Introduction: Plagiarism Checkers Aren’t All the Same
If you’ve ever submitted an academic paper, you've likely crossed paths with Turnitin or the Chegg plagiarism checker. Both are well-known tools for detecting copied or improperly paraphrased content. But how do they compare? And is there a smarter way to manage plagiarism and citations all in one?
In this blog, we break down Chegg vs Turnitin and introduce a third essential tool: PaperGen. More than just a writing assistant, PaperGen offers plagiarism checking, citation generation (across AMA citation format, ACS citation, and more), and content rewriting in a clear, human-like tone.
Turnitin vs Chegg: Key Differences
Feature Chegg Turnitin Originality Check Yes Yes Academic Database Access Limited Extensive Real-time Grammar Support Basic Limited Integrated Citation Tools No Basic Rewriting Suggestions No Limited
Turnitin excels at identifying similarities across a vast database of academic work, making it the preferred tool at most institutions. However, Chegg appeals to students for personal checks before submission.
But both miss a critical piece: citation generation and writing improvement. That’s where PaperGen comes in.
Why PaperGen Completes the Equation
Unlike Chegg and Turnitin, PaperGen doesn’t stop at highlighting problems—it helps you solve them. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Built-in AI Citation Generator: Supports ACS citation, CSE citation, and AMA citation format, among others.
- Plagiarism Detection: Like Chegg, PaperGen checks for copied content—but also offers context-aware rewriting suggestions.
- Grammarly Citation Integration: Works in tandem with Grammarly citation tools or as a standalone citation assistant.
- Style Guidance: Unsure which in-text citation is formatted correctly in MLA style? PaperGen helps you get it right with examples and formatting tips.
With PaperGen, you’re not just avoiding plagiarism—you’re improving your writing across the board.
What Is a Citation & Why It Matters
Understanding what a citation is may sound simple, but executing it correctly is critical. Here are key styles you’ll likely use:
- AMA Citation Format: Common in medical research. Uses superscript numbers and structured references. Learn AMA Style
- ACS Citation: Used in chemistry. Follows a numerical system and specific journal conventions. ACS Style Guide
- CSE Citation: Popular in life sciences. Includes Name-Year and Citation-Sequence formats. CSE Overview
- MLA Style: Used in humanities. See examples of which in-text citation is formatted correctly in MLA style here: MLA Formatting Guide
PaperGen supports all of these styles, auto-formats your references, and integrates them seamlessly into your document.
Student Use Case: The Best of All Worlds
Jamal, an engineering student, used Turnitin through his university but wanted more support writing his citations and refining his tone. He tried Chegg but felt the feedback was generic. Switching to PaperGen, he:
- Ran a plagiarism check for his lab report
- Got rewrite suggestions for flagged sections
- Auto-generated citations in ACS citation format
- Polished his conclusion using tone of voice suggestions
His professor commented that it was his clearest, most professional submission yet.
Conclusion: Why You Need More Than a Plagiarism Checker
Turnitin and Chegg are helpful tools—but if you're serious about improving your academic writing, they have limits.
PaperGen bridges that gap. From AI-powered plagiarism checking to formatting citations in AMA, ACS, CSE, and MLA, it gives you the full toolkit for academic success.
Try PaperGen today at papergen.ai and move beyond detection into perfection.
