How Does This Sound vs Hemingway Editor
We analyze how your message lands emotionally, not just reading level.
Quick Summary
Choose How Does This Sound if:
- ✓ You want to check how your message might be perceived emotionally
- ✓ You're worried about sounding rude, passive-aggressive, or dismissive
- ✓ You need cultural sensitivity checking
- ✓ Privacy matters (BYOK option)
Choose Hemingway Editor if:
- ✓ You want to improve readability with grade-level scoring
- ✓ You need to eliminate passive voice
- ✓ You want to write shorter, punchier sentences
- ✓ You're working on long-form content or creative writing
Our recommendation: Use both! Hemingway Editor for what it does best, then How Does This Sound for a final "will this sound wrong?" check.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | How Does This Sound | Hemingway Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Communication risk & perception | Readability & simplicity |
| Tone Analysis | Detailed risk-focused | Not a focus |
| Risk Identification | ✓ | Limited |
| Readability Score | — | ✓ |
| Sentence Complexity Detection | Via clarity check | ✓ |
| Passive Voice Detection | — | ✓ |
| Grade Level Scoring | — | ✓ |
| Adverb Highlighting | — | ✓ |
| Cultural Sensitivity Check | Optional category | — |
| AI-Powered Analysis | ✓ | false (rule-based) |
| BYOK Privacy Option | ✓ | — |
| Free Tier | 5 analyses/day | Basic features |
Based on publicly available information and our assessment of each tool's primary focus. Features may vary by plan or version.
Key Differences Explained
Readability vs Interpretation
Hemingway optimizes for reading ease - making sentences shorter, words simpler, and removing passive voice. We focus on interpretation risk - whether your message might sound harsh, confusing, or unprofessional regardless of how "readable" it is. A short, punchy sentence can still come across as rude.
Style Prescription vs Risk Detection
Hemingway encourages a specific writing style (the "Hemingway" style - direct, simple, unadorned). We don't prescribe any style. Your writing can be formal, casual, elaborate, or minimal - we just flag when something might be misinterpreted.
Different Use Cases
Hemingway shines for long-form content, blog posts, and creative writing where readability is key. We're designed for high-stakes communication - important emails, sensitive conversations, and messages where the relationship matters more than the reading level.
Example: What Each Tool Catches
"Per my last email, this needs to be done today. Let me know if you have questions."
📝 Hemingway Editor Would Say:
Hemingway would likely give this a good score - short sentences, simple words, no passive voice, no adverbs. It would show a low reading level. All green.
We Would Say:
"Per my last email" is flagged as passive-aggressive. The tone could damage the relationship even though the text is perfectly readable. We suggest alternatives like "Following up on my previous email..."
Frequently Asked Questions
Readability Isn't Everything
A simple, readable message can still land wrong. Check how yours might be perceived.
Check Your Message FreeRelated: vs Grammarly·vs Lavender AI·For Dyslexia
Hemingway Editor is a trademark of its respective owner. How Does This Sound is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Hemingway Editor. Comparisons are based on publicly available information as of January 2025 and may not reflect current features.