Open Source Microsoft Word Alternatives
The best open source alternative to Microsoft Word is LibreOffice - Writer. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Microsoft Word and 13 is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Microsoft Word are Apache OpenOffice Writer, ONLYOFFICE, AbiWord and Manuskript.
Microsoft Word alternatives are mainly Word Processors but may also be Note-taking Tools or Novel Authoring Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Microsoft Word.LibreOffice - Writer
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Word Processor
83 LibreOffice - Writer alternatives- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- ReactOS
Writer has all the features you need from a modern, full-featured word processing or desktop publishing tool.
- - LibreOffice - Writer is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Word.
- - LibreOffice - Writer is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Microsoft Word.
LibreOffice - Writer Features
Comments about LibreOffice - Writer as a Alternative to Microsoft Word
lharoldsIt has virtually everything that MS Word does with exception of the most exotic functions - but it's 100% Open Source and 100% free.
17chtfnDoes everything I need it to do, and keeps improving with two major releases a year. A big focus on interoperability (including supporting old, obscure formats) which is very important. And a community you can join to learn new skills, and to contribute back to the project if you have the capacity to do so.
1WofWcaNo worse than Word, + FOSS
0valerieThe only thing Word realistically has over LibreOffice - Writer is the fact that it has a few functions (that are seldom used), so, in 99 cases out of 100, there are no drawbacks.
1Libre office is just quit easy to use just like word and it's also free
0Apache OpenOffice Writer
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Word Processor
80 Apache OpenOffice Writer alternatives- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
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...
Apache OpenOffice Writer Features
Comments about Apache OpenOffice Writer as a Alternative to Microsoft Word
chtfnUnfortunately, is lagging far behind LibreOffice. Would be great to see development pick up and take a different direction, but it seems very much stalled, with the latest major in 2014 (7 years ago at the time of writing). I strongly recommend using LibreOffice instead, for security reasons, and also for newer features.
5Martin MartinIt is basically a free version of Microsoft Office.
2AndreStorkIt's pretty much the worst Office alternative available. It has a bad UI and I shouldn't talk about compatibility with .docx files
0Larry TuckerI like OpenOffice's easier user features and dropdowns better than Word. I do use Word with Grammarly after I've finished my writing for editing.
0Pietro SmusiFree, simple, open-source. The interface is a bit old-styled, but you may actually like that more.
1ONLYOFFICE
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free Personal • Open Source
- Office Suite
- Word Processor
- Spreadsheet App
64 ONLYOFFICE alternatives- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- AppImageHub
- Snapcraft
- Flathub
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Flatpak
- Cloudron
ONLYOFFICE is an open-source online collaborative office combining editors for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms. It is compatible with all popular formats and features maximum support for MS Office files.
- - ONLYOFFICE is the most popular SaaS & Self-Hosted alternative to Microsoft Word.
ONLYOFFICE Features
Comments about ONLYOFFICE as a Alternative to Microsoft Word
RiseiIt has a nice UI, and good support for microsoft document formats.
2If 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.
1Daniel CastelliBest alternative I tested to date.
0Hudson BorgesIts one of the best options to Microsoft Office, it has almost all tools. And is by far better then LibreOffice or OpenOffice.
0Very similar layout to Microsoft Office so its the best alternative for people use to that. And especially for me, ecuations in google docs and libre office are ugly compare to Microsoft format which OnlyOffice use.
1AbiWord
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Word Processor
70 AbiWord alternatives- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- Haiku
- GTK+
- AmigaOS
- Flathub
- Flatpak
AbiWord is a free software word processor. The name "AbiWord" (pronounced "Abby Word") is derived from the root of the Spanish word "abierto", meaning "open". It runs on Linux, Mac OS X (PowerPC), ReactOS, BeOS (unsupported), AmigaOS 4.
AbiWord Features
Comments about AbiWord as a Alternative to Microsoft Word
thomaszoschkeIt does what the user wants. It's a full featured text processor. It is affordable. It is not coded like a swamp.
2Daria NowackaVery simple to use, I really like it
1kaylinTechAUAbiWord is a great simple word processor. However it doesn't have many advanced features. Just a simple text document. And it's free!
8Manuskript
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Note-taking Tool
- Novel Authoring Tool
100 Manuskript alternatives- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
Manuskript Features
Comments about Manuskript as a Alternative to Microsoft Word
Manuskript is an app for planning and writing books. It is not a word processor, or an appropriate alternative to MS Word.
2Story Architect (STARC)
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Open Source
- Novel Authoring Tool
- Text Editor
- Note-taking Tool
30 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Chrome OS
- AppImageHub
- Flathub
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.
Story Architect (STARC) Features
Quoll Writer
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo53 Quoll Writer alternatives- Free • Open Source
- Novel Authoring Tool
- Windows
Focus on your words not the interface. Quoll Writer is a writing application that helps you focus on your words. Clean and uncluttered. Feature rich. Features are where you would expect them to be.
Quoll Writer Features