This article has been just updated: January 15, 2024
Despite what many companies and college professors would make you believe, Microsoft Word isn’t the only word processor that you can use to create, edit, and review documents. In this article, we list top 7 best free alternatives to Microsoft Word and provide clear download instructions for each of them.
Just be aware that only Microsoft Word offers complete support for .doc and .docx files. While most free alternatives to Microsoft Word try to provide at least some form of support for the word processing file format developed by Microsoft, only a few succeed. To ensure that your .doc and .docx document will look just like you want them to, we recommend you convert them to .pdf before sending them to colleagues, potential employers, and professors.
1. LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a free and open source alternative to Microsoft Office that was initially released in 2011 as a fork of OpenOffice.org. It includes several applications for document editing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector graphics, creating and editing mathematical formulae, and database management. The one application that should be of high interest to all Microsoft Word users is called Writer. Much like Microsoft Word, Writer is a word processor with extensive WYSIWYG word processing capabilities, and its capable of opening and saving documents in a number of formats, including .odt, .doc, .docx, .rtf, and .xhtml.
How to download LibreOffice:
- Visit the following website: https://www.libreoffice.org/.
- Click the “Download” button in the top menu.
- Select “Download LibreOffice.”
- Choose the version for your operating system.
- Click the “Download” button one last time.
2. Apple Pages
Pages is a free word processor developed by Apple. It’s part of the iWork productivity suite, which also includes Keynote, a presentation program, and the spreadsheet application Numbers. While Pages can’t rival Microsoft Word in terms of functionality, it definitely outshines Microsoft’s word processor when it comes to usability and design. Things that take several clicks in Word require no effort at all in Pages, which is why so many users swear by this easy-to-use application when it comes to creating everything from letters to resumes to posters to school reports.
How to download Apple Pages:
- Visit the Mac App Store.
- Search for “Pages.”
- Download the application.
3. Google Docs
Google Docs is part of Google’s web-based software office suite within its Google Drive service. Despite its web-based nature, Google Docs is also available as a mobile and Google Chrome app. Google Docs supports collaborative document editing, machine learning-enhanced search functionality, and support for third-party add-ons, just to name a few interesting features. Google Docs can quite open .doc and .docx documents quite reliably, although you should expect to see a few visual errors here and there. When used together with the Google Docs Offline Chrome extension, Google Docs supports offline document viewing and editing.
How to download Google Docs on Android:
- Visit the Google Play Store.
- Search for “Google Docs.”
- Click the “Install” button.
4. WPS Office
WPS Office is a powerful office suite developed by Zhuhai-based Chinese software developer Kingsoft. It includes Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets, plus PDF tools to fulfill all of your document needs. Out of all the free alternatives to Microsoft Word mentioned in this article, WPS Office has arguably the best support for .doc and .docx files, which is why we wholeheartedly recommend it to students who would like to avoid paying a monthly subscription fee for Microsoft Word but would still like to open and edit documents in Microsoft’s file formats. WPS Office is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Russian.
How to download WPS Office:
- Visit the following website: https://www.wps.com/.
- Click the “Download” button in the top menu.
- Select “WPS Office 2016 Free.”
- Click the “Download” button.
5. Notepad++
Notepad++ is a simple text editor that, just like its name suggests, positions itself as an alternative to Notepad. However, because Notepad++ supports tabbed editing for working with multiple files in a single window, many people like to use it for writing first drafts and proofreading. Notepad++ has many other features that elevate it above ordinary text editors and place it in a league of its own, including autosave, finding and replacing strings of text with regular expressions, line bookmarking, macros, and support for plugins. At the moment, there are more than 140 plugins for Notepad++, and new ones are being released every month.
How to download Notepad++:
- Visit the following website: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/.
- Click the “Download” button located in the left sidebar.
- Select the version for your operating system and architecture.
6. AbiWord
AbiWord is a free word processing program for Linux. It bears many similarities to Microsoft Word, including support for basic word processing features such as lists, indents, and character formats, as well as more sophisticated features including grammar checking, page columns, multiple views, and templates. AbiWord used to be available for Windows, but the developers have decided to drop support for the Windows version due to general lack of interest in it.
How to download AbiWord:
- Visit the following website: https://www.abisource.com/.
- Click the “Download AbiWord” link.
- Select the version for your operating system.
7. Scrivener
Scrivener is a unique word-processing program used by novelists, screenwriters, and people in academia. It was designed from scratch to simplify idea collecting and organization. At the heart of Scrivener is a simple ring-binder metaphor that allows you to break down your text into manageable sections and stitch them together as you see fit. This may not seem important if you seldom work on any larger pieces of writing, but it’s absolutely essential when working on a long text.
Scrivener is available for macOS, Linux, and Windows, but only the macOS version enjoys first-class support. The Windows and Linux versions are significantly behind. While you can use Scrivener for up to 30 days without paying—long enough for you to write just about anything from a school essay to a novella—you will be required to purchase the full version of the application after the trial has expired.
How to download Scrivener:
- Visit the following website: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview.
- Click the “Download” button located in the top-right corner.
- Select the version for your operating system.
FAQ
What are some of the most popular free alternatives to Microsoft Word?
The most popular free alternatives include Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer, Apache OpenOffice Writer, WPS Office Writer, Zoho Writer, AbiWord, and ONLYOFFICE Docs.
Can Google Docs be considered a reliable substitute for Microsoft Word?
Yes, Google Docs is a very reliable substitute, offering extensive collaboration features and compatibility with Word documents. It operates directly in your web browser and allows for real-time collaboration. Visit Google Docs.
Does LibreOffice Writer offer the same features as Microsoft Word?
LibreOffice Writer offers a comprehensive set of features very similar to Microsoft Word, including support for various file formats. It is a part of the LibreOffice suite, which is a powerful open source office package. Learn more at LibreOffice.
Is Apache OpenOffice Writer compatible with Microsoft Word documents?
Apache OpenOffice Writer is compatible with Microsoft Word documents and it provides a user-friendly interface with many of the same functionalities as Microsoft Word. Users can learn more on their website at Apache OpenOffice.
How does WPS Office Writer stack up against Microsoft Word?
WPS Office Writer is known for its high compatibility with Microsoft Word, featuring a familiar interface and a robust toolset for document creation and editing.
What makes Zoho Writer a good alternative to Microsoft Word?
Zoho Writer is an excellent alternative due to its sleek interface, collaboration features, and comprehensive toolset similar to Word’s capabilities. Additionally, its integration with Zoho’s cloud-based productivity suite enhances its appeal.
How does AbiWord differentiate itself from Microsoft Word?
AbiWord is a lightweight word processor focusing on being fast, lean, and efficient, suitable for those with older computers or looking for a simple word processing tool.
What are some benefits of using ONLYOFFICE Docs?
ONLYOFFICE Docs offers a high degree of compatibility with Microsoft Word’s formatting and features and provides a collaborative environment for teams to work on documents simultaneously.
Do these alternatives support the DOC and DOCX formats?
Yes, most of these alternatives support both the DOC and DOCX formats, ensuring smooth transition and file sharing with Microsoft Word users.
Can I use these alternatives on different operating systems?
Yes, many of these free alternatives are cross-platform and can be used on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Are there any cloud-based alternatives to Microsoft Word?
Apart from Google Docs and Zoho Writer, another cloud-based alternative is Microsoft Office Online which offers essential features of Word for free, accessible via a web browser.
Do these free alternatives provide templates like Microsoft Word?
Yes, several of these alternatives come with a range of templates for documents such as letters, resumes, and reports, mirroring Microsoft Word’s template features.
What about the spell check and grammar tools in these alternatives?
Most of these free alternatives come equipped with spell check and some level of grammar checking tools, though the sophistication of these features may vary compared to Microsoft Word.
Can I collaborate with others in real-time using these Microsoft Word alternatives?
Real-time collaboration is a feature in Google Docs, Zoho Writer, and ONLYOFFICE Docs, where multiple users can edit the same document simultaneously.
How often do these free alternatives receive updates?
The frequency of updates varies by program, but most are regularly updated with new features and bug fixes to improve performance and user experience.
Are there any mobile apps available for these Word alternatives?
Yes, many of these alternatives, such as Google Docs and WPS Office, offer mobile apps for both Android and iOS platforms, providing users with the flexibility to work on their documents from anywhere.
What if I need to work offline? Do these alternatives have offline capabilities?
Several alternatives, like Google Docs (through its mobile app or within Chrome), LibreOffice Writer, and Apache OpenOffice Writer, have the capability to work offline.
Is it easy to switch from Microsoft Word to one of these alternatives?
Transitioning to these alternatives is generally straightforward due to their user-friendly interfaces and compatibility with Word document formats. Some may offer import options to facilitate the migration of documents.
How secure are these Microsoft Word alternatives?
Security can vary, but cloud-based alternatives such as Google Docs and Zoho Writer implement strong security measures to protect your documents. Desktop applications like LibreOffice Writer and Apache OpenOffice Writer store documents locally, which can be secured based on the user’s own computer security practices.
Are customer support or forums available for these free Word alternatives?
While direct customer support may be limited for free software, many of these alternatives have extensive online communities and forums where users can seek help and share information.