Essay Observer, a leading platform dedicated to academic writing insights, has released the results of an anonymous survey of 16,000 college students across the United States.
The survey was conducted between September 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024 and aimed to uncover which essay writing services students are using, why they turn to these services, and how they rate their experiences.
The results highlight four standout platforms that dominate the market, each earning high praise for their reliability, quality, and customer satisfaction. The key findings are shared below.
PaperHelp.org – Rated 4.92/5 with over 5,740 reviews
- Students praised PaperHelp.org for its affordability, user-friendly interface, and ability to meet tight deadlines. Many respondents noted that the service is particularly helpful for complex assignments and last-minute requests.
- 78% of users said they would recommend PaperHelp.org to a friend.
SpeedyPaper.com – Rated 4.89/5 with over 4,160 reviews
- SpeedyPaper.com was celebrated for its fast turnaround times and excellent customer support. Students also appreciated the platform’s transparency in pricing and its money-back guarantee.
- 82% of users reported using SpeedyPaper.com for urgent assignments (less than 24-hour deadlines).
EssayPro.com – Rated 4.86/5 with over 3,310 reviews
- EssayPro.com stood out for its flexibility, allowing students to communicate directly with writers and request revisions. Many respondents highlighted the platform’s ability to handle a wide range of subjects and academic levels.
- 75% of users said they chose EssayPro.com for its competitive pricing and high-quality writing.
GradeMiners.com – Rated 4.83/5 with over 1,980 reviews
- GradeMiners.com was lauded for its professionalism and attention to detail. Students noted that the service is particularly effective for research papers and essays requiring in-depth analysis.
- 70% of users said they trusted GradeMiners.com for important assignments that significantly impacted their grades.
Regional Trends and Usage Patterns by State
- California: 22% of respondents reported using essay writing services, with PaperHelp.org being the most popular choice (30% of users).
- New York: 18% of respondents admitted to using these services, with SpeedyPaper.com leading the pack (28% of users).
- Texas: 15% of students reported using essay writing services, with EssayPro.com as the top choice (25% of users).
- Florida: 12% of respondents said they used these services, with GradeMiners.com being the most trusted (20% of users).
- Illinois: 10% of students reported using essay writing services, with PaperHelp.org and SpeedyPaper.com tied for the top spot (22% each).
States with the lowest reported usage included Vermont (4%) and Wyoming (5%), where students cited stricter academic policies and smaller class sizes as reasons for not relying on these services.
Why Students Use Essay Writing Services?
The survey also explored the reasons behind students’ decisions to use essay writing services. The top reasons included:
- Time constraints (65%): Balancing academics with part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments was the most common reason.
- Complexity of assignments (45%): Many students admitted struggling with challenging topics or unfamiliar formats.
- Improving grades (40%): Some students turned to these services to ensure high-quality work that could boost their GPAs.
- Stress relief (35%): A significant portion of respondents cited mental health and the need to reduce academic pressure as a motivating factor.
Student Sentiment on Academic Integrity
While the survey revealed widespread use of essay writing services, it also uncovered mixed feelings about academic integrity. Approximately 60% of respondents expressed some level of guilt about using these services, but many justified their choice by citing the overwhelming demands of college life.
PaperHelp (rated 4.92/5 with more than 4,800 reviews)
PaperHelp is one of the students' top choices for college paper writing services thanks to fast delivery and high-quality work. Students praise this service for having the option to have their papers written in as little as 3 hours after providing all the necessary order details.
As acclaimed by more than 4,800 reviews, PaperHelp is the best essay writing service that has over 2,000 paper writers and experts who can handle more than 25 types of papers (including essays, research papers, dissertations, theses, and more.)
This company offers a wide range of services and caters to different needs, but one of the main reasons why PaperHelp stands out is their careful selection of writers. Every professional writer goes through a three-step verification process, so only the best essay writers and most qualified professionals get hired.
Reasons why students use PaperHelp:
- Students can order various types of online writing services and trust the writers to deliver quality work.
- The website is easy to use, making it simple for students to place their orders and get their papers on time.
- PaperHelp is one of the fastest and most reliable essay writing services available.
- They guarantee 100% plagiarism-free papers.
“I needed a quick turnaround for a 5-page history essay, and PaperHelp delivered beyond my expectations. Not only did they complete the paper within 24 hours, but the quality was also outstanding. The essay was coherent, with a clear thesis and well-supported arguments. I also appreciated the free plagiarism report that came with the order, giving me peace of mind about the originality of the work,” says Ann, University of Chicago student.
EssayPro (rated 4.89/5 with more than 4,200 reviews)
According to students' reviews, EssayPro is a popular choice for those looking for a college essay writing service that offers a real value for money. What makes EssayPro unique is that students get to choose who will write their assignment.
They have a large team of freelance expert essay writers who are ready to work on any project. Ordering an assignment here is similar to using a freelance marketplace. Students can select writers based on their skill level or rates, making it easy to find the right fit for their needs.
With so many experienced writers in different fields, students can always find someone who can handle their assignment at a price that suits their budget. EssayPro is by no means a cheap essay writing service, but students often praise its affordability.
Reasons why students use EssayPro:
- Students have control over who they trust with their assignments and projects.
- It's easy to find a professional essay writer who fits a budget and will do a good job.
- EssayPro offers one-on-one help from writers and tutors.
- Students can find writers who can complete an assignment in as little as six hours.
“I ordered a 10-page research paper on environmental science from PaperHelp, and I was thoroughly impressed. The writer followed my instructions to the letter and delivered a well-researched, well-structured paper ahead of the deadline,” says Lesley, student at Columbia University.
“What I liked most was the attention to detail and the inclusion of recent sources. The customer service team was also very responsive, addressing my queries promptly. I’ll definitely use their services again.”
SpeedyPaper (rated 4.86/5 with more than 3,100 reviews)
SpeedyPaper is a top choice for students seeking help with a college essay of any complexity, because this company has been praised for its ability to deliver professionally written essays delivered quickly. They promise a personalized approach for every client, and they really deliver on that promise.
As the name suggests, SpeedyPaper is a professional essay writing service and a go-to platform if speed is a top priority. But even with fast delivery, their writers ensure that customers receive high-quality, plagiarism-free essays that meet their academic standards.
Beyond high school and college essays, SpeedyPaper's professional writers and editors can handle even the most complex assignments. They match a customer with a qualified writer and allow them to communicate with each other to ensure high-quality results.
Reasons why students use SpeedyPaper:
- SpeedyPaper has a strict no-plagiarism policy, with multiple checks to guarantee original content.
- They’re serious about deadlines, so students can count on getting their work on time.
- The company offers 24/7 support, with a knowledgeable team ready to assist their customers whenever they need help.
“I had a tight deadline for a complex sociology essay, so I turned to EssayPro. The ordering process was straightforward, and I appreciated being able to choose my writer based on their experience and ratings,” says Tom, a student at Williams College.
“The essay was delivered on time and was exactly what I needed, with strong arguments and excellent referencing. The direct communication with the writer was a huge plus, allowing me to ensure that the paper was progressing as I wanted.”
GradeMiners (rated 4.83/5 with more than 2,300 reviews)
GradeMiners is one of the top essay writing services in the USA according to more than 2,300 positive reviews. Most users are satisfied with the quality of service they receive, as reflected by the numerous positive reviews that highlight the company's ability to deliver on its promises.
As one of the industry veterans, GradeMiners is a paper writing service that has refined its process to provide a great experience, especially for returning customers who are unlikely to consider other professional essay services.
Ordering an essay from GradeMiners is simple. Just provide your assignment details, and their online calculator will give you an instant price quote. The pricing is competitive and transparent.
Reasons why students use GradeMiners:
- Consistent delivery of high-quality papers that can boost grades, thanks to their team of expert writers who are both ESL and ENL.
- A 100% money-back guarantee on every order.
- All content is thoroughly checked for plagiarism using the latest software, ensuring that the paper is completely original.
- Direct communication with writers is available through live chat, email, or phone.
- 24/7 customer support is always available to assist with any concerns or questions.
“I used GradeMiners for a business case study, and I was very pleased with the outcome. The writer had a deep understanding of the subject and presented the case study in a very professional manner, with clear analysis and recommendations,” says Eric, University of Pennsylvania student.
“The formatting was perfect, and the paper met all my professor's requirements. The best part was the writer's ability to incorporate real-life examples, making the paper both informative and engaging.”
ExtraEssay (rated 4.80/5 with more than 1,400 reviews)
ExtraEssay is a popular online essay writing service for students who need high-quality essays but can't write them or don't have the time. This company is the least popular among all legit essay writing services mentioned in this report.
However, ExtraEssay has a team of expert writers dedicated to helping students with their assignments. Whether a customer needs an essay, research paper, term paper, thesis, or dissertation, ExtraEssay provides a range of professional writing services to cover students' needs.
One of the first things you'll notice about ExtraEssay is its sleek, modern website. It's not only visually appealing but also very easy to navigate. Placing an order is straightforward and hassle-free.
Customers of ExtraEssay are generally very satisfied with the quality of the papers they receive. Many are also impressed by how quickly the writers can deliver such high-quality work.
Reasons why students use ExtraEssay:
- Students can receive top-quality papers in as little as 3 hours.
- The company has experts in various writing fields, ensuring customers can find the right online essay writer for any project.
- Every paper comes with a plagiarism report, guaranteeing 100% originality.
- The essay service employs professional essay writers.
- Excellent customer support is available to assist students with any questions or issues.
“ExtraEssay helped me with a 7-page literature review, and I was genuinely impressed with the quality of work. The writer demonstrated a solid grasp of the topic and provided a critical analysis of the literature, which was exactly what I needed,” says Madeline, student at San Francisco State University.
“The paper was well-organized, with each section clearly contributing to the overall argument. Additionally, the pricing was very reasonable for the quality I received, and I appreciated the transparent pricing structure with no hidden fees.”