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Free Zoho Writer alternatives

Top Word Processors like Zoho Writer

The most popular alternative to Zoho Writer is Google Docs, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Zoho Writer are Microsoft Word, ONLYOFFICE, Pages, and LibreOffice.

Most alternatives to Zoho Writer are in the Word Processors category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Zoho Writer alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
8 apps

All Zoho Writer alternatives

  1. Google Docs is Google's online word processor, used for writing and editing documents together in real time. Comments, suggestion mode, version history and sharing links are built in, and files can be edited offline or exported as Word, PDF or OpenDocument. It is free with a Google account, with Gemini AI and business controls available through paid Google Workspace plans.

    11 Google Docs alternatives

    Pros

    • Real-time co-editing with comments and suggestion mode
    • Free with a Google account and accessible from any browser
    • Version history makes every change recoverable

    Cons

    • Fewer layout and formatting options than desktop word processors
    • Offline editing has to be set up in advance
    • Gemini and business controls require paid Workspace plans
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
  2. Microsoft Word is the word processor in Microsoft 365 and the reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces. It offers styles, track changes, comments, mail merge, references and real-time co-authoring through OneDrive or SharePoint, plus Copilot drafting in eligible plans. Word runs on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, where a free version is available with a Microsoft account.

    11 Microsoft Word alternatives

    Pros

    • The reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces
    • Powerful styles, track changes, references and mail merge
    • Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web

    Cons

    • Full desktop features require a Microsoft 365 subscription
    • Dense interface packed with features most people never use
    • Copilot features are limited to eligible plans
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
  3. ONLYOFFICE is an office suite from Ascensio System with editors for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs and forms, built around Microsoft Office formats. The desktop and mobile apps are free, and the online editors can be self-hosted or integrated into Nextcloud and other platforms, with paid cloud and enterprise editions. It supports real-time co-editing, plugins and AI assistants.

    12 ONLYOFFICE alternatives

    Pros

    • Strong compatibility with Microsoft Office formats
    • Free desktop and mobile apps, plus self-hostable online editors
    • Real-time co-editing and Nextcloud integration

    Cons

    • A self-hosted server needs technical setup
    • Enterprise features and support require paid editions
    • Fewer advanced features than Microsoft Office
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
  4. Pages is Apple's free word processor for Mac, iPhone and iPad, also usable in the browser through iCloud.com. It mixes word processing with page layout, offering designed templates for reports, flyers and books, plus EPUB export. Documents sync via iCloud, can be edited with others in real time and can be exported to Word or PDF.

    9 Pages alternatives

    Pros

    • Free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with well-designed templates
    • Combines word processing and page layout
    • Exports to Word, PDF and EPUB

    Cons

    • Native apps only on Apple devices, others must use iCloud.com
    • Word conversion can lose formatting in complex documents
    • Fewer advanced features than Word for long documents
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Platforms
  5. LibreOffice is a desktop office suite maintained by The Document Foundation, with Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math. It uses the OpenDocument format natively and opens and saves Microsoft Office files. It is free for any use, works fully offline and can be extended with community extensions and templates.

    12 LibreOffice alternatives

    Pros

    • Free for any use, with no account or subscription
    • Full suite with Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw and Base
    • Native OpenDocument support and fully offline use

    Cons

    • Interface feels dated next to Microsoft 365
    • Complex Office files can lose formatting
    • No real-time collaboration in the desktop apps
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
  6. Notion combines notes, documents, databases and project management in a flexible block-based workspace, with an integrated AI assistant.

    17 Notion alternatives

    Pros

    • Docs, wikis and databases combined in one flexible workspace
    • Large template gallery for roadmaps, trackers and wikis
    • Real-time collaboration with comments, mentions and an API

    Cons

    • Databases and relations take time to master
    • Offline access is limited compared with local-first apps
    • Large workspaces can feel slow to load
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  7. WPS Office is an office suite developed by Kingsoft that combines a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation app and PDF tools in one interface with document tabs. It is compatible with Microsoft Office formats and available on desktop and mobile. The free version shows ads, while a paid subscription removes them and unlocks extra PDF features, cloud storage and WPS AI.

    12 WPS Office alternatives

    Pros

    • Tabbed interface for documents, sheets, slides and PDF tools
    • Good compatibility with Microsoft Office formats
    • Free on desktop and mobile, including Linux

    Cons

    • The free version shows ads
    • Extra PDF tools and WPS AI require a subscription
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  8. Zoho Workplace brings together Zoho Mail, Writer, Sheet, Show, WorkDrive, Cliq and Meeting in one suite for small and mid-sized businesses. It offers custom-domain email, shared team folders and online editors that open Microsoft Office files, with the Zia assistant built in. A free plan covers a handful of users, and paid plans add storage and admin features.

    9 Zoho Workplace alternatives

    Pros

    • Mail, documents, storage and chat in one business suite
    • Custom-domain email, with a free plan for small teams
    • Integrates with the wider Zoho app ecosystem

    Cons

    • Editors are less capable than Microsoft or Google apps
    • Office editors run in the browser, with no desktop versions
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary

Zoho Writer vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Zoho Writer, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Zoho Writer vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAI assistantGrammar and spell checkMicrosoft Office file compatibilityReal-time collaborationTemplates
Zoho WriterFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
Google DocsFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
Microsoft WordFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
ONLYOFFICEFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted
PagesFreeWeb, Mac, iPhone
LibreOfficeFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux

Zoho Writer alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Zoho Writer?

The most popular alternative to Zoho Writer is Google Docs: Browser-based word processor built for real-time collaboration. Other great alternatives are Microsoft Word, ONLYOFFICE, Pages, and LibreOffice.

Is there a free alternative to Zoho Writer?

Yes, 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, ONLYOFFICE, and Pages.

Is there an open source alternative to Zoho Writer?

Yes, 2 open source alternatives are listed, including ONLYOFFICE and LibreOffice.

Is Zoho Writer free?

Zoho Writer has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Zoho Writer with its alternatives

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