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, Apache OpenOffice Writer and Scrivener.

filter to find the best alternatives

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

     1294 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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    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. Microsoft Word icon

    Microsoft Word

     930 likes
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    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.

    95 Microsoft Word alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    New document view
     
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    4
    10
    Comments about Microsoft Word as an Alternative to WordPad
    Guest
    Negative
    5

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    flcferreira
    Negative
    1

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

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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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 Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to WordPad.

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

    • Microsoft Word is Paid and ProprietaryWordPad is Free and Proprietary
  4. Typora icon

    Typora

     325 likes
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    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 panel.

    174 Typora alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron
    Typora screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Typora icon
    Typora

    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 manag...

    https://typora.io
    Learn More
  6. 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
     
  7. Scrivener icon

    Scrivener

     262 likes
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    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.

    121 Scrivener alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
    • Wine
    Scrivener screenshot 1
     
  8. 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.

    68 WPS Writer alternatives

    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
  10. TextMaker icon

    TextMaker

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

    66 TextMaker alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    TextMaker screenshot 1
     
  11. Nisus Writer Pro icon

    Nisus Writer Pro

     2 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Nisus Writer Pro screenshot 1
     
  13. TextEdit icon

    TextEdit

     31 likes
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    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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    TextEdit main interface (Outdated)
     
  14. Nisus Writer Express icon

    Nisus Writer Express

     14 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Nisus Writer Express screenshot 1
     
  15. WordTsar icon

    WordTsar

     1 like
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    WordTsar screenshot 1
     
12 of 21 WordPad alternatives