Open Source 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 open source Windows alternative is LibreOffice - Writer. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to WordPad and 11 are open source and available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source Windows alternatives to WordPad are FocusWriter, Apache OpenOffice Writer, MarkFlowy and TowPad.

filter to find the best alternatives

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

     1308 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.

    90 LibreOffice - Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • ReactOS
    LibreOffice - Writer screenshot 1
     
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    11
    LibreOffice - Writer vs WordPad Comments
    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.

    3 of 11 comments
    • 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. FocusWriter icon

    FocusWriter

     211 likes

    Simple but configurable and themeable, distraction-free text editor for writers. Open-source and available across desktop platforms.

    103 FocusWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    FocusWriter screenshot 1
     
  4. Apache OpenOffice Writer icon

    Apache OpenOffice Writer

     682 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...

    74 Apache OpenOffice Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Main window
     
  5. MarkFlowy icon

    MarkFlowy

     12 likes

    Modern markdown editor application, Build fast and efficient workflows.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    MarkFlowy screenshot 1
     
  6. TowPad icon

    TowPad

     1 like

    Modern wordpad app for Windows with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 11
     
  7. WordTsar icon

    WordTsar

     1 like

    WordTsar is a Wordstar 7.0D document mode clone. It loads Wordstar 4, Wordstar 7, RTF (partial), and DOCX (partial) files, and saves in Wordstar 7 and RTF format.

    93 WordTsar alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    WordTsar screenshot 1
     
  9. metapad icon

    metapad

     43 likes

    Metapad is a small, fast (and completely free) text editor for Windows 9x/NT/XP/Vista with similar features to Microsoft Notepad but with many extra (and rather useful) features. It was designed to completely replace Notepad since it includes all of Notepads features and much...

    106 metapad alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main Window and Settings
     
  10. Ynote Classic icon

    Ynote Classic

     7 likes

    Ynote Classic is an easy to use fast and advanced text editor with a tabbed interface and multiview. It has intelligent Syntax Highlighting, Code Folding , Auto Indent and autocompletion. It can highlight any language you like using Regular Expressions.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Ynote Classic screenshot 1
     
  11. Notepas icon

    Notepas

     9 likes

    Notepas is a fast portable native multiplatform text editor written in Lazarus and can be compiled for multiple platforms and widget sets using the advanced native Free Pascal Compiler.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Notepas screenshot 1
     
  12. Devpad icon

    Devpad

     6 likes

    Notepad-like VB.Net multi-tab source code editor for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 that supports ASM, ASP.Net, Boo, C#, C++, CSS, HTML, INI, Java, JavaScript, Lua, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, SQL, VB.Net, XML and plain text files.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Devpad screenshot 1
     
  13. EdytorNC icon

    EdytorNC

     3 likes

    EdytorNC is text editor for CNC programmers. Some features : bolt holes calculation; solutions of triangles calculation; speed, feed calculation; conversion inch/mm, mm/inch; code colouring; RS232 data transmission with automatic file saving and possibility to download new CNC...

    171 EdytorNC alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    EdytorNC screenshot 1
     
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