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Microsoft Word alternatives

Top Word Processors like Microsoft Word

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

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

Microsoft Word alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
11 apps

All Microsoft Word alternatives

  1. Google Docs

    4.8(3.3M) · App Store

    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
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantMicrosoft Office file compatibilityOffline modeReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about Google Docs

  2. LibreOffice

    4.5Kstars

    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
    Categories
    Office SuitesWord ProcessorsSpreadsheets & Databases
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Ad-freeMicrosoft Office file compatibilityOffline modePlugins & extensionsTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about LibreOffice

  3. Pages

    4.6(573.5K) · App Store

    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
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WebMaciPhone
    Features
    Cross-device syncMicrosoft Office file compatibilityReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about Pages

  4. ONLYOFFICE

    3.6(176) · App Store

    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
    Categories
    Office SuitesWord ProcessorsSpreadsheets & Databases
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroidSelf-hosted
    Features
    AI assistantMicrosoft Office file compatibilityOffline modePlugins & extensionsReal-time collaborationTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about ONLYOFFICE

  5. Zoho Writer

    2.9(138) · App Store

    Zoho Writer is a cloud word processor from Zoho for writing and co-editing documents in the browser or on mobile. Beyond editing, it handles mail merge, fillable forms and document automation, can send documents out for signature, and the Zia assistant helps with grammar and readability. It is free for individuals and included in paid Zoho Workplace plans for teams.

    8 Zoho Writer alternatives

    Pros

    • Mail merge, fillable forms and document automation built in
    • Sends documents for e-signature without another tool
    • Free plan for individual users

    Cons

    • Less widespread, so collaborators may be unfamiliar with it
    • Best value comes from buying into the Zoho ecosystem
    • Fewer third-party templates and add-ons than Word or Google Docs
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantGrammar and spell checkMicrosoft Office file compatibilityReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about Zoho Writer

  6. WPS Office

    4.8(18.3K) · App Store

    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
    Categories
    Office SuitesWord ProcessorsSpreadsheets & Databases
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantCross-device syncMicrosoft Office file compatibilityMobile appTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about WPS Office

  7. Scrivener

    4.2(2.6K) · App Store

    Scrivener, from Literature & Latte, is a writing tool for long-form projects such as novels, theses and screenplays. Its binder lets you split a manuscript into sections, rearrange them on a corkboard or outliner and keep research notes, PDFs and images next to the text, then compile everything into print, ebook or Word formats. It is a one-time purchase per platform with a free trial.

    8 Scrivener alternatives

    Pros

    • Binder splits long manuscripts into easy-to-rearrange sections
    • Research notes, PDFs and images kept next to the text
    • Compile exports to print, ebook and Word formats

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve, especially for the compile feature
    • A separate license is required for each platform
    • Syncing with the iPhone app relies on Dropbox
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WindowsMaciPhone
    Features
    Cross-device syncOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Scrivener

  8. SoftMaker Office

    SoftMaker Office is a commercial office suite from the German company SoftMaker, consisting of TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations. It is built for close compatibility with Microsoft Office files and runs natively on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. It is sold as a subscription or a one-time license after a free trial; the separate FreeOffice edition is free with fewer features.

    8 SoftMaker Office alternatives

    Pros

    • Close compatibility with Microsoft Office files
    • Native apps on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android
    • One-time license available as an alternative to subscriptions

    Cons

    • Paid after the trial, and the free FreeOffice edition offers less
    • No cloud collaboration or web version
    • Smaller community and fewer resources than Office or LibreOffice
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Office SuitesWord ProcessorsSpreadsheets & Databases
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxAndroid
    Features
    Microsoft Office file compatibilityOffline modeTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about SoftMaker Office

  9. iA Writer

    4.6(1.5K) · App Store

    iA Writer is a minimalist Markdown editor from the design studio Information Architects. Its Focus Mode, syntax highlighting and style check help tighten prose, and it can mark text pasted from AI tools to keep track of what you wrote yourself. Files stay as plain text, locally or in iCloud and Dropbox, with export to HTML, PDF and Word. It is a one-time purchase per platform, after a free trial.

    9 iA Writer alternatives

    Pros

    • Focus Mode and style check help tighten prose
    • Plain-text Markdown files stored wherever you choose
    • One-time purchase instead of a subscription

    Cons

    • A separate purchase is needed for each platform
    • No real-time collaboration
    • Formatting options are minimal by design
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Dark modeMarkdown supportOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about iA Writer

  10. Adobe InDesign

    Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing application for laying out magazines, books, brochures, reports, interactive PDFs and ebooks. It handles parent pages, multi-column text threading, advanced typography, styles and print preflight, and integrates with Illustrator, Photoshop and Adobe Fonts. Publishers, agencies and in-house design teams use it for long or complex multi-page documents.

    6 Adobe InDesign alternatives

    Pros

    • Industry standard for magazines, books and long documents
    • Advanced typography, styles and multi-column text threading
    • Print preflight and smooth handoff with Illustrator and Photoshop

    Cons

    • Subscription-only, which is costly for occasional use
    • Steep learning curve for newcomers to page layout
    • Overkill for simple flyers or one-page designs
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Graphic Design
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    LayersPlugins & extensionsTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Adobe InDesign

  11. Ulysses

    4.6(2.1K) · App Store

    Ulysses is a writing app for Apple devices made by the German company Ulysses GmbH. Texts live in a single library synced through iCloud, are written in a Markdown-based markup and can be exported to PDF, Word or ePub or published directly to WordPress, Ghost and other platforms. It suits bloggers, authors and students and is sold as a subscription after a free trial.

    8 Ulysses alternatives

    Pros

    • Single library synced across Mac, iPhone and iPad via iCloud
    • Publishes directly to WordPress, Ghost and other platforms
    • Distraction-free writing with Markdown-based markup

    Cons

    • Only available on Apple devices
    • Sold only as a subscription
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    MaciPhone
    Features
    Cross-device syncDark modeGrammar and spell checkMarkdown supportOffline mode
    Visit websiteMore about Ulysses

Microsoft Word vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Microsoft Word, compared with its most popular alternatives.

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

Microsoft Word alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft Word?

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

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Word?

Yes, 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Google Docs, LibreOffice, Pages, and ONLYOFFICE.

Is there an open source alternative to Microsoft Word?

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

Is Microsoft Word free?

Microsoft Word has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Microsoft Word with its alternatives

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