WordPad Alternatives for Mac

WordPad is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The best Mac alternative is LibreOffice - Writer, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to WordPad and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to WordPad are Microsoft Word, Typora, Scrivener and Apache OpenOffice Writer.

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WordPad alternatives are mainly Word Processors but may also be Note-taking Tools or Text Editors.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of WordPad.
WordPad iconWordPad
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WordPad is a simple word processor that is included with almost all versions of Microsoft Windows from Windows 95 onwards. It is the successor of Windows 3.1s Write. From Windows 7 Wordpad includes the ribbon user interface.

More about WordPad
WordPad alternatives page was last updated Nov 21, 2024
  1. LibreOffice - Writer icon
     1243 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.

    81 LibreOffice - Writer alternatives
    LibreOffice - Writer screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • ReactOS

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Export to PDF
    2.  Built-in PDF converter
    3.  Portable
    4.  Spell Checking
    5. Microsoft Word icon  Export to Word
    6. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Compatible with Microsoft Office
    7. LibreOffice icon  LibreOffice Integration
    8.  Auto Correction
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  QR Code Generator
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Basic fonts
    LibreOffice - Writer iconWordPad Icon

    LibreOffice - Writer VS WordPad

    Is LibreOffice - Writer a good alternative to WordPad?
     
    Comments about LibreOffice - Writer as an Alternative to WordPad
     
       
    TBayAreaPat

    LibreOffice is great. If you want something more lightweight, consider HS Writer.

    Top positive commentSep 1, 2024
    1
    Guest

    I like and use LibreOffice, but MS WordPad is extremely more simple than LibreOffice. A similar programme to WordPad is Abiword.

    Top negative commentSep 4, 2023
    4
    DavidGP

    It's an idiotic comparison. Like calling an eighteen-wheeler an alternative to a bicycle.

    Negative commentNov 21, 2024
    2
    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 focusedWordPad is not according to our users
  2. Microsoft Word icon
     921 likes

    Microsoft's leading word processor, enables professional-quality document creation with SmartArt graphics, seamless PDF support, and extensive search capabilities. Compatible across desktop, online, and mobile platforms with necessary subscription or standalone purchase options.

    96 Microsoft Word alternatives
    New document view

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Top Microsoft Word Features

    1.  Convert Word documents to PDF
    2.  Document structure management
    3.  Ribbon Interface
    4.  Real time collaboration
    5.  Text to Speech
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Spell Checking
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Full-Text Search
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  PDF annotation
    Microsoft Word iconWordPad Icon

    Microsoft Word VS WordPad

    Is Microsoft Word a good alternative to WordPad?
     
    Comments about Microsoft Word as an Alternative to WordPad
     
       
    Guest

    Not lightweight, costs a decent amount of money. In short, not suitable if you only need something comparable to MS Wordpad.

    Negative commentOct 31, 2018
    5
    flcferreira

    It isn't cheap. And it may be heavier to load than Wordpad. Otherwise, it is a great option.

    Negative commentJun 8, 2021
    1
    Guest

    Wordpad comes with Windows, but Word is commercial and has more features than Wordpad. Word may have more features, but is slower, while Wordpad is super lightweight and simple. I'm looking for a lightweight and fast word processor for Linux so I can write quick RTF documents when I don't need the advanced features of a full-fledged word processor, like Wordpad for Windows.

    Negative commentSep 28, 2018
    0
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    3 of 4 comments
    WordPad Icon
    Microsoft Word icon
    • Some users think Microsoft Word is a great WordPad alternative, some don't.

    • Microsoft Word is the most popular commercial alternative to WordPad.

    • Microsoft Word is Paid and ProprietaryWordPad is Free and Proprietary
  3. Typora icon
     317 likes

    A minimalist Markdown editor offering cross-platform synchronization, live preview, and seamless export/import in various formats like PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX. Features include distraction-free Focus and Typewriter modes, file management with tree and articles panels, and content organization through an outline...

    162 Typora alternatives
    Typora screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Live Preview
    3.  Write files in markdown
    4.  WYSIWYG Support
    5.  Save as Markdown
    6. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    7.  Syntax Highlighting
    8.  Simple text editor
    9.  Multiplatform
    10.  Export to PDF
    11.  Spell Checking
    12.  No registration required
    Typora iconWordPad Icon

    Typora VS WordPad

    Is Typora a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  4. Scrivener icon
     257 likes

    Tailored for extensive writing, this tool offers flexible structure and organization, integrates project outlines, supports various formats, and allows reorganization through drag and drop, ensuring research materials are within reach for efficient work.

    106 Scrivener alternatives
    Scrivener screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
    • Wine

    Top Scrivener Features

    1.  Corkboard
    2.  Document compiler
    3.  Character database
    4.  Scene Management
    5.  Visual Organization
    6.  Split files into sections
    7.  Support for scripting
    8. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    9.  Multi-document View
    10.  Integrated Search
    11.  Folders
    12.  Word counter
    Scrivener iconWordPad Icon

    Scrivener VS WordPad

    Is Scrivener a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  5. Apache OpenOffice Writer icon
     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...

    73 Apache OpenOffice Writer alternatives
    Main window

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Export to PDF
    2.  Spell Checking
    3.  Fractions
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Full-Text Search
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  No registration required
    Discontinued

    Last major release was in 2014

    Apache OpenOffice Writer iconWordPad Icon

    Apache OpenOffice Writer VS WordPad

    Is this a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  6. WPS Writer icon
     113 likes

    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.

    70 WPS Writer alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    WPS Writer Features

    1. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Compatible with Microsoft Office
    2.  Spell Checking
    3.  Eye Protection Mode
    4.  Convert Word documents to PDF
    5.  Tabbed interface
    6.  Built-in PDF converter
    7.  Office-like
    8.  Convert URL to DOCX
    9.  Student Tools
    WPS Writer iconWordPad Icon

    WPS Writer VS WordPad

    Is WPS Writer a good alternative to WordPad?
     
    Comments about WPS Writer as an Alternative to WordPad
     
    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 commentApr 29, 2018
    0
    WordPad Icon
    WPS Writer icon
    • WPS Writer is Freemium and ProprietaryWordPad is Free and Proprietary
  7. MarkFlowy icon
     9 likes

    Modern markdown editor application, Build fast and efficient workflows.

    51 MarkFlowy alternatives
    MarkFlowy screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Write files in markdown
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Live Preview
    7.  WYSIWYG Support
    MarkFlowy iconWordPad Icon

    MarkFlowy VS WordPad

    Is MarkFlowy a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  8. TextMaker icon
     64 likes

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

    69 TextMaker alternatives
    TextMaker screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Compatible with Microsoft Office
    2.  Export to PDF
    3.  Compatible with Libre Office
    4.  Portable
    5.  Export to EPUB
    6.  Autocompletion
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Spell Checking
    11.  Works Offline
    TextMaker iconWordPad Icon

    TextMaker VS WordPad

    Is TextMaker a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  9. Notepad App icon
     3 likes

    A markdown-based notes app for macOS, with simplicity and moderation.

    68 Notepad App alternatives
    Notepad App screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Notepad App Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Dark Mode
    Notepad App iconWordPad Icon

    Notepad App VS WordPad

    Is Notepad App a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  10. Nisus Writer Express icon
     14 likes

    Nisus Writer feels like home with support for Mac OS X autosave, document versioning, and iCloud. Built from the same core as Nisus Writer Pro, Express features the same elegant user interface and compatibility that has been universally praised by both users and press alike.

    57 Nisus Writer Express alternatives
    Nisus Writer Express screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Nisus Writer Express Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  File Versioning
    3.  Tabbed interface
    4.  Support for regular expressions
    5.  Regex substitution
    6.  Split-screen view
    7.  Search and Replace
    8.  Split windows
    9.  Replace expressions
    10.  Support for Right-to-Left
    Nisus Writer Express iconWordPad Icon

    Nisus Writer Express VS WordPad

    Is Nisus Writer Express a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  11. Nisus Writer Pro icon
     2 likes

    Scriptable, macros, multipart selection, styles. Multilingual. Text expanding feature. Document Manager. Use any number of keys to execute menu command, e.g. press Command key, then FAU for "Find all uppercase words." Extremely customizable.

    52 Nisus Writer Pro alternatives
    Nisus Writer Pro screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  WYSIWYG Support
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Spell Checking
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Distraction-free Writing
    7.  Export to PDF
    Nisus Writer Pro iconWordPad Icon

    Nisus Writer Pro VS WordPad

    Is Nisus Writer Pro a good alternative to WordPad?
     
  12. TextEdit icon
     30 likes

    When you need to create text documents, TextEdit is a highly versatile word processor, including tools to format and layout your page, edit and stylize text, check spelling, create tables and lists, import graphics, work with HTML, and even add music and movie files.

    99 TextEdit alternatives
    TextEdit main interface (Outdated)

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    TextEdit Features

    1.  Rich text editing
    2.  Graphical User Interface
    3.  Plain text file
    TextEdit iconWordPad Icon

    TextEdit VS WordPad

    Is TextEdit a good alternative to WordPad?
     
12 of 22 WordPad alternatives