Vale

Vale is an open-source command-line linter that checks prose against style-guide rules. It suits writers and teams who want editorial standards embedded in editors and code workflows. Its offline, configurable approach is compelling for consistent checks across varied content, but it is not a general-purpose writing assistant.

Overview

Vale runs as a single binary without an account, server, or model, so it can check writing offline and fit into workflows where text is maintained alongside software. Its strength is enforcing chosen rules, not offering an online assistant. Teams that want standards they can define and apply consistently are a natural fit; readers looking for help beyond rule-based checking should consider another kind of tool.

See our Writing Style Checkers list for more options.

Key features

Checks across formats and code

Vale handles Markdown, AsciiDoc, reStructuredText, MDX, MyST, Quarto, Typst, HTML, XML, DITA, Org, and QDoc. It can extract and check comments in 19 programming languages, including Go, Rust, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Java. Vale Views also let users select prose within OpenAPI, Jupyter notebooks, commit messages, transcripts, docstrings, JSON, YAML, and TOML. That reach is useful when editorial rules must cover more than standalone documents; tailoring checks to each workflow calls for configuration.

Rules and style packages

Users can write rules in YAML and choose which rules and styles apply to files. Ready-made packages include Google, Microsoft, Red Hat, readability, and Harper grammar styles. This gives teams a path to encode house guidance rather than settle for one fixed style, but the payoff depends on choosing and maintaining rules that match their needs. Custom style guides, terminology management, and brand voice rules are supported.

Editors and automation

Integrations include VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Neovim, Sublime Text, Zed, Emacs, JetBrains IDEs, Obsidian, Oxygen XML, Qt Creator, and Vim ALE. Vale can run in GitHub Actions, as a pre-commit hook, or through its language server in LSP-capable editors. The language server provides autocomplete, diagnostics, hover popups, and quick fixes, bringing checks into editing rather than reserving them for a later review.

One CI behavior matters: only error-level alerts produce a non-zero exit code. Warnings and suggestions pass, so teams that expect every flagged issue to block a build need to account for that distinction.

Mintlify and Promptless are hosted documentation platforms that run Vale. Project questions and support go through GitHub issues or Discord.

Pricing

Vale is freemium. The Vale plan is free and is MIT-licensed, open-source software. It is the clear fit for individuals and teams comfortable configuring and running the tool themselves. The paid offering starts at 19 /user/mo, making it a per-user cost for teams weighing paid access; custom pricing is available. The free plan's stated price and license make it a substantial starting point, while teams should compare the paid option against their needs for team workflows and support.

Platforms

Vale supports Linux, macOS, Windows, self-hosted use, and web. Its offline single-binary operation is a practical advantage for users who want checks without relying on an account or server.

Who it's for

Vale is best suited to documentation teams, developers, and writers who maintain style guidance and want it checked in editors or alongside code. Its coverage of markup, code comments, and structured content helps teams apply standards across different writing surfaces. It is less suited to someone seeking a broad online writing assistant rather than a configurable linter.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Offline operation without an account, server, or model; extensive markup, programming-comment, and structured-content coverage; customizable YAML rules and ready-made style packages; editor and CI integrations.
• Cons: Custom rules and file-specific configuration require editorial setup; warnings and suggestions do not fail CI; support is directed to GitHub issues or Discord.

Alternatives

Choose DeepL Write instead if you want a freemium writing tool on mobile, desktop, or as an extension; its Write Pro add-on is €6.99 a month, billed annually with VAT included, and is available with Individual or Team.

Trinka is another freemium alternative with web, desktop, extension, API, and self-hosted platforms. Consider Content Checker if a free app that works offline on mobile, macOS, or the web better suits your needs.

Sapling offers a freemium option with a free plan and trial, across API, extension, self-hosted, web, and Windows. textlint is a free, MIT-licensed alternative for users willing to work with Node.js 20+ and rules.

ProWritingAid has a free plan capped at 500 words per report run, two report runs per day, and daily limits on rephrases and sparks. Revise is a freemium option for web, API, and self-hosted use. StyleMCP may suit API-focused users: its free plan allows 5,000 requests per month and includes basic rule-based rewrites, a default SaaS pack, and community support.

Verdict

Vale is a strong choice for teams that want offline, configurable style enforcement woven into editors and code workflows, especially when prose lives in many file types. Its main reason to choose it is the combination of broad coverage and custom rules; its main reason to look elsewhere is that it is a linter to configure, not a general writing assistant.