# Language Tool

## Kurzbeschreibung
**“Your writing assistant”**


**LanguageTool** is primarily an AI editing tool: it improves existing texts with suggestions for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, tone, and in some cases rephrasing, rather than primarily generating new content like a classic GenAI writer. It is available via web editor, browser, Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, mail integrations, as well as on Windows/macOS/iOS, and supports more than 30 languages. For developers, there is also an HTTP API and an open-source core technology for self-hosting.

## Claim
More than a Grammar Checker - Your writing assistant

## Geeignet für
- API Integration
- Writing & Editing
- Language Learning
- Texts / Content
- Translations

## Kernfunktionen
- Paraphrase
- Spell check
- Text generation

## Preismodell
- **free:** Free basic version for spelling, grammar, and style checking; some free services are also accessible without an account.
- **subscription:** **Premium / Individual **Advanced checks, longer texts, style and tone suggestions, as well as additional writing features compared to Free.


**Teams** All Premium features plus user management, Team Style Guide, Team Dictionary, and higher text lengths for teams.
- **other:** Business DPA available; core functionality open source, own server possible locally or in the cloud; public HTTP API or developer options available.

## DSGVO und Datenschutz
**Gesamteinschätzung:** Yes

**On-prem / local hosting: covered**

Covered because the website explicitly describes an on-premises/self-hosting option for the core technology. The development page states that anyone can run their own LanguageTool server locally or in the cloud; company documentation also mentions an on-premises version.

**Private Cloud / Data Center: Partially**

Partially, because EU/German infrastructure and multiple hosting providers are mentioned, but there is no clear description on the website of a dedicated private cloud or isolated customer environment as a standard offering. Controlled operation can be inferred through self-hosting in one’s own cloud.

**EU SaaS / Managed: Partially**

Partially, because the website mentions EU-relevant hosting locations such as Germany and Ireland, and one PDF even claims that servers are located exclusively in Germany. At the same time, the privacy policy for service use also mentions the U.S., so a purely EU/EEA data residency for the SaaS variant is not consistently documented.

**Hybrid: Partially**

Partially, because according to the integration document, the widget works with both the cloud and on-premises solutions. This demonstrates technical compatibility, but an explicitly described hybrid operating model with a clear division of processing is not detailed on the website.

**DPA: Covered**

Covered, because a public DPA/AVV is available and it explicitly states that it meets the mandatory requirements for designating a data processor under Article 28 of the GDPR.

**No training: covered**

Covered because the privacy policy explicitly states that LanguageTool does not use user input to train its language algorithms or models, and that this is a default setting requiring no opt-out.

**Open Source / Transparency Path: Covered**

Covered, because the core functionality is described as open source, and the website explicitly allows users to run their own servers locally or in the cloud. This establishes a clear path to transparency and control.

**Data Processing**

The website presents a mixed picture regarding data processing: There are documented EU-based or German hosting options and a clear self-hosting path, but for standard use, recipients and processing locations in the U.S. are also listed. The DPA lists subprocessors with specific functions, including Telekom Germany, Hetzner, AWS Germany, Google Cloud Platform in Dublin, Cloudflare, as well as OpenAI and Aleph Alpha for rewriting tasks. For transfers outside the EU/EEA, the DPA refers to appropriate transfer mechanisms such as the Data Privacy Framework and Standard Contractual Clauses.

**Conclusion**

For users in Europe, LanguageTool is generally best evaluated through the on-premises/self-hosting option: This is clearly documented on the website and enables significantly more controllable GDPR-compliant use within EU/EEA infrastructure. The standard SaaS offering is better documented in terms of data protection than many other tools, but due to the explicitly stated connections to the U.S. and the lack of a clear guarantee that data will be stored in the EU as standard, it is not as secure as the self-hosted version.

**Sources**

- [https://languagetool.org/de/legal/dpa](https://languagetool.org/de/legal/dpa)
- [https://languagetool.org/ru/legal/privacy](https://languagetool.org/ru/legal/privacy)
- [https://languagetool.org/about/](https://languagetool.org/about/)
- [https://languagetool.org/dev](https://languagetool.org/dev)
- [https://languagetool.org/pdf/LanguageTool_fuer_Ihr_Unternehmen.pdf](https://languagetool.org/pdf/LanguageTool_fuer_Ihr_Unternehmen.pdf)
- [https://languagetool.org/pdf/LanguageTool_Technischer_Ueberblick.pdf](https://languagetool.org/pdf/LanguageTool_Technischer_Ueberblick.pdf)
- [https://languagetool.org/pdf/LanguageTool_Integration.pdf](https://languagetool.org/pdf/LanguageTool_Integration.pdf)
- [https://help.languagetool.org/hc/en-us/articles/39254488835095-Does-LanguageTool-offer-an-API](https://help.languagetool.org/hc/en-us/articles/39254488835095-Does-LanguageTool-offer-an-API)

LanguageTool provides a robust path to GDPR-compliant use within the EU/EEA because it has a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) in accordance with Article 28 of the GDPR and, at the same time, offers a clear self-hosting/on-premises option for its core technology. For the standard SaaS offering, the situation is mixed: The website mentions data flows to the U.S., and the DPA explicitly states that Learneo is a recipient of European data in the U.S. The best available option is therefore on-premise or self-hosting use within the organization’s own or controlled EU/EEA infrastructure.

**Positive**

Positive aspects include the published T&C/DPA, the documented sub-processors, the reference to the EU GDPR in the DPA, the option to object to changes in subprocessors, the statement that user input is not used to train language algorithms or models, and the openly documented open-source core technology with self-hosted servers. In addition, LanguageTool specifies only servers in Germany and an on-premises version for business documents.

**Negative**

A negative aspect is that the website for using the service also lists processing locations in Germany, Ireland, and the U.S., and the DPA explicitly describes the receipt of European data in the U.S. by Learneo. A general, clearly guaranteed EU data residency for all SaaS usage within the EU/EEA is not explicitly described on the website as a standard commitment. Certifications such as ISO 27001 or SOC 2 are not listed on the website.

**Server Location**

The website lists several locations for LanguageTool: in the privacy policy for the use of the services, Germany, the U.S., and Ireland; in the DPA, Telekom Germany, Hetzner, AWS Germany, Google Cloud Platform in Dublin, and Cloudflare in the U.S. are listed as subprocessors, among others. A company PDF also states that LanguageTool uses only servers in Germany; however, this statement appears alongside other information on the website that mentions international processing locations.

## Hosting und Daten
- **On-Prem / lokales Hosting:** abgedeckt
- **Private Cloud / Rechenzentrum:** teilweise / indirekt
- **EU SaaS / Managed:** teilweise / indirekt
- **Hybrid:** teilweise / indirekt
- **AVV / DPA:** abgedeckt
- **Kein Training auf Kundendaten:** abgedeckt
- **Open-Source / Transparenz-Pfad:** abgedeckt

## Standort
**Land:** Germany

**Taxonomie:** Germany

LanguageTooler GmbH, Boschstraße 23a, 22761 Hamburg, Germany. For the service/data protection context relevant today, Learneo officially states: Learneo, Inc., 2261 Market Street #10569, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States of America

## Vorteile
- – Very clear focus on writing, correcting, and improving style.
- – 30+ languages and dialects, particularly strong in English, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, and Portuguese.
- – Many integrations: browser, Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, mail clients, desktop.
- – Open-source core, self-hosting, and API make the tool unusually flexible.
- – Positive for data protection: no use of user inputs for model training, DPA available, on-premise possible.

## Nachteile
- – Not a full-fledged research or general AI assistant; LanguageTool describes itself more as an AI Editing Tool than an AI Writing Tool.
- – According to the current Help Center, the browser extension is now only available for Premium.
- – The practical value increases significantly with Premium; the free version is clearly limited.
- – Although data protection is comparatively well documented, the current data controller is Learneo, Inc. in the USA, which means international data transfers remain relevant.
- – According to official communication, language quality and additional checks are more developed in some major languages than in all peripheral languages.

## Quellen
- Offizielle Website: https://languagetool.org

## Letzter Datenstand
2026-04-16

## Originalseite
https://kifox.ai/en/ki-tools/language-tool-en/