alex
alex: A focused open-source checker for finding unequal phrasing across content and code workflows. Ranked #17 of 29 in Writing Style Checkers by our editors (7.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams prioritizing inclusive language.
At a glance
- Editor score7.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams prioritizing inclusive language
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Flags gendered, polarizing, race-related, and religiously inconsiderate phrasing
- Checks plain text, Markdown, HTML, and MDX
- Connects with editors, GitHub Actions, and a JavaScript API
Where it doesn't
- Its focus is narrower than a broad style checker
- Rule configuration requires alexrc files or package.json
- The workflow is oriented toward warnings and suggested alternatives
Our verdict on alex
alex is an open-source writing linter for teams that want to identify potentially insensitive, unequal, or inconsiderate phrasing. It detects gendered, ableist, condescending, intolerant, race-related, religiously inconsiderate, polarizing, and profane language, then reports warnings and suggests alternative wording. The tool checks plain text, Markdown, HTML, and MDX, making it suitable for documentation, product content, and developer-facing text. Its free, open-source model also suits teams that want a specialized checker without a conventional commercial subscription structure.
Its strongest advantage is workflow flexibility. alex provides a command-line interface, JavaScript functions for text, Markdown, MDX, and HTML, and configuration through alexrc files or package.json. Rules can be allowed, denied, ignored, disabled, or enabled, giving teams control over how checks fit their editorial standards. Integrations include GitHub Actions, Vim, Sublime, VS Code, browser extensions, Slack, Contentful, Figma, Gulp, Ember, and Probot. That combination makes it practical for both editorial review and automated development workflows.
Choose alex when inclusive-language checks are the priority and your team values configurable rules, multiple content formats, and integration with existing editors or CI workflows. It is less suitable when you need a broad style checker covering general grammar, tone, readability, or comprehensive editorial guidance. The product’s narrow focus is its defining trade-off: it goes deep on unequal and inconsiderate phrasing rather than presenting itself as an all-purpose writing suite.
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alex pricing
alex fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Custom style guide | Not verified |
| Terminology management | Not verified |
| Brand voice rules | Not verified |
| Editor support | plain text, Markdown, HTML, MDX |
| Rule action | Warn |
| Team workflow | Not verified |
| API access | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 11 integrations: Sublime, Gulp, Slack, Ember, Probot, GitHub Actions … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | alexjs.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
alex integrations
alex lists 11 integrations on its own site.
- Sublime
- Gulp
- Slack
- Ember
- Probot
- GitHub Actions
- Vim
- Browser extension
- Contentful
- Figma
- VS Code
Alternatives to alex
- AcrolinxDeep enterprise style governance with broad editor support and sales-led pricing.9.4
- ValeA programmable prose linter with YAML rules, editor diagnostics, and CI workflows.9.2
- Congree Authoring ServerEnterprise authoring checks with terminology control, reusable approved text, and broad editor integrations.8.9
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Featured on iTechGuides
alex is listed in our Writing Style Checkers directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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