Editor Versus Proofreader: Which Is Better?
“Editor versus proofreader—which is better?”
It’s a question many aspiring freelancers type into Google. And it’s not a silly question! If you’re exploring a new career in publishing or freelancing, it’s completely natural to want to know which role might be more prestigious, profitable, or practical.
But here’s the truth: neither is “better.” Editors and proofreaders play different, complementary roles in the life of a manuscript—and each requires a distinct way of thinking. Instead of “editor versus proofreader, the better question is: Which one fits you best?
This post will walk you through the differences between editors and proofreaders, what each role entails, who they serve, and how to decide which path might suit your strengths.
Editor Versus Proofreader: What Does a Book Editor Do?
The Role of an Editor
Book editors are deeply involved in the creation and refinement of a manuscript, often starting long before the book is close to “done.” Depending on the editing type, they may focus on story structure, sentence-level rhythm, tone, logic, clarity, or consistency.
There are several types of editing:
- Developmental Editing (DE) – Big-picture storytelling, structure, pacing, character arcs, and theme
- Line Editing (LE) – Sentence flow, tone, voice, and rhythm
- Copyediting (CE) – Grammar, usage, punctuation, word choice, style guide consistency
Each type of editing requires different mental strengths. Developmental editing is highly conceptual and collaborative, while copy editing demands precision and mostly rule-based decisions.
Skills Needed to Succeed as an Editor
The “editor” umbrella covers multiple specializations, but broadly speaking, editors need to possess the following:
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- The ability to manage ambiguity and shape content
- A deep understanding of audience and genre
- An intuitive sense of pacing, flow, and clarity
- Comfort giving feedback (and helping authors process it)
Developmental editors in particular must think holistically and conceptually—often in collaboration with the author to rework major parts of a manuscript.
Editor Versus Proofreader: What Does a Proofreader Do?
The Role of a Proofreader
Proofreaders have the final eyes on a manuscript before it goes to print or digital publication. Their job is to check for tiny, surface-level errors that might have slipped through previous editing stages:
- Typos
- Punctuation mistakes
- Formatting inconsistencies
- Layout errors (extra spaces, dropped lines, missing headers, widows and orphans)
Proofreading is done on the final, typeset version of a manuscript, usually in PDF or print format. It’s not the time for big changes or opinions of any kind (that time has passed). It’s the final polish before the book is shipped into the world. When I first started proofreading for a publisher I serve, the project manager told me,
“If it requires changing the line of text, the change is too big; that should have been done at the copy editing stage, and it’s just too bad. Stet.”
Stet means “Leave it as it stands.”
Skills Needed to Succeed as a Proofreader
Proofreading requires a completely different kind of thinking than editing:
- Impeccable attention to detail
- Excellent eyesight and visual acuity
- A systematic, methodical work style
- Ability to focus for long periods of time on small inconsistencies
- A strong grasp of grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules
This is work that rewards precision over creativity. It’s not about improving a manuscript—it’s about ensuring nothing distracts the reader once it’s published.
Editor Versus Proofreader: What’s the Difference?
Let’s break it down:
| Category | Editor | Proofreader |
| Stage in Process | Early to mid (depending on type) | Final pass before publication |
| Focus | Structure, content (DE); language, clarity, flow (LE); word usage, grammar, spelling (CE) | Typos, missed punctuation errors, formatting errors |
| Type of Thinking | Conceptual, analytical, or collaborative | Systematic, detail-oriented, solitary |
| Typical Deliverables | Feedback letters, Tracked Changes in MS Word document, inline comments | Marked-up PDFs or annotated hard copy |
| Client Interaction | Often high, especially DE | Minimal; rarely works directly with author |
Here’s a key point: Very few people can do both developmental editing and proofreading. That’s because the types of thinking required are fundamentally different. Developmental editors think conceptually and love big-picture changes. Proofreaders thrive with precision, pattern recognition, and catching minute errors.
There is an exception: Some copy editors and line editors can cross over into proofreading. That said, it is a terrible idea do both the copy editing and proofreading on the same project.
Is One Career Path “Better” Than the Other?
In a word: Nope.
What’s “better” depends on you—your preferences, your skills, and the kind of work you enjoy.
Editing may be a better fit if these are true:
- You love shaping stories, improving clarity, and collaborating with authors.
- Abstract thinking and solving structural puzzles energize you.
- You navigate gray areas well (e.g., “What’s working in this chapter?”).
Proofreading may be a better fit if these are true:
- Precision and logic are lovely, in your opinion.
- You enjoy quiet, independent work.
- You can read for hours while catching small flaws others miss.
Editor versus proofreader? Nah. Both roles are essential. One isn’t “better” than the other. They just serve different purposes at different stages of the publishing process.
Can You Be Both?
Technically, yes, but most professionals specialize for a reason.
It’s incredibly hard to switch brain modes between conceptual editing (developmental editing) and mechanical editing (copy editing and proofreading). Very few people can do it well. Even if you can do both types of thinking, doing both kinds of work on the same manuscript is considered unethical (you will miss things). Even offering both services in your business on different manuscripts can be mentally exhausting.
Many line editors and copy editors do offer proofreading on separate projects because the type of thinking is similar. If you’re thinking about doing both developmental editing and proofreading, don’t.
How to Start a Career in Editing or Proofreading
Learn the craft.
You can’t skip this part, even if you’re a lifelong reader or a natural grammar geek. Professional editing and proofreading have standards, style guides, and industry expectations. And some of those things change on a regular basis, so you need to learn, unlearn, and relearn things if you want to be successful.
Here are some great books to start with:
- The Chicago Manual of Style (industry standard for editing and publishing trade books )
- The Subversive Copy Editor by Carol Fisher Saller
- Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss (especially for proofreaders)
Study applicable books and annotate them. Apply what you learn. Read widely. Learn the differences between fiction editing and nonfiction editing. Learn which tools editors use (such as PerfectIt) and how to use AI ethically.
Practice and Portfolio Building
Once you understand the basics, practice:
- Public domain texts from Project Gutenberg
- Volunteer proofreading gigs
- Critique partnerships with writers
- Mock edits to showcase on your portfolio
Create a few polished samples that show what kind of work you do best—whether that’s fixing comma splices or untangling scenes.
Training and Support
You can self-study, but many editors and proofreaders fast-track their careers through guided programs. Choose carefully because most editing courses fail you and then blame you for it.
Look for an editor training program that teaches both skill and business foundations, so you don’t just learn the what of editing, but also the how of running a freelance editing business.
(Editors School offers both, by the way—with real-world assignments, templates, and community support. Just saying.)
TL;DR:
Editor versus proofreader isn’t about which is better. It’s about which role fits your brain, your goals, and your working style. Editors shape books. Proofreaders shine them. Both are valuable. The real win is choosing the path that fits you.
Call to Action
Still asking yourself, “Editor versus proofreader: which is better for me?” Here’s your next step: try both. Learn the mechanics. Practice the thinking. Notice where you naturally shine.
Explore Editors School’s courses and resources to build real skills, choose your path, and get support from experienced professionals who’ve been where you are.