Grammarly’s AI Overhaul Sparks Backlash as Users Call New Update a Step Backward

Grammarly’s latest update, which leans heavily into generative AI, has sparked frustration among longtime users who feel it has strayed too far from its core strengths. Traditionally praised for spotless grammar and spelling corrections, Grammarly now layers an AI chat interface over basic functions—forcing users to ask for simple suggestions like synonyms or tone tweaks in a ChatGPT-style format instead of one-click tools. Many prefer the old, streamlined interface over navigating prompts and commands.

Several users on Reddit describe the update as an unnecessary “downgrade,” complaining that tasks that used to take a single click now require typing into the chat. One user summed it up bluntly: “If that’s the case, it’s better to have a ChatGPT subscription rather than a Grammarly subscription”. Other comments express anger over the disappearance or deep burying of familiar tools within the new AI layers. Discussions often suggest Grammarly prioritized flashy AI features over usability.

This overhaul doesn’t just affect premium users—complaints from free-tier users indicate that even basic grammar checking is now overshadowed by AI suggestions and upgrade prompts. Pop-up overlays tease pro features continuously, making the free version feel less helpful and more promo-driven. Trustpilot reviews echo this sentiment, with users reporting Grammarly has become “cumbersome and buggy” and that “the suggestion box always gets in my way,” likening it to a “computer virus”.

Industry reviewers, however, still acknowledge Grammarly’s AI-powered enhancements as effective for advanced writing improvement—vocabulary, tone, plagiarism detection—but often note that the tool isn’t flawless and may push irrelevant or clunky suggestions. As generative features proliferate, some see Grammarly becoming a different product entirely, trading clarity for complexity.

The backlash hasn’t gone unnoticed. Some subscribers report delaying renewals or switching to alternatives like ProWritingAid. One long-term user even says they’ll cancel unless a “classic experience” toggle is restored. Users are calling for sharper controls—options to opt out of AI chat, simplify the UI, or revert to the familiar interface.

This moment challenges Grammarly: can it blend powerful generative AI with intuitive design, or will it lose its core audience to competitors? Community demand is growing for a clear “classic” mode. How Grammarly responds will determine whether users stay loyal or look elsewhere.

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