The Best Free and Paid Proofreading Courses Online

Are you searching for the best free proofreading course? Or are you ready to invest in paid training? Either way, a quality proofreading course is an excellent investment in your career. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best free online proofreading courses and flag two popular ones that aren’t free. We’ll also cover the best paid courses for beginners and the best courses for busy professionals. Along the way, we’ll explain why a course is worth taking and what to look for before you sign up. By the end, you’ll know your options and be ready to choose your next step.

What Does Proofreading Involve?

Before we explore the courses, let’s look at what proofreading covers. While there are different types of proofreading, they all involve:

• Fixing grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
• Correcting inconsistent spelling and incorrect capitalization
• Checking for extra spaces left in a document
• Making minor changes for clarity and concision
• Adapting vocabulary to suit the document type and purpose
• Ensuring a document follows a given style guide

Proofreaders working in certain niches may perform additional tasks. For example, an academic proofreader will make sure that sources are cited correctly using the relevant referencing style.

Why Should You Take an Online Proofreading Course?

Structured training can help at any stage of your career. Online courses also bring some clear benefits over in-person study:

• Flexibility: You can fit your learning around other commitments, such as childcare or a full-time job.
• Accessibility: You can study from anywhere with an internet connection, so your materials are always available.
• Value for money: Online courses are often cheaper than in-person courses because there are no travel costs. The cost of course materials is usually included, too.

If You Are New to Proofreading

If you work in a different industry, a proofreading course is a great way to gain new skills and open up new career options. Here are some of the ways you could benefit.

1. Learn Fundamental Proofreading Skills

If you’re new to proofreading, a course is a great way to build the essential skills for proofreading you need to launch your career. A good course will teach you the fundamentals, such as grammar and punctuation. It should also cover spelling and basic computer skills. Some courses, including our Becoming A Proofreader course, also explore ways to find clients and advertise your services. You’ll learn how to present your work in a proofreading portfolio and attract your first clients.

2. Add Transferable Skills to Your Resume

You may not want to switch to full-time proofreading straight away (or ever). Even so, you’ll gain plenty of transferable skills you can apply to your current career. These include:

• A good grasp of the English language
• Excellent written communication skills
• The ability to manage your own time and schedule
• Experience with various computer programs and pieces of software

All employers value clear writing and an eye for detail. Sharpening your proofreading ability could strengthen your resume and give you an edge in any field.

Lisa, a full-time research scientist, proofreads to earn extra money in her spare time. She says the skills she is developing are also useful in her day job.

3. Get a Certification

Many online proofreading courses give you a certificate when you finish. A certificate shows clients that your skills are up to date and that you’re eager to learn. This matters most if you’re changing careers and don’t have much experience yet.

4. Unlock New Career Opportunities

Proofreading training can open many doors. You might start proofreading as a side hustle to supplement your main income. Or you could make proofreading your full-time career and enjoy a better work-life balance.

You could even set up your own freelance proofreading business and find clients through online job sites. That way, you take control of your career. Knowadays graduate Josiah is working on doing exactly that!

If You Are Already a Proofreader

Courses keep your skills sharp and support your continuing professional development (CPD). They also help proofreaders who already work in the field.

1. Stay Up to Date

It’s important to keep up with changes in the field, however long you’ve worked in it. Proofreading courses can help you stay on top of:

• New software and editing methods
• Changing professional consensus on language and grammar rules
• New and updated style guides

Even if you’ve been proofreading for years, like Knowadays graduate Petya, some aspects of grammar will slip your mind. New technology also emerges, such as the AI skills proofreaders now need. A course keeps you working at the cutting edge.

2. Achieve Your Career Goals

Your goals may include raising your earning potential or attracting higher-ticket clients. A new proofreading qualification will help you reach these goals by enabling you to:

• Offer a broader range of services
• Command higher rates for your work
• Build marketing expertise to reach new audiences
• Demonstrate credibility through an official certification

3. Boost Your Confidence

Even skilled proofreaders can doubt themselves. A course gives you concrete evidence of your talent through assessments and tutor feedback. Knowadays graduate Debra found exactly this. Proof of training also boosts your clients’ confidence in you, which can help you land more work.

How Do You Choose the Right Proofreading Course?

With so many options on the market, ask yourself these five questions before you decide.

1. Does the Course Cover All the Basics?

As a new proofreader, you need to know how the English language works and when something needs correcting. Check that your course covers:

• What proofreading is
• The most common spelling mistakes
• The most common grammar and punctuation errors
• How to proofread different types of writing
• How to find work as a proofreader

These are the essential building blocks of a successful proofreading career.

2. Does the Course Provide Practical Exercises?

Reading large chunks of text isn’t always the best way to learn. Quizzes and practice documents can aid your learning in several ways:

• They allow you to test your skills.
• They help you track your progress.
• They can improve your memory and knowledge retention.
• They help you stay motivated as you work through the course.

Courses with hands-on tasks are often more fun and help you learn faster.

3. Does the Course Include Access to Learning Support?

Online courses tend to be more hands-off than in-person ones. But you should still be able to get help when you’re stuck. Support may come from a team of tutors or a learner forum. A few providers also run live webinars. Some courses include support at no extra cost, while others charge for it. Choose the level of support that matches how you like to learn, and factor any extra cost into your decision.

4. Does the Course Provide Certification?

A certificate looks good on your resume or online profile. Clients like to see one, so it can help you find work. Proof of CPD training is especially impressive. Look for courses approved by bodies such as the CPD Certification Service in the UK or the CPD Group in the US. Check whether the course awards a certificate when you complete it.

5. Does the Course Have Good Reviews?

Make sure a course does what it promises by reading online reviews. You can find reviews in several places, including:

• The official site of the course or provider
• Trustpilot
• Proofreading groups on social media
• Editing society forums

Don’t just look at the star rating. Check whether the reviewer’s needs match your own. You should also see how the provider responds to negative reviews. Do they ignore them, or do they offer advice and support?

Who Are Free Proofreading Courses For?

Free proofreading courses are a good fit for inexperienced proofreaders or those who want to dip their toes into the proofreading world. Proofreading might sound appealing, but you may find it isn’t for you once you get started. A free course is a good way to see if you enjoy proofreading before you invest in paid training.

The 3 Best Free Proofreading Courses

Here’s our list of some of the best free proofreading courses. For each one, we’ll look at:

• Curriculum
• Course duration
• Learning support
• Certification

Every course in this list is free to study. We checked each one in October 2026.

1. An Introduction to Proofreading

An Introduction to Proofreading is available on Alison, which offers free access to thousands of online courses. It was made by Creative Ways, the consultancy of author and editor Marcia Yudkin. In this course, you’ll learn proofreading best practices and how to spot common proofreading pitfalls. It also covers the built-in proofreading tools in Microsoft Word.

This course is free to study, and you don’t have to sign up for a trial. You can complete it in three to four hours. The certificate is optional and costs extra. To earn it, you need a score of at least 80% in the final assessment. Key course features include:

• Available on mobile and desktop devices
• A CPD-accredited certificate you can add to your resume and online profiles
• Online support from the course instructor, usually via email

Be aware that the free version shows ads. And despite its title, Alison labels the course “Advanced Level.”

2. Proofreading 101

Proofreading 101 is a free course from Edit Republic. It was written by Phon Baillie, an experienced proofreader and editor with over 20 years in the industry. When you sign up, you’ll receive free lessons by email over five days. Key features of the course include:

• Insights into the proofreading industry and why proofreading is in demand
• Tips on starting a profitable proofreading business or side hustle
• Advice on how to focus your scope as a proofreader and find clients as a new freelancer

You don’t receive a certificate upon completion. The course is also an introduction to Edit Republic’s paid training, so expect to be offered its Editorial Business Bundle.

3. Proofread Anywhere’s Free Workshop and Email Course

Proofread Anywhere offers a free workshop and a free seven-day email course by Caitlin Pyle. Both introduce you to working as a freelance proofreader from home. The email course focuses on transcript proofreading (checking court transcripts). Neither comes with a certificate.

The free workshop leads into Proofread Anywhere’s paid course, General Proofreading (Theory and Practice). We cover that course in the paid list below.

Are Udemy’s Proofreading Courses Free?

Two Udemy courses often appear in lists of free proofreading courses. Both are paid. Udemy doesn’t offer free trials of individual courses. Instead, you can watch the free preview lectures on each course page. Udemy also offers refunds on eligible courses within 30 days.

Udemy’s prices change often, and its frequent sales can bring them down a long way. Both courses were listed at $79.99 when we checked.

Proofread Like a Pro

Proofread Like a Pro by Dr. Clare Lynch teaches you what to look out for as you proofread and techniques to catch errors. You’ll also learn how to use professional proofreading symbols. The course ends with advice on how to set your rates and find work as a proofreader.

The course includes six sections and 48 lectures, which you can complete in under two hours. Key course features include:

• Available on mobile and desktop devices
• 1.5 hours of on-demand video
• 23 downloadable resources
• Q&A support from Dr. Lynch, who has more than 20 years of experience as an editor and proofreader
• A certificate upon completion

Proofreading Power Basics

Proofreading Power Basics by Ashan R. Hampton takes about 90 minutes to complete. It’s especially useful for teachers and bloggers. Freelance editors and content creators will also find it helpful. Key features include:

• 15 downloadable resources
• A practice test
• Available on mobile and desktop devices
• Certificate of completion
• Q&A support from the course instructor, who has a background in editing

This course isn’t designed for complete beginners. You need intermediate American English grammar and writing skills before you start, and it teaches American English only. The provider also includes a disclaimer: the certificate doesn’t qualify you to launch a proofreading business or certify you as a proofreader. It only shows that you’ve completed the course.

Are Free Proofreading Courses Worth It?

Free proofreading courses are good if you want to gain basic proofreading skills. They’re also great if you aren’t sure proofreading is for you. However, free courses have limits, such as minimal resources and little student support.

Here are some of the pros and cons of taking a free proofreading course:

Pros	Cons
A chance to see if you like proofreading before paying for training	Limited resources and lack of in-depth content
No previous proofreading experience or education required	Limited or no access to student support
Gain foundational proofreading skills	Some courses don’t award certification

If you take a free or partly free course, remember that you’ll be up against professionally trained proofreaders with strong proofreading skills. Most clients will choose a fully trained and accredited proofreader over one who completed a free course. Some clients and publishers may also ask you to pass a test, such as proofreading a sample document. If your free course didn’t give you the right knowledge, those gaps will show.

When deciding on the best online proofreading course for you, make sure it provides practical exercises and a final assessment. It should also award certification and give you access to learning support. Many paid online courses are perfect for beginners, and we cover four of the best below.

The Best Paid Online Proofreading Courses for Beginners

If you’re ready to start a career as a professional proofreader, a paid course gives you deeper training and more support. Here are four popular options. We cover Udemy’s two paid courses above, so they aren’t repeated here.

1. Knowadays: Becoming A Proofreader

Our Becoming A Proofreader course has 13 modules and 78 lessons. It covers common spelling and grammar errors and punctuation rules. You’ll also learn about US and UK regional differences and how to handle complex issues such as tone. Specific modules cover business and academic writing, with further training on creative writing.

The course comes with lifetime access. Any updates made after your purchase apply automatically, so you can use it as an ongoing resource.

Tutor support is included. After you complete the final assignment, you’ll have a one-on-one call with a tutor, who will give you detailed feedback on your work. The course is CPD accredited, and you receive a certificate of completion after the final assignment.

If you complete both Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with scores of 80% or above, you’ll be eligible for our work guarantee offer with Proofed if you live in an eligible country. You can buy the courses separately, but the two courses as a bundle give you 15% off the total price.

2. Proofread Anywhere: General Proofreading (Theory and Practice)

The General Proofreading (Theory and Practice) course from Proofread Anywhere explains the basics of proofreading, including how to spot and fix common errors. It then gives in-depth, practical advice on how to grow and market a freelance proofreading business.

Learners get access to four bonus ebooks and 23 grammar worksheets. Those who pass the final assignment can network with professional proofreaders and editors.

The course costs $697, or $797 for the Ignite Plus version. Only Ignite Plus lets you take the final test and receive a certificate of completion. Learners also get free lifetime access to a support group of peers and graduates.

3. CIEP: Proofreading 1 (Introduction)

The Proofreading 1 (Introduction) course comes from the UK-based Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP). It covers how to proofread PDFs and how to work in Microsoft Word. It also teaches you to edit on paper using proofreading marks. Other topics include the difference between proofreading and proof-editing and how to work with clients.

You can take the class as a self-assessed online course or as a live course over four sessions on Zoom. The online course counts as formal CPD toward upgrading your CIEP membership. CIEP courses are not accredited, but CIEP certificates are widely respected in the industry.

Tutors give all learners one hour of email support, and more time is available at extra cost. The online course costs £130 + VAT for CIEP members and £199 + VAT for non-members. The Zoom course costs £215 + VAT for members and £360 + VAT for non-members.

4. Institute of Publishing: Essential Proofreading (Editorial Skills 1)

The Institute of Publishing’s Essential Proofreading: Editorial Skills 1 course covers paper and on-screen proofreading. The Institute took over from the Publishing Training Centre in September 2026. It focuses on Adobe Reader and Microsoft Word. It also explains how proofreaders work with publishers and where proofreading fits into the publishing industry.

The course has many self-assessed exercises, plus four longer assignments that tutors grade. Each learner has a personal tutor during the course and for up to three months afterward.

Learners who pass receive a certificate graded with a pass, merit, or distinction. Passing also meets one of the training criteria for an upgrade to CIEP Intermediate membership.

Essential Proofreading costs £290 + VAT, and you can split the cost into three installments. You can also get the Institute of Publishing’s Essential Grammar course for half price if you buy it with Essential Proofreading.

Side-By-Side Comparison

Course	Key Features	Learning Support	Certificate Provided	Pricing
Knowadays	Training in business and academic writing, plus creative writing Guaranteed work with Proofed if you pass Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with distinction (eligible countries only)	Tutor support One-on-one calls	Yes (CPD accredited)	See course page for your local price 15% off when bundled with Becoming An Editor
Proofread Anywhere	Training for launching a freelance proofreading business Access to a marketing group and extra materials	Learner discussion group	Yes (Ignite Plus version only)	$697 for General Proofreading $797 for Ignite Plus
CIEP	Introductory training for paper and on-screen proofreading Counts as CPD toward a CIEP membership upgrade	One hour of free tutor support More tutor time for a fee	Yes (not accredited)	£130 + VAT for CIEP members £199 + VAT for non-members
Institute of Publishing	Introduction to proofreading with a focus on the publishing industry	Personal tutor, with up to three months’ support after the course	Yes (graded pass, merit, or distinction)	£290 + VAT

What Are the Best Business Proofreading Courses?

If you write or review documents at work, a business proofreading course can help you:

• Improve clarity: Clear, error-free writing helps readers understand your message the first time.
• Protect your reputation: Typos and formatting issues distract from your message. Accurate writing shows you pay attention to detail.
• Work more efficiently: Tools such as Track Changes and Compare in Word make reviews quicker and keep feedback organized.
• Maintain brand consistency: Learning to apply style guidelines gives your organization a unified voice.
• Show your commitment to continuing professional development: A recognized course looks great on your resume and professional profiles.

Busy professionals often prefer self-paced online learning they can access when it suits them. Short workshops or live webinars may suit you better if you like guided instruction. Here are five reputable options.

1. Knowadays: Proofreading For Professionals

Our Proofreading For Professionals course is for people who want to improve the accuracy and consistency of the documents they write or review at work. You’ll learn how to:

• Identify and correct common grammar and punctuation issues
• Apply style guidelines to keep materials consistent
• Adjust tone and structure to boost readability
• Use the key proofreading tools in Microsoft Word to streamline your workflow
• Work with other document types, including Google Docs and Adobe PDFs

The course is self-paced, so it fits around a full-time schedule. You get lifetime access to all materials, and tutors are available by email. Quizzes and tasks help each lesson stick. The course ends with a self-assessed assignment that brings everything together.

The course is CPD accredited, and you receive a certificate of completion when you finish. You can try two lessons for free to get a taste of the full course.

2. SkillPath: Business Grammar & Proofreading

SkillPath’s Business Grammar & Proofreading workshop is a short guide to accurate writing at work. You’ll discover how to:

• Identify and correct grammar and usage errors
• Add emphasis to your documents with common punctuation marks
• Overcome common spelling problems
• Use a friendly tone and the active voice effectively
• Proofread quickly without losing accuracy

The three-hour workshop runs live online, and you can ask questions throughout. There are multiple dates and times to choose from. Be aware that you pay for a specific session, so you must cancel and rebook in advance if you can’t attend.

The workshop costs $149 per person, or $139 per person if you enroll four or more learners.

3. Instructional Solutions: Proofreading Workshop

Instructional Solutions’ Proofreading Workshop is for people who often write or check business documents. You’ll find out how to:

• Recognize the difference between proofreading and editing
• Spot error hot spots (error-prone areas of a document)
• Correct common grammar and formatting issues
• Identify and avoid your own most common errors
• Refine your workflow to proofread more efficiently

The workshop is available as a self-paced online course or, for groups, a 90-minute live webinar. It includes checklists you can download. Its practice tasks use real-life workplace examples. Pricing begins at $149 for individuals, with custom training available for teams.

4. LSBA: Certified Professional in Editing and Proofreading Business Documents

The London School of Business and Administration (LSBA) offers the Certified Professional in Editing and Proofreading Business Documents course. It focuses on hands-on proofreading skills for work documents such as reports and slides. The course will teach you how to:

• Follow industry best practices
• Apply grammar and punctuation rules
• Proofread texts for clarity and consistency
• Edit writing to refine voice and tone
• Format business documents effectively

You can choose a standard route (two months) or a fast-track route (one month). The standard route costs £90, and the fast-track route costs £140. Learners can apply and study from anywhere in the world.

5. Proofreading Malta Academy: Business Proofreading Mastery (Full Course Bundle)

Proofreading Malta Academy’s Business Proofreading Mastery bundle takes a deeper look at proofreading for business. It brings together four courses that take you step by step through the core skills. Topics include how to:

• Navigate and apply a house style guide
• Use tech tools for better writing
• Tackle common business writing errors, such as incorrect capitalization
• Use tenses and first, second, and third person perspectives correctly
• Navigate the differences between British and American English

The courses include written lessons and practice files you can download. You receive a certificate when you complete them. The bundle costs €396, a 40% saving compared to buying the four courses separately. You can enroll and study from any location.

Business Course Comparison

Course	Key Features	Certificate Provided	Pricing
Knowadays: Proofreading For Professionals	Self-paced Lifetime access Quizzes and practice documents Tutor support	Yes (CPD accredited)	See course page for your local price
SkillPath: Business Grammar & Proofreading	Live online workshop Q&A opportunities	No certificate advertised	$149
Instructional Solutions: Proofreading Workshop	Self-paced course or 90-minute webinar (groups only) Downloadable checklists	No certificate advertised	$149
LSBA: Certified Professional in Editing and Proofreading Business Documents	Self-paced Standard or fast-track route	Yes	£90–£140
Proofreading Malta Academy: Business Proofreading Mastery	Four-course bundle Practical exercises Downloadable materials	Yes	€396

Which Proofreading Course Is Best for You?

The right proofreading course is the one that fits your goals. A free course is a low-risk way to test the waters. A paid course gives you the depth and certification you need to compete for work. Before you decide, consider:

• How much time you can give to a course
• What your budget will cover
• When (and how) you want to start proofreading
• Whether you want a self-paced course or a live workshop

Try Becoming A Proofreader for Free

If you’re ready to turn your interest in proofreading into a career, the next step is training that clients trust. Our CPD-accredited Becoming A Proofreader course teaches you every proofreading skill you need. You can study at your own pace with no deadlines, and our tutors are on hand whenever you need help. Graduates who also complete Becoming An Editor with distinction can access guaranteed work with Proofed if they live in an eligible country.

See how our graduates have built their careers in our success stories, then try two lessons for free and start learning today.