2y ago

LanguageTool - a *foss Grammarly alternative (potentially not foss)

languagetool.org

LanguageTool - Online Grammar, Style & Spell Checker

*hearing in comments certains parts aren't foss

Selfhosted @lemmy.world

haruki @programming.dev

2y ago

Is self-hosting LanguageTool worth it?

languagetool.org

Open Source @lemmy.ml

MarcellusDrum @lemmy.ml

4y ago

LanguageTool is an open source alternative to Grammarly, can be self-hosted, and supports LibreOffice

languagetool.org

47 comments

I think it's better to link to their github since the website has references to a premium sister project that isn't FOSS: https://github.com/languagetool-org/languagetool
I haven't used this myself but I'm curious if anyone likes it
- I like it very much and thanks to the various extensions it's also trivial to use in Firefox and Libreoffice.
  
  It works on Firefox/Fennec/other forks on Android.
  
  At last the browser extension is closed source. I don't know the others
  https://beehaw.org/comment/893089
- I self host a server. It works on my laptop and android. I like it, but some of the suggestions are bad.
  Haven't used grammarly in years, so I can't compare.
Their extension isn't open source anymore, see here, so I don't recommend it personally, especially with how sensitive the data it collects is, its basically a keylogger, so trust is super important imo.
- If they don't trust you with the source, you can trust them with your data.
- Thanks for pointing out! This tool seems to look and work awesome, but non-foss browser extension is an instant 'NO'...
- Damn, I didn't know that. :/
- tell me anything that isn't
Texts are securely stored
Right, must be military grade encryption
Opinions vs deepl?
- I think this is only the case with the free version. Source: I worked with some big German companies which wanted to have an autotranslate function for their software. DeepL was the top choice, because the quality is very good and the data protection agreements for the paid service left no questions.
  
  EULA they collect all what you type there and use it for training their algorithm
  This isn't the case for some specific corporate contract for the pro version. But, it's not publicly available.
  
  Interesting thought about the visibility
- They have total different use cases. DeepL is a translator, language tool checks for style and grammar.
  I use both frequently and both do a very good job. I have a prime membership of language tool and I like it. Both are German companies and operate under GDPR.
  
  Deepl’s “write” tool (the one I linked) gives style suggestions
- It's not bad at all, and multilingual. I like it as I can write in multiple language making less mistakes.
- off topic: is deepl down or something ? thing doesn't respond :/
  edit: now works
Just wish there was a language tool keyboard for android
- You can use it in Firefox/Fennec/other forks on Android. It's better than nothing.
  
  I am but it would be nice to have it in other apps on my phone
Interestingly I knew about Languagetool long before I got to constantly see Grammarly ads. With the right tools it's useful for checking latex etc.
- Syntax?
I use this often when I'm writing articles, it's incredibly easy to use and I've yet to have any issues with it.
I use it on Waterfox, for what it's worth. Absolutely recommend.
- Why do you use waterfox?
  
  When I switched from FF to WF it was lighter on system resources, faster and cut out a lot of the telemetry included in FF.
  I've not used Firefox for well over a year now, so I can't speak to that still being the case, but those were the main draws for me.
It's working pretty well for me with integration into Firefox, (libre)office and you can decide if you want to run your own server locally, or rely on their server as a premium subscription.
I wonder how grammarly desktop is for privacy
- Their whole service is built to collect everything you type.
My foss alternative was an English class
- Not really. There's even English classes in remote Africa. It's FOSS because textbooks and dictionaries exist.
- you got free schooling? lucky bastard
  
  First time I've heard someone say they're jealous of an America's free schooling system lol. Even in deep Africa villages they have free schooling systems, so idk where you are where that doesn't exist.
- With happy ending?

47 comments