Proofreading has fast become a popular way to earn money at home, but you can earn more as a copyeditor. If that’s news to you, then keep reading to learn the differences between popular proofreading and copyediting courses. This article will break down the essential information you need to choose the best course for your income goals.
We’ll take a look at the top proofreading courses available: Knowadays (formerly Proofreading Academy) vs Proofread Anywhere vs The Editing Academy vs Edit Republic (formerly The Art of Proofreading).
What Proofreading Courses Offer
Did you know that proofreading is only one needed skill for editing documents and books? Copyediting is in higher demand than proofreading, which is why you’ll find that some courses teach both skills to give students an advantage.
All of the courses from these four companies teach proofreading skills, but two of them (The Editing Academy and Edit Republic) have dedicated lessons to teach students how to copyedit so they can apply for more jobs that pay better.
Here are a few things you should look for in the right proofreading or copyediting course:
- industry information so you understand where you fit in and what clients might expect
- grammar lessons to make sure you know the rules
- style guide lessons so you know how to stay consistent (essential if you plan to work for a company like Forbes or Angie)
- variety of practice to make sure you feel confident
- expert advice about how to find clients, write contracts, and market yourself
- evaluation and certificate to prove your dedication and excellence
This last one is key.
Some proofreading courses offer extremely valuable information regarding the industry as a whole, where proofreaders and copyeditor fit in, and strategies to successfully launch your new freelance business.
If you’re serious about becoming a proofreader or copyeditor, then choosing a course with this information included is a must. It’s the best way to get a jump start on a new work-at-home proofreading career.
Something to be aware of:
Proofreading is often mistaken as the main editing skill when, really, most companies and publishers are looking for a copyeditor who truly understands how to make sure a sentence is grammatically correct. Not only that, but a copyeditor should know how to maintain the author’s voice and follow an industry style guide.
Taking a copyediting course can help you meet the needs of tens of thousands of writers and companies looking for grammar wizards.
Oh, and did we mention that you can earn more money as a copyeditor? Yep. Even double what some proofreaders make. That alone makes it worth the extra effort to learn the additional skill.
Knowadays (Proofreading Academy) vs Proofread Anywhere vs The Editing Academy vs Edit Republic Comparison
For a quick reference, here’s a table with the most important information comparing the top proofreading and copyediting courses.
| Company | Course Name | Price | Discounts | Methods Taught | Certification | Work Guarantee | Business Launch Info | Lifetime Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proofreading Academy | Becoming a Proofreader | $499 | Rarely | Proofreading | Yes, with 80% score | Yes, with 80% score* | No | 1 year access |
| Proofreading Academy | Becoming an Editor | $499 | Bundle for 15% savings | Copyediting | Yes, with 80% score | Yes, with 80% score* | No | 1 year access |
| Proofread Anywhere | General Proofreading: Theory and Practice | $397 or $497 | Frequent sales | Proofreading | Yes, with 90% score & higher price** | No | Some | Yes |
| The Editing Academy | Editing Made Easy | $549 | Discount with free minicourse | Proofreading & Copyediting | Yes, with 90% score | No | Yes | Yes |
| Edit Republic | High-Level Proofreading & Copyediting Pro | $597 | Rarely | Proofreading & Copyediting | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
**The test and certificate is only available on the Ignite Plus course ($497).
With this table, it’s easy to see why people commonly compare Knowadays vs Proofread Anywhere since they are similar proofreading courses. However, it’s more common to compare The Editing Academy vs Edit Republic since they both offer proofreading and copyediting in their online copyediting courses.
Let’s break down each proofreading course a little further to help you make your decision about which proofreading course is best to take.
Knowadays (formerly Proofreading Academy) Review
Knowadays’ primary course, Becoming a Proofreader, has a solid reputation for building a good proofreading foundation. It has a comprehensive curriculum that teaches students how to proofread documents of all kinds but with a strong emphasis on academic and business.
They also recently launched a Becoming an Editor course to teach various editing skills for different industries from fiction to business. The course includes tutoring as well, which can be helpful.
The biggest differentiator of Knowadays is their work guarantee. In partnership with Proofed, they offer students a chance to start working on academic and some business documents within a couple weeks of passing the evaluation.
It’s necessary to achieve an 80 percent or higher score on the test, which is known to be difficult to pass. Students have three chances to take the test.
Current proofreaders for Proofed state that it’s helpful to start working there to get some experience, but the work can be demanding and the pay is not always as high as expected. There are tight turnarounds, and the rates can vary if it takes longer to complete some documents.
Pros
- Free trial available
- Work guarantee for students who pass the test with 80 percent or more
- Certificate for students who complete the course with any test score
- Thorough curriculum with video tutorials
- Tutors available by email to respond to questions
Cons
- Taking both courses will cost you almost $900
- Students don’t like having a “Knowadays” certificate instead of the old “Proofreading Academy”
- Work with Proofed is primarily academic documents
- Students have reported low pay and tight deadlines with Proofed
- There may be stiff competition to get work
- Access available for only one year after purchase
- Does not include information about launching a business
Proofread Anywhere Review
Proofread Anywhere’s General Proofreading: Theory and Practice proofreading course has been around for many years. It only teaches proofreading, and it only includes the basic principles. This course does provide students with training for proofreading in different documents such as PDFs, Word, and Google Docs.
Students are directed to research a style guide to learn the various proofreading principles for each lesson. This can be challenging for students who prefer audio/visual instruction. The overall focus is more on proofreading manuscripts and general proofreading.
There are several bonuses for students like mastering a business mindset, common homophones, etc. Several lessons discuss ideas for getting an online business started and additional tutoring is available for hourly fees.
There are two prices available: the cheaper one includes the course material and the more expensive one includes a graded test and certification with a 90 percent score or better.
Pros
- Average cost with two purchase options
- Includes some information about launching a business
- Lifetime access to the course and any updates
- Private Facebook group for students
- Teaches how to navigate an industry-standard style guide for grammar/punctuation rules
Cons
- No instructional videos, so students have to teach themselves through each module
- Bonuses and extra materials unrelated to proofreading
- Pay extra for certification
- Staff assistance is limited
- No refunds
The Editing Academy Review
The Editing Academy offers the Editing Made Easy course that teaches both proofreading and copyediting. This is the newest course of all of these options; however, the testimonials show highly satisfied students.
The curriculum includes video tutorials to help students learn the grammar and punctuation rules according to an industry-standard style guide, with some overview of the difference between British and American English grammar.
There are quizzes, worksheets, and essays (of numerous genres and styles) to work on before taking the final evaluation. Students who pass with a 90 percent or better receive a certificate of excellence after getting through the 40-50 hours of coursework.
Most importantly, you also get an overview of the entire editing industry, information about how to launch and market your business, where/how to find jobs, and templates for contracts and sending out quotes. Though it doesn’t have a private Facebook page, lectures have comment sections where students can ask questions and interact with each other.
It may not be as well known as some of the others, but it’s worthy of serious consideration, especially since students can sign up for the free, 30-minute minicourse and get a discount to Editing Made Easy.
Pros
- Great price point to learn two skills for more earning potential
- Discount and payment plans available
- Teaches proofreading and copyediting
- Lifetime access to course and any updates
- Includes video tutorials for audio/visual learning
- Includes industry info, plus business/marketing information, and pro editor advice
Cons
- Newer course than others
- Fewer bonuses than some courses
- Higher price point than just proofreading courses
- Limited refund policy
Edit Republic (Formerly The Art of Proofreading) Review
Edit Republic’s course High-Level Proofreading & Copyediting Pro is a new course offering from a company formerly called The Art of Proofreading. This course now includes both proofreading and copyediting, which is helpful for students looking to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Students get lots of video instruction, quizzes, and even a workbook they can fill out as they go. They’ll also learn some information about the editing industry, plus learn business and marketing strategies as well. Students also like the group coaching calls each month and the lifetime access to the course.
As with the other courses, there is a final evaluation where students can receive a certificate when they pass the test. Since the owner is a long-time editor, it’s safe to assume the course follows one or more industry-standard style guides. The price point is the highest of all the courses, however there are two payment plans available—though you’ll end up paying quite a bit more in the long run.
Pros
- Teaches proofreading and copyediting
- Includes industry knowledge
- Includes business and marketing information and templates
- Group coaching calls available
- Certificate for completion
Cons
- Payment plans make the course even more expensive
- Highest price point of all the courses
- Established course but still not well known
- Limited refund policy
Which is the Best Proofreading or Copyediting Course?
Each course has their unique features and benefits, so it’s difficult to say there is only one “best” proofreading course. If you’re considering jumping into this career to work from home, you’ll need to decide on the course that best meets your needs and budget.
If you just want to try proofreading, then Knowadays (Proofreading Academy) might be a great option. But if you’re looking to earn more money from home, then opt for a copyediting course like Editing Made Easy.
Having more than one skill is ideal in today’s competitive world. Especially if you have a skillset like copyediting that pays more than proofreading!
Most importantly, all of these courses have students who have successfully graduated and found success in the editing industry. Rest assured that they are all legitimate proofreading and copyediting courses that can help stay-at-home moms, digital nomads, empty nesters, or anyone interested in learning a skill to work from home.
