Introduction

Plagiarism checkers aren’t created equal. Whether you’re submitting an academic paper or drafting a blog post, you’ve probably encountered tools like Chegg and Turnitin. But which one actually helps you submit work that’s truly original and citation-ready?

In this comparison, we break down the strengths and weaknesses of both tools—and introduce a smarter alternative: PaperGen, your all-in-one writing assistant for plagiarism checking, citation generation (AMA, ACS, MLA, CSE), and smart rewriting.

Why Chegg Is Popular—but Limited

Chegg’s plagiarism checker appeals to students because it’s easy to use, offers fast results, and comes bundled with other study tools. It shows a similarity score, highlights matching content, and even links to the original source.

However, it falls short in three key areas:

AI Detection: Chegg misses humanized AI-generated content.
Database Coverage: It fails to catch paraphrased content or matches from niche sources.
Citation Support: You’ll still need another tool for AMA, ACS, or MLA citations.

Why Turnitin Is the Gold Standard

Turnitin is the go-to choice for universities and educators. Its strength lies in its:

Massive academic database
Strong detection algorithms
Integration into classroom tools

That said, Turnitin is often inaccessible to independent users. It’s expensive, lacks a free version, and offers minimal writing feedback.

Why PaperGen Is the Smart Alternative

Here’s where PaperGen bridges the gap between detection and perfection:

✅ Real-time plagiarism check
✅ Built-in citation generator for AMA, MLA, CSE, and ACS formats
✅ Rewriting suggestions to improve clarity, tone, and originality
✅ AI detection & humanization tools for safer academic writing
✅ Freemium plan for occasional users and flexible budgets

Instead of stopping at detection, PaperGen helps you fix your flagged content—while teaching you to cite correctly and write with confidence.

🔗 Try PaperGen for free: papergen.ai

Real Student Use Case

Jamal, an engineering student, used Turnitin via his university but struggled with tone and citations. Chegg felt generic. Once he switched to PaperGen, he:

Ran a plagiarism scan
Rewrote flagged content with PaperGen’s suggestions
Auto-generated ACS citations
Improved the tone of his writing

The result? His professor said it was his clearest submission yet.

Frequently Asked Questions (SEO FAQ)

Is Chegg plagiarism checker free?

Chegg offers a very limited free version (up to 500 words). For detailed results, you’ll need a Chegg Study Pack subscription.

Can Chegg detect AI-generated content?

No. Chegg performs poorly with AI-generated or humanized content. It often misses ChatGPT or GPT-4 outputs.

Is Turnitin better than Chegg?

Yes—for academic accuracy and plagiarism detection, Turnitin is more reliable. However, it's typically only available to schools and educators.

Does PaperGen support citation formats like AMA or ACS?

Yes. PaperGen automatically formats citations in AMA, ACS, MLA, and CSE styles with just one click.

What’s the best plagiarism checker for students?

For free access + rewriting + citation support, PaperGen is the most well-rounded tool for students. Turnitin is best for institutional use, while Chegg is better for quick pre-checks.

Final Verdict: Which One Wins?

1. Need a quick check? ✅ Chegg
2. Need institutional-grade accuracy? ✅ Turnitin
3. Want an all-in-one toolkit for plagiarism, citations, and writing help? ✅ PaperGen

Try PaperGen now and move beyond detection into confident academic writing:
👉 Start writing smarter