Toggle the table of contents
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is a list of notable word processors.
Free and open-source software[edit]
- AbiWord
- Apache OpenOffice Writer
- Calligra Words
- Collabora Online Writer – Online, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS, an enterprise-ready edition of LibreOffice
- GNU TeXmacs – document preparation system
- Groff
- LibreOffice Writer
- LyX – TeX document processor
- OnlyOffice Desktop Editors
- TextEdit – Mac and Linux
- WordGrinder – minimalist TUI word processor
Proprietary software[edit]
Commercial[edit]
- Apple Pages, part of its iWork suite – Mac, iOS
- Applix Word – Linux
- Atlantis Word Processor – Windows
- DavkaWriter – Windows and Mac
- Documents To Go – Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, Symbian
- Final Draft – screenplay/teleplay word processor
- Adobe FrameMaker – Windows
- Gobe Productive Word Processor – Windows and Linux
- Hangul (also known as HWP) – Windows, Mac and Linux
- IA Writer – Mac, iOS
- IBM DisplayWrite – DOS
- IBM SCRIPT – IBM VM/370
- IBM SCRIPT/VS – IBM z/VM or z/OS systems
- Ichitaro – Japanese word processor produced by JustSystems – Windows
- Adobe InCopy – Mac and Windows
- IntelliTalk
- iStudio Publisher – Mac
- Kingsoft Writer – Windows and Linux
- Mathematica – technical and scientific word processing
- Mellel – Mac
- Microsoft Word – Windows and Mac
- Nisus Writer – Mac
- Nota Bene – Windows, Mac
- Polaris Office – Android and Windows Mobile
- PolyEdit – Windows
- RagTime – Windows and Mac
- Scrivener – Windows, Mac and Linux
- TechWriter – RISC OS
- Text Control – Word Processing SDK Library
- TextMaker – Windows and Linux
- ThinkFree Office Write – Windows, Mac and Linux
- Ulysses – Mac, iPadOS, iOS
- WordPad – previously known as «Write» in older versions than Windows 95; has been included in all versions of Windows since Windows 1.01.
- WordPerfect – Windows and Linux
Freeware[edit]
- Atlantis Nova – Windows
- BabelPad – Windows
- Baraha – free Indian language software
- Bean – Mac
- Jarte – Windows
- Kingsoft Writer Personal Edition
- TextMaker
Online[edit]
- Apple Pages
- Authorea – word processor for students and researchers
- Collabora Online Writer – enterprise-ready edition of LibreOffice
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Word Online – free online service
- OnlyOffice
- ThinkFree Office Write
- WriteOnline
- XaitPorter – word processor for Enterprise, allowing both single-user and team collaboration approach
Historical[edit]
| Title | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Word/1st Word Plus | Atari ST family and Acorn | |
| A M Jacquard Systems | running Type-Rite, its own proprietary software[1] | |
| Adobe Buzzword | ||
| Adobe PageMaker | ||
| AppleWorks | Windows and Mac | Formerly ClarisWorks Word Processing, also an older and unrelated application for Apple II |
| Amí | Windows | developed and marketed by Samna |
| Apple Writer | Apple II & III series | |
| Apricot Computers | SuperWriter | |
| AstroType | (later AstroComp) | |
| AtariWriter | Atari 8-bit family | |
| Bank Street Writer | ||
| Bravo | ||
| CEO | Data General’s AOS and AOS/VS operating systems | |
| ChiWriter | ||
| CPT Word Processors | ||
| Cut & Paste | ||
| DeskMate | «Text» component | |
| DisplayWrite | ||
| DPCX | /DOSF | |
| EasyWriter | Apple II and DOS (CP/M) | |
| Edit | Mac | |
| Edit.exe | DOS | |
| Edlin | DOS | |
| Electric Pencil | many | |
| Enable | DOS | |
| EZ Word | ||
| The First XLEnt Word Processor | ||
| FullWrite Professional | Mac | |
| geoWrite | component of GEOS | |
| Gypsy | ||
| Homepak | Commodore 64 and Atari | |
| IBM 3730 | ||
| IBM Lotus Symphony | ||
| Interleaf | now called QuickSilver | |
| JWPce | Japanese word processor, designed primarily for the English speaker who is reading or writing in Japanese. Last release was in 2005 | |
| KindWords | Amiga computers | |
| KWord | Last release was in 2011 | |
| Lexicon | ||
| LocoScript | ||
| Lotus Manuscript | ||
| Lotus Word Pro | Windows | |
| MacWrite | ||
| Magic Desk | Commodore 64 | |
| Magic Wand | CP/M | Replaced by Peachtext |
| Microsoft Works | abandoned | |
| Microsoft Write | abandoned | |
| MindWrite | Mac | |
| MultiMate | ||
| PaperClip | Commodore 64 computers | |
| Pathetic Writer | Last release was in 2006 | |
| PC-Write | ||
| Peachtext | CP/M, DOS | |
| pfs:Write | Professional Write/IBM Writing Assistant | |
| PROFS | IBM VM series | |
| Protext | ||
| Q&A Write | DOS / Windows | |
| QText | DOS / Windows | |
| QuickOffice | abandoned | |
| Ted | Last release was in 2013 | |
| Scripsit | ||
| SimpleText | Apple System 7-9 | |
| pfs:First Choice | lighter-weight version of the pfs suite; DOS | |
| SpeedScript | Commodore 64 computers | |
| Spellbinder | ||
| Sprint | ||
| StarOffice Writer | ||
| Taste | ||
| Tasword | ||
| TeachText | Mac | |
| Textra DOS | [2] | |
| TJ-2 | ||
| Trelby | Last release was in 2013 | |
| Type-Rite | A M Jacquard machines[1] | |
| VolksWriter | ||
| WordMARC | ||
| WordStar | CP/M, Apple II, DOS, Windows | |
| WordWriter 128 | Commodore 128 | |
| WriteNow | Mac / NeXT | |
| XyWrite | ||
| Zarnegar | with Persian/Arabic and Latin script support |
See also[edit]
- Comparison of word processors
- List of office suites
- List of text editors
References[edit]
- ^ a b WP Doubles Consultant’s Productivity. Computerworld. 11 October 1982. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
Their word processors, manufactured by AM Jacquard Systems and in operation at Stanwick since 1978, have significantly reduced time required to handle …
- ^ «PC Mag». 1992-05-26. p. 219.
A Word processor is a computer program that provides for input, editing, formatting, and output of text. It includes some additional features such as creating, editing, saving, and printing documents.
Following is a handpicked list of Top Word Processor, with their popular features and website links. The list contains both open source (free) and commercial (paid) software.
Best Free Word Processor Software: Top Picks
| Name | Platform | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Learn More |
| Google Doc | Web, iOS, and Android, and Mac | Learn More |
| Grammarly | Web and browser extension | Learn More |
| Prowritingaid | Windows, Mac, and Web | Learn More |
| Scrivener | Windows, iOS, and Mac | Learn More |
#1) Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a writing app that helps you to transform documents into web pages. It offers a real-time translation facility with just one tap. This program enables you to read and edit documents attached to the email.
Features:
- It provides templates for resumes and forms.
- You can read documents, PDF, letters, and scripts on your mobile device.
- It enables you to save a document as a PDF file.
- Share your file with others with a few taps.
- Support editing with rich formatting.
- Manage permission for documents
- You can comment in the documents.
- Supported platform: Android, Mac, iOS, and Windows.
Visit Ms Word >>
#2) Google Doc
Google Doc is an online application that helps you to format text and paragraphs. It contains numerous fonts and images. This word processing software tool offers templates for writing documents. You can use the application to create and make changes in files anywhere at any time.
Features:
- You can access it from a Phone, tablet, or computer.
- You can make changes in the document in real-time.
- It offers chat and comment in the file.
- Convert Google Doc file to Word file or vice versa.
- You can search quotes, text, and images in the Google Doc Android app.
- Supported platforms: Web, iOS, and Android, and Mac.
Link: http://docs.google.com/
#3) Grammarly
Grammarly is a widely used writing enhancement tool. It offers numerous writing styles, suggestions for grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. You can use this tool via the website, as a browser extension, or as an app that you download to your computer.
Features:
- It helps enhance your writing skills by highlighting grammatical mistakes and areas of improvement.
- It works with every type of website with ease.
- Detect contextual mistakes.
- Genre-specific suggestion abilities.
- It offers a useful knowledge base for grammar learning.
- Helps writer to boost their writing style.
- Make text corrections across different websites and platforms.
- Supported platforms: Web and browser extension.
Visit Grammarly >>
#4) Prowritingaid
Prowritingaid is a tool that offers world-class grammar and style checking facility. It helps you to edit documents faster. This software includes more than 1000s of style to improve your writing.
Feature:
- It enables you to fix the writing style issue.
- Prowritingaid shows spelling and grammar mistakes.
- It has word explorer facilities to find the right word.
- This tool offers a consistent report to reduce mistakes.
- Supported Platform: Mac, Web, and Windows.
Visit Prowritingaid >>
#5) Scrivener
Scrivener is an ideal app design for writers. It provides a management system for documents and metadata. This app helps you to organize and research the document for easy access.
Features:
- It highlights the phrases that you need to work.
- You can add comments and annotations.
- This software allows you to indent block quota.
- Make heading large and bold.
- You can import plain text files, and Word documents, PDF documents, and more.
- Supported Platform: Windows, iOS, and Mac.
Visit Scrivener >>
#6) Calmlywriter
Calmlywriter is free writing software. The design of this program is minimal. This online application is design to help you to focus on your writing skills. It has a “focus mode” option that can highlight the paragraph you are writing.
Features:
- You can get the support of full-screen mode.
- It is simple to use.
- You can on or off typewriter sound.
- Supports syntax to format headers, bold, italics, as well as bullets.
- It allows you to use keyboard shortcuts.
- Spell check via a browser.
- It provides a word counter.
- You can export to PDF file.
- Supported platforms: Web and browser extension.
Link: https://www.calmlywriter.com/online/
#7) Ginger software
Ginger is one of the oldest writing enhancement tool. It is one of the best free word processor that will help you to correct text as you type, picking up many common grammatical errors like punctuation, sentence structuring, subject-verb agreement, writing style, and wording. Apart from the usual grammar, the checker offers a set of unique little features in it like text reader, translator, trainer, etc.
Features:
- Ginger software is well efficient Grammarly checker tool to detect misspelled words.
- It helps you correct all errors at once and allows you to undo all changes with just one click.
- This program allows you to do the switching between US and UK English languages.
- Ginger punctuation checker helps you to check punctuation mistakes in your content.
- You can add your words to the personal dictionary to consider them as errors in the future.
- Identify document errors and correct them.
- Spelling and grammar check.
- Help improve users’ English writing skills.
- Supported platform: Windows, iOS, Mac, and browser extension.
Link: https://www.gingersoftware.com/
#8) JotterPad – Writer, Screenplay, Novel
JotterPad is an Android application that is designed especially for writers. It has a plain text editor helping you to write books, poems, novels, essays, etc. The tool enables you to focus on converting your thoughts into a plain text file.
Features:
- You can quickly search for phrases.
- It supports Markdown (Text to HTML conversion tool).
- It allows you to count words.
- This tool helps you to control the version of the document.
- Write or edit the text in the cloud.
- Print or publish your work to PDF.
- It has a built-in dictionary to search for words.
- Supported platform: Android.
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jotterpad.x&hl=en_IN
#9) Evernote Web
Evernote is an application designed for writing notes. This free word processing software helps you capture and prioritize your ideas, to-do lists, and projects across more than one computing device.
Features:
- You can move or remove the section of the page.
- It allows you to change the design of the paper.
- Erase unwanted strokes or marks.
- Enables you to highlight the color of the text.
- You can copy, cut, or paste selected shapes or strokes.
- Supported platform: Windows, iOS, Android, and Mac.
Link: https://help.evernote.com/hc/en-us/articles/209122047-Start-writing
#10) Readable
Readable is a word processor that helps you to test the readability, grammar, and spelling of your text. It supports integration with API into your content management software. You can paste your text into this tool, and it will give you instant analysis. It also recommends improvement.
Features:
- It can analyze the quality of the text.
- This free word processor tool can check the density of the keyword.
- The application gives readability alerts.
- It provides team management facility.
- Readable allows you to share text, file scores, and websites.
- Supported platform: Web.
Link: https://readable.com/
#11) Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dragon Naturally Speaking is software for speech recognition. This application allows you to talk, and your words will appear on the screen. It helps you to make documents without using a keyboard.
Features:
- It allows you to control your PC by voice with accuracy and speed.
- This tool is faster than typing text with a keyboard.
- It can be used by students, enterprise users, and professionals.
- Supported platform: Windows, Android, and iOS.
Link: https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html
#12) Scribus
Scribus is a free and open-source desktop publishing software. It is specially designed for typesetting, layout, and presentation of files. This app can also create PDFs and forms.
Features:
- It offers a user-friendly interface.
- Support publishing features like color management and PDF creation.
- You can draw vector drawings.
- This application Supports documentation creation tools like LaText, Lilypond, etc.
- You can import or export a huge number of files to Scribus.
- Supported Platform: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, PC-BSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, and Haiku.
Link: https://www.scribus.net/
#13) Draft
A draft is a tool that helps you to write a draft simply and easily. It is one of the best word processing programs that enables you to control the version of the documents. This software allows you to import documents from a wide range of cloud services.
Feature:
- Email your doc into the draft.
- It can assist you with transcription.
- Support Markdown.
- You can share your document with others.
- It allows you to comment on your writing.
- Supported platform: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Link: https://draftin.com/
#14) iA Writer: The Markdown Writing App
iA writer creates a clean and easy to use writing environment. It helps you to edit your text file in any app you like. This app has a focus mode that allows you to stay in the flow.
Feature:
- It can highlight the syntax.
- This tool can search the document.
- Support customization of the template.
- It supports automatic table alignment.
- The app offers two modes light and dark mode.
- It helps you to write a phrase and a sentence.
- Supported platform: Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows.
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.ia.iawriter.x
#15) Writer Plus (Write On the Go)
Writer Plus (Write On the Go) is a writer app. This tool helps you to write notes, poems, novels, and essays on tablets or phones. It supports many languages, including English, Russian, German, Chinese, and French.
Feature:
- It enables you to open, make changes, and save a text file.
- This tool provides keyboard shortcuts.
- Provide support of Markdown format
- It utilizes a limited system resource.
- Writer Plus enables you to use H3, H3, H4, italic & bold, list, numbered list, and more.
- Supported platform: iOS, Android, Mac, OS X, and Windows.
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.easy4u.writer
#16) iA Writer
iA Writer is a text editor that gives users a clean, simple, and distraction-free writing experience. This tool can be used devices like smartphones, tablets, and more.
Feature:
- Supports keyboard shortcuts.
- It can highlight the current sentence and word you are typing.
- You can connect to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
- It has easy to use writing interface.
- Supported platform: Mac and Windows.
Link: https://ia.net/writer
#17) Writing Challenge
Writing challenge is a tool that provides an easy way to improve writing. You can write stories step by step. It helps you speed up your writing by adjusting the timer.
Feature:
- This tool helps you to generate creative ideas.
- It provides many combinations to start your stories.
- This software offers an option to suggest in your story.
- Supported platform: Android, Mac, and iOS.
Link: https://www.writingchallengeapp.com/
#18) Novelist – Write your novels
Novelist is the app that can be used to write novels. It is free software that allows you to backup and restore documents with Google Drive. This software offers a book preview facility. The tool has a rich text editor that saves your document automatically.
Feature:
- Write anything using any browser.
- It has templates that help you to write a book.
- Book compilation in EPUB (e-book file format), HTML format.
- You can insert comments in your book.
- It allows you to see and restore previous versions of the text.
- This application offers a comfortable night mode that enables you to focus on writing.
- Supported platform: Android.
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.returntrue.novelist
#19) Pure Writer
Pure Writer is a simple text software that is designed to have a good user experience. This tool helps you to recover accidentally removed documents. It saves the article if the content is changed.
Feature:
- Check if the article is saved in the database or not.
- Offers history records and undo and redo features.
- Integrate this tool with WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning).
- It this software fails to autosave the file, you won’t be able to exit the editor without saving it.
- Supported platform: Mac, Windows, and Android.
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.drakeet.purewriter&hl=en_IN
#20) Write Room
Write Room is an application that helps you to write without distraction. This tool offers a full-screen writing mode. It helps you to focus on your writing.
Feature:
- You can handle large document information quickly.
- It offers live reading time and word count.
- You can select sentences, words, and paragraphs using a command.
- It automatically log activity to a spreadsheet.
- The application provides themes to save switch and save settings.
- This tool enables you to choose paper textures, background images, and typing sounds.
- Supported platform: Mac and iOS.
Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/writeroom
#21) Ulysses (for Mac)
Ulysses is a tool that helps you to manage you’re your projects. It enables you to work anywhere, anytime. This tool helps you to transform the text into a PDF file. You can export text file HTML for use on the web.
Feature:
- This software offers a clean and distraction-free environment.
- It helps you to enhance plaintext.
- Ulysses has a hierarchic group that enables you to organize your writing project.
- Collaboration, for example, with your colleague using Dropbox.
- Export text file to Markdown, HTML, or rich text.
- Publish stories to Medium and WordPress.
- Provides live preview to see how your output will look like.
- It has numerous styles and themes.
- Supported platform: Mac and iOS.
Link: https://ulysses.app/
#22) Byword
Byword is a writing app that has tools for writing Markdown and rich text formatting files. It has a word checker and counter feature. This program supports VoiceOver API. You can use this software to capture ideas and notes that are available in all the devices.
Features:
- It helps you to make writing easier.
- This tool can Sync text files across all the devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad.
- You can export texts file to HTML and PDF documents.
- Publish to Blogger, Medium, Evernote, Tumblr, WordPress, and many more.
- Supported platform:Mac and iOS.
Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/byword/id420212497
#23) Writer
Writer is a word processor that enables you to create documents for free. This tool offers readability, contextual grammar, and style suggestions. It allows you to integrate with Blogger pages or WordPress.
Features:
- Allows you to collaborate with team in real time.
- It helps you to review and document approval easily.
- You can save the document as PDF and MS Word.
- This tool helps you to manage your workflow.
- Enables you to merge documents together.
Link: https://www.zoho.com/writer/
FAQ:
❓ What are Word Processor Software?
Word Process Software are applications that help you to write and manage stories, emails, ideas, social media posts, articles, and more.
💻 Which are the Best Word Processor Software?
🏅 Why use Word Processor Software?
Word Process Software are used because:
- They help you to make writing easier.
- It offers numerous writing styles, suggestions for grammar, vocabulary, syntax.
- Applications identify document errors and correct them.
⚡ What are the general features of Word Processor Software?
Here are the best features of Word Process Software:
- Word Processor Software solves grammatical errors like punctuation, sentence structuring, subject-verb agreement, writing style, and wording.
- Export text file to Markdown, HTML, or rich text.
- It helps you to make writing easier.
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.
Published Date: 27 Apr, 2014
Modified Date: 7 Apr, 2022
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.
Free Word Processors Alternatives to MS Word
If you’re looking for a free word processor that doesn’t require a download, check out this list of free online word processors that you can access from anywhere you have an internet connection.
All of these word processor programs are 100 percent freeware, which means that you won’t ever have to purchase the program, uninstall it after so-many days, donate a small fee, purchase add-ons for basic functionality, etc. The word processor tools below are free to download at no cost.
WPS Office Writer
What We Like
-
Features a tabbed interface for better document management.
-
Includes 1 GB of cloud storage.
-
Free templates built in.
What We Don’t Like
-
The whole suite has to be downloaded to use Writer.
Our Review of WPS Office Writer
WPS Office (previously called Kingsoft Office) is a suite that includes a word processor, called Writer, that’s easy to use because of its tabbed interface, clean design, and uncluttered menu.
Spell check is performed automatically as you would expect to be done in a good word processor. You can easily toggle spell check on and off from the menu at the bottom.
Writer supports full-screen mode, dual page layout, and the option to hide the menus, which makes for a perfect distraction-free writing experience. There’s even a viewing mode to protect against eye damage, turning the background of the page into a greenish color.
You can also add custom dictionaries, read/write to popular file types, create a cover page and table of contents, use built-in templates, encrypt documents, and easily view all the pages of a document from a side pane.
Writer is part of the WPS Office software, so you have to download the whole suite to get the Writer portion. It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, and mobile devices (iOS and Android).
Download WPS Office
FreeOffice from SoftMaker
What We Like
-
Several neat features.
-
Opens and saves to common file formats.
-
Great for making eBooks.
-
Automatic spell check is included.
-
Free for home and business use.
What We Don’t Like
-
Relatively large download size.
-
Must download the whole suite of programs even if you’ll just install the word processor.
-
Hasn’t updated in a while.
Our Review of SoftMaker FreeOffice
SoftMaker FreeOffice is a suite of office programs, and one of the included tools is a free word processor called TextMaker.
Immediately after opening this word processor for the first time, you’re given the option to choose a classic menu style or use a ribbon menu you might already be familiar with. The choice is yours, and there’s even a touch mode option you can turn on.
Menu options are organized logically, and beyond the normal word processor features are ones for eBook-making, like PDF and EPUB exporting, chapter creation, and footnotes.
This free word processor can also preview documents before opening them, track changes, insert comments, add objects such as Excel charts and PowerPoint slides, and use shapes, among many other things.
TextMaker can open a huge variety of document file types, including ones from Microsoft Word, OpenDocument files types, plain text, WRI, WPD, SXW, PWD, and others. When you’re ready to save, this word processor exports to popular formats like DOCX, DOTX, HTML, and TXT, as well as file formats specific to this program (e.g., TMDX and TMD).
TextMaker has to be downloaded as part of FreeOffice, but during installation, you can choose to install the whole suite or just the free word processor program. It runs on Windows 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server 2008. Mac 10.10 and higher is supported, too, as well as Linux and Android.
Download FreeOffice
OpenOffice Writer
What We Like
-
Works with lots of file formats.
-
Extensions and templates are supported.
-
Checks for spelling errors automatically.
-
Includes advanced and basic formatting options.
-
There’s a portable option available.
What We Don’t Like
-
You have to download the whole program suite even to use just Writer.
-
Might take a while to download on slow internet connections.
-
The interface and menus are dull and cluttered.
Our Review of OpenOffice Writer
OpenOffice Writer has all the necessary features to make it on any list of good word processors. Plus, there’s a portable option so you can use the program on the go with a flash drive.
Automatic spell check is included, as well as support for a huge variety of popular file types, the ability to add notes to the side of any document, and easy-to-use wizards for creating letters, faxes, and agendas.
A side menu pane lets you quickly switch between editing page properties, styles, and formatting to adding images from the gallery. You can even undock these settings so that you can have more room for writing but still have simple access to important tools.
Similar to WPS Office that tops this list, you must download the whole OpenOffice suite to your computer even if you’re just installing Writer. With the portable option, you have to actually extract the entire office suite even if you just want to use the Writer tool.
Download OpenOffice
WordGraph
What We Like
-
Includes unique advanced features.
-
Has a spell check.
-
You can download it apart from its whole suite.
-
Downloads and installs quickly.
What We Don’t Like
-
Spell check doesn’t work automatically.
-
The interface can be distracting.
WordGraph includes most of the standard features you’d find in any word processor, but it also has some unique tools.
In addition to adding things like graphics, charts, tables, and illustrations to a document, WordGraph can also produce PDFs, create a table of contents and index, and access files stored on cloud storage services like Dropbox.
While a spell check utility is included, it doesn’t work in live mode, which means you must manually run it to check for spelling mistakes.
Unlike some of these other word processors, you can download WordGraph on its own without having to also download the SSuite Office software that it belongs to.
WordGraph works on Windows computers but can be used on a Mac or Linux machine with extra software.
Download WordGraph
AbleWord
What We Like
-
Easy to use with a clean and uncluttered UI.
-
Lets you find spelling errors in your writing.
-
Popular formatting options are supported.
-
Can open and save to popular file formats.
What We Don’t Like
-
Hasn’t been updated since 2015.
-
Spell check isn’t automatic.
-
Limited open/save file format options.
Our Review of AbleWord
AbleWord opens documents quickly, has a really simple design, and supports editing and saving to popular file types. It’s very easy to use and looks really nice.
There isn’t much that makes AbleWord stand out among similar software except that it’s not bogged down with unnecessary buttons or confusing features and settings, and you can use it to import PDF text into the document.
Spell check is built-in but you have to run it manually because it doesn’t find errors automatically.
This program hasn’t been updated since 2015, so it probably won’t be updated again any time soon, or ever, but it’s still fully usable today as a free word processor.
You can use AbleWord if you have Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP.
Download AbleWord
AbiWord
What We Like
-
Spell check is automatic.
-
Supports automatic saving.
-
Lets you collaborate with others in real time.
-
Works with lots of file types.
-
Supports plugins.
What We Don’t Like
-
Print preview isn’t as easy to use as it is in similar programs.
-
Doesn’t have a modern interface.
-
No longer gets updated.
AbiWord is a free word processor with automatic spell check and common formatting options. The menus and settings are organized well and aren’t cluttered or confusing to use.
You can share documents with others and have the changes reflected automatically, making live, real-time collaboration possible.
Common file types work with AbiWord, like ODT, DOCM, DOCX, and RTF.
During setup, you can enable or disable all sorts of extra features, like an equation editor, grammar checker, web dictionary, Google Search and Wikipedia integrator, translators, and file format support for DocBook, OPML, ClarisWorks, and others.
One downside to this program is that the print preview feature isn’t like most programs in that you have to open the preview as an image in a photo viewer, which isn’t supplied with AbiWord.
AbiWord works on Windows, but only through the download link below because it’s no longer available for Windows users from their official website. It also works on Linux but only through Flathub.
Download AbiWord
Jarte
What We Like
-
Customize the layout a number of ways.
-
Can be set up to auto-save every so often.
-
Opens documents in tabs.
-
Supports common document formats.
-
Small setup file.
-
There’s a portable option available.
What We Don’t Like
-
Must run spell check manually.
-
Could be hard to use.
-
No update since 2018.
Jarte is another free word processor that has a tabbed interface to keep all open documents easily accessible on one screen.
Common file types are supported, you can set Jarte to automatically save a document from every minute to every 20 minutes, and you can install several spell check dictionaries during setup.
Jarte can be configured to automatically open the last file you were using upon launching the program, which is a nice option that most of the other software from this list doesn’t allow.
Unfortunately, the spell check feature isn’t automatic, and the program itself is sometimes confusing to grasp.
You can download Jarte for Windows 10 down through Windows XP.
Download Jarte
WriteMonkey
What We Like
-
Completely portable (no installation necessary).
-
Features a very minimal interface.
What We Don’t Like
-
No spell check.
-
Large download file.
WriteMonkey is a portable word processor that’s centered around providing an interface with the least number of distractions as possible so that you can focus on writing and nothing else.
Every menu option in WriteMonkey is only shown if you right-click the document. From there, you can do everything from open a new document or project to toggle focus mode, copy all the text, open dev tools, and more.
WriteMonkey is a free word processor for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Download WriteMonkey
RoughDraft
What We Like
-
Supports automatic spell check.
-
Tabbed browsing helps organize open documents.
-
Lets you use shortcut keys.
What We Don’t Like
-
Very outdated; no longer gets updated.
-
Supports a limited number of file formats.
Another free word processor, this one advertised for creative writers, is RoughDraft. It works with RTF, TXT, and DOC (from Word 2010–97) files, provides automatic spell check, allows shortcut keys for nearly every command, and lets you switch between various writing modes—Normal, Screenplay, Stage/Radio Play, and Prose.
It’s simple to open and edit files from your computer because of the file browser that’s open on the side of the program window. New documents appear in their own tab so that you can keep up to 100 files open in RoughDraft at the same time.
One of the downsides to this word processor is that the last version came out in 2005 and the developer is no longer working on it, so it won’t get new features in the future. Also, while the DOC file format is supported, the file has to have been created in Word 2010 or older.
Download RoughDraft
FocusWriter
What We Like
-
Provides multiple ways to create a distraction-free interface.
-
Colors and layouts can be customized.
-
Goals can be created to stay on task.
-
There’s a portable option.
What We Don’t Like
-
Can’t open documents with rich text formatting.
FocusWriter is similar to WriteMonkey in that it’s portable and has a minimal interface. The program automatically hides the menus and any buttons from being viewed, and you can run it in full-screen mode so that you don’t see any other program windows.
Basic formatting is allowed in FocusWriter, like bold, strikethrough, and aligning text. You can also edit the foreground and background text, page margins, color, and line spacing to produce custom themes.
You can open and save documents to popular formats like DOCX, ODT, RTF, and TXT. However, documents with rich text formatting might import into FocusWriter in plain text and become completely unusable.
FocusWriter includes an alarm and lets you set goals regarding your typing, like to type a particular number of words or to type for a certain number of minutes per day.
Another advantage this program has over some of the other free word processors in this list is that it gets updated far more often, so you can be sure that new features and/or security updates are released as frequently as they need to be.
FocusWriter runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Download FocusWriter
Judoom
What We Like
-
Supports tabbed browsing.
-
Makes project tracking easy.
-
Works with the two most popular MS Word file formats.
What We Don’t Like
-
It’s missing several features common in a Word processor.
-
Word counter doesn’t update automatically as you type.
Judoom has a similar look and feel to Microsoft Word, and you can even use some of the same file types, like DOC and DOCX.
It’s easy to keep track of projects because you can add up to two at a time and easily browse through local files and folders from a side menu. Any new documents that are opened are kept in their own tabs to keep everything closely together but organized at the same time.
While it’s easy to use and has a clean look to it, Judoom doesn’t include common features that you’ll normally find in a word processor, like spell check, headers/footers, and page numbers.
You can download Judoom on Windows only.
Download Judoom
AEdit
What We Like
-
Protect documents with a password.
-
Spell check is included.
-
Lets you edit unique document file formats.
-
Installs in seconds.
What We Don’t Like
-
Doesn’t open DOCX files.
-
Saves to just a few basic file formats.
-
Spell check isn’t automatic.
-
Very outdated.
AEdit has a bit of an outdated interface since the development team abandoned the software and haven’t released an update since 2001, but it still works just fine for a word processor.
AEdit lets you password protect documents and provides a spell check function, though it doesn’t check for errors automatically.
The free AEdit word processor works with files in Microsoft’s popular DOC format but not their newer DOCX format. You can also open 123, BAT, ECO, HTML, RTF, TXT, and XLS files.
However, when you save a document with AEdit, your options are limited to ECO, RTF, TXT, and BAT.
AEdit is for Windows computers.
Download AEdit
Thanks for letting us know!
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe
The best free word processor makes it simple and easy way to create digital documents, without having to buy a software license.
You might be able to manage without a spreadsheet tool or something for making slideshows, but text documents are unavoidable. However, while there are some good, free word processing programs out there, they tend to not have so many features as paid-for software.
Even when they do, there can be compatibility issues with moving document formats between software platforms, especially when importing to Microsoft Word (opens in new tab).
Here we’re looking at the very best word processors that can be used offline (particularly useful for distraction-free writing), but there are also several excellent browser-based tools to consider if you’d rather do your writing online.
These then are the best free word processors and alternatives to Microsoft Word, that will provide a reliable platform for you to work from, at home or in the office.
We’ve also featured the best Microsoft Office alternatives.
The best free word processor of 2023 in full:
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
All-singing, all-dancing word processors for any text-based work
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent format compatibility
+
Document template galleries
+
Support for plugins
+
No ads or paywalls
LibreOffice is a fork of Apache OpenOffice, and the two offer very similar word processing apps, but LibreOffice receives more frequent updates and has a more lively userbase, so we’re inclined to lean in its favor.
The word processor, Writer, is a feature-packed analog of Microsoft Word, packed with all the tools you could need for any text-based work.
The two versions of Writer include wizards and templates for common document types, such as invoices and letters, and it’s easy to create your own templates for future use as well. The word processors also work together with the other office software in their respective suites – so you can use Base to create a bibliography, for example.
Both word processors support all the most popular file formats, and can export documents to PDF without the need for additional software. If you’re looking for a word processor that can stand in for Microsoft Word, either of these two will be a perfect candidate.
Read our full LibreOffice review.
A word processor with cloud storage and support for all text files
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux
Reasons to buy
+
Interface almost identical to Word
+
Excellent file format support
+
Free cloud storage
Reasons to avoid
—
Contains some ads
If you’ve used a modern version of Microsoft Word, there’ll be no learning curve when you switch to Writer – the word processing component of WPS Office Free.
This free word processor looks and behaves almost exactly like its premium counterpart, and even has its own equivalent of OneDrive, offering 1GB free cloud storage.
Its selection of pre-installed templates gives you everything you need for common document types, and you can easily create your own for bespoke tasks. It’s compatible with every text file format you can think of, including current and legacy versions of Microsoft Word dating back to Office 97.
WPS Office Writer is supported by discrete ads, which can be removed by upgrading to the premium version, but they’re barely noticeable and no features are locked behind a paywall. Overall, WPS Writer is very impressive, and in our opinion it’s the best free word processor available to download today.
WPS recently launched a free PDF to Word converter (opens in new tab) as well, which is a great companion to its word processor.
Read our full WPS Office Free review.
The ideal word processor for first drafts, with no fussy formatting
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux
Reasons to buy
+
Blocks out distractions
+
Timers and alarms
+
Auto-save function
Reasons to avoid
—
Not ideal for editing
If you simply want to hammer out some words without worrying about formatting, you could just use Windows’ built-in Notepad app, but FocusWriter is full of clever tools that will help you maximize productivity without ever getting in the way.
As the name implies, FocusWriter blocks out all distractions so you can give that all-important first draft your full attention. In normal use, all you see is a blank page – toolbars are only visible if you move your mouse pointer to the edge of the screen – but there’s a killer feature in Focused Text, which fades everything into the background except the current paragraph or sentence.
FocusWriter also features alerts that are triggered at certain times, or when you’ve reached a predefined word count, so you don’t need to worry about watching a counter (as you would in Microsoft Word). This also makes FocusWriter a good tool to use in tandem with the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working hard for a period of time that’s long enough for you to work productively, but not so long that you become fatigued.
It’s not great for editing, but for productivity, FocusWriter is hard to beat.
Read our full FocusWriter review.
Another great looking word processor, but watch your file formats
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, Mac, Linux
Reasons to buy
+
Can export to EPUB format
+
Prints multiple pages per sheet
+
Opens password-protected files
Reasons to avoid
—
Doesn’t support DOCX files
TextMaker – the word processing element of SoftMaker FreeOffice – is good looking, and comes with several handy templates for creating letters and other everyday documents. The selection isn’t as extensive as some of its rivals’, but you can also make new designs for future use and save them in TMV format.
All the features you’d expect from a modern word processor are present and correct, including advanced formatting options, the ability to create databases for managing bibliographies and footnotes, and a function for tracking changes to collaborative projects.
The only real drawback of TextMaker is its inability to save your work in DOCX format (though you can open and edit these files with no difficulty). This feature is limited to the premium version of SoftMaker Office.
Read our full FreeOffice review.
Productivity-focused word processing with quick shortcuts
Specifications
Operating system: Windows
Reasons to buy
+
Distraction-free interface
+
Supports markup
+
Handy keyboard shortcuts
Reasons to avoid
—
Only works with TXT files
WriteMonkey is another no-frills word processor designed to help you maximize your output without fussing with editing and formatting. It’s not intended for documents like letters or CVs, but is great for committing early ideas to paper (or screen) so you have the raw material to develop later.
Unlike FocusWriter, which is compatible with all the most common text formats (including Microsoft’s DOC and DOCX), WriteMonkey only works with TXT files, so you’ll have to convert any works in progress before opening them. WriteMonkey’s hidden controls are trickier to navigate, too – everything is accessed via a large right-click menu, or a vast collection of keyboard shortcuts.
That said, if you’re happy to commit those shortcuts to memory, you’ll find WriteMonkey faster to use than toolbar-based alternatives.
We also like the ability to look words up in Wikipedia, Google Images, Poetry.com, Answers.com, and many others without opening a browser winder manually and leaving yourself open to the temptations of Twitter and Facebook.
WriteMonkey is a portable app, so there’s no need to install it – just extract all the downloaded files to a removable drive or cloud storage service and fire it up by running the file WriteMonkey.exe.
Read our full Writemonkey review.
Free online word processing with sharing and collaboration features
Reasons to buy
+
Convenient sharing and editing through Google Drive
+
Excellent support options
+
15 GB of free storage
Reasons to avoid
—
Mobile app lacks a few features
—
Formatting issues
—
Not as good as Microsoft Word
When it comes to free word processing, Google Docs may seem like one of the most obvious choices, and has the advantage of saving your work automatically so you don’t have to worry if your connection fails.
It’s also a good choice for collaborative working, and means you don’t have to upload work to a separate cloud storage service.
However, it has a limited selection of templates, there’s no way to import content from other Google applications, it suffers from the formatting issues when importing mentioned above, and any online tool is going to be surrounded by distractions like social media.
Read our full Google Docs review.
We’ve also featured the best free cloud apps for business.
Which free word processor is best for you?
When deciding which free word processor to download and use, first consider what your actual needs are, as sometimes free platforms may only provide basic options. That means if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, free and budget software options can sometimes prove limited when it comes to the variety of tools available, while higher-end software can really cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require.
How we tested the best free word processor
To test for the best free word processor we first set up an account with the relevant software platform, whether as a download or as an online service. We then tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations, especially looking at how it worked with different file formats. The aim was to push each software platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.
Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Cat is the editor of TechRadar’s sister site Advnture. She’s a UK Athletics qualified run leader, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than lacing up her shoes and hitting the roads and trails (the muddier, the better)