Content Checker

Overview

Content Checker is a UK government-focused writing tool for people who need to follow GDS style and content design guidance. It suits content designers, publishers and others writing for government, especially those who want a free checker rather than a general-purpose writing assistant.

Its strongest case is the combination of style checks, GOV.UK guidance search and URL suggestions; it is less suited to writers seeking broad, cross-purpose editing support.

Key features

The website checks for words to avoid, capitalisation, spelling, formatting and inclusive language. That focus makes it useful for catching common style-guide departures, though the checks are framed around government content rather than every kind of prose.

The app checks text against more than 140 rules and includes a searchable GOV.UK A-to-Z style guide. Keeping the guide close to the checker should help writers resolve questions as they edit, not just flag issues. The website also suggests URL slugs from page titles according to GOV.UK URL standards and shows which changes each rule makes.

A setting adds HMRC-specific rules and style-guide entries, a practical distinction for writers working with that department. Content Checker is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by GDS, GOV.UK or HM Government.

The maker says app checks run on-device and content is not sent to a server. Website submissions are processed on a server and immediately discarded; the maker says they are not stored, logged or saved. It also says neither the website nor app collects, stores or transmits personal data, uses cookies or runs client-side tracking scripts. Those are meaningful privacy assurances, but the website and app have different processing arrangements.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and is described as a free app that works offline. There is no free trial because the product is free. That makes it an easy fit for individual writers who need its government-oriented checks without a paid commitment; there are no paid tiers or seat and usage limits to weigh among the stated plans.

Platforms

Content Checker supports Android, iOS, macOS and web. Editor support is listed for web, iOS and macOS, so Android users should not assume the same editor integration. The offline description of the free app may suit work away from a connection, while website checks require server processing.

Who it's for

Choose Content Checker if your writing needs to align with UK government style, you want a searchable GOV.UK reference, or you need URL slugs that follow GOV.UK conventions. HMRC writers have the additional option of department-specific rules. It is a narrower choice for people looking for general-purpose rewriting or guidance beyond that setting.

Pros and cons

• Pros: More than 140 app rules, a searchable GOV.UK style guide and checks for inclusive language address practical government-writing needs in one tool.
• Pros: URL suggestions show the rule-driven changes, making the proposed slug easier to assess.
• Pros: The free app works offline, and the maker says app text stays on-device.
• Cons: Website text is sent to a server for processing, even though the maker says it is immediately discarded.
• Cons: The focus on GDS and HMRC guidance limits its appeal for writers who need a broader style or editing tool.

Alternatives

Writing Style Checkers is the category list for comparing options.

DeepL Write is worth considering if you want a freemium writing assistant on platforms including Windows and browser extensions; its Write Pro add-on is €6.99 a month, billed annually with VAT included.

Trinka is another freemium option for readers considering a different writing tool.

Vale suits readers who want free, MIT-licensed open-source software, with Linux and self-hosted options as well as macOS, web and Windows.

Sapling is a freemium alternative with a free trial and a free tier that caps AI detector checks at 2,000 characters per check and five files per batch, alongside 20 snippets.

textlint is a free, MIT-licensed option for readers comfortable with software that requires Node.js 20 or later and rules that must be configured.

ProWritingAid has a free tier aimed at writers taking a first step, capped at 500 words per report run and two report runs per day, with daily limits on other listed tools.

StyleMCP may suit readers seeking API access: its free plan includes 5,000 requests a month and all API endpoints.

Revise is a freemium option with API, self-hosted and web platforms.

Verdict

Content Checker is a strong fit for UK government content designers and publishers who want GDS-focused checks, a searchable style guide and URL help without paying. Its focused rules and on-device app processing are the main reasons to choose it; look elsewhere if you need broader writing assistance or prefer not to submit website text for server processing.