LanguageTool Extension No Longer Free — Here’s the Best Free Alternative
In March 2026, LanguageTool made its browser extension available only to Premium subscribers, displacing 6 million free users. If you relied on LanguageTool for grammar checking, paraphrasing, or translation in your browser, BeLikeNative is a free Chrome extension that does everything LanguageTool’s free tier did — and supports 80+ languages (compared to LanguageTool’s 30+).
9,000+ users · 4.6★ (294 reviews) · Featured by Google
What Happened to LanguageTool’s Free Extension?
LanguageTool announced on March 27, 2026 that its browser extension now requires a Premium subscription ($5-25/month). Free users were given a 14-day trial of Premium, after which the extension stops working. The company cited rising AI server costs and low free-to-paid conversion as reasons. While the LanguageTool website version remains free, the browser extension — the feature most users relied on for inline checking — is now paid-only. LanguageTool officially recommends QuillBot as a free alternative, but QuillBot only supports English and is owned by the same parent company (Learneo).
BeLikeNative vs LanguageTool — Feature Comparison
| Feature | LanguageTool (Now) | BeLikeNative | Grammarly | QuillBot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free browser extension | Removed | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Languages supported | 30+ | 80+ | English only | English only |
| Grammar checking | Premium only | Free | Free (basic) | No |
| Paraphrasing | Premium only | Free | No (free tier) | Free |
| Translation | Premium only | Free | No | No |
| Works on any website | Premium only | Free | Free | Free |
| Keyboard shortcut | No | Ctrl+Shift+K | No | No |
| Price (paid) | $5-25/month | $4-14/month | $12/month | $4/month |
| Same owner as LanguageTool? | N/A | No | No | Yes (Learneo) |
How to Switch from LanguageTool to BeLikeNative
- Click “Add to Chrome” below (takes 10 seconds, no account needed)
- Select any text on any website
- Press Ctrl+Shift+K to fix, rephrase, or translate instantly
That’s it. No signup, no credit card, no configuration.
Why Non-Native English Speakers Love BeLikeNative
- Built specifically for people who write English as a second language
- Understands common mistakes speakers of your native language make
- 69 prompt packs for different professions and writing situations
- 10 language-specific packs (Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, German, French, Polish)
- Works on Gmail, LinkedIn, Slack, Google Docs, and any other website
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BeLikeNative really free?
Yes. The free tier includes 25 corrections per day with no account required. Paid plans start at $4/month for unlimited access.
How many languages does BeLikeNative support?
80+ languages for translation and grammar assistance — more than double LanguageTool’s 30+.
Does BeLikeNative work like LanguageTool’s browser extension?
Yes. It works inline on any website. Select text, press a keyboard shortcut, and get instant corrections, paraphrasing, or translation without leaving the page.
Is BeLikeNative related to LanguageTool or QuillBot?
No. BeLikeNative is an independent product. It is not owned by Learneo (the parent company of both LanguageTool and QuillBot).
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Related reading: BeLikeNative vs LanguageTool 2026 comparison | Best free Grammarly alternative | Browse 69 Prompt Packs
