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, AbiWord, Manuskript and Airborn.
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.
- Paid • Proprietary
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Windows S
- Android Tablet
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Free • Open Source
- 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 vs Microsoft Word opinions
KuboFHromoslavIf you do not need some very rare functions, LibreOffice Writer is better and totally libre alternative!
LibreOffice can do 90%+ of what Microsoft Office can do, and it costs 100% less!
The newer Libre Office version (6.3.4) have less compatible than older version (6.2.8). The docx file when open is very wrong format that not acceptable. And saving file in docx file will make file read only that can't enable to editing. OpenOffice is better
purpelli12It's really the best free alternative. It's not always super easy, but neither is word!
themichaelrasmussen1982Libreoffice most def for the win, everything I needed and no subscription or fee unlike an Microsoft office, after trying Libreoffice I am not going back to MS.
I like LibreOffice because is free! all the different apps come inside the main software unlike MS Office which you pay yearly or monthly.
ThatstinkyguyFor one, it's completely libre and open-source, the interface is clean and easy to use, you can use it on almost any operating system (it comes preinstalled with quite a few Linux distributions), and on top of that, it's not from Microsoft.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
Writer, part of the Apache OpenOffice suite, is an open-source word processor.
Apache OpenOffice Writer vs Microsoft Word opinions
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.
PietrosmusFree, simple, open-source. The interface is a bit old-styled, but you may actually like that more.
Poor features and quite complicated interface
AndreStorkIt's pretty much the worst Office alternative available. It has a bad UI and I shouldn't talk about compatibility with .docx files
CentaroNo proper implementation of digital signatures.
martintin_916It is basically a free version of Microsoft Office.
rose64bitMicrosoft Office is costly and slow, but OpenOffice is free and fast.
- Free • Open Source
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- Haiku
- GTK+
- AmigaOS
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 vs Microsoft Word opinions
thomaszoschkeIt does what the user wants. It's a full featured text processor. It is affordable. It is not coded like a swamp.
kaylinTechAUAbiWord is a great simple word processor. However it doesn't have many advanced features. Just a simple text document. And it's free!
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
Manuskript vs Microsoft Word opinions
Manuskript is an app for planning and writing books. It is not a word processor, or an appropriate alternative to MS Word.
- Freemium • Open Source
- Online
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Create and edit documents online without sacrificing your privacy.
Discontinued
Project seems dead, github repo still up.
Airborn vs Microsoft Word opinions
Cloud based document storage and editing, without giving up your privacy.
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.
Words is an intuitive word processor and desktop publisher application. With it, you can create informative and attractive documents with pleasure and ease.
Calligra Words vs Microsoft Word opinions
CentaroIt lacks many features and the UI is a mess.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Chrome OS
OmniaWrite is a next-generation cross-platform plain text editor engineered for creative writing. It is perfect for writing novels, lyrics, poems, essays, drafts and screenplays.
Discontinued
Appears to be discontinued. Main repository is set to Read-Only and last update was in March of 2021.
- Free • Open Source
- Online
- Self-Hosted
- Create a pad.
- Start at write your text
- and invite your employees.
- Each participant is distinguished by a color
- and can chat with the group.
- If necessary, restore an old version from history
- and when your work is done, export it.
No screenshots yetFramapad vs Microsoft Word opinions
It is an alternative to google docs rather than MS Office Word because it is online. A great tool for collaborative work.
STARC - A smooth yet powerful screenwriting experience for devoted authors. With only wanted features and native workflow it runs faster than all your previous apps combined.
