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 Windows 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 loads of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to WordPad are Microsoft Word, Typora, Apache OpenOffice Writer and Scrivener.

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....

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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. Works OfflineLibreOffice - Writer can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. Ad-freeLibreOffice - Writer doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
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
Microsoft Word
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
92 Microsoft Word alternatives
Microsoft Word, part of the Microsoft 365 (Office) but also sold as a standalone application, is Microsoft's word processor. Its proprietary (but open-specification) DOC format is considered a de-facto standard, although from 2007 and...
- - Microsoft Word is the most popular commercial alternative to WordPad.
Suggest and vote on features
Microsoft Word Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Microsoft Word simultaneously.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsMicrosoft Word can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Dark ModeMicrosoft Word supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Spell CheckingMicrosoft Word can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
5. Text to SpeechMicrosoft Word allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
6. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
7. Full-Text SearchMicrosoft Word lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
8. Works OfflineMicrosoft Word can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. PDF annotationMicrosoft Word support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Convert Word documents to PDF
Document structure management
Ribbon Interface
Custom styles
Export to PDF
Text boxes
Cross-references
Digital Signage
Integrated PDF Viewer
Onedrive integration
Comments about Microsoft Word as a Alternative to WordPad
Most users think Microsoft Word is a great WordPad alternative.
Guest
Not lightweight, costs a decent amount of money. In short, not suitable if you only need something comparable to MS Wordpad.
Negative comment •
5

flcferreira
It isn't cheap. And it may be heavier to load than Wordpad. Otherwise, it is a great option.
Negative comment •
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 comment •
0

Guest
is a superset of wordpad so yes you can use word to fully replace word pad.
Positive comment •
-3
Typora
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
144 Typora alternatives
Typora gives you a seamless experience as both a reader and a writer. It removes the preview window, mode switcher, syntax symbols of markdown source code, and all other unnecessary distractions. Instead, it provides a real live preview feature to help you concentrate on the...
Suggest and vote on features
Typora Features
1. Support for MarkDownTypora supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
3. Distraction-freeTypora has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
4. WYSIWYG SupportTypora integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
5. LightweightTypora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Support for LaTeXTypora supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
7. Syntax HighlightingTypora supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
8. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Typora.
9. Code FormattingTypora supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
Write files in markdown
Save as Markdown
Clean design
Simple text editor
Export to PDF
Multiplatform
Nested Folders
Minimalistic
Multiple languages
Built-in themes
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...
Suggest and vote on features
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.
Scrivener
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Novel Authoring Tool
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
iPhone
iPad
PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac)
Wine
98 Scrivener alternatives
Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines everything you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop.
Suggest and vote on features
Scrivener Features
1. Support for scriptingScrivener supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. Support for LaTeXScrivener supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
Corkboard
Integrated Search
Document compiler
Multi-document View
Split files into sections
Visual Organization
Scene Management
Character database
Folders
Export to PDF
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.
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.
2. No TrackingNotepad will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Works OfflineNotepad can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Dark ModeNotepad supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
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
Brainstorming
Sidebar
Outline organization
Outline folding
Tree structure
Outline mode
Side-by-Side View
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