Now that AI churns out content faster than we can consume it, telling machine from human writing is the ultimate challenge.
Even seasoned editors have to make guesses at times, wondering: did a human craft this, or was it AI?
Finding the best AI detector isn’t just a luxury anymore—it’s becoming as essential as spell-checking.
But here’s the thing: not all AI detectors are created equal. Some cry wolf at human prose, while others miss obvious machine-generated text.
We test and research different AI tools regularly, and now we’re sharing the top 10 AI detectors that are actually worth your time.
Top 10 AI Detectors for 2024
TraceGPT
TraceGPT is a robust tool from plagiarismcheck, designed for content creators who want to verify the authenticity of their work. In addition to plagiarism detection, it provides a straightforward way to check for AI-generated content through a simple copy-and-paste interface. Whether you’re a student or a large business with extensive content requirements, the flexible pricing can accommodate any situation.
Key Features:
- User-friendly interface.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing model.
- Pricing tiers for different users, including students, individuals, businesses, and custom needs.
- Combines plagiarism checks with AI detection.
- Ideal for individuals, students, freelancers, and content agencies.
Winston AI
Winston AI goes beyond just text detection; it offers a comprehensive suite of AI detection tools, including features to identify AI-generated images and deep fakes. You can also easily scan emails and documents for AI content. With budget-friendly pricing that caters to both casual users and power users, it’s a reliable option for anyone in need of effective AI detection.
Additionally, you can take advantage of a generous 7-day free trial with 2,000 credits, making Winston AI a worthwhile option to consider.
Key Features:
- Perfect for SEOs, academia, and freelance writers.
- Affordable pricing, with the Elite tier available for just $32 per month.
Hive AI
Hive AI’s detection software goes beyond simple AI text detection by offering real-time content moderation to eliminate machine-generated scams and fakes. It can analyze up to 8,192 characters at a time, making it adaptable for various content types and serving as a comprehensive solution for different needs.
Key Features:
- Designed for niche industries and specific applications.
- Extensive AI detection that covers more than just text.
- Employs advanced, custom-built AI models.
GPTZero
GPTZero emerged as one of the first AI content detectors after ChatGPT’s launch and has undergone extensive testing since then. While its results can be mixed in some scenarios, it generally performs well across a variety of tests.
GPTZero employs a unique approach by analyzing text with a 7-model detection system, paired with an end-to-end deep learning module trained on a vast dataset. This technology allows it to identify AI-generated content with impressive precision, though accuracy can sometimes vary. Like other AI detectors, it works best when used alongside other tools for a more comprehensive detection solution.
Key Features:
- Features a unique AI detection technology.
- Extensively tested in independent research.
- First-to-market pedigree.
- Very affordable, starting at $10 per month.
- Suitable for both individual users and business needs.
Originality.ai
Originality.ai is a trusted AI detection tool that has built a solid reputation as one of the earliest and most extensively tested options available.
It is highly valued by large publishers and includes features that cater specifically to content publishers and freelance writers. A recent study showcased its impressive accuracy in detecting both AI-generated and AI-rephrased text. It’s also a popular choice due to its early entry as a ChatGPT content detector.
Key Features:
- Perfect for web publishers and content agencies, but less ideal for students.
- Trusted as one of the oldest AI detection tools.
- High accuracy levels, backed by research.
Copyleaks AI Detector
Copyleaks AI Detector boasts an impressive 99%+ accuracy rate across more than 30 languages, offering detailed, sentence-level analysis that can even spot AI involvement in paraphrased content. While these self-proclaimed reviews might be slightly exaggerated, they’re mostly on
In various independent tests we’ve researched, Copyleaks consistently demonstrated high accuracy in detecting AI-generated text. Although it’s not infallible, it tends to outperform many other options in independent evaluations. The most expensive tier includes plagiarism detection for over 100 languages, while the entry-level tier focuses solely on AI detection.
Key features:
- User-friendly interface.
- Reliable across various content types, including AI-rephrased text.
- Highly regarded in the AI detection software industry, receiving praise from both users and experts.
- Competitive pricing.
Undetectable AI
Undetectable AI has gained popularity as an AI detection tool, thanks in part to its catchy name and its effectiveness. It is often mentioned alongside Copyleaks in studies assessing the accuracy of AI detectors, frequently ranking as highly accurate across various tests.
What sets this tool apart is its dual functionality; it not only detects AI content but also includes a text humanizer tool designed to help AI-generated content evade detection. With an affordable pricing model, it attracts a wide range of users, from academia to business, boasting around 8 million users.
Key features:
- Highly accurate machine-generated content detection.
- Includes an AI humanizer tool.
- Very popular and highly rated.
- Extensively tested.
Crossplag
Crossplag is a unique cross-lingual detection tool that has gained significant research interest. It excels at identifying AI-generated text from GPT 3.5-based tools but has difficulty with outputs from GPT 4, as noted in a recent study. Despite this limitation, it remains one of the leading AI detection tools available.
Crossplag leverages a 1.5 billion parameter language model to detect AI-generated text in over 30 languages. Although it requires account creation, it offers a comprehensive approach to content integrity, combining plagiarism detection with AI identification.
Key features:
- Tested extensively, yielding mixed results but generally positive outcomes.
- Provides a free trial, allowing you to make an informed choice before committing to a subscription.
- User-friendly and straightforward, making it perfect for solo entrepreneurs and students.
Compilatio
Compilatio is an AI detection tool primarily marketed to academia and the edtech sector. It has undergone extensive testing by researchers in education, who tend to approach AI writing tools with caution.
Compilatio adopts a nuanced strategy for AI detection, concentrating on pinpointing questionable passages rather than issuing definitive conclusions. It stands as one of the most widely utilized AI detection tools in educational settings, often used in conjunction with other assessment methods.
Key features:
- Specialized AI detection technology designed for academia and edtech.
- Thoroughly tested within the education sector, earning a strong reputation in that area.
Turnitin
Turnitin, a prominent name in plagiarism detection, has broadened its scope to include AI writing detection. It emphasizes identifying distinctions between human and AI writing styles, providing alerts for further discussion instead of making absolute judgments.
Turnitin is popular in education and academia, and it’s especially noted for its unique AI detection feature, iThenticate. This tool has been rigorously tested and has shown strong performance in various studies.
Key features:
- Focused on academia.
- Extensively tested.
- Goes beyond AI detection to track emerging trends and more.
Final Thoughts
As AI detection tools advance, they’re becoming essential for content creators, educators, and businesses alike. The tools listed in this guide each bring something unique, but the key is balancing accuracy, ease of use, and cost to fit your needs. That said, AI detectors are just one piece of the puzzle. Pairing them with human judgment is crucial. As AI evolves, so will detection methods – so staying informed and adaptable will help you confidently navigate the fast-paced world of AI content creation.
FAQs
Which AI content detector is the most precise?
This is hard to tell because AI detectors are rapidly changing. However, Copyleaks, Originality.ai, and GPTZero constantly emerge as top detection tools in many independent tests. Others include:
- PlagScan: A good choice for students.
- Copyleaks: Versatile and suitable for various needs.
- Grammarly: A strong alternative to Copyleaks.
- GPTZero: Notable for its user-friendly interface.
- GLTR: Effective in detecting older AI-generated content.
- Originality AI: Well-rounded in overall AI detection capabilities.
How reliable are AI detectors in 2024?
While AI detectors are not infallible, they have achieved a notable level of accuracy, based on 2024 tests. The continuous improvement in AI writing tools poses a persistent challenge for detection technologies, necessitating regular updates to the machine learning models and algorithms that validate human-generated content.
Are AI content detectors 100% accurate?
No AI detector is 100% accurate. Even the best tools typically have accuracy rates between 70-95%, depending on the specific content and AI model used to generate it.
Can AI detectors identify content from all AI writing tools?
Most detectors are designed to identify content from popular AI models like GPT-3 and GPT-4. However, they may struggle with newer or less common AI writing tools.
Are free AI detectors as good as paid ones?
Free detectors are sufficient for experimentation or limited content needs, but paid versions typically provide more features, greater accuracy, and enhanced support. The best option depends on your specific requirements and content volume.
How often should I use an AI content detector?
It depends on the context. Institutions like colleges and schools, where original work is essential, may rely heavily on AI detectors to catch plagiarism or identify unoriginal, machine-generated content.
Can AI detectors identify partially AI-generated content?
Many advanced detectors can identify content that’s been partially written or edited by AI, but this can be more challenging and may result in lower accuracy.
How do AI detectors impact SEO?
While search engines like Google have stated they’re not opposed to AI-generated content, filling your blog entirely with AI content can appear spammy and may harm your credibility.
Can AI detectors be fooled?
Yes, as we continue to deepen our understanding of AI detectors, some savvy users have found ways to outsmart them. By blending human-written content with machine-generated text, they can create content that becomes indistinguishable from human writing, making it difficult for detectors to flag as AI-generated.