MerciApp, the Parisian-born writing assistant, has its sights on overtaking global rivals—in particular, Grammarly—by anchoring itself solidly in European values and infrastructure.
MerciApp raises €7M to challenge Grammarly in Europe
When I first heard that MerciApp had “raised €7M to challenge Grammarly”, it sounded like a David-and-Goliath moment—or, just maybe, creative rounding. The real picture is more subtle, although still compelling for European tech watchers.
To be precise, MerciApp’s most significant funding round—a Series A worth $7.31 million—closed in mid-2023, led by ISAI, Educapital, and SWEN Capital Partners. That’s about €6.87 million using mid-2023 exchange rates. The total amount raised by the company to date stands publicly at $8.33 million, or roughly €7.8 million, according to CB Insights. So while no fresh 2025 euros just arrived, the figure isn’t pulled from thin air. It’s just echoing a prior milestone gaining renewed relevance.
A French alternative with European DNA
Founded in 2020 and based in Paris, MerciApp is building what its founders call a fully sovereign alternative to writing assistants like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Google’s Smart Compose. The product is tailored to French and multilingual European users on several key fronts, from compliance with privacy regulations to linguistic nuance.
We’re not just building ‘Grammarly in French’. Our approach takes into account the complexity of language, culture, and regulatory context in Europe—we believe that’s where Grammarly can’t follow us,
explained Florent Messaoudi, MerciApp’s CEO and co-founder, during a recent phone interview.
Targeting Europe on its own terms
- Messaging in French: MerciApp natively supports French grammar, style, and spelling, going far beyond automatic translations.
- Hosted in the EU: All user data is processed and stored in the European Union, a feature in line with GDPR and a growing European appetite for data sovereignty.
- Business pricing friendly to SMEs: Starting at €6/user/month, MerciApp offers simpler entry points than Grammarly’s $12/month for teams or more for larger businesses.
On platforms like GetApp, MerciApp is increasingly visible in the business productivity space, notably among French-speaking professionals, HR departments, and digital agencies.
Grammarly’s billion-dollar edge
MerciApp, of course, faces a giant in Grammarly. The Ukrainian-American unicorn has amassed over 40 million daily users and reached more than $700 million in annual revenue, according to a Tech.eu article published in May 2025. In that same month, Grammarly raised an additional $1 billion in non-dilutive financing from General Catalyst—a signal of aggressive market expansion and product development, particularly in AI-supported corporate writing.
That cash isn’t idle. Sources close to the company report planned integrations in enterprise suites and the global education market. Grammarly has also expanded its European reach by acquiring internal documentation tool Coda earlier this year, offering deeper compatibility with native workflow tools.
MerciApp’s timing and terrain
The wider European tech scene may play to MerciApp’s advantage. A growing disillusionment with American tech oversight, fueled by uncertainties around AI regulation and cloud storage policies, has paved the way for startups with GDPR-native offerings.
LanguageTool, an open-source grammar service from Germany, has already secured a niche following in European institutions—including support from the BMW Group and educational NGOs. MerciApp, though, is betting on a more polished, B2B-compatible product with cloud integrations and AI-powered correction engines.
| Platform | Language Focus | Data Compliance | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MerciApp | French, EU-focused | EU-hosted (GDPR-compliant) | €6/month |
| Grammarly | English (global) | US-based (with privacy options) | $12/month |
| LanguageTool | Multilingual (inc. German, French) | Germany-hosted (open-source) | Free / €4.92/month Pro |
The race isn’t just linguistic—it’s ideological. In a Europe keenly aware of its digital sovereignty, smaller actors like MerciApp may tap into political and business momentum that bigger, U.S.-based giants cannot entirely align with.
FAQ
What are the main features that differentiate MerciApp from Grammarly?
MerciApp localizes for French grammar and European legal standards. It focuses on style corrections, team integrations, and GDPR compliance—areas Grammarly doesn’t fully cover for non-English content.
How does MerciApp’s pricing compare to Grammarly’s?
MerciApp charges from €6/user/month. Grammarly’s business plan starts around $12/month. For EU-based businesses, MerciApp offers lower barriers to entry with no foreign currency risks or tax compliance issues.
What industries are MerciApp’s primary users from?
MerciApp is most often used in HR, legal, tech, and marketing sectors—mainly by professionals working in French or within multilingual European companies.
How does MerciApp handle real-time suggestions compared to Grammarly?
The tool works inside web browsers and office platforms (including Gmail and Notion), offering real-time feedback. It’s slightly more conservative than Grammarly with AI-style rewrites but focuses heavily on contextual relevance in French writing.
What are the user reviews for MerciApp?
On sites like JoinSecret, MerciApp garners praise for clarity, French specificity, and elegant UX. Some users note limited multilingual expansion but highlight its accuracy and tone management for formal communications.
