A Grammarly alternative for Mac that you call with a shortcut
NativePen is a lighter Grammarly alternative for Mac. It stays out of the way until you select text and press a shortcut. Then it polishes, translates or drafts, and pastes the result back. Pricing is pay as you go with one-time credit packs.
Free 50 credits · No subscription required
Why people look for a Grammarly alternative
Grammarly is a widely used writing assistant. It checks English grammar, clarity and tone as you type, through a browser extension, a desktop app and integrations, and it is sold as a free plan plus paid subscriptions. Some people want something different: a tool that acts only when asked, translation in the same place, or a way to pay for what they use. If that sounds like you, here is what NativePen offers.
On demand
NativePen does nothing until you select text and press the shortcut. No underlines while you draft.
Every Mac app
One menu-bar app covers Mail, Slack, Notion, Chrome, VS Code, Pages and any app where you can select text.
Translate and draft
Translate into 30+ languages and draft replies from a short instruction, from the same menu as Polish.
Pay as you go
50 free credits on sign-up, then one-time packs from $4.90. Credits are valid for 30 days.
NativePen and Grammarly compared
A short, factual summary of how the two tools differ. Grammarly details are based on its public product information and may change, so check its website for current plans.
Pricing model
NativePen: one-time credit packs (300 credits for $4.90, up to 2,500 for $19.90), 50 free credits on sign-up, no subscription. Grammarly: a free plan plus recurring paid plans billed monthly or yearly.
When it runs
NativePen: only when you select text and press the shortcut. Grammarly: checks continuously and shows suggestions while you type.
App coverage
NativePen: any Mac app where you can select text, from one menu-bar app. Grammarly: browser extension, desktop app and integrations, so coverage depends on what you install.
Browser extension
NativePen: none needed. It works in Chrome and other browsers through the same shortcut. Grammarly: offers a browser extension for checking text on websites.
Privacy
NativePen: processes only the text you select and send, and does not store it by default. Grammarly: reads text in the fields where it is active so it can make suggestions. See each company's privacy policy for details.
Languages
NativePen: Translate covers 30+ languages, alongside Polish and Draft. Grammarly: focused on writing in English.
Which one fits you
Both tools are useful. The right choice depends on how you write.
Choose NativePen if
you want help only when you ask for it, you write or read in more than one language, or you prefer paying per use over a subscription.
Choose Grammarly if
you want suggestions on every sentence as you type, explanations for each correction, or team features such as shared style guides.
Use both
The two can run on the same Mac. Some writers keep a real-time checker for long documents and use NativePen for quick translation and drafting in chat and email.
Try NativePen in a few minutes
No browser extension and no plugins per app.
Create a free account
Sign in with Google, GitHub or email and get 50 free credits.
Install the Mac app
NativePen sits in your menu bar, ready when you press the shortcut.
Select text and press the shortcut
Choose Polish, Translate or Draft. The result is pasted back in place.
Frequently asked questions
Try a lighter Grammarly alternative
Create an account and get 50 free credits. No subscription required.