QuillBot vs ShortlyAI
Comprehensive comparison for 2026 — features, pricing, and expert verdict
Overview
Choosing between QuillBot and ShortlyAI is a common dilemma for professionals looking for the right solution. Both platforms have carved out significant market positions, but they take notably different approaches to solving similar problems. In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze every aspect that matters — from features and pricing to user experience and support — so you can make an informed decision.
Ratings Comparison
Feature Comparison
| Feature | QuillBot | ShortlyAI |
|---|---|---|
| Long Form | No | Yes |
| Short Form | Yes | Yes |
| Seo Tools | No | No |
| Templates | No | No |
| Tone Control | Yes | No |
| Plagiarism Check | Yes | No |
| Multilingual | Yes | No |
| Api Access | No | No |
| Team Collaboration | No | No |
| Browser Extension | Yes | No |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Starting Price | Free | $79/mo |
| Founded | 2017 | 2020 |
Feature Analysis
Both QuillBot and ShortlyAI share a solid foundation of core features including Short Form. Where QuillBot pulls ahead is with exclusive access to Tone Control and Plagiarism Check and Multilingual and Browser Extension, which can be a deciding factor for teams that rely on these capabilities. On the other hand, ShortlyAI uniquely offers Long Form, giving it an edge for users who prioritize this area. Looking at user ratings, QuillBot holds an overall score of 7/10 and an ease of use score of 9/10, while ShortlyAI scores 5/10 overall and 9/10 for ease of use. These ratings reflect real user experiences and can indicate differences in usability, support quality, and overall satisfaction.
Pricing Breakdown
When it comes to pricing, QuillBot offers a more budget-friendly entry point at Free, compared to ShortlyAI's starting price of $79/mo. QuillBot has a notable advantage here with its free plan, allowing you to get started without any financial commitment. ShortlyAI does not currently offer a free tier, which means you will need to pay from day one.
Pros & Cons
QuillBot
- Best paraphrasing tool with multiple modes
- Integrated grammar checker and plagiarism detector
- Very affordable premium plan
Cons
- -Not a content generator, only rewrites existing text
- -Free plan limited to 125 words per paraphrase
- -Limited to English for most features
ShortlyAI
- Clean distraction-free interface
- Good at continuing your writing naturally
- Simple /write command makes it intuitive
Cons
- -Very expensive for limited features
- -No templates, SEO tools, or team features
- -Acquired by Jasper, future uncertain
Who Should Choose Which?
The ideal user for each platform differs considerably. QuillBot is best suited for paraphrasing, summarizing, academic writing, students, making it a strong choice if you fall into any of these categories. ShortlyAI, meanwhile, shines for blog posts, long form articles, stories, distraction free writing, which means it may be the better pick if your needs align with those use cases. Founded in 2017, QuillBot describes itself as "AI paraphrasing and summarization tool trusted by students." ShortlyAI, established in 2020, positions itself as "Distraction-free AI writing tool focused on long-form content." Both platforms have been in the market for a similar duration, giving each ample time to refine their offerings and build a loyal user base.
Our Verdict
After analyzing all the data, **QuillBot** comes out slightly ahead in this comparison, thanks to higher user ratings (7.0 vs 5.0), more features (5 vs 2), availability of a free plan. However, this does not mean ShortlyAI is a poor choice — far from it. ShortlyAI excels in its own right, particularly for blog posts and long form articles. Our recommendation: if you value best paraphrasing tool with multiple modes, go with QuillBot. If clean distraction-free interface matters more to you, ShortlyAI is the way to go. Either way, both are solid platforms that have earned their place in the market.