Is there a free app for a plagiarism checker?

[mhinojosa]

I had a teacher ask me if there are any free apps (LTIs) for plagiarism checkers in Canvas. He said that he found one called Unplag, but it will cost him $60 a year to use. He wants me, as the district admin, to add it to all accounts. However, I can't add anything that costs without going through a lot of red tape. Does anyone know of any free ones that I can have him add to his or out district Canvas site. As always, thank you for all of your support. Couldn't do this job without your help.

[kona]

I've never heard of a free one (other than faculty Googling things from suspicious papers), but if there's one out there I'd love to know about it! Also, because there is no right or wrong answer I'm going to switch this from a question to a discussion.

[Stef_retired]

 @mhinojosa , some of my students used the free Plagiarism Checker | Grammarly to vet their own submissions before they uploaded them for subsequent review by Turnitin. I can't speak to its accuracy, and I am almost certain it does not have a Canvas integration, so your teacher would have to use it manually (via the copy-paste search method  @kona  suggested) or direct his students to do so.

By the way, Unplag is a Canvas Certified Partner: Certified Partner - Unplag​

[i_klymenko]

Hello Michele, similarity checking is a pretty sophisticated technology if we are to produce high quality results. That is because not only you have to have a first class search engine (much like Google has and even better in some ways), but also, have an access to web index. It is possible to use offline cache which is significantly smaller than live web index, and still the engine quality matters. Free checks that are available online could provide mediocre quality at best due to simplistic search engine. And I am not mentioning other facts like integration with Canvas/SpeedGrader for automatic checks, search vs Open Access, privacy & security when working with such tools and many more factors such as usability, reliability, mobile devices support etc.. Overall, no free tool can offer such service, unless it finds a model how to compensate the development of technology and its continuous support (servers, fixes etc.). All this might sound like I am advocating for a paid tool at all costs - not at all. It's just a reality of these days, that free checkers simply offer poor experience for educational institutions and corporate use.

At Unplag we're working hard to create the best originality checking service for all educators. We have a huge roadmap of improvements and new features are coming by the end of this year and at the beginning of the next year (like Open Access search, Draft checks and others). Also, no free checker will offer you anything more advanced than an exact match. Here, at Unplag, we develop a unique technology to find synonymized matches as well as paraphrase and even more (soon we will be sharing this information with the public).

Feel free to email me at ivan@unplag.com and I will set up a live demo for you to show how everything works. No obligations. You can also have a free trial and run pilot project before you decide whether you want to move with the tool. Also, I'd like to mention that Unplag is an Alliance Partner of Canvas already.

[mhinojosa]

Hi Ivan,

Thank you so much for this information. Our curriculum department has formed a committee to research several items to improve teaching. The are also looking for a plagiarism tool that would work in Canvas but also other programs. I will pass this information on to them. I'm sure that they will find it very useful.

Michele Hinojosa

[garth]

 @mhinojosa  I'm working with a school that is on a shoe string budget, like so many.

We have implemented PlagScan, and the cost was incredibly affordable.

I have been told the results are compatible with other more recognized platforms.

They worked with us to setup a trial before we had to commit, it's nice to be able to drive before you buy.

It might be worth looking into:  PlagScan - Plagiarism checker

[mhinojosa]

Thanks Garth. I will pass this information on the our Curriculum department. Appreciate the help.

[i_klymenko]

It has been only one year since the thread created, but what big changes have taken place in Unicheck (ex. Unplag). So I just refresh my comment above. It may happen that someone will pass by with the same need 

We have 3 pricing plans. One of them is called Essentials. It’s free for all institutions and has the following benefits:

• Internet, open access, student papers checks
• High search accuracy
• Integrations with Canvas
• Allow resubmission
• Unlimited number of accounts for educators and students
• Unlimited file storage
• Basic support

 Those who would like to know more details are always welcome to e-meet me at: ivan@unicheck.com

[Anislawa]

Good advice, I also use it. I used them to prepare texts for the school safety site. I have been practicing plagiarism testing for a long time because I work as a teacher and I know how students can behave.