Content Checker review
A focused free checker for GOV.UK, GDS and public-sector writing standards.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Content Checker is a free writing checker for content designers, publishers and people writing for the UK government. It works on the web and across Apple and Android platforms, with the Apple app supporting offline checking. Users paste text into the checker to review it against GOV.UK and Government Digital Service style guidance, including terminology, spelling, capitalisation, contractions, Latin abbreviations, passive voice, inclusive language and formatting.
Its strongest feature is the concentration of public-sector rules in one place. Content Checker flags words to avoid, suggests plain-English alternatives, checks preferred terminology and provides a searchable GOV.UK A-to-Z style guide. Optional HMRC-specific rules extend the focus for relevant content teams, while the URL-slug suggester applies GOV.UK URL standards to page titles. This makes the product a practical fit for teams that need a defined government writing system rather than a general-purpose writing assistant.
The free pricing model keeps the tool accessible for individual writers and public-sector teams. Its narrow positioning is also its main limitation: the published feature set is centered on GOV.UK, GDS and related standards, and no integrations are listed. Choose Content Checker when adherence to these rules matters more than broad platform connectivity or multiple style systems. Writers seeking a wider editorial environment may need a different type of checker, while GOV.UK-focused teams can use its terminology, formatting, inclusive-language and URL guidance in one focused workflow.
Content Checker pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Checks terminology, plain English, inclusive language and formatting
- Includes GOV.UK A-to-Z guidance and optional HMRC-specific rules
- Offers URL-slug suggestions and offline checking in the Apple app
- Where it doesn't
- Its focus is limited to GOV.UK and GDS style guidance
- No integrations are listed
- Offline checking is available through the Apple app
Content Checker fact sheet, pricing and score →
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