The Best Free Microsoft Word AlternativesTop Word Processors and other similar apps like Microsoft Word

The best free alternative to Microsoft Word is LibreOffice - Writer, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Word and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Microsoft Word are ONLYOFFICE, Apache OpenOffice Writer, Google Docs and WPS Writer.

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Microsoft Word alternatives are mainly Word Processors, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Text Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Mac, Free, Windows, Windows + Free, Android and Linux. 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 Microsoft Word.
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Alternatives list

  1. LibreOffice - Writer icon

    LibreOffice - Writer

     1336 likes

    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.

    97 LibreOffice - Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • ReactOS
    LibreOffice - Writer screenshot 1
     
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    64
    LibreOffice - Writer vs Microsoft Word Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    KuboFHromoslav
    41

    If you do not need some very rare functions, LibreOffice Writer is better and totally libre alternative!

    1victor
    Positive
    0

    Very good alternative to Word

    AbyssalThatRatesAppsTho
    Positive
    0

    I like Libreoffice Writer as an alternative to Microsoft word because it is free and open source, doesn't want to scrap your documents to train LLMs or hover up your private information. There are no privacy concerns with LibreOffice in general, which makes it better to use in my opinion over Microsoft's offerings which are polluted with LLM filth.

    While they might be some compatibility issues with opening odt in Microsoft Word...So keep that in mind. However, because I use it for personal use this is never an issue.

    3 of 64 comments
    • LibreOffice - Writer is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreOffice - Writer is Privacy focused and LightweightMicrosoft Word is not according to our users
  2. ONLYOFFICE icon

    ONLYOFFICE

     707 likes

    Open-source office suite offering document, spreadsheet, and presentation editing with co-editing modes, plugin support, integration across 30+ services, robust security, and mobile access. Available in Community, Enterprise, and Home Server editions for versatile deployment.

    93 ONLYOFFICE alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Cloudron
    OnlyOffice 9.3 Document running in Windows 11
     
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    7
    ONLYOFFICE vs Microsoft Word Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Alternative Software
    2

    Very easy to use and has a familiar interface. It’s much better than LibreOffice for both compatibility with MS Word and its overall design.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    3

    Best alternative I tested to date.

    Guest
    Positive
    3

    If you know how to use Word, the you will feel at home using OnlyOffice. It's feature rich, supports all platforms and even the browser. You can collaborate with other people, and OnlyOffcie respects your privacy.

    Compared to something like Apple Pages, it's not the cleanest and smoothest experience, but if you have used MS Word og LibreOffice, it won't be a problem.

    3 of 7 comments
    • ONLYOFFICE is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
    • ONLYOFFICE is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Word is not according to our users
  4. Apache OpenOffice Writer icon

    Apache OpenOffice Writer

     684 likes

    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...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Main window
     
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    11
    Discontinued

    Last major release was in 2014

    Apache OpenOffice Writer vs Microsoft Word Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Kelson V
    3

    Way out of date compared to LibreOffice.

    Top Negative Comment
    AndreStork
    2

    It's pretty much the worst Office alternative available. It has a bad UI and I shouldn't talk about compatibility with .docx files

    KuboFHromoslav
    Positive
    3

    OpenOffice was a great alternative to Word about 15 years ago. Since then, the development has staled and the new leader is LibreOffice. Unless you are using OpenOffice for some obscure, niche reason (compatibility with very old stuff, "not fixing what is not broken", etc) a much better alternative to MS Word would be LibreOffice.

    3 of 11 comments
    • Apache OpenOffice Writer is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
    • Apache OpenOffice Writer is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Word is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    ONLYOFFICE icon
    ONLYOFFICE

    Open-source office suite offering document, spreadsheet, and presentation editing with co-editing modes, plugin support, integration across 30+ services, robust security, and mobile access. Available in Community, Enterprise, and...

    https://www.onlyoffice.com
    Learn More
  6. Google Docs icon

    Google Docs

     964 likes

    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.

    148 Google Docs alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Google Docs screenshot 1
     
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    20
    Google Docs vs Microsoft Word Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    n10m
    6

    Cloud based document storage and editing.

    Top Negative Comment
    freedom lover
    6

    Worst than Microsoft Word. Their enormous surveillance and privacy violations are very dangerous. I suggest LibreOffice instead.

    Kelson V
    1

    It's fast, the collaboration features are dead simple, and mobile app support is decent. It's far less complete than Word, but mostly features I never used. Unfortunately it only runs in the cloud, and I don't trust Google's services any more than Microsoft's these days.

    3 of 20 comments
    • Google Docs is Free and ProprietaryMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
  8. WPS Writer icon

    WPS Writer

     114 likes

    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.

    76 WPS Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    22
    WPS Writer vs Microsoft Word Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    7

    I think WPS Office is the closest you can get to Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). It handels .docx witch was my main problem. The WPS Writer may be in a early stage but I see alot of potential of it becomming better, more easy to use, beautiful and more stable.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    8

    Very poor multi language / proofing support.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    The tool almost same as microsoft office. I think It's the closest to microsoft office

    3 of 22 comments
    • WPS Writer is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
  9. TextMaker icon

    TextMaker

     68 likes

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

    73 TextMaker alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    TextMaker screenshot 1
     
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    8
    TextMaker vs Microsoft Word Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    If you are like me: one who only needs the necessary to fulfill your needs, and really like when the response of the software comes quickly (think that the MS Office in general certainly does not). This is the right solution. It is fully compatible with outputs formats from MS Word; it is fast; and it does everything you need to white a nice and organized document, whatever that is.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    it's the absolute #1 alternative to Micro$oft !!!

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Similar feature set; much much faster with larger documents.

    3 of 8 comments
    • TextMaker is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
    • TextMaker is LightweightMicrosoft Word is not according to our users
  10. Pages icon

    Pages

     215 likes

    Word processor providing real-time collaboration, over 90 templates, iCloud integration, support for Word and EPUB files, over 700 shapes, advanced formatting tools, change tracking, mathematical equations, multimedia insertion, wireless printing, and flexible export options.

    83 Pages alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Pages screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Pages vs Microsoft Word Comments
    rose64bit
    Positive
    7

    Microsoft Office Word is expensive and slow, but Pages is free, fast, responsive, and integrates very well with the rest of macOS.

    maurosoft391
    Negative
    1

    Pages is free, but it's not compatible with Windows and linux. Pages is apple-only and if you don't have a mac or an iPhone, you have to select buggy software like libreoffice.

    George Garner
    Positive
    7

    Clean, simple, yet powerful app design puts all of the editing tools within easy reach and without clutter.

    3 of 4 comments
    • Pages is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
  11. AbiWord icon

    AbiWord

     262 likes

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

    70 AbiWord alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • GTK
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS
    AbiWord on Linux
     
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    3
    AbiWord vs Microsoft Word Comments
    thomaszoschke
    Positive
    2

    It does what the user wants. It's a full featured text processor. It is affordable. It is not coded like a swamp.

    kaylinTechAU
    Positive
    8

    AbiWord is a great simple word processor. However it doesn't have many advanced features. Just a simple text document. And it's free!

    Daria Nowacka
    Positive
    1

    Very simple to use, I really like it

    • AbiWord is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Word is Paid and Proprietary
    • AbiWord is LightweightMicrosoft Word is not according to our users
  13. La Suite Docs icon

    La Suite Docs

     25 likes

    Collaborative platform for real-time note-taking, documentation, and wikis, featuring offline editing, granular permissions, AI-assisted writing, multiple export formats, user-friendly formatting, scalable team support, customizable templates, and open-source licensing.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Python
    • Typescript
    • JavaScript
    • React
    • Django
    • Next.js
    La Suite Docs screenshot 1
     
  14. Fileverse icon

    Fileverse

     26 likes

    Trustless collaboration platform with decentralized file-sharing, collaborative editing, cheap storage, privacy controls, onchain team and community access, website and blog publishing, open workflows, customizable spaces, and alternatives to traditional online suites.

    136 Fileverse alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Fileverse screenshot 1
     
  15. Story Architect (STARC) icon

    Story Architect (STARC)

     20 likes

    A smooth yet powerful writing experience for devoted authors. With only wanted features and native workflow it runs faster than all your previous apps combined.

    69 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
    Story Architect (STARC) screenshot 1
     
12 of 81 Microsoft Word alternatives