trial available
Starts at $69
ProWritingAid 4.5 /5 ⭐ Free plan available
Starts at $10/month
WriterZen 4.7 /5 ⭐ 15-day free trial
Starts at $150 one-time

*All pricing details mentioned in the article are based on publicly available data at the time of publication and are subject to change.

9 best free plagiarism checker tools I recommend

The global demand for plagiarism detection keeps growing as businesses, educators, and creators rely more on accurate content verification to guide decisions. The market for plagiarism detection and content-integrity software was valued at about $1.16 billion in 2024 and is projected to nearly double by 2033. 

Whether it’s understanding customer sentiment, validating product ideas, or gathering employee feedback, these tools have become essential for teams across industries.

And from what I’ve seen, “best” doesn’t always mean “paid.” Some free survey platforms I’ve tried delivered impressive functionality — helping me collect cleaner data, analyze responses faster, and understand my audience without stretching my budget.

How did I find and evaluate these free plagiarism checker tools?

To build this list, I began with G2 data, shortlisting top-rated tools based on their G2 scores and consistent performance in the free plagiarism checker software category.

From there, I reviewed product specs and recent, verified user feedback to confirm that these products deliver real value and to understand where each one stands out.

The goal was simple: to see whether these tools are as good as they claim, what each one is best for, and whether there’s a free version or free trial you can try with minimal risk. And because this is a free-focused list, I paid extra attention to what you can actually do without paying — such as whether the free tier includes core features, how long the free trial lasts, and what limitations might prompt you to upgrade.

The screenshots featured in this article may be a mix of those taken from the vendor’s G2 page or from publicly available materials.

The product list below contains real user reviews from the best free plagiarism checker software category page. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free. To be included in this category, a solution must:

  • Allow users to upload text-based documents and/or monitor input text in real time
  • Highlight plagiarized content within a written body of work
  • Refer to one or more content repositories when searching for plagiarism

This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity. 

1. Compilatio: Best known for in-process evaluation

Compilatio is widely used by educational institutions to prevent and check for plagiarism. In addition to similarity checks, it evaluates students' adherence to writing and citation guidelines and provides tools for raising awareness and training regarding intellectual property. Moreover, Compilatio can be integrated with various LMS and offers an open and customizable API to simplify the plagiarism detection process.

Compilatio

Pros and cons of Compilatio: My take

Pros of Compilatio
Cons of Compilatio
Easy to use
Doesn’t show the exact plagiarized lines clearly
Good plagiarism detection
Can miss subtle plagiarism
Works well for institutions
Reports are less detailed than competitors '
What G2 users like about Compilatio:

“Compilatio's seamless integration with various educational platforms streamlines plagiarism detection and ensures a more efficient workflow for educators and students alike. Additionally, it's easy to use and implement in a few steps.

- Compilatio Review, Abhishek R.

What G2 users dislike about Compilatio:

“It sometimes produces false positives, flagging common phrases or properly cited content as plagiarism. The pricing may also be a bit high for smaller institutions or individual users.”

- Compilatio Review, Sobia K.

Interested to find out how Compilatio measures up against other solutions? Explore the top 10 alternatives to Compilatio.

2. Feedback Studio (Turnitin): Best known for web compare for originality

Feedback Studio (Turnitin) plagiarism detection software shines in academic institutions. It checks students' work for potential plagiarism and generates similarity reports. Educators have made it popular for its help in encouraging proper citation practices and maintaining academic integrity.

Feedback Studio (Turnitin)

Pros and cons of Feedback Studio: My take

Pros of Feedback Studio
Cons of Feedback Studio
Very large database
Weak against paraphrasing
Highly accurate for academic work
Not available for individuals
Trusted in universities
Can be slow with big files
What G2 users like about Feedback Studio:

It’s simple to use, flags any plagiarized text immediately, and generates reports up to 40 pages long while still detecting copyrighted material, including AI-generated content.”

- Feedback Studio (Turnitin) Review, Mohit G.

What G2 users dislike about Feedback Studio:

“Like most technologies, it's not going to catch everything. Plus, some flagged assignments might be legitimate student work, so double-check, especially if multiple students were allowed to work together to create a thesis or topic sentences.”

- Feedback Studio (Turnitin) Review, James T.

Can't decide between Feedback Studio and GPTZero? Check out our side-by-side comparison of Feedback Studio and GPTZero to discover which option fits you best.

3. Grammarly: Best known for real-time evaluation

Grammarly is a cloud-based writing assistant that checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, and plagiarism. It also offers suggestions for clarity and engagement. Grammarly easily integrates with various platforms, so you can polish your writing wherever you work.

According to G2 data, it is used by 53% of small businesses and 34% of mid-market businesses, which speaks to its ease of use and broad accessibility.

Grammarly

Pros and cons of Grammarly: My take

Pros of Grammarly
Cons of Grammarly
Easy to use
Weak plagiarism detection
Great grammar/style checker
Misses paraphrased matches
Works across devices
Basic plagiarism info only
What G2 users like about Grammarly:

I like Grammarly Business because it helps me improve my written communication in various ways, such as identifying and correcting grammar and spelling errors, detecting plagiarized content, and providing suggestions for improving tone and style. It's also user-friendly and integrates well with other commonly used tools, making it a convenient and effective writing assistant for teams and individuals.”

- Grammarly Review, Gokul V.

What G2 users dislike about Grammarly:

“The plagiarism checker tool needs to be more sensitive for us to rely on it as our sole tool.”

- Grammarly Review, Julia D.

Interested to find out how Grammarly measures up against other solutions? Check out the top 10 Grammarly alternatives.

4. GPTZero: Best known for human vs. AI detection

GPTZero is an AI detector that can classify text from models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Llama. It also provides plagiarism detection features, examining written text for plagiarism and presenting results as a percentage of similarity. Furthermore, it cites the sources from which the text may have been copied. 

GPTZero

Pros and cons of GPTZero: My take

Pros of GPTZero
Cons of GPTZero
Detects AI-generated text
False positives common
Gives detailed scoring
Struggles with paraphrasing
Good for educators
Non-native writing flagged
What G2 users like about GPTZero:

“GPTZero is really user-friendly. With a single click, I can tell if the text is AI-generated. Deep scanning and plagiarism detection are also quite important capabilities, but the writing analysis tool is my personal favorite. Additionally, if I ever have any issues or need help with my account, contacting customer support is quick and simple.

- GPTZero Review, Shahrukh S.

What G2 users dislike about GPTZero:

“Plagiarism detection is not available in the free version or essential version, but only available in the premium.”

- GPTZero Review, Verified User in Writing and Editing

Can't decide between GPTZero and Grammarly? Check out our side-by-side comparison of GPTZero and Grammarly to discover which option fits you best.

5. Noplag: Best known for citation assistance

Noplag is a versatile writing assistant with plagiarism detection at its core. It helps with essays, articles, dissertations, research papers, book reviews, and case studies. Access Noplag via web browser, mobile app, or desktop app. Its key features include customizable plagiarism detection settings, an online editor with integrated grammar and style checking, citation support, and template writing.

Noplag

Pros and cons of Noplag: My take

Pros of Noplag
Cons of Noplag
Fast checking
Smaller database
Simple interface Web-based only
Useful extra writing tools
Few independent reviews
What G2 users like about Noplag:

It’s very easy to use, and has an intuitive user interface and a great customer support team. It easily identifies plagiarism.”

- Noplag Review, Charles N.

What G2 users dislike about Noplag:

“Noplag is text-based and can’t detect plagiarism in non-text content.”

- Noplag Review, Sanjeev K.

Can't decide between Noplag and ProWritingAid? Check out our side-by-side comparison of Noplag and ProWritingAid to discover which option fits you.

6. Plagiarism Checker X: Best known for its online resources

Plagiarism Checker X is a plagiarism detection platform, popular among students, teachers, writers, and digital marketers. It offers several features, including multi-language support, side-by-side similarity check, readability check, comprehensive reports, and user privacy protection, which make it easy to identify plagiarized text and create better content.

Plagiarism checker x

Pros and cons of Plagiarism Checker X: My take

Pros of Plagiarism Checker X
Cons of Plagiarism Checker X
Affordable
Slower with long files
Multi-language support Not cloud-based
Detailed color-coded reports
Uses more system resources
What G2 users like about Plagiarism Checker X:

“Its user-friendly interface, combined with the detailed review of text, is something that really comes in handy when running a plagiarism check on lengthy pieces of text.”

- Plagiarism Checker X Review, Vineet S.

What G2 users dislike about Plagiarism Checker X:

“Sometimes the plagiarism percentage varies on each check.”

- Plagiarism Checker X Review, Sarwat F.

Thinking about Plagiarism Checker X and Copyleaks Plagiarism Checker? Check out our side-by-side comparison of Plagiarism Checker X and Copyleaks Plagiarism Checker to discover which option fits you.

7. PlagiarismCheck.org: Best known for academic plagiarism detection databases 

PlagiarismCheck.org is an essay checker that educators in K-12 and higher education use to detect plagiarism. It compares submitted text against a vast database of sources, such as academic papers, web pages, and publications. It also integrates with various educational tools and has options for customization to suit institutional requirements.

PlagiarismCheck.org

Pros and cons of PlagiarismCheck.org: My take

Pros of PlagiarismCheck.org
Cons of PlagiarismCheck.org
Detailed color-coded reports
Uses more system resources
Detects plagiarism + AI
AI detection imperfect
Good for academic + SEO use
May miss paraphrased text
What G2 users like about PlagiarismCheck.org:

Having a Google Chrome Extension saves time and allows me to check everything right in the browser window. Our content is protected from any kind of plagiarism and AI tricks.”

- PlagiarismCheck.org Review, Tanya P.

What G2 users dislike about PlagiarismCheck.org:

“Wish there was a mobile app because sometimes a crisis happens unexpectedly when you are not near the desktop.”

- PlagiarismCheck.org Review, Andrew S.

Thinking about PlagiarismCheck.org and Plagiarism Checker X? Check out our side-by-side comparison of PlagiarismCheck.org and Plagiarism Checker X to discover which option fits you.

8. ProWritingAid: Best known for plagiarism similarity reports

ProWritingAid comes with tools for grammar checking and plagiarism detection. It helps refine the voice and improve clarity by providing in-depth feedback on style, readability, and sentence structure.

ProWritingAid

Pros and cons of ProWritingAid: My take

Pros of ProWritingAid
Cons of ProWritingAid
Custom databases supported
Not 100% accurate
Strong grammar/style help
Weak plagiarism checker
Integrates with Word/Docs
Slow on long files
What G2 users like about ProWritingAid:

Of the many editing programs I've tried, I found PWA the easiest and most thorough. I send all my manuscripts through it and depend on PWA to catch my errors and omissions. It works fast, and it not only fixes my writing, but I also learn from their hints. I can't think of another editing aid as efficient and easy to use.”

- ProWritingAid Review, David S.

What G2 users dislike about ProWritingAid:

“Being an artificial intelligence, it can't replace the human eye entirely. Some of the suggestions or corrections are simply wrong, and the program won't always get the small nuances of what you've written. You still need your own judgment and knowledge for a good number of suggestions.”

- ProWritingAid Review, Elli C.

Can't decide between ProWritingAid and PlagiarismCheck.org? Check out our side-by-side comparison of ProWritingAid and PlagiarismCheck.org to discover which option fits you.

9. WriterZen: Best known for multilingual plagiarism check

WriterZen positions itself as a one-stop shop for SEO content creation, offering tools for topic discovery, plagiarism checking, keyword analysis, and writing assistance. 

According to G2 data, 93% of its users are small businesses, highlighting its ability to enhance online brand presence and streamline everything from research to execution and project management with ease.

WriterZen

Pros and cons of WriterZen: My take

Pros of WriterZen
Cons of WriterZen
Supports many file types
Limited free tools
Easy for SEO content Small database
Simple UI
Limited plagiarism depth
What G2 users like about WriterZen:

“WriterZen has been a great way for me to save time and still get the content I need. With their easy-to-understand features, I was able to find the keywords that I need to rank for in minutes. Plus, the plagiarism checker is a bonus! The UI is pretty, too. The direct data pulled from Google made it easier for me to visualize my ideas. Thank you for creating this wonderful tool!

- WriterZen Review, Sara V.

What G2 users dislike about WriterZen:

“Some users have expressed concerns about WriterZen's pricing structure, which may be prohibitive for smaller businesses or individuals. Additionally, some users have noted that WriterZen's integrations with other tools are somewhat limited, which may be a drawback for those who rely on a wide range of software solutions. Finally, there is a bit of a learning curve to fully utilize all of WriterZen's features, which may be challenging for some users.”

- WriterZen Review, Huy T.

Can't decide between WriterZen and Noplag? Check out our side-by-side comparison of WriterZen and Noplag to discover which option fits you.

Bonus plagiarism checkers

Marina and I also discovered some excellent tools during our research. 

Click to chat with G2's Monty-AI

Best free plagiarism checker software: Frequently asked questions

Q. Can free plagiarism checkers detect all types of plagiarism?

Free plagiarism checkers are good at spotting direct copying and text matches. However, they may not catch paraphrased or more subtle forms of plagiarism. Using a combination of tools, such as PlagiarismCheck.org for academic content and ProWritingAid for similarity reports, can increase accuracy.

Q. Are there limitations to free plagiarism software?

Yes, most free checkers have limitations. These may include daily or word count restrictions, limited access to detailed reports, and occasional ads. For example, WriterZen allows multilingual checks but restricts the number of pages in the free version.

Q. How accurate are free plagiarism checkers?

Accuracy varies depending on the tool. Feedback Studio (Turnitin) and PlagiarismCheck.org are highly reliable for academic and online content, while Grammarly and Noplag are best for quick or in-process checks. Combining tools can give a fuller picture of originality.

Q. How do I choose the right free plagiarism checker?

Consider what you need: real-time feedback, web comparison, academic checks, citation help, or multilingual support. Tools like Noplag help with citations, Plagiarism Checker X scans online resources, and WriterZen is suitable for multilingual content. Select a tool that aligns with your workflow and the type of content you work with.

Find the best plagiarism checker!

When choosing a plagiarism checker, accuracy, comprehensive database coverage, clear reporting, and insightful analysis are essential.

Beyond that, I suggest you look for features that make your workflow smoother, such as user-friendly design, batch processing, and seamless integration with your preferred writing tools.

I've created this roundup to help you find the right tool so you can write confidently and efficiently.

Ensure your content is both engaging and compliant with AI content detection tools.

This article was originally published in 2024. It has been updated with new information.


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