A free word processor

These free word processors can be a great alternative to Microsoft Word. Many have very similar characteristics to Word and since they’re free, you’ll be saving hundreds of dollars by using one of them.

All of the free word processors below can create, edit, and print documents. Many of them can open and edit Word documents, automatically check your spelling, use a wide selection of free MS Word templates, create tables and columns, and much more.

Our top picks for a free word processor are the first ones on the list. These have the most features and we suggest checking them out first to see if they’ll fit your word processing needs. You should find that most of them can handle just about everything Microsoft Word can.

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Microsoft Word has almost become synonymous with word processors, but its high pricing has stopped many users from using its services. Naturally, a lot of free word processors have come up with similar features and compatibility with DOC/DOCX format. You can use these word processors online and some even offer full-fledged offline desktop apps. Whether you want to write or edit a long-drawn document, you can do everything using these word processors for free. So on that note, let’s go ahead and find out which free word processors are worth using in 2022.

Here are the best free word processors that you should use in 2022 having top-notch features and tools. You can expand the table below and click on the link to move to the corresponding application.

1. Google Docs

If you are looking for a free word processor that can be used on any platform then Google Docs is the perfect pick. Unlike other online word processors, Google Docs is actually pretty feature-packed and supports offline writing too which can be enabled through a Chrome extension. There are a ton of third-party add-ons just like Microsoft Word Add-ins that can be integrated to bring more functionality.

What’s more, Google Docs is far superior to any other word processor when it comes to real-time collaboration. So if you have a writing project where multiple users are working on then Google Docs will fare better than other apps.

Having said all of that, keep in mind, Google Docs does not sit well with MS Word formatting, although it supports DOC/DOCX format. But the good part is that you have the option to export the file in PDF format. All in all, if you generally work on web documents and want a solution that works well and for free then Google Docs is highly recommended.

Check Out Google Docs (Free)

2. Microsoft Word 365

The desktop version of Microsoft Word charges a sky-high price and Microsoft is aware of it. That’s why the company has developed a free version of Microsoft Word and other Office apps that can be only accessed through the web. It means that you can’t use the free version of Microsoft Office while you are offline.

Also, keep in mind, the feature disparity between Microsoft Word 365 (online version) and Microsoft Word Desktop version is quite huge. You simply do not have ample Layout and formatting options in the free version. For a full list of differences between Microsoft Office 365 and Desktop apps, head over to our linked article.

Apart from that, bear in mind, formatting breaks on the online version if you try to import an MS Word 2019 file. Simply put, Microsoft Word 365 can be a great free word processor if you don’t have a complex project at hand. For basic stuff, it’s quite good and does the job well.

Check Out Microsoft Word 365 (Free, Premium subscription starts at $9.99 per month)

3. LibreOffice

After two online word processors, finally we come to a full-fledged word processor that offers offline desktop apps and is totally available for free. LibreOffice is an open-source project that is compatible with Microsoft Word and other Office documents. It aims to bring all the powerful tools and features of popular word processors in a slick and modern user interface — all for free.

Besides that, what gives LibreOffice the edge is that its code is much better optimized, thus making it lighter and faster. Also, LibreOffice is more actively developed and is the default office suite included with the majority of Linux distros. And just recently LibreOffice 7.1 was released with support for better compatibility with DOC/DOCX file format and new table and writing features. I would say, if you want a free word processor in 2022 that has desktop-level tools and features then LibreOffice is simply the best out there.

Download (Free)

4. Apache OpenOffice

Probably after LibreOffice, Apache OpenOffice is another word processor that is available for free and is loaded with features. It features powerful tools, fonts, table elements, and gets new features regularly due to the active development team. Just like LibreOffice, OpenOffice by Apache is completely free and open-source and includes a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation software, a graphics editor, and a DBMS application.

Not to mention, Apache OpenOffice is compatible with DOC/DOCX files, and rarely would you find broken formatting while moving between different programs. In addition to that, OpenOffice also supports a huge number of other file formats including PDF, SWF, PPT, and more.

It can also be extended with a variety of downloadable extensions, and its constituent sub-modules include all standard features like diagramming tools, autocomplete, and natural language formulas. So to sum up, if you want to work on a lengthy and complex project then Apache OpenOffice is another free word processor that you can rely on.

Download (Free)

5. Polaris Office

Polaris Office is a pretty popular word processor and it’s strictly not a free word processor like the other ones mentioned on this list. However, the best part about Polaris Office is that the company offers a limited free version that brings enough features to suit the needs of most individual users. Basically, you will not have to pay a high subscription fee to complete your work.

If you are someone who want support for add-ons and diagrams then you can opt for the Enterprise plan which is also quite cheaper than other solutions. When it comes to features under the free version, I would say Polaris Office offers all the essential tools that one might expect from a capable word processor.

What’s more, there’s even real-time collaboration where two and more people can work on the same document simultaneously. And in case, you go for their paid plan then you will also be able to access features such as PDF annotations, comments, animation editing, document security, and more. To conclude, Polaris Office is another great desktop-level word processor which is free in a limited way but is totally usable. I would say give it a try and see if Polaris Office suffices your need.

Download (Free, Paid plan starts at $39.99/year)

6. Zoho Writer

In any discussion of word processors, rarely would you find people talk about Zoho Writer. But Zoho Writer is actually a really good word processor that is completely free — both online and in the offline desktop version. What I love about Zoho Writer is that it’s quite clean with all the basic features and toolset required to edit a word document. Don’t expect MS Word level of features, but it’s there with Microsoft Office 365 version.

You can insert images, change indentation position, change fonts, choose a template, collaborate with multiple users in real-time, and do much more. Not to mention, Zoho Writer has a special engine to convert DOC/DOCX documents and keep that original formatting intact so that is great. All in all, I would say, just go ahead and create a free Zoho account and you will be able to access its word processor for free.

Download (Free)

7. Dropbox Paper

While Dropbox is moving many of its products behind a paywall, it’s still offering Dropbox Paper for free to its users. In case you are unaware, Dropbox Paper is the company’s lite word processor where the focus is real-time collaboration, access to to-dos, and managing tasks. In addition, you can add images, videos to the document, create table, add calendar timelines, and do much more.

What I like is that it also supports adding code snippets which many IT organizations would find helpful. There is also support for bulleted and numbered list. To sum up, if you are not looking for a traditional word processor and something that brings team members on one page then Dropbox Paper is an amazing free tool that you can get behind.

Check Out Dropbox Paper (Free)

8. Apple Pages

If you are in the Apple ecosystem then you don’t need to go hunting for a free word processor because you already have it and it’s called Pages. Pages — part of iWork — is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone so you are covered on all Apple devices. With Pages, you can create beautiful word documents in various fonts, color schemes, templates, and more.

You can add tables, charts, images, media and create your own style to give a distinct look to your word document. And the best part is that Pages is compatible with MS Word and you can export documents in DOC/DOCX, PDF, EPUB and more. Considering all the points, I would say, you have got a feature-packed word processor right on your Apple device and you should surely take advantage of it.

Comes preinstalled

9. FreeOffice TextMaker

FreeOffice TextMaker is a word processor that is feature-packed, lightweight, free, and one that works really well. It includes all the three standard office programs including a word processor. In terms of feature set, FreeOffice TextMaker is right there with LibreOffice and Free Office. I love the fact that you have similar-looking tools and features which many would appreciate.

Coming to compatibility, FreeOffice TextMaker has robust support for MS Office file formats, and better Office XML compatibility. Apart from that, it includes perks like multiple language dictionaries for more efficient spellchecking and smart indentation. To sum up, FreeOffice TextMaker is another free word processor with desktop-level features and you should definitely give it a shot.

Download (Free)

10. WPS Office

Before we talk about WPS Office, let me make it clear that WPS Office displays ads and there has been a number of allegations against the company regarding data privacy. In addition, WPS Office is developed by Kingsoft which is a Beijing-based company and operates Cheetah Mobile — the shady company that Google banned from the Play Store. So if you feel strongly about your privacy then I would recommend you to stay away from WPS Office.

As for the features, WPS Office is hailed as a lightweight word processor that is available for free without having limited features. It weighs around 300MB and offers all three office programs — word, spreadsheet, and presentation.

In addition to having all the essential document creation/editing abilities, WPS Office includes hundreds of free templates and fonts. The free version lets you create and edit documents in MS Office compatible formats. To sum up, on the utility side, WPS Office is really good and a lightweight word processor, but on the privacy front, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Download (Free)

Use Word Processors for Free on Windows 10, macOS, Linux in 2022

So these are some of the top word processors that are freely available and can be used both online and offline on several desktop platforms. Personally, I use Google Docs and Microsoft Word online, but there are times when you want to add complex tables or customize the border then you realize, you need a full-fledged word processor. So just go through our list and pick the suitable one for you. Anyway, that is all from us. If you found the article helpful then comment down below and let us know.

Here is a list of best word processors. These word processors let you view, edit, and save documents easily. All these word processors are completely free and can be downloaded to Windows PC. These word processing software offer various features, like: create letters, envelops, mail merge, memos, simple editing, formatting, use of various fonts in a single document, supports standard MS Word formats like DOC, RTF and DOCX etc., password protect documents, spell checking, multi tab interface, convert Word documents to PDFs, insert images, clip-art and more. So, go through this list of free word processors and see which ones you like the most.

OpenOffice Writer

Open Office Writer is a free word processor. It is one of the products of the Open Office Suite. It lets you write letters, make quotations, create books, create diagrams, create indexes etc. It not only supports its standard .ODT format but also supports standard MS Word formats like .DOC and .DOCX. You can edit any MS Word document with it easily.

FocusWriter

FocusWriter is a free word processor. It has autosaves feature. You can work in full screen mode. It supports formatting, spell checking, and find and replace method. You can write letters, memos, books, indexes, insert images in documents etc. It saves the documents in .RTF format which is supported by MS Word also. It reloads the last files you worked on. It also comes in a portable version.

Kingsoft Writer 2012

Kingsoft Writer is a free word processor and it supports opening of all MS Word documents. You can do various common editing tasks with it. It has powerful paragraph adjustment tool. You can adjust indent or line spacing by dragging and dropping paragraphs. It has a multi tab interface. Also has a built in PDF converter and you can convert Word documents to PDF format easily. It is highly compatible with MS Word.

PolyEdit Lite

PolyEdit Lite is a free word processor. It supports various features of MS Word. You can do simple text formatting easily, find and replace, spell checking, headers and footers, and other basic word processing features. You can export the documents to HTML or PDF format. You can encrypt documents using password. It is very small in size. You can use it as an alternative to MS Word.

DevVicky Word 2010

DevVicky Word is a free word processing software. It has various basic as well as advance features of word processing software. You can do simple text formatting, find and replace, spell checking etc. easily. You can export the documents to PDF format. It supports various file formats. You can use it as a MS Word replacement.

Danet Studio

Danet Studio is a free word processor as well as XPS document reader, viewer, document writer, text to speech, and many more. It has various editing features. It has a nice interface. It also has a XPS file splitter and merger. It is also small in size. It comes as a zip format and it installs and uninstalls easily.

Angel Writer

Angel Writer is a free word processing software. It supports the following formats RTF, HTML, and TXT. You can apply various types of formatting to your text, add graphics and tables to your documents. It is small in size and installs and uninstalls easily. You can print preview your documents before printing.

QJot

QJot is a free word processor. It is small in size and it can be run from USB mass storage device also. It saves the documents in various popular word formats like .DOC, .DOCX, .RTF, .WPS, and .TXT format. It supports various text formatting. You can use find and replace, insert images in documents, and can use various other features of word processors with it.

AbiWord

AbiWord is a free, open-source word processor. It has very similar interface like MS Word and WordPerfect. You can apply various common formatting tools to your text easily. It has a spell check utility. It has interactive rulers and tabs, styles, unlimited undo/redo, find and replace, and insert image support. You can open and save MS Word documents easily.

IBM Lotus Symphony Documents

IBM Lotus Symphony Documents is a free word processing software. It is a part of the IBM Lotus Symphony Office Suite. It lets you apply various formatting to your documents. You can open, edit, and save .DOC files. It is easy to use and has a very intuitive interface. It opens the documents in tabs.

SSuite Office — WordFormat2

SSuite Office – WordFormat2 is a free word processing application. It is a part of SSuite Office – Personal Edition. It is a word processor with an intuitive interface. It saves the documents in .RTF or .DOC formats. You can apply various general formatting to your documents. It has other common word processing capabilities too.

SSuite Office — QT Writer Express

SSuite Office – QT Writer Express is a free word processor. You can write a letter or an entire book with it. You can insert various images, tables, indexes, and bibliographies within documents. You can create, edit and view various types of documents with it. It also supports mail merge feature. You can save your documents in various standard formats like RTF, DOC, TXT, and PDF.

Judoom

Judoom is a free word processing software. It lets you create, edit, and open rich text documents, MS Word files, Open Office files, and plain text files. It has a tree view explorer which helps users to quickly and easily access a document. It is a tabbed word processor which means you can open multiple documents simultaneously in a single window.

AbleWord

AbleWord is a free word processing software. It lets you view, create, and edit various types of files. Supported formats are: DOC, DOCX, PDF, RTF, TXT, HTML, and HTM. You can modify PDF files with it easily. You can use various formatting features with your documents. You can also spell check, insert headers and footers, insert tables, print preview and use many other features of a word processor.

iBlune Office

iBlune Office is a free word processing software for Windows. It has a built-in scheduler and contact manager. It supports both DOC and DOCX formats. You can edit documents and apply various formatting like format text, change fonts and their sizes, insert images, add bullet lists etc. You can export the documents to various formats like PDF, Excel, HTML, and XML.

Nifty Author

Nifty Author is a free word processor. You can create, view, and edit your documents easily. You can apply various formatting options to your documents. You can also export your documents to various image formats. It has various themes to apply. You can password protect your documents. It supports multiple tabs and you can open various documents in same window.

LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice is a various set of office programs. It also contains Writer which is a word processor. It lets you create, view or edit documents of various types. You can apply formatting to your documents. It saves the documents as .ODT files by default, but you can save them as .DOC file type to make them compatible with MS Word.

Jarte

Jarte is a free word processor. It has a tabbed interface. You can open multiple files in one window. It is very small in size and can be run from USB flash drive. You can format text, insert images, tables in your documents. You can spell check your documents. It has other formatting options also.

Klumbu Word

Klumbu Word is an easy to use word processor application. You can use simple copy, paste and cut text functions, adjust fonts, paragraphs, styles and more. You can edit text, insert tables, insert images, charts, barcodes, symbols, bookmark etc to your documents. You can add document specific tags also. If you rename an opened document, it will change the title of the document and saves it to the new file name.

Calligra Words

Calligra Words is a word processing software. It can be used as a MS Word alternative. It supports .DOCX extension which is a MS Word latest document extension. It supports formatting of documents. You can apply various styles in your documents. It has similar to Word 2007 interface.

Verbum

Verbum is a simple and user friendly word processor. It supports the following formats: TXT, RTF, DOCX, ODT, HTML, and XML. It has various skins. You can apply various formatting to your documents. You can insert pictures, insert tables, and insert symbols etc. to your documents. You can spell check your documents also.

Atlantis Nova

Atlantis Nova is a free and basic version of Atlantis Word Processor. You can create letters, memos, resumes, quotation, etc. It is small in size and you can use it as an alternative to MS Word. It has a document bar with name tabs, so you can quickly access any open document. It also has a clip bank from which you can insert clip art to your documents. You can spell check your documents also.

Corel WordPerfect Lightning

Corel WordPerfect Lightning is a free word processing software. You can take notes, write letters, memos etc. with the help of it. You can view PDF files through it. View and open and edit WordPerfect and Microsoft Word files. You can do various common editing tasks, apply formatting to your documents.

WordIt

WordIt is a free and powerful word processor. It is more reliable than Microsoft Word. It is smaller in size than Microsoft Word or OpenOffice. It has a powerful real-time spell check feature. You can edit or format your documents easily. You can use it as an alternate to MS Word.

You don’t have a license for MS Word? Or are you looking for an alternative to MS Word? When you want to type something on your computer, the first software that comes to your mind is MS Word. For it is the most popular and mostly used everywhere from schools, colleges, to offices & even your home. However, MS Word is not free software, and you need to pay for it, just as a subscription. That alone makes most of us set out to search for a word processing software that is free of cost and has the maximum features inculcated into it.

In this post, we will discuss some of the best free word processors available in the market. Read on!

The Best Free Word Processing Software

1. WPS Office’s Writer

You might have heard of Kingsoft Office, which was a popular office application suite quite a few years ago, It has now been rechristened to WPS Office and is more presentable with many new features. The word processing application in the suite is known as Writer, and it supports many types of interface layouts like full-screen mode, dual page, hide menu mode, eye-protective mode, which colors the pages with a slight tint of green.

WPS Office writer allows the users to create cover pages, table of contents, add custom dictionaries, encrypt documents, and much more. You can download WPS writer from the official website, free of cost.

Download WPS Office

Also Read: 7 Best Alternatives Of Microsoft Office In 2020

2. TextMaker From FreeOffice

Text Maker is a free word processing from the office suite provided by Free Office. The user interface is similar to MS Word Processing software, where you can choose between a classic menu style and a ribbon style. Users have access to many options like making eBooks, Export PDF or EPUB, creating a table of contents, and chapters along with footnotes. Other features include the ability to preview documents, add comments and objects, use shapes and track changes.

Download FreeOffice

Also Read: Best G Suite Alternatives for Professionals Users

3. Open Office Writer

One of the few best free word processors which support portability with the help of a flash disk is Open Office writer. But that is not the unique feature, Open Office Writer also allows the users to add notes to the side of a document and facilitates wizards, which can automate and ease the process of creating letters, faxes and agendas.

Open Office writer also lets the user unlock all the settings to make the entire interface blank and available for writing only. The other parameters include adding images in the document, editing and formatting styles and page properties and many more, making it better than MS Word processing software.

Download OpenOffice

Also Read: The Best Thesaurus Apps for Writers

4. WordGraph

Word Graph is the best free word processor, which can access files stored on cloud services like OneDrive and Dropbox. It also allows the users to add content in the form of charts, illustrations, tables, graphics etc. to your document. The WordGraph can also create PDFs, table of contents, indexes from a simple document.

Word graph also includes a spell checker, but it does not run automatically, and the user has to check the document for errors after completing the document manually. However, it can be downloaded as a standalone instead of downloading the entire suite of office applications.

Download WordGraph

5. AbleWord

If you are looking for a free and simple word processor, then Able Word is the software you need to install on your computer. It has an easy to use interface that also looks pretty decent. Additionally, the software is swift and supports all major file types. There are no confusing settings and features with no clutter of unnecessary buttons.

It is supported on all Windows operating systems and can also import a PDF and convert it into a document. However, it does not have an automatic spell checker, and the user has to perform a manual scanning after the document is done.

Download AbleWord

6. AbiWord

Another one on the list of the best word processing software is Abiword, which has automatic spell check and auto-saving feature. The interface is well organized and not cluttered or confusing. AbiWord allows the users to share the documents with others on a real-time basis with changes made reflecting on both sides.

Other extra features include grammar checker, Google Search, equation editor, web dictionary and many others as well. The software is 100 percent functional but has been removed from the official website and is available on Softpedia.

Download AbiWord

7. Jarte

Like AbiWord, Jarte also allows the users to open multiple tabs in one interface and open various documents. Users can also install different dictionaries during setup to provide a vast range of words. The advance configuration can be set to open the last file that you were working upon when the program is launched afresh. It is supported on all Windows operating systems from XP to 10.

Download Jarte

8. WriteMonkey

Write Monkey, a simple best free word processor that provides an interface with no distractions at all and is dedicated to capturing the Writer’s mind with focus. To access any option or setting, the users will have to make a right-click to open the menu. Once the menu option is highlighted, the users can open developer tools and make the required changes.

Download WriteMonkey

9. RoughDraft

Rough Draft is a free word processor that supports RTF. TXT and DOC files only and has an auto spell check feature. It allows shortcut keys for every command and also enables users to change the mode of writing from Normal, Screenplay, Stage Play and Prose. The application interface includes a file browser that can keep up to 100 files open. Users can choose which document they want to write on, and then continue with having to open and close each document.

Download RoughDraft

10. FocusWriter

Image Source: FocusWriter

FocusWriter is the last one on the list of best word processing software, which is regularly updated and has a minimal interface. The interface automatically hides all menus and buttons so that the Writer can focus without obstructions. The full-screen mode blocks all other activities to be displayed on the computer.

FocusWriter includes an alarm that is set with regards to your typing goals. It runs on all major platforms like Windows, macOS and Linux. FocusWriter supports all basic formats and editing with an application of colourful themes.

Download FocusWriter

Which One Did You Choose from the Best Word Processing Software?

That concludes the list of the best free word processors among a hundred others. The software described in this list are free of cost and can be easily installed. Although some of them are not being updated, these software are stable versions and have reached the best of their capacity when you compare them to a word processing software. Do not expect any high-end features like MS Word as those premium features have a price to pay.

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Is there a free word processor for Windows 10? Of course, Yes. There are many word processing software out there that don’t cost a dime. Up until now, Microsoft Word, which is a part of the Office suite, has been a de facto word processor that many people use on their machines. That’s where these free word processing software come into play.

MS Word comes at a price that might push many people away. Not to mention, people end up paying for many features they might never use. Here, I have listed some of the best free word processor apps that can turn out to be a great Microsoft Word alternative with support for doc and docx file extensions. In addition to Windows, you can use them on macOS and on the web as well.

6 Best Free Word Processor Software (2022)

1. Office Word Online

Platform: Web

Those who keep looking for a free word program don’t need to hunt for long as Microsoft itself offers a free version of Microsoft Word. Of course, you’ll need a Microsoft account to access the Word Online app.

You won’t find any third-party ads annoying you when you’re in the middle of something. The clean user interface of Word online is quite similar to that of its offline sibling. So, the learning curve is pretty small here and you’ll get hang of all the features quite soon.

However, that’s are where Microsoft has done the cost-cutting, this free online word processor doesn’t offer as many features as the regular Word app. Still, it includes everything you need.

What’s best about Word Online?

• Clean UI with features laid out neatly
• It can be accessed from anywhere via a web browser
• Has built-in templates for different types of documents
• Provides Editing, Reading, and Viewing modes
• Has built-in grammar and spell checker tools
• User can add comments to specific parts of text
• User can easily share Word Online documents with others

What’s the bad part?

• Track Changes feature is hard to use

2. LibreOffice Writer

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Who knows better about LibreOffice Writer better than Linux users? This free open-source word processor works on almost every Linux distro out there and finds a home on their app Stores.

Writer forms a part of the LibreOffice suite which is a spin-off of OpenOffice. You can use it on your macOS or Windows PC as well and seamlessly edit your documents with ease.

What’s best about LibreOffice Writer?

• Provides lots of text customization options and features
• Built-in custom templates for CV, resume, business letters, etc.
• Provides native app experience
• Handy Navigator tool finds similar items such as images, hyperlinks easily
• Multi-window support lets you edit different documents simultaneously
• Built-in spellchecker, thesaurus, autocorrect, etc
• Can fetch files from cloud drives and remote FTP servers

What’s the bad part?

• The UI looks old and it’s less fluid in comparison to other word processors
• Lacks real-time collaboration features
• Doesn’t come as a standalone app

3. Google Docs

Platform: Web

One area where we should give Google Docs a plus point is a performance despite being a web app. Google Docs is already a very popular free online word processor that comes from the house of the world’s biggest search engine company.

It is part of the pool of apps that google markets under the G Suite brand. Being in existence for over 13 years, this Google word processor is now available in 83 languages.

You can use it as a web app in Windows 10 and macOS, but for Android and iOS, Google has released full-fledged apps. It can work without the internet as well, here’s how to use Google Docs offline.

What’s the best about Google Docs?

• Visually appealing and performant UI despite being a web app
• Provides all the required document editing features
• Support popular formats including MS Word documents
• Comes with different templates for documents
• Has a robust document history tracking feature
• Seamless integration of Google Keep, Calendar, and Tasks app
• Robust controls for sharing Google Docs files
• Built-in support for Google Search and dictionary

What’s the bad part?

• User can’t update the document in case internet goes off if the offline mode is not activated

4. Pages

Platform: macOS, Web

Pages is a popular word processing software created by Apple. It is available for all Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. So, it becomes the de facto MS Word alternative for Apple users that doesn’t cost a dime.

However, if you are running a Windows 10 PC, then also you can edit documents in Pages. Just login to your iCloud account and you’re good to go.

What’s best about Pages?

• It’s the easiest word processor to work
• All the user-relevant options are spaciously laid out
• Provides an extensive collection of Apple-designed document templates
• Seamless switching between Apple devices with Handoff
• Supports real-time collaboration with other editors

What’s the bad part?

• Lacks document editing features in comparison to Word
• Some features limited to Apple devices

5. Dropbox Paper

Platform: Web

As the name says, the web app is designed by the famous cloud drive company Dropbox and so reliability is what you can expect from the moment you start using it.

Dropbox Paper is also a free online word processor and it has probably the cleanest interface among the names on this list. The UI is a lot different from others and you don’t get bombarded with tons of options all at once.

It takes a different approach than others and mostly focuses on collaborative efforts and editing documents together.

What’s best about Dropbox Paper?

• Responsive and minimalistic user interface
• Easily accessible controls to add images, videos, Dropbox files
• Provides seamless embedding of media from third-party websites
• Dedicated option to add code snippets neatly
• Dedicated section to track word count, comment history, edit history, rollback to previous versions
• Integrated apps including Google Drive, Trello, Spotify, InVision, Framer, Figma, etc

What’s the bad part?

• Lacks some features in comparison to other word processing software
• It might take a while to get a hang of it

6. Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer is an MS Word alternative created by India-based Zoho Corporation. In terms of UI it’s one of the cleanest free Word processors you’ll find on the internet. However, the icons don’t seem as modern as you’d find on Google Docs and Apple Pages.

One thing you’d notice right away is that all the formatting and editing controls are placed on the left; usually, we see them at the top in most apps. Anyway, it gets the job done with a plethora of inbuilt templates and features.

What’s best about Zoho Writer?

• Extensive formatting options with templates for Bulk, Fillable, Signable documents
• Producitivity features: Focus Mode, Dark Mode, AI-powered writing assistant
• Real-time collaboration with change tracking and comments support
• Supports Offline Mode, Integration for WordPress, Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, other cloud services
• Supports popular files doc formats and import of MS Word files

What’s bad?

• Icons and UI may feel old school to some
• Slight Change in learning curve from other word processors

Our Recommendation

We would like to suggest Google Docs here given the perks it comes with. Google Docs offers seamless cross-platform experience, supports all formats, Google Drive, and can extend it’s functionality via addons. Being backed by Google means bug fixes and software updates aren’t going to be a problem in the long run.

So, guys, these were some of the best free word processor software you can try in 2020. As already mentioned above, each of these acts as a great alternative to Microsoft’s Word in some or the other way. If you have any suggestions to make, feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments.

You can check out our other article if you are looking for alternatives to the Microsoft Office suite that also includes spreadsheet and presentation software among others. Also, there are times when you have a PDF file at hand that needs to be edited. In that situation, you can take the help of some good PDF to Word converters that will make your content editable.

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