LanguageTool

Self-Hosted

Open-source grammar, spelling, and style checker alternative to Grammarly

Overview

LanguageTool is an open-source, multilingual grammar, spelling, and style checking tool supporting over 30 languages/dialects. It offers advanced grammar rules, style suggestions (passive voice, wordiness), and integrates with browsers, LibreOffice, VS Code, and more. Self-hostable via Docker, JAR files, or Kubernetes, it’s ideal for privacy-focused users. It also provides an API for embedding checking capabilities into custom apps, avoiding reliance on third-party SaaS tools like Grammarly.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  languagetool:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: languagetool
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Multilingual support (30+ languages/dialects)
Advanced grammar, spelling, and style suggestions
Self-hostable via Docker, JAR, or Kubernetes
API access for custom integrations

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is LanguageTool hard to install self-hosted?

No—Docker images simplify deployment with a single command. JAR files or Kubernetes are also options. Basic setup needs minimal technical skills, though custom configurations (like adding language models) may require more expertise.

? Is LanguageTool a good alternative to Grammarly?

Yes—for privacy-focused users. It covers core grammar/spelling checks but lacks Grammarly’s premium AI writing or plagiarism features. Its open-source nature and multilingual support make it a strong alternative for self-hosting needs.

? Is the self-hosted LanguageTool completely free?

Yes—the open-source core is 100% free to self-host and use. Premium features (like plagiarism checks) are only available in LanguageTool’s cloud subscription, not in the self-hosted build.

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Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Miscellaneous

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no data sent to third parties when self-hosted)
⊕ Free and open-source core functionality
⊕ Wide integration with browsers, text editors, and office tools
⊕ Supports rare languages not covered by proprietary tools

Cons

⊖ Requires server resources (especially for full multilingual support)
⊖ Premium features (plagiarism check) missing in open-source version
⊖ Custom deployment may need basic technical knowledge