Paraphrasing is an important skill for any writer, whether you're writing a research paper, an article, or a blog post.
In short, it allows you to reword information in a new and original way, making your writing more engaging and accessible to your audience.
With the rise of state of the art AI technology, there are now many tools available to help you paraphrase text accurately at the push of a button.
But with so many options available, it may be difficult to know which tool is right for you.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of paraphrasing tools, including how they work, the ethics of using them, and the costs involved.
We’ll also take a look at some of the best paraphrasing tools available, both paid and free, and provide answers to some frequently asked questions about paraphrasing.
Whether you’re a professional writer or just looking to improve your writing process and skills, this article will provide you with valuable insights and information to help you make the most of your writing.
So, let's dive in and discover everything you need to know about paraphrasing tools.
Disclosure: Although I receive affiliate compensation at no additional cost to you to support this site that compensation in no way influences my recommendations, which are strictly informed by my 10+ years of online business experience consulting for clients large and small. My aim is to always recommend tools that offer the best return for your investment (for more details, read my Affiliate Disclosure).
Is It Okay to Use a Paraphrasing Tool?
The ethics of using paraphrasing tools can be a controversial topic. Some people believe that using these tools is a form of cheating, while others argue that paraphrasing is fair game, so it’s not.
Here’s my personal take.
While taking someone else’s content and running it through a paraphrasing tool may result in different text that’s perhaps not directly tied to verbatim copyright infringement, I think this is a lazy approach that doesn’t add any value.
But, if you're not a skilled writer or perhaps English is your second language, paraphrasing tools can work like magic, turning substandard text into well structured, grammatically correct, and readable content (always make sure it's your own and not someone else’s!)
Also, if you want to refresh old website content that was written long ago when you weren’t as skilled in writing as you’re now (and you’re in a hurry) you can also use these tools as a life hack that can save you lots of time.
Now, keep in mind that unless your paraphrasing tool makes use of AI writing algorithms like GPT3, there’s no guarantee that your work will be free of plagiarism, so make sure to always run your final output through a plagiarism tool like Copyscape or equivalent before republishing.
How Do Paraphrasing Tools Work?
Paraphrasing tools work by rewriting a piece of content with the help of synonyms and grammatical changes to produce new text that uses different words and phrases, while retaining its context and meaning.
The technology behind these tools falls into three main categories: programmatic, AI-powered, and a hybrid of both.
Programmatic paraphrasing tools have been around for many years and are based on the use of synonyms of words, grammatical changes and sentence restructure to spin your old content and give it a fresh coat of paint.
AI-powered paraphrasing tools, which are fairly new and constantly evolving, rely on machine learning techniques and natural language processing to generate original paraphrased content based on your old text.
While programmatic tools cannot be guaranteed to be plagiarism-free, all AI tools are plagiarism free by design.
Hybrid tools simply combine both technologies.
As to which type is better suited to your needs lies in the eye of the beholder — you just have to try different tools until you find one that gives you the results you’re looking for.
How Much Do Paraphrasing Tools Cost?
The cost of a paraphrasing tool depends on the features and capabilities it brings to the table.
For example, some tools offer advanced grammar checking or integration with other tools, like plagiarism checkers, which can increase the cost. Some other tools are free to use but super basic when it comes to functionality.
Paid paraphrasing tools can range between $10-$100 per month, depending on the features you need and the monthly volume of words you want to generate.
While free tools don’t charge you, they tend to place a limit on word count, feature availability, and speed of execution.
In general, free tools are a good fit for casual writers while paid ones are better suited for power users.
What Are the Best Paid Paraphrasing Tools?
There are many excellent paid paraphrasing tools available on the market, each with its own strengths and uniqueness. Some of the top tools include:
- QuillBot ($10-$29/month) [read review here]
- Duplichecker ($10/month)
- Chimp Rewriter ($15-$99/month)
- Spin Writer ($47-$77/month)
- PrePost SEO ($10-$45/month)
When choosing a paid tool, it’s important to consider the features that are most important to you, such as grammar accuracy, speed, multilingual capability, built-in plagiarism checker, etc.
What Are the Best Free Paraphrasing Tools?
If you are looking for a free paraphrasing tool, some of the best options include:
It's important to note that while these tools are free, they may not offer the same level of accuracy or features as paid tools.
If you decide to use a free paraphrasing tool for your writing project, make sure to check their output with a plagiarism checker before you publish your refreshed content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing is the act of rephrasing or rewording text to convey the same meaning in a new and original way.
This is often done to refresh old content, to simplify complex text, or to make the text more readable or accessible.
Can Paraphrasing Make Sentences Better?
Yes, paraphrasing can be used to improve the quality of writing by making the text more concise, clear, and engaging.
However, it’s important to ensure that the rephrased text retains the original meaning and is not changing the spirit of the content.
Can Paraphrasing Tools Be Used to Refresh Old Articles?
When it comes to blogging, having a stale-looking article can lead to a decline in readers and search engine rankings over time.
Fortunately, paraphrasing tools can help you refresh your old articles quickly by rephrasing text to improve sentence structure, poorly worded phrases and, if required, correct grammatical errors.
Having said that, it’s always important not to use paraphrasing tools as a crutch and to also update old articles with new or expanded information and insights to make them even more valuable to your audience.
In Summary
Paraphrasing tools can add a lot of value to your content operation and be definitely a powerful addition to your writer’s arsenal.
However, it’s important that you understand the ethics and considerations involved in using these tools and use your best judgment as you add them to your content creation workflow.
Whether you choose to use a paid or free paraphrasing tool, it’s crucial to always review and edit the final product before you publish it to ensure that it's original and error-free.
