Free WordPad Alternatives

The best free alternative to WordPad is LibreOffice - Writer, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to WordPad and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to WordPad are Google Docs, Apache OpenOffice Writer, FocusWriter and AbiWord.

WordPad alternatives are mainly Word Processors but may also be Text Editors or Note-taking Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of WordPad.

WordPad

Free • Proprietary
Word Processor

WordPad is a simple word processor that is included with almost all versions of Microsoft Windows from Windows 95 onwards....

More about WordPad

WordPad alternatives page was last updated

LibreOffice - Writer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
ReactOS
83 LibreOffice - Writer alternatives
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 WordPad.
- - LibreOffice - Writer is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to WordPad.
Suggest and vote on features
LibreOffice - Writer Features
1. PortableLibreOffice - Writer can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Spell CheckingLibreOffice - Writer can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
3. Privacy focusedLibreOffice - Writer is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Ad-freeLibreOffice - Writer doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Works OfflineLibreOffice - Writer can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of LibreOffice - Writer.
7. Dark ModeLibreOffice - Writer supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Distraction-freeLibreOffice - Writer has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in LibreOffice - Writer without registration.
Export to PDF
Built-in PDF converter
Export to Word
LibreOffice Integration
Compatible with Microsoft Office
Auto Correction
Basic fonts
Export to HTML
Export to EPUB
Hyperlinks
Comments about LibreOffice - Writer as a Alternative to WordPad
Some users think LibreOffice - Writer is a great WordPad alternative, some don't.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Very much like Microsoft Office and Wordpad combined! Extremely easy to use interface and has no limited features! Best of all FREE! Unlike Micro's BS greed, they want you to pay for a better notepad alternative and there it was just sitting around the corners of the net while many of no-brainers like me had no clue such an amazing thing like Libre exist! Thank you very much Libre! You saved not only our time searching further but also saved our wallets!
Top positive comment •
0

Guest
Using it to write my novels. Paying for Wordpad isn't necessary as long as I have this software.
Top positive comment •
-4

Richard Draucker
Suggesting LibreOffice Writer as an alternative to Wordpad is like suggesting a Boeing 787 as an alternative to a Cessna single engine 2 seater.
Top negative comment •
4

Velerios
No, Libreoffice is like Microsoft Word a tank compared to WordPad. For easy editing simple documents without any frills, Libreoffice is absolutely NOT an alternative! It is quite stupid to suggest this as an alternative; it is one, but by far not a good one.
Negative comment •
0

Guest
I like and use LibreOffice, but MS WordPad is extremely more simple than LibreOffice. A similar programme to WordPad is Abiword.
Negative comment •
-1

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5 of 7 comments
Google Docs
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Word Processor
Team Collaboration Tool
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
115 Google Docs alternatives
Google Docs is an online word processor, part of Google Drive, that lets you create and format text documents and collaborate with other people in real time. Here's what you can do with Google Docs:
- - Google Docs is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to WordPad.
Suggest and vote on features
Google Docs Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Google Docs simultaneously.
2. File VersioningGoogle Docs has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
3. Works OfflineGoogle Docs can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Sync with Google CalendarGoogle Docs can be synchronized with Google Calendar
5. IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Google Docs using IFTTT.
6. Dark ModeGoogle Docs supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Cloud based
Collaborative writing
Online Sharing
High Availability
Office Online integration
Autosave log
Upload directly to Google Drive
Text formatting
Online collaboration
Google Login
Comments about Google Docs as a Alternative to WordPad
Most users think Google Docs is a great WordPad alternative.
flcferreira
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.
Negative comment •
2
Apache OpenOffice Writer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
80 Apache OpenOffice Writer alternatives
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...
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Apache OpenOffice Writer Features
1. Spell CheckingApache OpenOffice Writer can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
2. Works OfflineApache OpenOffice Writer can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Ad-freeApache OpenOffice Writer doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Export to PDF
Fractions
FOSS
Discontinued
Last major release was in 2014

Opinions about Apache OpenOffice Writer as a Alternative to WordPad
Most users think Apache OpenOffice Writer is a great WordPad alternative.
FocusWriter
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Word Processor
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
88 FocusWriter alternatives
FocusWriter is a fullscreen, distraction-free word processor designed to immerse you as much as possible in your work. The program autosaves your progress, and reloads the last files you had open to make it easy to jump back in during your next writing session, and has many...
Suggest and vote on features
FocusWriter Features
1. Distraction-freeFocusWriter has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
2. LightweightFocusWriter consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. PortableFocusWriter can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Distraction-free Writing
Customizable
Daily progress tracker
Fullscreen support
Skin customization
Auto-saving
Writing statistics
Tabbed interface
Multiple languages
Opinions about FocusWriter as a Alternative to WordPad
Most users think FocusWriter is a great WordPad alternative.
AbiWord
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Word Processor
Linux
BSD
Flathub
PortableApps.com
Haiku
GTK+
Flatpak
AmigaOS
70 AbiWord alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
AbiWord Features
1. LightweightAbiWord consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableAbiWord can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Spell CheckingAbiWord can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
4. Works OfflineAbiWord can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. Distraction-freeAbiWord has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
6. Ad-freeAbiWord doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Multiple languages
Discontinued
The latest update is from November 2019, and the official website is no longer available.

Comments about AbiWord as a Alternative to WordPad
Almost everyone thinks AbiWord is a great WordPad alternative.
Guest
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.
Positive comment •
0

Velerios
The best WordPad alternative, but the biggest issue on this is that it is flagged as discontinued, at least on Windows. So it's sadly right now no word alternative. If this isn't discontinued, then AbiWord is the perfect alternative to the deprecated WordPad on Windows.
Comment •
0

Guest
Its more powerful and can be customized for default fonts. Better version of WordPad. I have been using it for everything great program.
Positive comment •
4

Guest
Smaller footprint, familiar interface, for most general writing, it more than suffices.
Positive comment •
1
Notepad
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Text Editor
Windows
129 Notepad alternatives
Fastest and lightweight simple text editor bundled with all Windows OS. Just plain text, saves in .txt format. So it has been used by people for long time Since 1980s. Features improved especially since 2018.
Suggest and vote on features
Notepad Features
1. LightweightNotepad consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Minimalistic
Simple text editor
Support for Unicode
Save as txt
Bundled with Windows
Comments about Notepad as a Alternative to WordPad
This alternative is disputed. Notepad is still a legitimate WordPad alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
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.
Negative comment •
8
WPS Writer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
72 WPS Writer alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
WPS Writer Features
1. Spell CheckingWPS Writer can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Compatible with Microsoft Office
Eye Protection Mode
Convert Word documents to PDF
Tabbed interface
Built-in PDF converter
Office-like
Convert URL to DOCX
Student Tools
Add a screenshot

Comments about WPS Writer as a Alternative to WordPad
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
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!
Positive comment •
0
Indigrid
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Windows
239 Indigrid alternatives
A new medium for your ideas—augment your thinking with a text editor designed for structuring lists. Side-by-side views allow 3 modes of thinking.
Suggest and vote on features
Indigrid Features
1. LightweightIndigrid consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Works OfflineIndigrid can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. PortableIndigrid can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Kanban BoardIndigrid allows you to organize your workflow by moving cards with drag-and-drop functionality between multiple columns.
5. Full-Text SearchIndigrid lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
Outliner
Outline folding
Brainstorming
Sidebar
Outline mode
Outline organization
Tree structure
Side-by-Side View
Widget-Board
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Online
Google Chrome
Context Chrome Extension
Software as a Service (SaaS)
23 Widget-Board alternatives
Widget Board is a productivity tool that lets you create custom boards with your favorite widgets such as tasks, notes, media, date & time, weather, calendar and so much more!.
- - Widget-Board is the most popular SaaS alternative to WordPad.
Suggest and vote on features
Widget-Board Features
Brainstorming
Upload images
Widgets
TextMaker
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Word Processor
Windows
Linux
Windows Mobile
Android
Android Tablet
71 TextMaker alternatives
TextMaker is a Microsoft Word-compatible word processor, part of SoftMaker FreeOffice.
Suggest and vote on features
TextMaker Features
1. PortableTextMaker can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. AutocompletionTextMaker can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Compatible with Microsoft Office
Export to PDF
Compatible with Libre Office
Export to EPUB