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November 1, 2022, 9:00 AM PDT

6 free alternatives to Microsoft Word

If you’re tired of paying for Microsoft Office features you don’t use, here are free alternatives to Word you can download and start using today.


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  • Google Docs

  • Apache OpenOffice Writer

  • Zoho Writer

  • LibreOffice Writer

  • WPS Office Writer

  • Microsoft Office Word Online

Microsoft Word has its devotees, but find one person who loves it, and you’ll probably find several who don’t. From redesigns that hide familiar menu items to overly complicated and often unused features, there’s a lot to be desired in a simple word processor that Microsoft Word doesn’t deliver due to its complex nature.

Microsoft Word and the rest of Microsoft Office is expensive–for instance, Microsoft 365 Business Premium costs $22 a user per month. There are also some details about the pricing for the home edition of Microsoft Office, including such information as the number of users and cloud storage.

If you don’t need all the features that Microsoft Word offers, it can be hard to justify paying that price, especially in a small business environment where you just need a word processor. Don’t pay for what you aren’t going to use–take a look at one of these six free Microsoft Word alternatives instead.

Google Docs

Google Docs overview page

Image: Google

Google Docs, which is easily the most popular Microsoft Word alternative on this list, is free to everyone with a Google account.

If you want the basic features of Microsoft Word, you don’t need to look any further than Google Docs–it does all your basic word processing needs, and it is tightly integrated with Google Drive and other products. Since everything is saved in Google’s cloud, you don’t need to worry about losing your work–Docs autosaves after every single keystroke, so in the event of a crash you should be able to pick up right where you left off, down to the letter. Google Docs also supports Microsoft Word’s .doc and .docx formats, so you shouldn’t have any problems importing and editing those.

One of its best features for business users is real-time collaboration. If you share a document with another Google user, both of you can be in the document at the same time, see the other user’s cursor position, watch what they’re typing, and chat to each other as well. It’s a great collaboration tool that stands out among word processors.

Advanced users may find the features lacking–it really is a bare-bones word processor.

Apache OpenOffice Writer

Document on Apache OpenOffice Writer

Image: Apache

If you hate Microsoft Word because of the invention of the ribbon, then Apache’s OpenOffice Writer is the 2003 throwback you want. It has a classic interface that, while it can look a bit cluttered, mimics the menus that Microsoft tossed out when Office 2007 was released. It will definitely feel familiar to Office 2003 users, with the added perk of still receiving updates and security patches, which is important for a business software suite.

OpenOffice Writer has its own document format, but it also supports .doc and .docx files, and it does a great job of maintaining formatting when importing those types of files. Many of the advanced features of Microsoft Word are included in OpenOffice Writer as well, so editing complex Word documents won’t be an issue.

If online collaboration or native cloud support is a selling point, then you may want to pass on OpenOffice Writer because it includes neither. It is possible to store files in a cloud drive and access them using OpenOffice, but you’ll need to have the desktop client of Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Apple iCloud installed, so you can open your cloud storage like a local computer folder.

Zoho Writer

Add images, comments, and suggestions in Zoho Writer with collaboration tools.

Collaborator comments and suggestions in Zoho Writer. Image: Zoho

Zoho Writer is a free document creation tool with a clean writing interface and powerful built-in capabilities. Writing documents in Writer is largely distraction-free, while important text tools are still within reach.

The native features of Writer, many of which leverage the capabilities of other Zoho apps, really set it apart from the bunch. Use the built-in AI tool, Zia, for better quality content, fast grammar fixes and insight into the document’s readability for different audiences. The Document Sign tool puts e-signature tools right in the doc, so teams can go from draft to approval to signature all in the same space. Document Fillable tools also put forms right in your documents, giving them a professional feel that’s ready for embedding anywhere you need a form.

Not to be outdone by Google Docs or Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer’s real-time collaboration has granular controls including comments, suggestions, text masking to hide some items from collaborators and even content locks for blocks of text. Zoho Writer is built for corporate collaboration, legal approvals and creative teams.

LibreOffice Writer

Text document on LibreOffice Writer

Image: The Document Foundation

The Document Foundation’s LibreOffice Writer, like OpenOffice, is a completely free and open-source product that offers word processing, support for .doc and .docx file formats, and all the tools the average Microsoft Word user will need in a word processor. LibreOffice Writer and OpenOffice Writer are similar in a lot of ways: Interface style, file format support, lack of cloud integration and real-time collaboration, and general word processing features. Both are solid choices for those looking for a free alternative to Microsoft Word, and selecting one over the other largely comes down to preference.

One aspect of LibreOffice stands out, and it isn’t what’s in the app–it’s the community-driven nature of the platform. Collaborating with users and developers to improve the product is front and center on LibreOffice’s website, and that focus has grown LibreOffice into a thriving community of users and coders that keep making it better.

WPS Office Writer

Document on WPS Office Writer

Image: WPS Software

If you want a word processor that’s just as feature packed as Word, but you don’t want to pay a premium, check out WPS Office Writer. It is a full-featured application suite that feels premium.

WPS Office Writer does most of the same things as Microsoft Word, and it includes native cloud support to make storing documents online a snap; however, it does lack real-time collaboration. Look at any review of WPS Office Writer, and you’ll find statements that attest how much it’s like Word. With its inclusion of more features than other free suites like OpenOffice, this might be the one to go for–especially considering you don’t have to pay for it.

With anything free and high quality, there’s a catch, and you might be able to guess what it is in our modern age of “freemium” apps: Ads. Don’t let that dissuade you from trying WPS Writer–you might not see an ad. There’s no banner across the top of the app–ads only appear when you want to use select features like printing or exporting to PDF. If you need to do one of those things, you’ll have to sit through a roughly 10-second ad, which unlocks the feature for 30 minutes. If you like what WPS Writer has to offer, you can opt to eliminate ads by paying a yearly subscription fee of $29.99, or you can fork over $119.99 for a lifetime license.

Microsoft Office Word Online

Microsoft Office Word Online overview page

Image: Microsoft

Don’t overlook Microsoft’s free alternative to the paid version of Word: Office Online. Like Google Docs, Microsoft Word Online is a simplified, cloud-based version of Word. It lacks a lot of the advanced features of a locally-installed version of Word, but for users who want a free version of Word, this is as close as you can get.

Similarities between Google Docs and Word Online are present all the way down to the interface, but with a few tweaks to make it feel more like the Microsoft ribbon instead of the drop-down menus Google Docs users are used to. Documents created in Word Online are saved in Microsoft OneDrive, and real-time collaboration features like those in Google Docs are available as well. One big plus in Word Online’s favor is formatting: If you create a document in Word Online and then import it to a local version of Microsoft Word, it’s going to retain the formatting way better than if it’s made in Google Docs.

Check out our other articles that can save you money, with a look at 6 free alternatives to Microsoft Excel and 5 alternatives to Office 365 that you’ve never considered.

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Free MS Word alternatives

While many people believe that they are «locked» into using Microsoft Word for all their document creation needs, it simply isn’t true. Over the past few years, there have been many Microsoft Word and Office alternatives that were released and that have gained traction. Now, there are alternatives to the costly application from Microsoft, many of which are free.

Today we’re going to explore ten alternatives to Microsoft Word that you can quickly and easily start using today. Some will be online and some will be downloadable applications that can be installed on your local computer, but all will enable you to wean yourself off of Microsoft Word and still be productive.

This is because they can all work in conjunction with the applications you already use with MS Word. Take your everyday PDF converter tool, for instance. Working with PDF documents is difficult and you may think it even harder if you swap out an application in your usual software lineup. This simply isn’t true, though. Able2Extract Professional, for instance, lets you work easily with any MS Word alternative there is. Simply convert your PDF to Word and then import or upload your converted results into any one of the Word processors in this list. You won’t miss a single beat!

So if you need a good list of free alternatives to MS Word, look no further. Let’s get started on our tour of ten free alternatives to Microsoft Word.


Online Microsoft Word Alternatives

Sometimes it’s easier to create and collaborate online in real-time than by editing and managing multiple versions on your local hard drive and sending the files via email. The web-based word processing applications below will not only let you create the documents online but also quickly and easily share them with others.

Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is a free online word processor offered by the online cloud storage provider. To start using it, you will need a Dropbox account. Once logged in, you get full access to the online suite. The minimalist interface is very intuitive and its simplicity allows you to focus on your content. You can also do a number of things that go beyond creating a textual document. You can add rich media, such as audio, video and images. Dropbox Paper also allows you to access apps that let you embed Trello cards, Youtube videos or SlideShare decks. Other collaborative features include document link-sharing, creating and assigning checklist items to members or embedding one of your Dropbox documents. Dropbox Paper, overall, does an excellent job at creating dynamic documents you can share and access online.

Office Online

For Microsoft Word and Office aficionados, the best possible free online alternative for their document editing needs is definitely Word online, which comes as part of the
Office Online suite. Although free MS Word web app is not a full-fledged version of its paid counterpart, it allows you to open, create and edit Word documents online. Also, it offers some additional benefits of online software tools. For example, the ability to access and see updates from co-authors to your docs literally from anywhere in real time with only an Internet connection and the latest 2016 version. You can share and collaborate on documents. An equally alluring feature of Office Online is its cross-platform compatibility. So, if you’re a Chromebook or Linux OS user, MS Word web app is the most elegant way to get access to Microsoft’s document editing features — for free!

Google Docs

Google Docs allows you to create, collaborate and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and even forms. Google Docs is packed with features, which can be further extended with various add-ons. While it will automatically save the file online and store it there, you can also have the documents published as a web page, downloaded or emailed as an attachment in Word, ODT, PDF, plain text or RTF formats. You can invite collaborators to work on the document with you or only allow others to view it without the ability to edit. And if you are apprehensive of having to depend on the Internet connection for document processing, don’t worry. You can enable Google Docs offline access and keep editing your documents even when you are disconnected from Internet. All it takes is a free Google account.

Etherpad

Etherpad is an online document editor primarily intended for collaborative editing in, as the site claims, «really real time». It’s an open source, highly customizable tool for online document collaboration with friends, fellow students and classmates, or colleagues at work. One of its advantages, especially appealing to users who are reluctant to use services which require email registration, is that there is no sign up with Etherpad. All you need to do is start a new pad and share the link to it with your collaborators. You can also invite them by email if you prefer. After that, you can start working on the planned writing project together, in real-time, even if you are miles apart.

Zoho

Zoho offers around 20 free online applications including Writer for word processing. You can link your Zoho account to your Google and Yahoo accounts, as well. The Writer’s interface shouldn’t cause anyone problems as it is comfortably familiar. When working online there’s always the risk of losing data due to a lost network connection, accidentally closing your browser or having your browser crash. Luckily Zoho automatically saves your documents for you, as you finish typing. Zoho Writer is well-equipped with features that allow you to work easily online: two-way desktop sync, large file transfer, encryption, file recovery, two-step authentication, in-app chat, and more. You can import and work with MS Word documents, allowing you to insert images, and edit content as needed. Zoho Writer offers all the standard text formatting and document creation features and can export to DOCX, ODF, PDF, Latex, RTF, TXT and even HTML. It can plug into Echosign for digital signatures, publish the document to a blog or make it public for all to see. Zoho Docs is completely free to use.

Downloadable Word alternatives

Downloadable Microsoft Word Alternatives

Some people are reluctant to cut the ties to their local computer and put all their work and business documents online. If you’re one of them and don’t want to rely on an Internet connection, here are several free word processing applications to round out our list. These you can download and install on your local computer. Take advantage of all the desktop features of MS Word without the hefty price tag!

Apache OpenOffice

The Apache OpenOffice package actually includes six programs that all use the same engine making them inherently the same and extremely easy to learn and use. The 6 applications included in the Apache OpenOffice suite are: Writer (word processor), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (diagrams and illustrations) and Base (database manipulation) and Math (mathematical equations). Writer can even natively do some things that Word cannot, like open PDF files without the addition of a plug-in or commercial add-on. As the software is open source it is maintained by a large community meaning help and bug fixes are freely available and quickly created. The downside to Writer is that it can only open DOCX files without the ability to edit and save them. You can install this suite on Windows XP to Windows 10, macOS and Linux.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is another open source Microsoft Office alternative and a successor of the OpenOffice.org project (in 2010, Oracle/Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice projects went separate ways). LibreOffice is distributed as a “monolithic software” consisting of seven components: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math, and Charts. LibreOffice Writer is a free and powerful word processor available for Windows, Linux, and Mac. This Microsoft Word alternative can edit and save DOCX file format meaning that if you often collaborate on documents with Microsoft Office users, LibreOffice Writer is your best choice. It offers multi-language support, a spelling and grammar checker, ability to export in PDF and EPUB ebook format, AutoCorrect and AutoComplete features, a lot of extensions and document templates, and more regular updates and major and minor releases than Apache OpenOffice.

Jarte

Jarte is based on Microsoft WordPad Engine, but is still free. There is a paid version of the software that adds on some extra functionality, but the free version is more than adequate and fully compatible with Word and WordPad documents. Features include an ergonomic tabbed interface, small resource requirements, portability, support for touchscreens, and quick loading time. It also has built-in spell checking and can export to HTML and PDF files. Jarte allows you to insert images, tables, hyperlinks and everything else that you have come to expect from Word. Jarte contains no ads, trial periods or crippled features and is funded through user purchases of the Jarte Plus version.

WPS Office

WPS Office is a free document processing suite whose WPS Writer app will serve you well as a Microsoft Word alternative. WPS Office 2016 Free can open and save to a long list of popular file formats native to those applications like docx, doc, and more. You can get the application in languages other than English: French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Russian. The suite has the same familiar look and feel of MS Office with one exception—it has a tabbed viewing window, so you can open more than one document at a time. And also worth mentioning is WPS Cloud, the company’s cloud document storage service that offers up to 1GB of free storage that you can use. This is perfect if you’re trying to find a free Word alternative that’s not only scalable for teams, but can also be as collaborative and seamless as its Microsoft counterpart.

SoftMaker FreeOffice

SoftMaker FreeOffice is another great free suite that offers a full featured Microsoft Word alternative. The suite’s TextMaker application allows you to focus on creating documents just as you would in MS Word. This suite offers up essential editing features and even a handful of basic templates for creating and editing documents. Tables, charts, shapes and graphics are available along with standard text formatting options. This application provides you with everything you need. The entire suite is available for Windows, Linux, and Android, so you can keep your document processing tasks going even while away from your desktop.


Whether you are looking for a free locally installed Microsoft Word alternative or an online one for easier collaboration and online file storage, there are many available. The ten that are covered in this article are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, but should give you a good starting point. The obvious giants in the arena are Google Docs and Openoffice.org which are probably also the most popular, though Zoho does offer a wider selection of applications. In the end, the one that best suits you will be the one that offers the features you need the most.


Free PDF Viewer

No matter which one you pick, you’re guaranteed a fully functional, robust word processor at zero cost. If you also want a completely free PDF viewer with powerful features for Windows, Mac, or Linux, give Slim PDF Reader 2 a chance today!

Microsoft Office Word is undoubtedly the most widely-used text editor. It allows you to create documents easily. So finding Microsoft Word alternatives can feel like a short list of options.

Why would anyone want to choose something else?

Well, this dominant word processor does have its drawbacks. There’s no free version, and it only works on a limited number of operating systems. Also, many think it’s a bit too complicated and unusable for today’s needs. 

Although MS Word has fans, some people prefer to use a different program with similar capabilities. We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for text editors that work across various operating systems and don’t want to pay for Microsoft Word premium features you don’t use.

Here’s our review of the 10 best free Microsoft Word alternatives, features, pricing, and ratings for all!

What is Microsoft Word? 

Microsoft Word, or MS Word, is a document processor published by Microsoft and is one of the productivity apps included in the Microsoft Office suite. First released in 1983, the program is the brainchild of Richard Brodie and Charles Simonyi. It is available for MS Windows, Android, Apple iOS, and Apple macOS and is compatible with the Linux OS using WINE. Notable Microsoft Word features include: 

  • Allows users to create professional-quality documents
  • Allows font and text formatting
  • HTML and image support
  • Advanced page layout
  • Grammar check

If you’re fed up with the unnecessary features you pay for with an MS Office subscription, there are several word processors you can use instead. These document editors can get downloaded for free and are excellent for those who only need a word processor and not the other features from Microsoft Office. 

Microsoft Word benefits vs. limitations

Undoubtedly, the most notable MS Word benefit is its ability to help you produce documents in different formats. It’s also easy to work with and can integrate your documents with other media within the Microsoft Office suite, including worksheets, presentations, flowcharts, and graphs. Its ability to track edits and changes in your documents ensures easy collaboration when working in a team.

Nonetheless, Microsoft Word can get expensive because users often purchase additional tools they’ll never need or use. Furthermore, the program may not always be intuitive. For example, you may encounter downtimes when incorporating pictures into your documents or aligning text around the images. 

10 best Microsoft Word alternatives

1. ClickUp Docs

Create unlimited docs, wikis, and knowledge bases in ClickUp

If you’re looking for a free but feature-rich MS Word alternative, the Docs feature in ClickUp is just what you need. The document editor helps you create eye-catching and functional documents, wikis, and more in one user-friendly platform.

You can add tables, embed bookmarks, and more while formatting your documents. ClickUp is more than merely a text editor. It’s a hub where teams come together to plan, organize, and collaborate on work using tasks, Docs, Chat, Goals, Whiteboards, and more. Tag team members through comments, assign action items, and convert plain text into tasks.

Users working on one project can conveniently add widgets to change product statuses, assign tasks, update workflows, and more within one editor. It’s easy to keep your work organized because ClickUp categorizes your documents for quick access and searchability. Critical resources can also get managed and added to any section of your Workspace. 

🔑 ClickUp Docs key features

  • Create Docs with rich formatting options
  • Create relationships to link Docs and tasks
  • Easily assign tasks and update workflows
  • Compatible with various file formats

✅ ClickUp Docs pros

  • Unmatched customization capabilities
  • Top-notch team collaboration
  • Categorizes your work
  • Real-time reporting

❌ ClickUp Docs cons

  • Not all ClickUp views are available on the mobile app (yet!)

💸 ClickUp Docs pricing

  • ClickUp offers a Free Forever Plan and paid plans starting at $5/user per month

💬 ClickUp Docs customer ratings

  • G2: 4.7/5 (3,880+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.7/5 (2,480+ reviews)

2. Google Docs

Arguably, Google Docs is a powerful word processor and among the better-known alternatives to Microsoft Word. It mirrors Microsoft Word in terms of functionality. It allows users to create files and share them in various formats. The functionality of Google Docs can get extended using different add-ons. Although Google Docs is a web-based text editor, it allows you to work on documents offline. 

You can continue to edit your documents even without an internet connection. Since it’s a file-sharing service, Google Docs is excellent for real-time collaboration. It provides G Suite integration and is compatible with multiple file formats, including PDF. 

🔑 Google Docs key features

  • Add-ons such as MLA, DocuSign, and LucidChart
  • Offers real-time collaboration
  • Works like MS Word

Google Docs pros

  • Speech recognition and ability to translate files from various foreign languages
  • Saves work automatically
  • Allows offline editing

❌ Google Docs cons

  • Formatting issues may arise when importing content from formats such as PDF or RTF
  • It has a restricted selection of templates

💸 Google Docs pricing

  • Google Docs is a free text editor, but pricing plans in the Google Workspace suite start at $6 per user per month

💬 Google Docs customer ratings

  • Capterra: 4.7/5 (25,928+ reviews)
  • G2: 4.6/5 ‎(39,800+ reviews)

3. LibreOffice Writer

Dubbed the all-inclusive word processor for all types of text-based work, LibreOffice Writer is among the most impressive alternatives to Microsoft Word. It’s compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. LibreOffice Writer is considered a feature-packed analog version of MS Word and comes with all the tools you need for text-based work.

The text editor is available in two versions, and both feature templates and wizards for creating all document types. It also supports different file formats and allows you to export documents to PDF without additional software. So if you’re looking for a text editor that stands in for Microsoft Word, you won’t go wrong with LibreOffice. 

🔑 LibreOffice Writer key features

  • Excellent format compatibility
  • Available in two versions to suit your needs
  • Downloadable without providing your information

✅ LibreOffice Writer pros

  • Document template galleries
  • No ads and paywalls
  • Supports multiple plugins

❌ LibreOffice Writer cons

  • Technical support isn’t provided
  • Slow and takes a lot of memory because it’s a Java program

💸 LibreOffice Writer pricing

  • The Collabora version is free for up to 20 users but can get upgraded to a paid plan for up to 99 users at $18 per user yearly
  • The CIB version costs $14.99 per user yearly and can get installed on up to 10 devices

💬 LibreOffice Writer customer ratings

  • G2: 4.1/5 ‎(59 reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.3/5 (1,370+ reviews)

4. WPS Office Free Writer

Anyone who has used the newer versions of Microsoft Word but didn’t like the complexity should consider switching to WPS Office Writer. The free text editor looks and works almost like Microsoft Word and even features its equivalent of OneDrive, which offers 1GB of free cloud storage. 

WPS Office Free Writer comes with templates to help you create multiple document tasks. It’s compatible with most text file formats, including current MS Word versions. Discrete ads support the free version of WPS Office Writer, but you can remove them by choosing the premium versions. This is an impressive word processor and one of the best alternatives to Microsoft Word. 

🔑 WPS Office Free Writer key features

  • The WPS PDF to Word converter allows you to work on multiple document formats
  • The free version provides basic editing tools needed to work on your documents
  • Cloud storage offers a secure space for your documents
  • Designed to mirror Microsoft Word

WPS Office Free Writer pros

  • Provides impressive file format support
  • The nested interface mimics Microsoft Word
  • Free cloud storage

WPS Office Free Writer cons

  • May contain pop-up ads

💸 WPS Office Free Writer pricing 

  • WPS Office Premium subscription costs $3.99 monthly, $18.99 for six months, and $29.99 annually

💬 WPS Office Free Writer customer ratings

  • G2: 4.4/5 (‎232 reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.5/5 (841 reviews)

5. FocusWriter

This MS Word alternative is touted as the ideal text editor for fast drafts, thanks to the relative ease of formatting docs. It’s compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows OS. It’s excellent for those who want to type out a page or two without worrying about formatting. 

FocusWriter features a suite of clever tools designed to optimize productivity. As the name suggests, the text editor blocks out all distractions so that you focus on your drafts. When you open the text editor, a blank page is all you’ll see. 

🔑 FocusWriter key features

  • Features alerts that get triggered at specified times
  • Designed to minimize distractions as you work

✅ FocusWriter pros

  • The timers and alarms come in handy when working against time
  • The fading features allow you to focus on your work
  • Your work gets saved automatically

❌ FocusWriter cons

  • Excellent for productivity but not ideal for editing documents

💸 FocusWriter pricing

  • Free for life

💬 FocusWriter customer ratings

  • Capterra: 4.6/5 (68 reviews)
  • G2: 4.6/5 (12 reviews)

6. Zoho Docs

Few text editors are better suited for educational and business tasks than Zoho Docs. The web-based software can be used in your favorite browser and comes with a user-friendly UI that can easily get managed via tabbed menus. In addition, Zoho Docs allows users to upload and download documents in DOCX format. It also supports collaboration, enabling you to work in real-time with your colleagues. 

🔑 Zoho Docs key features

  • Two-way synchronization, recovery, and file encryption
  • Blends with other text editors seamlessly
  • Can serve as an email marketing solution
  • Provides cloud storage for your docs

✅ Zoho Docs pros

  • Document management and visibility
  • Saves your docs automatically
  • Robust password security

❌ Zoho Docs cons

  • The free version has limited space, making it unsuitable for editing large documents

💸 Zoho Docs pricing

  • $5 per month per user when you upgrade your subscription

💬 Zoho Docs customer ratings

  • G2: 4.4/5 (206 reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.5/5 (151 reviews)

7. AbiWord

This Microsoft Word alternative has features to help you create documents in multiple formats and collaborate with your team in real-time. With this text editor, you can create documents and tables, embed graphics, and more. It also has an in-built Mail Merge tool that allows you to fill out your email fields automatically. 

🔑 AbiWord key features

  • Fitted with multiple plugins and features that make it highly functional
  • Compatibility with various platforms and text formats
  • Saves your documents automatically
  • HTML support

✅ AbiWord pros

  • The plugin architecture can be expanded
  • Saves your files in DOCX format
  • Available in multiple languages

❌ AbiWord cons

  • You can’t export PDF files

💸 AbiWord pricing

  • Inquire with AbiWord for pricing

💬 AbiWord customer ratings

  • G2: 4.1/5 (15 reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.3/5 (1,378 reviews)

8. FreeOffice TextMaker

This impressive Microsoft Word alternative comes with handy templates for creating everyday documents. FreeOffice TextMaker has all the features to expect from a modern text editor, including advanced formatting options, change-tracking, and the ability to create databases for managing footnotes and bibliographies. 

🔑 FreeOffice TextMaker key features

  • Ability to track changes when collaborating on text editing projects
  • You can create your templates and save them for future use
  • Neat and easy-to-navigate intuitive user interface

✅ FreeOffice TextMaker pros

  • Can print multiple pages per worksheet
  • It Opens password-secured files
  • Can export files to EPUB format

❌ FreeOffice TextMaker cons

  • Doesn’t support DOCX files

💸 FreeOffice TextMaker pricing

  • Free for life

💬 FreeOffice TextMaker customer ratings

  • G2: 4.3/5 (110 reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.5/5 (235 reviews)

9. Write Monkey

This productivity-focused program comes equipped with quick shortcuts to make word processing easier. It’s only compatible with Windows OS and is designed to optimize your output without worrying about formatting or editing. Although Write Monkey may not be ideal for creating documents such as CVs or letters, it’s excellent for committing ideas to paper or later development. It’s only compatible with TXT files, and therefore, you must convert different formats before working on them. 

🔑 Write Monkey key features

  • Productivity-focused
  • Only works with TXT format
  • Designed to help you commit ideas to memory
  • Available as a portable app

✅ Write Monkey pros

  • Distraction-free interface optimizes productivity
  • Handy keyboard shortcut
  • Supports markup

❌ Write Monkey cons

  • Not suitable for creating large files

💸 Write Monkey pricing

  • Free for life

💬 Write Monkey customer ratings

  • G2: 4.4/5 (27 reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.9/5 (179 reviews)

10. iWork Pages

If you want an MS Office alternative with multiple templates that allow the creation of various document types such as resumes, books, newsletters, and reports, you’ll love iWork Pages. The convenient text editor allows you to make changes to your documents in one click and provides robust password protection and the ability to work with files in different formats. 

🔑 iWork Pages key features

  • Easy to export and import Microsoft docs
  • Available as part of the iWork suite
  • Navigable, user-friendly intuitive interface

✅ iWork Pages pros

  • Offers limitless document creation options on one page
  • Advanced features are offered by Apple’s graphic
  • Saves your work in multiple formats as you prefer

❌ iWork Pages cons

  • Only compatible with iOS and macOS

💸 iWork Pages pricing

  • 50GB: $0.99 per month
  • 200GB: $2.99 per month
  • 2TB: $9.99 per month

💬 iWork Pages customer ratings

  • G2: 4.6/5 (13 reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.4/5 (71 reviews)

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ne-nashlos-officeВсем всего доброго!

Одна из самых главных программ для большинства пользователей (кстати, ради которой многие и покупают компьютеры) — это Microsoft Word (текстовый редактор).

При помощи него можно создать и подготовить любую текстовую работу: реферат, доклад, курсовую и т.д. Но есть у Microsoft Office один недостаток — программа платная, а поэтому имеется она не на каждом компьютере…

В этой статье хочу привести варианты бесплатных аналогов Word и Excel, и как можно работать с текстовыми документами и таблицами, не имея на ПК подобного софта. Думаю, это будет весьма полезно для широкой аудитории 👌.

Итак…

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Содержание статьи

    ускорение ПК

  • 1 Бесплатные аналоги Word и Excel
    • 1.1 WordPad
    • 1.2 Мой офис
    • 1.3 OpenOffice
    • 1.4 LibreOffice
    • 1.5 WPS Office
    • 1.6 Дополнение
  • 2 Онлайн-редакторы Word, Excel
    • 2.1 Google Docs
    • 2.2 Яндекс-Диск
    • 2.3 Облако от Mail.ru
    • 2.4 Writer Zoho
    • 2.5 Writer Bighugelabs
  •  → Задать вопрос | дополнить 

Бесплатные аналоги Word и Excel

WordPad

Примечание: этот редактор встроен в Windows (чуть ниже указано, как его найти и открыть).

Бесплатный, простой, легкий и удобный текстовый редактор, встроенный в Windows. Многие пользователи, почему-то, даже не в курсе о его существовании…

Между тем, он позволяет выполнить все основные действия с текстом: выделение, подчеркивания, выбор шрифта, размер шрифта, отступы, вставка картинок и т.д.

В принципе, если у вас не стоит каких-то больших задач по редактированию документов — этого редактора более чем достаточно!

Wordpad в Windows 10 — редактирование текста этой статьи

WordPad в Windows 10 — редактирование текста этой статьи

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Минусы WordPad (на мой взгляд 👀):

  1. не может открывать документы, созданные в Word (у тех, что открывает — может сместиться разметка документа);
  2. нет редактора таблиц (хотя бы очень простенького). Конечно, можно вставить таблицу из Excel, но если у вас на ПК установлен Microsoft Office, то зачем WordPad?!

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Как найти и открыть WordPad

Предложу универсальный способ для всех Windows: нажмите сочетание кнопок Win+R, затем введите в строку «Открыть» команду wordpad и нажмите Enter.

Как открыть WordPad

Как открыть WordPad

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Мой офис

Сайт разработчика: https://myoffice.ru/products/standard-home-edition/

(ссылка на домашнюю бесплатную базовую версию. Важно: ее нельзя использовать в коммерческих целях! Более подробно на их офиц. сайте…)

Мой Офис - домашняя версия

Мой Офис — домашняя версия — текстовый редактор

Достаточно неплохая замена Word’у от российских разработчиков (а значит проблем с санкциями быть не должно // что теперь актуально в 2022г.). Бесплатная версия включает в себя только два редактора: текстовый и табличный.

Однако, нельзя не отметить, что редакторы выполнены достаточно качественно:

  • большая часть привычных инструментов из MS Office здесь имеется;
  • возможность редактирования документов, подготовленных ранее в Word и Excel;
  • полностью русский перевод;
  • минимализм (нет никаких лишних баннеров, диалоговых окон и пр.);
  • наличие встроенной проверки грамматики и орфографии;
  • относительно-низкие системные требования;
  • совместимость с Windows (7/8/10/11), Linux и macOS.

В общем-то, если вы не подготавливаете каких-то сложных больших структурированных документов — то это ПО одно из самых быстрых, простых и удобных решений (для «углубленной» работы очень вероятно понадобится расширенная платная версия…).

Рекомендую к знакомству! 😉

Табличный редактор - Мой Офис

Табличный редактор — Мой Офис

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OpenOffice

Сайт: https://www.openoffice.org/ru/

Очень популярная и отличная бесплатная замена для Word и Excel (да и PowerPoint с его презентациями). Позволяет работать с таблицами, текстовыми документами, картинками, презентациями, формулами и пр.

После установки и запуска программы, у вас на рабочем столе будет 1 значок, открыв который, Вы получите доступ ко всем этим приложениям (см. на скриншот ниже).

Текстовый и табличные редакторы // OpenOffice

Текстовый и табличные редакторы // OpenOffice

Аналог Word в OpenOffice называется Writer.

По дизайну очень напоминает старый Word (примерно 2003). По большому счету, все основные функции, нужные для большинства пользователей, здесь есть и работают достойно. Программа полностью поддерживает русский язык!

Так же хочу отметить, что в программе можно открывать и редактировать любые файлы, созданные в Word (doc, docx, rtf и др.).

Writter — редактирование документа

Writer — редактирование документа

Что касается Excel — то в OpenOffice есть программа Calc. В ней так же можно открывать таблицы, разработанные в Excel (форматов xlsx, xls). Пример работы в Calc — вы можете увидеть на скриншоте ниже.

Полноценная замена Excel

Полноценная замена Excel

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Из недостатков пакета выделю следующее:

  1. что касается замены Excel: программа Calc хоть и позволяет работать с формулами, но некоторые из них работают «криво», есть определенные неудобства в этом плане;
  2. старый интерфейс, от которого уже отучают пользователей Microsoft Office;
  3. разметка документов, созданных в Microsoft Office, может несколько измениться, когда вы их откроете в OpenOffice. Для небольших документов не критично, но если у вас целая книга на несколько сотен страниц — «картина» печальней некуда…

В целом, подводя итог, скажу, что лучшей замены (бесплатной!) Word и Excel вряд ли можно найти…

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LibreOffice

Сайт: http://ru.libreoffice.org/download/

Бесплатный офисный пакет с открытым исходным кодом. Работает в ОС Windows, Linux, Mac OS X. Пакет очень легкий и быстрый, в его составе есть:

  • Writer — программа для работы с текстовыми файлами, альтернатива Word;
  • Calc — аналог Excel, позволяет просматривать и редактировать таблицы;
  • Impress — приложение для создания презентаций (аналог MS Power Point);
  • Draw — работа с рисунками;
  • Math — работа с формулами;
  • Base — работа с базами данных.

Главное окно LibreOffice

Главное окно LibreOffice

Кстати, LibreOffice позволяет открывать документы, созданные в Word и Excel, поддерживает форматы: xlsx, xls, doc, docx и пр.

Пример работы приложения Writer показан на скриншоте ниже. Все основные функции хорошего текстового редактора представлены на панели задач сверху.

Writter из LibreOffice / скриншот к стать чем заменить Word и Excel

Writer из LibreOffice

Что касается минусов — то они такие же, как и OpenOffice: «старомодный» дизайн, некоторые документы, созданные в Word, при открытии теряют исходное форматирование. Но по сравнению с тем же MS Office — LibreOffice работает на порядок быстрее, редактор открывается почти моментально!

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WPS Office

Сайт: https://www.wps.com/ru-RU/

Бесплатный и весьма мощный офисный пакет от китайских разработчиков. Содержит в себе текстовый и табличный редактор, ПО для работы с презентациями и PDF-файлами (для редактирования оных — нужна платная версия).

Главная страница WPS Office

Главная страница WPS Office

Что касается файлов, созданных в классическом Word (*.doc, *.docx, *.rtf, *.txt и пр.) — WPS Office с легкостью их открывает (и даже разметка в подавляющем большинстве случаев — никуда не уезжает…).

Кстати, обратите внимание на скриншот окна текстового редактора (👇) — интерфейс ПО мало чем отличается от Word (работать легко и приятно!).

Текстовый редактор в WPS Office

Текстовый редактор в WPS Office

Основные особенности:

  1. наличие текстового и табличного редактора, встроенное средство для работы с презентациями и PDF-файлами;
  2. поддержка всех форматов MS Office и текстовых документов;
  3. классический дизайн;
  4. возможность установки на Windows, Android, iOS, Linux и др. платформы;
  5. есть готовые шаблоны документов;
  6. сравнительно низкие системные требования (будет полезно для старых слабых ПК);
  7. поддержка нескольких языков (русский и английский в том числе).

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Дополнение

В качестве дополнения, также рекомендую обратить внимание на бесплатные пакеты AbiWord и Lotus Symphony.

Правда, первый — очень простой редактор, хоть и замена Word, но по функциональности не слишком выигрывает у WordPad — а посему, зачем он нужен, если WordPad уже есть в Windows?!

Что касается Lotus Symphony — то программа не поддерживает русский язык (хотя, вроде и были русификаторы, но переводят они «криво»), а потому полноценно заменой эту программу не рассматриваю…

📌 Примечание!

Кстати, если для вас бесплатность не первостепенна, а Вы ищите продукт подешевле, чем MS Office, то можете обратить внимание на продукты: Calligra Suite, SoftMaker Office, Ashampoo Office.

Цена этих продуктов ниже, чем у MS Office, к тому же есть «урезанные» пробные (бесплатные) версии.

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Онлайн-редакторы Word, Excel

Google Docs

Сайт: https://docs.google.com

Дополнение: как работать в Google-таблицах: несколько примеров

Очень удобный онлайновый текстовый и табличный редактор. Конечно, по функциональности он проигрывает MS Office, зато доступен с любого устройства, подключенному к сети интернет, его ненужно устанавливать, обновлять, и он бесплатен!

Google Disk — презентации

Google Disk — презентации

Я уж не говорю о безопасности файлов: для большинства пользователей файлы в Google Docs будут более защищены, чем на своем жестком диске. А то одна не удачная переустановка Windows может привести к полной потери всех документов на жестком диске…

В Google Docs можно просматривать и редактировать документы, созданные в MS Word, Excel, Power Point.

Пожалуй, если говорить о недостатках, то это: необходимость в регистрации, и не такой расширенный функционал, как в MS Office.

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Яндекс-Диск

Сайт: https://disk.yandex.ru/

Инструкция по работе с Яндекс-диском — https://ocomp.info/yandeks-disk-kak-polzovatsya.html

Отличная альтернатива Google Docs от компании Яндекс. На Яндекс-диске можно хранить достаточно много файлов (в облаке), не боясь их потерять. Помимо этого, документы, созданные в Word, Excel и Power Point можно просматривать и редактировать. Пример показан ниже на скриншоте.

yandeks-disk-prezentatsiya

В общем-то, больших преимуществ или недостатков по сравнению с Google Docs здесь нет, все что сказано о первом, актуально и для Яндекс-диска.

Пожалуй, добавлю только то, что в Яндекс есть дополнительные плюшки: делать скриншоты, создавать альбомы, просматривать историю работы с диском и пр. В общем-то, весь этот функционал к сегодняшней теме не имеет отношения…

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Облако от Mail.ru

Сайт: https://cloud.mail.ru/

Инструкция по созданию и использованию облака от mail.ru — https://ocomp.info/oblako-mail-ru.html

В общем-то, очень похожий сервис на Яндекс-диск и Google Drive. Правда, есть и отличия…

Например, у Mail.ru очень хорошо реализовано приложение для Windows: облачный диск практически ничем не отличается от обычного HDD (т.е. вы можете прямо из проводника зайти на него и как в ничем не бывало «покомандовать»…).

Создать таблицу, документ, презентацию

Создать таблицу, документ, презентацию

По умолчанию, после регистрации дается около 8 ГБ места (однако, бывают акции и за установку мобильного приложения могут «добавить» свободного места 👌).

Диск от Mail.ru

Диск от Mail.ru

Кстати, стоит также отметить, что к диску Mail.ru — можно подключить и другие облачные сервисы: Яндекс-диск, Google Drive, Dropbox и пр.

Подключить облако

Подключить облако

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Writer Zoho

Сайт: http://writer.zoho.com/

Легкий и простой онлайн-редактор. Для регистрации достаточно указать лишь ваш E-mail и можно сразу же приступить к работе. По сравнению с Google Docs и Яндекс-диском, обладает большим функционалом (можете сами частично убедиться, взглянув на скриншот ниже).

Онлайн-редактор Zoho

Онлайн-редактор Zoho

Кстати, в Zoho достаточно неплохая проверка орфографии: все пропущенные запятые и неправильно написанные слова, редактор подчеркнет и подскажет вам, как исправить эти места в тексте.

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Writer Bighugelabs

Сайт: https://writer.bighugelabs.com/

Немного необычный онлайн-редактор, выполненный в контрастном черно-зеленом цвете (как для настоящих хакеров). Впрочем, кому не нравится цветовая гамма по умолчанию, ее можно сменить. Вообще, редактор очень простой, легкий, работать в нем одно удовольствие.

Для начала работы необходима регистрация (потребуется только указать лишь e-mail). Документы можно редактировать, отправлять на принтер, загружать, скачивать, конвертировать в PDF формат и т.д.

Пример текста в writer bighugelabs

Пример текста в Writer Bighugelabs

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Думаю, представленных выше вариантов вполне достаточно, чтобы уверенно чувствовать себя при работе с текстовыми файлами и таблицами. На этом статью завершаю.

За дополнения по теме — буду признателен!

Удачи!

👣

Первая публикация: 15.04.2017

Статья откорректирована: 9.04.2022

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Полезный софт:

  • видеомонтаж
  • Видео-Монтаж
  • Отличное ПО для создания своих первых видеороликов (все действия идут по шагам!).
    Видео сделает даже новичок!

  • утилита для оптимизации
  • Ускоритель компьютера
  • Программа для очистки Windows от «мусора» (удаляет временные файлы, ускоряет систему, оптимизирует реестр).

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

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