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.

Formatly vs. PERRLA: The Complete 2026 Comparison

Choosing the Right Formatting Tool

If you are tired of manually formatting academic papers, you have likely come across both Formatly and PERRLA. Both save time but work differently.

At a Glance

Formatly: Free tier + $12/mo Pro, ~30s processing, APA/MLA/Chicago/Harvard/Turabian, tracked changes, AI feedback.

PERRLA: $79.95/year, template-based (minutes), APA/MLA/Chicago only, no tracked changes, no AI feedback.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Formatly if you have existing papers to format, need tracked changes, or need Harvard/Turabian. Choose PERRLA if you prefer working inside Word throughout writing.

Read our APA Guide or MLA Guide to see output quality. Upload your paper and try Formatly free.