Academic Editing vs Proofreading: Which Do You Actually Need?

Proofreading catches typos, spelling errors, comma splices, subject-verb agreement, and basic punctuation. It does not change content, argument, or structure. If your paper is already strong and you just need a final pass, proofreading is enough. Typical cost: $4-8/page.

Copy editing goes deeper: improving sentence flow, cutting wordiness, fixing awkward phrasing, ensuring consistent tense and voice, standardizing terminology. It doesn't restructure paragraphs, but it sharpens every sentence. Typical cost: $7-12/page.

This is the heavy work: reorganizing paragraphs, strengthening transitions, identifying weak arguments, suggesting where evidence is needed, flagging logical gaps. If your draft is messy or your argument is unclear, this is what you need. Typical cost: $12-25/page.

Ask: 'If I changed nothing about the structure or argument, would this paper earn the grade I want?' If yes → proofreading. If 'yes but the writing is rough' → copy editing. If 'no, the argument needs work' → substantive editing.

Every editing order starts with a free assessment, we tell you which level your paper actually needs, no upsell. Then we deliver a clean, tracked-changes version + a separate clean copy. Free revisions if you don't love the result.