Free WordPad Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to WordPad for Windows and since it's discontinued a lot of people are looking for a replacement. The best free Windows alternative 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 many of them are free and available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Windows alternatives to WordPad are Apache OpenOffice Writer, FocusWriter, WPS Writer and WriteMonkey.

filter to find the best alternatives

WordPad alternatives are mainly Text Editors, but if you're looking for Word Processors or Office Suites you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Windows, iPad, Free, Chrome OS, Open Source 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.
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Alternatives list

  1. LibreOffice - Writer icon

    LibreOffice - Writer

     1298 likes
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    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
     
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    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. Apache OpenOffice Writer icon

    Apache OpenOffice Writer

     682 likes
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    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
     
  4. FocusWriter icon

    FocusWriter

     207 likes
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    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
     
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    6
  5. WPS Writer icon

    WPS Writer

     113 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    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
  6. WriteMonkey icon

    WriteMonkey

     130 likes
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    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.
     
  7. Windows Notepad icon

    Windows Notepad

     182 likes
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    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.

    143 Windows Notepad alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows Notepad screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Windows Notepad as an Alternative to WordPad
    Guest
    Negative
    10

    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
  9. TextMaker icon

    TextMaker

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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    TextMaker screenshot 1
     
  12. Jarte icon

    Jarte

     21 likes
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    The Jarte word processor uses Microsofts reliable, fast starting WordPad word processing engine while adding many features missing in WordPad.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Jarte screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Jarte as an Alternative to WordPad
    gapps
    Positive
    0

    Tried many. Kept coming back to simple efficiency of Jarte. Not a programmer, just wanted rich text. Jarte has all the options I need with no fuss. (Win11 user)

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is small, fast, efficient text editor. Many of the other results here are not. It is built on WordPad's "engline".

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

    AbleWord

     14 likes
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    AbleWord is a very capable word processing application that can read and write most popular document formats including PDF's.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main screen
     
  14. Indigrid icon

    Indigrid

     27 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Indigrid screenshot 1
     
12 of 37 WordPad alternatives