What does Formatly actually do?

Formatly formats your document — margins, spacing, fonts, headings, page layout, and structure — all matched to your chosen style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). We don't edit your writing, check grammar, or validate citations. You write it; we make it look right.

Which citation styles are supported?

Formatly supports APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Chicago Manual of Style, Harvard, and Turabian. We continuously evaluate new styles based on user requests.

How long does formatting take?

Most documents are formatted in about 30 seconds. The time depends on document size and length, but our engine is optimised for speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Yes. Your documents are processed in real-time and only you can access them. We never see, store, or share your content — your work stays yours.

The Best Academic Formatting Alternatives

Choosing the right tool for your research paper can save you dozens of hours. Here is how Formatly compares to the industry standards in 2026.

Feature	Formatly	PERRLA	Mendeley / Zotero	Scribbr
Full Document Layout
AI-Powered Automation				Partial
Tracked Revisions
Processing Speed	< 30 seconds	Manual setup	Citation only	24-72 hours
Style Compliance	100% Rule-Based	Template-Based	Reference-Only	Human-Reviewed
Cost	Freemium / $12	$79.95/yr	Free	$50 - $150+

Official Style Guide Compliance

Formatly follows the official standards set by the APA, MLA, and Chicago style guides.

Unlike general AI tools, our engine is rule-based and obsessive about margins, headings, and citations.

Formatly vs. Citation Managers

Tools like Mendeley and Zotero are excellent for managing references, but they don't format your entire document layout, margins, or headings.

Formatly handles the full document structure, ensuring your entire paper meets the style guide requirements.

Ready for Flawless Formatting?

Stop wasting hours on manual adjustments. Let our AI engine handle the rules while you focus on the research.

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