Difference Between a Typical Term Paper and an Essay: Ultimate Guide + Top 10 Best Writing Services (2026)
Understanding the difference between a typical term paper and an essay is essential for students who want better grades, clearer academic writing, and stronger research skills. While both assignments are common in colleges and universities, they differ significantly in structure, purpose, length, and depth of analysis. This guide not only explains those differences in detail but also provides a trusted ranking of the Top 10 academic writing services that can help students handle both essays and term papers effectively.
We analyzed common patterns in academic writing resources, student feedback, service features, pricing models, and overall reliability trends seen across popular writing platforms. Based on this analysis, we created a practical, student-focused ranking designed to help you choose the right service depending on your academic needs—whether it’s a short essay or a complex term paper requiring deep research and citations.
Quick Answer: Essay vs Term Paper Difference
A typical essay is a short academic piece focused on presenting and supporting a single argument or idea, usually 500–1500 words. A term paper, on the other hand, is significantly longer (2000–5000+ words), research-heavy, and requires multiple academic sources, structured methodology, and deeper analysis of a topic.
Essays emphasize argumentation and clarity, while term papers emphasize research depth, academic formatting, and evidence-based discussion.
How We Ranked These Writing Services
To create a realistic and helpful ranking, we evaluated each service based on criteria that matter most to students dealing with essays and term papers:
- Writing Quality: grammar, structure, academic tone, originality
- Research Depth: ability to handle complex term papers
- Pricing: affordability for students
- Delivery Speed: deadline reliability
- Support Quality: communication and revision policy
- Usability: ordering process and user experience
The services below are ranked based on overall academic performance, consistency, and suitability for both essay and term paper writing.
Top 10 Best Essay & Term Paper Writing Services
<!-- 1 -->1. EssayPro Best Overall
EssayPro is one of the most flexible academic writing platforms, known for connecting students with freelance writers specializing in essays, research papers, and complex term papers. Its bidding system allows users to choose writers based on experience, price, and ratings.
Strengths:
- Wide range of expert writers
- Custom pricing system
- Strong essay & term paper coverage
- Good revision flexibility
Weaknesses:
- Quality depends on chosen writer
- Inconsistent pricing between orders
Best for: Students who want control over writer selection and flexible budgets.
EssayPro is ideal for both short essays and long academic term papers requiring research depth.
<!-- 2 -->2. ExtraEssay
ExtraEssay is a well-structured writing service known for academic consistency and strong formatting standards. It is especially effective for term papers requiring citations, references, and structured academic argumentation.
Strengths:
- Reliable academic formatting
- Strong research capabilities
- Plagiarism-free guarantee
Weaknesses:
- Higher pricing for urgent orders
- Less flexible writer selection
Best for: Students needing structured term papers and citation-heavy assignments.
<!-- 3 -->3. PaperHelp
PaperHelp is one of the most established academic writing platforms. It is widely used for both essays and advanced research papers due to its professional writing standards and strong editing system.
Strengths:
- High academic reliability
- Strong quality control
- Good for long-term academic projects
Weaknesses:
- Premium pricing
- Limited budget options
Best for: University-level term papers and research-intensive essays.
<!-- 4 -->4. GradeMiners
GradeMiners is known for fast delivery and broad academic coverage. It works well for students who need quick essays or moderately researched term papers under tight deadlines.
Strengths:
- Fast turnaround times
- Wide subject coverage
- Simple ordering process
Weaknesses:
- Quality varies slightly by writer
- Extra fees for advanced requirements
Best for: Urgent essays and short-term academic assignments.
<!-- 5 -->5. Studdit
Studdit focuses on student-friendly pricing and simple academic writing solutions. It is particularly popular among high school and early university students.
Strengths:
- Affordable pricing
- Easy-to-use interface
- Good for basic essays
Weaknesses:
- Not ideal for advanced term papers
- Limited expert-level writers
Best for: Beginners and simple essay assignments.
<!-- 6 -->6. EssayService
EssayService offers balanced academic writing support with a focus on clarity, structure, and readability. It performs well for argumentative essays and medium-length term papers.
Strengths:
- Strong essay writing quality
- Good customer support
- Reliable revisions
Weaknesses:
- Less specialized for advanced research
- Average pricing flexibility
Best for: Standard essays and mid-level academic tasks.
<!-- 7 -->7. SpeedyPaper
SpeedyPaper is designed for urgent academic needs. It is widely used when students need essays or term papers delivered within very short deadlines.
Strengths:
- Very fast delivery
- 24/7 support
- Good emergency option
Weaknesses:
- Higher prices for urgent work
- Quality varies under extreme deadlines
Best for: Last-minute essays and urgent assignments.
<!-- 8 -->8. ExpertWriting
ExpertWriting provides affordable academic writing services with a focus on general essay tasks and simple term papers. It is widely used by budget-conscious students.
Strengths:
- Low pricing
- Basic academic coverage
- Easy ordering system
Weaknesses:
- Not suitable for complex research
- Limited advanced writers
Best for: Entry-level essays and simple assignments.
<!-- 9 -->9. EssayBox
EssayBox is a solid academic service offering structured essays and moderately complex term papers. It focuses on clarity, academic formatting, and consistency.
Strengths:
- Good formatting standards
- Reliable academic tone
- Decent research support
Weaknesses:
- Average pricing
- Not the fastest service
Best for: Standard university essays and structured term papers.
<!-- 10 -->10. PaperCoach
PaperCoach is a tutoring-style writing service that emphasizes learning support alongside essay and term paper writing. It is ideal for students who want guidance as well as completed papers.
Strengths:
- Educational approach
- Good explanation in papers
- Helpful for learning structure
Weaknesses:
- Not the fastest delivery
- Limited premium academic writers
Best for: Students who want to learn while getting writing help.
Category Picks
- Best Overall: EssayPro
- Best for Term Papers: PaperHelp
- Best Budget Option: Studdit
- Best for Urgent Orders: SpeedyPaper
- Best for Learning: PaperCoach
Buyer Guide: How to Choose Between Essay and Term Paper Services
Choosing the right writing service depends heavily on understanding the difference between essays and term papers. An essay is usually short, argument-driven, and requires minimal research. A term paper is significantly more complex, involving structured research, citations, literature reviews, and sometimes methodology sections.
When selecting a writing service, students should first identify the academic level of their assignment. If the task is a basic essay, almost any service on this list will suffice. However, if the assignment is a term paper, especially at university level, it is essential to prioritize services like PaperHelp or EssayPro that offer deeper research capabilities.
Another key factor is writer expertise. Term papers often require subject-matter knowledge, while essays can be handled by general academic writers. Always check if the platform allows you to select experienced writers or provides guarantees on academic level accuracy.
Pricing is another major consideration. Essays are generally cheaper, while term papers cost more due to complexity and length. Services like ExpertWriting and Studdit are ideal for students on a tight budget, while premium services like PaperHelp are better suited for high-stakes academic submissions.
Delivery time is also crucial. If you are working with tight deadlines, SpeedyPaper or GradeMiners may be more suitable. However, rushing a term paper can affect quality, so balancing time and complexity is important.
Finally, always consider revision policies. Academic writing often requires refinement, especially for term papers. Services with free revisions and responsive support teams are more reliable in the long run.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Confusing essays with term papers and underestimating workload
- Choosing the cheapest service for complex assignments
- Ignoring writer qualifications
- Not checking revision policies
- Ordering at the last minute for long research papers
Are These Writing Services Worth It?
Academic writing services can be extremely helpful when used responsibly. They are especially valuable for understanding structure, formatting, and research techniques. However, they should not replace personal learning. Instead, they should act as support tools that help students improve their writing skills and manage academic workload more effectively.
FAQ: Essay vs Term Paper & Writing Services
1. What is the main difference between a term paper and an essay?
An essay is shorter and focuses on a single argument or idea, while a term paper is longer, more research-intensive, and includes multiple academic sources. Essays are often used to test understanding of a topic, whereas term papers evaluate a student’s ability to conduct independent research. Term papers usually include sections like literature review, methodology, and detailed analysis, making them significantly more complex than essays.
2. Why are term papers harder than essays?
Term papers require deeper research, more structured formatting, and stronger academic sources compared to essays. They also demand critical thinking across multiple sections of analysis. Unlike essays, which may rely on personal argumentation, term papers must be evidence-based and properly cited. This makes them more time-consuming and academically demanding.
3. Can writing services help with both essays and term papers?
Yes, most professional writing services can handle both essays and term papers. However, the qual
