5 Top AI Detectors for Essays and Education

With the new school year back in full gear, it’s more important than ever to have a reliable AI detector in your corner.

We’ve compiled five of the most popular AI detectors for essays and education to help you identify the best one.

Key Takeaways

• Originality.ai is the most accurate AI Checker for identifying AI-generated content from popular AI tools such as GPT-4o, Llama 3.1, and Claude 3.5.
• The Originality.ai Lite model for educators has 98% accuracy, an under 1% false positive rate, and permits light AI editing like Grammarly spelling suggestions.
• False positives do happen in AI detection (when human text is incorrectly identified as AI). It’s important to note that an AI detection score shouldn’t be the only method for evaluating academic performance or standing.

Learn more about AI detection in education, compare 30+ AI detection tool reviews, and get insight into which AI detection model is best for your use case.

5 Top AI Detectors for Essays and Education

Without further ado, let’s take a look at five of the best AI detectors for essays and education. We’ve compiled a range of detectors, so you can conveniently compare the most popular options.

1. Originality.ai

Link: Originality.ai for educators

Price: Pay as You Go or Subscription options (learn more about pricing)

Best for: Accurately detecting AI content in the Classroom with the Lite model for educators.

For the most comprehensive AI detector, look no further than Originality.ai. 

Time and time again, Originality.ai has been proven to be one of the most consistent and reliable AI detection tools. Read a meta-analysis of third-party studies and our review on AI detection accuracy for more information.

Originality.ai has an intuitive interface. The Lite model for educators has 98% accuracy and an under 1% false positive rate. It also permits light AI editing, such as Grammarly spelling or grammar suggestions.

After running a content scan, the tool highlights which areas of a text are most likely to be AI-generated and provides an AI detection score.

2. Scribbr

Link: Scribbr AI Detector Review

Price: Free with limitations

Pros: Extremely quick checks on a budget.

For those looking to try a free AI detector, Scribbr is a popular option designed specifically for academic content. The interface is friendly, and it provides users with a percentage score. 

However, unlike Originality.ai, the tool provides a much less in-depth report.

Looking to try out Originality.ai’s AI Checker? Visit our AI Checker page for more details.

3. CopyLeaks

Link: Copyleaks AI Detector Review

Price: Limited free checks

Pros: Quick, relatively reliable AI checks.

Another popular and free option for quick AI checks is Copyleaks. However, the user interface is a little more archaic, and it can be difficult to identify exactly which aspects of content are causing the issues.

Copyleaks also notes that they offer LMS (learning management system) integrations for their AI detection tool. However, to access this Enterprise & LMS plan feature, you need to contact to request a demo.

4. GPTZero

Link: GPTZero AI Detector Review

Price: Free with adverts

Pros: Acting as a backup free AI content detector.

If you’re not a fan of Scribbr and are still on the hunt for a free AI content detector, you could try GPTZero, which advertises itself as “The #1 AI Detector for Students.” However, you could run into issues with more complex uses of generative AI.

It also lacks some of the excellent additional features that Originality.ai’s AI Checker has, like sentence-by-sentence analysis. That said, GPTZero is very easy to use.

5. BrandWell

Link: Brandwell AI Detector Review

Price: $249 per month (Free AI detector tool with a 2,500-character limit)

Pros: All-round AI-related work, from detection to generation to ‘humanizing.’

Brandwell, previously known as ContentScale, is a more expensive option on this list. Although, they do offer a free AI detection scan with a 2,500-character limit.

This may be a popular choice for some as it includes a range of AI-based features, including generative AI chatbots, an AI paraphraser, and an AI humanizer.

Note: Be mindful when opting for a tool that provides an “AI Humanizer” service. A number of our reviews have found that ‘AI humanizing’ is ineffective. Check out our other AI humanizer reviews, such as Hix AI, Duey.ai, and BypassGPT.ai.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the academic integrity of essay writing, many studies have shown that, humans struggle to identify AI-generated content, even when they believe they are experts at doing so.

Using an AI detection tool for education can add transparency to content in the classroom. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that false positives occur, so an AI detection tool shouldn’t be the only way that educational standing is measured.

FAQs About AI Detectors for Essays and Education

Do educators use AI detectors for essays?

Educators use AI detectors to increase transparency and uphold academic integrity. Read more about AI detector use in colleges for insight into how AI detection plays a role in educational institutions.

Is AI content allowed in essays?

There is an ongoing discussion about whether or not AI-generated content is a form of plagiarism. Many believe that because the content is pulled from readily available information, it could be considered plagiarism. 

Educators assign essays to test a student’s learned knowledge of a subject. Whether or not AI content or AI tools are permitted to draft essays depends on the particular assignment, course, and educational institution. Always review guidelines before incorporating AI into coursework.