WordPad AlternativesTop Word Processors and other similar apps like WordPad

WordPad is described as 'Basic word processor bundled with Windows since 1995, offering rich and plain text editing, ribbon interface from Windows 7, and simple formatting features' and is a Word Processor in the office & productivity category. There are more than 50 alternatives to WordPad for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Android apps. The best WordPad alternative is LibreOffice - Writer, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like WordPad are Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Typora and AbiWord.

filter to find the best alternatives

WordPad alternatives are mainly Word Processors, but if you're looking for Text Editors or Note-taking Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Windows, iPad, Open Source, Chrome OS, Free and Mac. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to WordPad.
More about WordPad
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
WordPad alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. LibreOffice - Writer icon

    LibreOffice - Writer

     1294 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    An open-source word processor offering rich formatting and style options across multiple platforms. Versatile enough to handle both simple memos and complex book publishing, it supports a wide range of document formats and Microsoft Word compatibility, enhancing productivity through templates and layouts.

    84 LibreOffice - Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • ReactOS
    LibreOffice - Writer screenshot 1
     
    |
    11
    22
    Comments about LibreOffice - Writer as an Alternative to WordPad
    Top Positive Comment
    TBayAreaPat
    1

    LibreOffice is great. If you want something more lightweight, consider HS Writer.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    4

    I like and use LibreOffice, but MS WordPad is extremely more simple than LibreOffice. A similar programme to WordPad is Abiword.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    DavidGP
    Negative
    2

    It's an idiotic comparison. Like calling an eighteen-wheeler an alternative to a bicycle.

    Show more comments
    3 of 11 comments
    WordPad Icon
    LibreOffice - Writer icon

    • Some users think LibreOffice - Writer is a great WordPad alternative, some don't.

    • LibreOffice - Writer is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to WordPad.

    • LibreOffice - Writer is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to WordPad.

    • LibreOffice - Writer is Free and Open SourceWordPad is Free and Proprietary
    • LibreOffice - Writer is Privacy focused and LightweightWordPad is not according to our users
  2. Microsoft Word icon

    Microsoft Word

     930 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Microsoft's leading word processor, enables professional-quality document creation with SmartArt graphics, seamless PDF support, and extensive search capabilities. Compatible across desktop, online, and mobile platforms with necessary subscription or standalone purchase options.

    95 Microsoft Word alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    New document view
     
    |
    4
    10
    Comments about Microsoft Word as an Alternative to WordPad
    Guest
    Negative
    5

    Not lightweight, costs a decent amount of money. In short, not suitable if you only need something comparable to MS Wordpad.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    flcferreira
    Negative
    1

    It isn't cheap. And it may be heavier to load than Wordpad. Otherwise, it is a great option.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Wordpad comes with Windows, but Word is commercial and has more features than Wordpad. Word may have more features, but is slower, while Wordpad is super lightweight and simple. I'm looking for a lightweight and fast word processor for Linux so I can write quick RTF documents when I don't need the advanced features of a full-fledged word processor, like Wordpad for Windows.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    WordPad Icon
    Microsoft Word icon

    • Some users think Microsoft Word is a great WordPad alternative, some don't.

    • Microsoft Word is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to WordPad.

    • Microsoft Word is the most popular commercial alternative to WordPad.

    • Microsoft Word is Paid and ProprietaryWordPad is Free and Proprietary
  4. Google Docs icon

    Google Docs

     952 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Powerful online word processor with real-time collaboration, document conversion from Word, extensive formatting options, revision history, and multilingual capabilities, all integrated within the Google Drive ecosystem, accessible through any internet-connected device.

    106 Google Docs alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Google Docs screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    9
    Comments about Google Docs as an Alternative to WordPad
    flcferreira
    Negative
    2

    It's not a native stand-alone app. You need to run it in your browser. Should it work as a native app without overloading my poor hardware with a browser, I would consider it a good option.

    WordPad Icon
    Google Docs icon

    • Some users think Google Docs is a great WordPad alternative, some don't.

    • Google Docs is the most popular Web-based alternative to WordPad.

    • Google Docs is Free and ProprietaryWordPad is also Free and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Typora icon
    Typora

    A minimalist Markdown editor offering cross-platform synchronization, live preview, and seamless export/import in various formats like PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX. Features include distraction-free Focus and Typewriter modes, file manag...

    https://typora.io
    Learn More
  6. Typora icon

    Typora

     325 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    A minimalist Markdown editor offering cross-platform synchronization, live preview, and seamless export/import in various formats like PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX. Features include distraction-free Focus and Typewriter modes, file management with tree and articles panels, and content organization through an outline panel.

    174 Typora alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron
    Typora screenshot 1
     
  7. AbiWord icon

    AbiWord

     260 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    AbiWord is a free word processing program similar to Microsoft® Word. It is suitable for a wide variety of word processing tasks.

    66 AbiWord alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • GTK
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS
    AbiWord on Linux
     
    |
    4
    24
    Comments about AbiWord as an Alternative to WordPad
    Guest
    Positive
    4

    Its more powerful and can be customized for default fonts. Better version of WordPad. I have been using it for everything great program.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Simple and lightweight, but enough for writing a reach formatted text , and everyday use. Not bloated and unless functions. Only those what I need for a letter written to a friend or an office.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Smaller footprint, familiar interface, for most general writing, it more than suffices.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    WordPad Icon
    AbiWord icon

    • Almost everyone thinks AbiWord is a great WordPad alternative.

    • AbiWord is Free and Open SourceWordPad is Free and Proprietary
    • AbiWord is LightweightWordPad is not according to our users
  8. Apache OpenOffice Writer icon

    Apache OpenOffice Writer

     682 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Writer, part of the Apache OpenOffice suite, is an open-source word processor. It supports the ISO standard Open Document Format (ODF) for data interchange as its default file format, as well as Microsoft Office 97-2003 formats, Microsoft Office 2007...

    72 Apache OpenOffice Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Main window
     
  10. Scrivener icon

    Scrivener

     262 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Tailored for extensive writing, this tool offers flexible structure and organization, integrates project outlines, supports various formats, and allows reorganization through drag and drop, ensuring research materials are within reach for efficient work.

    121 Scrivener alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
    • Wine
    Scrivener screenshot 1
     
  11. FocusWriter icon

    FocusWriter

     207 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Simple but configurable and themeable, distraction-free text editor for writers. Open-source and available across desktop platforms.

    98 FocusWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    FocusWriter screenshot 1
     
    |
    6
  12. WPS Writer icon

    WPS Writer

     113 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    WPS Writer, part of WPS Office , is dependable and fast word processing software that is highly compatible with Microsoft Word , and can read and edit DOC and DOCX formats.

    68 WPS Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
    |
    1
    Comments about WPS Writer as an Alternative to WordPad
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Modern Microsoft Word Look-Alike that opens MUCH faster than Word! Has EVERYTHING you need. Not as bloated as Libre. Stable, Familiar UI, and most importantly....FREE!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    WordPad Icon
    WPS Writer icon
    • WPS Writer is Freemium and ProprietaryWordPad is Free and Proprietary
  13. WriteMonkey icon

    WriteMonkey

     130 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Writemonkey is a Windows zenware writing application with an extremely stripped down user interface, leaving you alone with your thoughts and your words.

    102 WriteMonkey alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    The interface, full screen.
     
  14. Windows Notepad icon

    Windows Notepad

     182 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Fast, streamlined editor with extensive features, bundled with Windows since 1985. Supports plain text, UTF-8, and over 100 languages with enhanced functionality since 2018, including dark mode, Bing search, and large file handling.

    142 Windows Notepad alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows Notepad screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Windows Notepad as an Alternative to WordPad
    Guest
    Negative
    11

    It's s a text editor, not a RTF editor like Wordpad. If you are looking for an alternative to wordpad, this has nothing to do with it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    WordPad Icon
    Windows Notepad icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Windows Notepad is a legitimate WordPad alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Windows Notepad is Free and ProprietaryWordPad is also Free and Proprietary
    • Windows Notepad is Minimalistic and LightweightWordPad is not according to our users
  15. TextMaker icon

    TextMaker

     64 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    TextMaker is the word processor in SoftMaker Office – fast, powerful, compatible and GDPR-compliant.

    66 TextMaker alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    TextMaker screenshot 1
     
12 of 73 WordPad alternatives