Word processing software information

Word processing software helps you manipulate a text document and create or edit a text document.

A quality word processing software can also provide output options such as printing or exporting a text document into other formats.

Without word processing software, you would have difficulty processing paragraphs, pages, and even papers.

Not many people know that early word processing software was standalone devices, but word processors come as lightweight software that’s easy to install with technological advancements.

Another great advantage of word processing software is that it allows you to store documents electronically, display them across screens, or fully modify documents before printing them.

Even though word processing software isn’t complex to learn, it might take a bit of time to learn how to take full advantage of the software with so many functions.

Also, keep in mind that some word processing software comes from the office bundle that includes other processing software.

In this article, you’ll learn more about word processing software and see 15 of the best examples.

Whether you’re a writer, editor, or only need quality word processing software to prepare your documents pre-printing, at least one of these 15 software will be a good pick!

Even though most word processing software has similar features and offers similar benefits, the small but significant differences between these word processing software examples can make a huge difference for personal use.

1. Microsoft Word

The most known word processing software is Microsoft Word, and chances are high you’ve used it at least on one occasion to process or create text documents.

Word is the most known word processing software because the creator of Windows creates it and it often comes integrated with the Windows operating system.

However, Word is also known for the benefits it offers. Improved search and navigational experience combined with the ability to work with others simultaneously are just some of the benefits.

Along with that, Word gives you the ability to access, share, and work on your documents from almost anywhere.

With plenty of options to create, edit, and process text, Word also has additional visual effects, turning text into diagrams, and combining visual aspects into text documents.

Instant help when creating documents is another great integration that especially helps writers. Exporting and having document flexibility is helpful when producing specific documents for your studies or work, and it’s just one of many benefits of Word.

2. iWork Pages

iWork Pages is a must-have word processing software for Apple users. Even though Microsoft Word is available for macOS, iWork is a great native alternative that helps Apple users process, create, and work with word documents.

iWork Pages was previously known as AppleWorks, and it is part of the official Apple iWork suite.

Not only Pages can help you create documents, but they can also help you to collaborate with others efficiently, create animated documents from your data, and even build interactive charts from your text.

What’s great about Pages is that it comes with built-in help and sample formulas, so you don’t always have to create a document from scratch. Instead, you can use templates or benefit from function suggestions to improve the way you work.

With over 30 spreadsheet templates, you won’t have to create text documents from scratch unless you enjoy creating your work from scratch. Templates can help you spend less time formatting and creating the basics of your document and yet leave you with more time to focus on your text.

3. OpenOffice Writer

Among the paid word processing software, there are a couple of free gems such as OpenOffice.

OpenOffice is a free and open productivity suite that includes Writer, the perfect software for word processing.

Whether you’re trying to draft a quick letter or working on complex text documents (maybe even writing a book), the writer is a reliable and fully equipped word processing software to handle all needed tasks.

What’s great about Writer is that it is very easy to use, so you won’t have to spend hours learning the ins and outs of the software to take full advantage of it.

Instead, you will be able to focus on producing documents of all types and letting Writer help you along the way.

With built-in features such as AutoCorrect or AutoComplete, you can quickly write your documents without having to worry about making mistakes.

Along with these two features, OpenOffice Writer comes with a table of contents, references, multi-page display, and notes to help you annotate and review documents, as well as create well-structured text documents.

Lastly, exporting isn’t going to be a problem since Writer can help you export your text document into other formats such as HTML, PDF, or even .odt.

Also, keep in mind that OpenOffice provides templates you can download and use with Writer to make your drafts easier.

4. WordPerfect

WordPerfect is described as the Microsoft Office alternative. It is an all-in-one suite that focuses on productivity and efficiency when working with digital documents (especially text documents).

Inside the WordPerfect Office, you will have access to a neat and efficient word processor that can help you quickly draft new documents, create letters or brochures, write resumes, and even start writing a book.

What’s so special about WordPerfect is that it supports collaboration with about 60 file formats, so you can import and export documents from any third-party software.

With the help of Reveal Codes, WordPerfect provides seamless formatting after you import documents from any source.

And if you’re looking to “spice up” your text documents, you can do so easily with the help of built-in PDF forms into this powerful and versatile word processing software.

5. FocusWriter

If you spend a lot of time writing documents in your word processing software, and yet you find it hard to concentrate and focus on the words, FocusWriter is a great pick.

FocusWriter is a very simple word processing software that utilizes a versatile interface hidden away from the most important part of the software. This way, you can focus on the page and text, and whenever you need to use any integrated feature, all you have to do is swipe your cursor across the edges to open the hidden menu.

With integrated features such as timers, alarms, daily goals, fully customizable themes, and even the ability to use typewriter sound effects, this word processing software will help you stay on track and get things done.

Along with these features, FocusWriter has optional features such as live statistics, spell-checking, and even the ability to use FocusWriter in 20 different languages.

These features aim to improve the user experience and make word processing tasks fun and more productive since you can set your own goals.

This is a word processing software that adds improved features that aren’t very common among its competitors.

6. LibreOffice Writer

When you are a very organized person and need word processing software that will match this, LibreOffice Writer is worth trying.

LibreOffice Writer is a modern word processing software that ensures you can edit any document quickly with the help of integrated features.

Therefore, Writer is good enough for doing quick and simple edits. Still, it’s also more than enough to finish books, edit many content pages, add diagrams, and even feature indexes into your documents.

The user interface is very neat and even though there are many features they’re hidden away so you can focus on the most important aspect of word processing: the text.

7. AbiWord

When you require a very similar word processing software to Word, and yet you’re on a budget, AbiWord is a good choice.

AbiWord is compatible with the latest operating systems and interface-wise, it is very similar to Microsoft Word. Even though it’s not the “prettiest” word processing software, it has everything you might need to get the work done efficiently, and it won’t cost you a penny.

With compatibility to work with all standard text documents, AbiWord also allows you to share your documents with others easily or even merge your letters directly with your email.

Even though AbiWord might not have all features other word processing software include, AbiWord is built on the extensible plugin architecture, so you can always find plugins to include features you might be missing.

On top of that, I should mention that AbiWord is available in 30 different languages, and it is still getting updates so that you won’t be relying on an outdated version.

8. WPS Word

WPS offers a suite similar to Microsoft Office that includes three components: the Word, Excel, and Presentation.

Word is a word processing software that is highly compatible with almost all compatible document formats, and it is even compatible with all operations systems.

Creating documents from scratch with Word is very simple, and yet with standard formatting tools everyone is familiar with, editing documents is even easier.

On top of that, Word includes many extras that are rarely found in other word processing software, such as hundreds of document templates. Therefore, if you don’t feel like creating documents from scratch, basing your documents on pre-existing templates can save you a lot of time and work.

Combining media with text is highly possible, and viewing multiple documents simultaneously improves efficiency when working with multiple documents.

With collaboration tools, password protection for chosen documents, and automatic spell-checking tools, you can easily get your work done without worrying about accuracy.

9. Polaris Docs

Polaris Office is a combination of tools that includes Docs, a highly versatile version that’s very similar to a combination of Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

It’s a very versatile word processing software that allows you to work on your documents wherever you are.

Not only is it available as computer software, but it also has a dedicated web browser version and even the app version suitable for Android and iOS smartphones.

Collaboration is guaranteed with such versatility, and when it comes down to getting the work done, Polaris Docs supports all types of documents, including sheets, slides, and more.

Saved documents can be worked on in groups, meaning that more than one person can edit the document in real-time. And if you ever decide to collaborate on a document with someone, you can invite them with a link and keep the communication open with an integrated chat in the Polaris Docs.

Feature-wise, Polaris Docs is packed with the most standard features you would expect from a word processing software, and yet the main improvement is the way you can collaborate with others and work on the same document in real-time.

10. Writemonkey

If you search for a word processing document that will leave you on your own with your words and yet will hide all functionalities in a very minimalistic and simple interface, Writemonkey makes a great choice.

Writemonkey might look like a coding interface at first, but it is a stripped-down word processing software that helps you focus on your writing.

Of course, Writemonkey is also ideal for making quick edits and even reading.

This is probably one of the lightest and smallest word processing software that is very easy to install and even easier to get used to.

What’s also great is that you have full control over the interface to customize it to your needs. On top of that, you can set timed writing or even feature a visual progress bar to make your writing work feel like a breeze.

And if you ever end up missing something in Writemonkey, you can always introduce third-party upgrades to this word processing software via plugins.

11. Dropbox Paper

When you need a versatile, reliable, and quick word processing software that’s perhaps web-based, Dropbox Paper is worth considering.

Dropbox Paper is a lightweight web-based word processing software that allows simple editing and collaboration between teams.

With Dropbox Paper, you can create documents from scratch or import existing documents to easily track any edits or changes made by your team members. On top of that, with this light word processing software, you can keep everything organized, ensure feedback is properly given, and even improve your documents.

You can do almost everything in Dropbox Paper that you would do in other word processing software. However, Paper can also serve as a co-editing software.

Whether you’re trying to improve communication in your team, improve collaboration between team members, or you’re writing a book with your partner, Paper is the place to stay productive, organized, and efficient.

12. Scribus

If you require professional word processing software to handle your business/work documents or edit and prepare your book for publishing, Scribus is a great choice.

Even though it’s a bit different from standard word processing software, Scribus allows you to choose one of the designed layouts, set your typesetting, and even improve your written documents with professional-looking quality images.

With Scribus, you can also create animations that you can place directly inside your document, or you can turn your text documents into interactive PDF presentations.

On top of that, the creation of forms or questionnaires is very simple. With OpenType support, you can now edit your existing documents with advanced features such as advanced typography.

While Scribus is a great fit for simple editing and personal documents, it excels at creating magazine covers, newspaper front pages, preparing the books for publishing, and even manufacturing artwork.

It might not be the standard word processing software most people are looking for, but it will fit professional needs easily for a very fair price.

13. SoftMaker FreeOffice TextMaker

When you need a simple word processing software, SoftMaker FreeOffice is a great stepping stone that won’t cost you anything, and yet it includes almost everything you might need for personal or business use.

In the FreeOffice, you will get TextMaker included. TextMaker is a small but efficient word processing software that allows you to create all types of documents and edit existing documents that you can easily import.

What’s unique about TextMaker is that it doesn’t only focus on written documents. Instead, it also offers great features for processing words on graphics. Therefore, you can use TextMaker to create great text for your images, logos, or even banners.

With many different fonts, styles, and even wrapping options, TextMaker will make all your graphics look professional and attractive yet easy to read.

Since TextMaker can import almost all types of documents, you can also export your work in the most standard formats, such as Word DOC and DOCX. However, what’s also great about TextMaker is that it allows you to create PDF files from your documents.

You can even create an EPUB eBook with the help of TextMaker, which is a great feature, considering that SoftMaker provides the TextMaker for free.

14. Zoho Docs Writer

Zoho Docs Writer is a perfect example of an online word processing software that is easy to use and easy to access. Yet, in return, you will get very reliable and advanced features you can use on any of your documents.

The writer allows you to focus on your words in a distraction-free interface, yet you can work with others in an effortless document sharing.

With the most standard features, you would expect a word processing software packed in the interface you can access via the web browser and even get unlimited versions of your document.

These versions help you compare differences and find differences after collaboration with others.

One of the most advanced yet convenient features is publishing your documents directly (if you are a content creator).

If not, Zoho Docs Writer can help you electronically sign documents and even fill out PDF forms (or edit PDFs) without a problem.

15. Google Docs

Suppose you are not a fan of standalone word processing documents or don’t consider your computer reliable enough for your work. In that case, Google Docs is one of the most reliable web-based word processing software than most others in this space that you can get your hands on.

Along with the Sheets, Slides, and Forms, Docs allows you to not only create documents from scratch or import and edit existing documents, but it also allows you to store all your documents in the cloud for free.

You can easily access your documents from any device, as long as you’re signed in to your Google account, and yet you will easily get used to the functionality and features of the Docs.

On top of that, Docs is very flexible, so you can export them in many different formats just the way you can import documents. However, one thing to keep in mind is that you will need an internet connection at all times to access your documents or work on them.

Conclusion

Even though Microsoft Word is one of the most known word processing software globally, there is much other software that is as good and worth giving it a try.

One couldn’t do without quality word processing software, but you even get the chance to find the one that will fit your needs the most with so many choices.

Even though each one of these is similar, there are differences in the interface, functionality, and even features that the software provides.

With that being said, you can easily choose according to your needs and purpose, which I highly recommend!

When you sit in on a virtual conference or when your boss starts firing off their favorite productivity tips, what do you do? You open a digital document and take notes. 📝

…probably with the same word processing software you’ve used since the ninth grade. 👀

Word processing software isn’t what it used to be—it’s better.

These tools have evolved beyond the boring blank screens we felt forced to use. Now, word processing can actually be fun!

Rich text editing, dynamic formatting, intuitive writing assistance, and collaboration features are some of the greatest benefits to using top word processing software. But the best part? It’s also incredibly affordable.

Follow along as we dive into every must-have word-processing feature and the 10 best word-processing software for every team, writing style, and use case! Complete with detailed feature comparisons, pros and cons, pricing, ratings, and more!

What is a Word Processing Software?

Word processing software is an application used to capture, format, and edit any form of writing—whether it be your general thoughts, meeting notes, SOPs, or email drafts. Your mind may immediately go to typewriters, but the benefits of word-processing software extend much further than that.

Thanks to the modern development of project management software, collaboration tools, and intuitive design, word processing software can do more than you ever thought possible! You can edit one document alongside your peers, arrange documents by category, share them via simple links, and flex your creativity with rich formatting. And these days, that’s just the bare minimum!

The thing is, there are a ton of word processing software to choose from these days.

In fact, we’d bet our bottom dollar that you can think of a few off the top of your head as we speak! You might even have a top three!

But with the number of new, flexible, and exciting features being added to word processing tools each day, it’s important to know what to look for in your go-to software in order to best serve your use case and to get the most bang for your buck.

What Should You Look for in Word Processing Software?

All this talk about advanced features makes you wonder—what does this functionality actually look like?

You don’t have to settle for the basic features we grew up struggling with. You also don’t have to fork over an arm and a leg to access powerful software that can take your documents so much further!

Here is a list of our favorite, must-have features to look for in your next word-processing software:

• Ease of use: Make sure your software is easy to learn, share with others, and efficiently supports your most-used functions
• Cloud-based and a reliable offline mode: Things happen! You might lose your wifi connection, need to switch devices, or be asked to share your documents on the spot. Cloud-based software and offline functionality ensure these hurdles won’t pose any real problem
• Collaboration features: These features make it possible for you to edit and develop documents in real-time with the team! With clarity and without overlap. And consider it a bonus if you can also tag your team or comment on your text
• Custom permissions and sharing: Especially if you often work with stakeholders, clients, or other departments, it’s important to have the ability to choose who can edit, view, or give access to your work
• Version history: This is your way of keeping a digital paper trail. Plus, if you make a mistake, you’ll have the power to go back and restore your text
• Integrations: The more integrations, the more information you can pull into your documents! Plus, it goes both ways, multiple integrations with your chosen word processing software means you can also access your documents from virtually anywhere and from any other tool

The 10 Best Word-Processing Software

There’s no reason why your word-processing software can’t be exciting, dynamic, or collaborative.

Digital editors and document sharing have come a long way in the past decade and we have tons of software to show for that growth! The challenge then becomes finding a tool that’s tailored to your unique needs and aligns with your work style.

So what do you do? You refer back to this list!

We’ve researched and tested the best word-processing software to bring you 10 of our favorites based on their best features, limitations, pricing, ratings, and more!

1. ClickUp

ClickUp is the ultimate all-in-one productivity tool for teams across industries to centralize their work into one collaborative platform. ClickUp is known for its rich set of fully customizable features, including a built-in document editor to create everything from simple to-do lists to detailed wikis, then connect them directly to your workflow.

With the ability to convert text into actionable tasks, embed data from virtually any other work tool, and collaborate on documents in real-time, ClickUp Docs is the ideal word processing tool for teams, students, and enterprise companies alike.

ClickUp best features

• Advanced word processing and work management features across every pricing plan, even Free Forever
• Embed media, tables, bookmarks, and even other documents into ClickUp Docs to bring more context and value into your roadmaps and knowledge bases
• Live detection in ClickUp Docs lets teams edit, contribute, and comment on the same document in real-time
• Link Docs to tasks and add widgets to automatically update workflows from your document editor
• Turn highlighted text into action items and delegate them to the team with threaded comments and @mentions
• Hundreds of templates for any use case, including several created specifically for ClickUp Docs
• Easy and secure sharing via URL for any guest, collaborator, or even public access
• Over 1,000 integrations to embed work into ClickUp Docs from virtually anywhere
• Nested pages and styling options to create visual hierarchies within every Doc

ClickUp cons

• There can be a bit of an adjustment period learning all of ClickUp’s advanced features
• Some views are not yet offered on the mobile app

ClickUp pricing

• Free Forever
• Unlimited: $5 per user, per month
• Business: $12 per user, per month
• Business Plus: $19 per user, per month
• Enterprise: Contact ClickUp for custom pricing

ClickUp ratings and reviews

• G2: 4.7/5 (5,680+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,540+ reviews)

2. Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a powerful word processor for anyone to create Word documents, spreadsheets, emails, and more. It’s part of the Microsoft Office Suite, which makes it easy to integrate with other Microsoft products like Excel and PowerPoint.

Word offers various features to help you stay organized, such as template options for different types of formal documents and advanced editing tools. You can add images, tables, charts, hyperlinks, and other media to enhance the look of your MS Word documents. The program also provides many features to help make creating documents more efficient, such as a spellchecker, auto-corrector, and thesaurus. 

Microsoft Word best features

• OneDrive storage to save and access documents from anywhere
• Real-time collaboration to share and edit with others
• Spelling and grammar checker
• Mobile app

Microsoft Word limitations

• Functions on the toolbar are different from version to version
• Many features of Word forms don’t transfer and cause the format to break when printing documents

Microsoft Word pricing

• Microsoft Word is available as a standalone version for $159.99 or with a Microsoft 365 subscription

Microsoft Word ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.7/5 (1,600+ reviews)
• G2: 4.7/5 (1,000+ reviews)

3. Google Docs

Google Docs is an online word processor that makes it easy to create and edit professional documents. With real-time collaboration tools, Google Docs provides a platform for groups of people to collaborate on a single project, ensuring that everyone stays up-to-date with the document’s progress. Features like templated and automated formatting are also available to make your document look professional. 

With Google Docs, users can track changes, comments, and suggestions as they make revisions and edits. All of the documents you create in Google Docs are automatically saved in the cloud, so you can access them from any device at any time. So whether you’re on your desktop or mobile device, you can continue working!

Google Docs best features

• @Mentions to pull relevant people, files, and events
• Smart Compose helps you write faster with fewer errors
• Third-party applications with project management tools
• Comment replies from Gmail 

Google Docs limitations

• Limitations on document sizes
• Not suitable as a scalable knowledge base system 

Google Docs pricing

• Google Docs is free with a Google account

Google Docs ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.7/5 (27,000+ reviews)
• G2: N/A

4. Grammarly

Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant. It helps you identify and fix grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other writing errors quickly. Grammarly offers suggestions while you’re using desktop apps or websites, including Gmail, ClickUp, LinkedIn, Google Docs, and more!

With Grammarly, you get feedback on your writing in real-time so you can improve it instantly. Plus, with its deep understanding of grammar topics and linguistics, you can trust your next report or project will be polished and professional. Grammarly makes it easy to focus on what’s important—creating strong, compelling content.

Discover the top content collaboration software!

Grammarly best features

• Style Guide to capture voice and style for consistent documents
• Text snippets to insert sentences and paragraphs in all workflows
• Tone Detector for effective communication
• In-app editor to upload documents

Grammarly limitations

• Doesn’t work for all apps and websites
• Expensive monthly subscriptions

Grammarly pricing

• Free plan
• Premium: $12/month
• Business: $15/member per month

Grammarly ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.7/5 (6,000+ reviews)
• G2: 4.6/5 (1,200+ reviews)

5. WPS Office

WPS Office is a comprehensive office suite that provides you with the tools and features necessary to manage all your documents, files, and presentations efficiently. It supports popular file formats and is compatible with PC and mobile devices. With WPS Office, users can create and edit text documents, spreadsheets, and slide shows in an intuitive and user-friendly interface. 

It also includes powerful document management tools such as colorful themes, annotation, split PDF documents, and file format conversion. The software also has advanced collaboration capabilities that allow multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously. 

WPS Office best features

• 100,000+ templates organized by categories
• Multiple language support
• Text extraction 
• Watermark creation

WPS Office limitations

• Limited ability to handle different work styles and preferences
• A free plan is not available 

WPS Office pricing

• WPS Premium: $18.99 for 6 months or $29.99 for 1 year
• WPS Business (WPS Cloud Pro): Starts at $5.99/user per month

WPS Office ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.5/5 (1,200+ reviews)
• G2: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews)

6. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper offers a simple way to start a project. The drag–and–drop feature allows users to break down complex tasks into easily manageable chunks. By inviting teammates to collaborate on projects, everyone can contribute to the conversation, comment on each other’s work, and brainstorm in real-time. 

The Master Doc feature allows anyone to create a hub for other docs. For complex or long-term projects, organizing documents from the start will boost productivity. It provides you with an efficient way to access and manage all the related documents by creating links to them. You don’t need to spend extra time searching for files. Search or navigate within the master document!

Dropbox Paper best features

• Search bar to find  publicly viewable docs associated with a team member’s email address
• Keyboard shortcuts to highlight specific text
• Custom templates to standard forms
• Auto-generated table of contents

Dropbox Paper limitations

• Limitations on file upload sizes in a Dropbox account
• Basic users can only be signed into three devices at a time

Dropbox Paper pricing

• Plus: $9.99/month for 1 user
• Family: $16.99/family per month for up to 6 users
• Professional: $16.58/month for 1 user
• Standard: $15/user per month for 3+ users
• Advanced: $24/user per month for 3+ users
• Enterprise: Contact Dropbox for pricing 

Dropbox Paper ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)
• G2: 4.1/5 (4,400+ reviews)

7. Notion

Notion is a document-based workspace for your notes, tasks, documents, and databases. It’s a versatile tool as a word processor to track any information, from project milestones and task reminders to travel plans and personal ideas. 

Notion’s operating system makes it easy to organize whatever you need to keep track of. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly set up custom workspaces tailored to whatever type of project or goal. Plus, Notion allows you to link between different databases and notes, create checklists, embed media, and more.

Check out the best Notion alternatives!

Notion best features

• iOS, Windows, web browser, MacOS platforms
• Calendar, Kanban boards, lists, and gallery views
• Real-time collaboration
• Bidirectional linking

Notion limitations

• Pricey premium plans compared to other word processors on this list
• Limited project and task management features

Notion pricing

• Free plan
• Plus: $8/user per month, billed annually
• Business: $15/user per month, billed annually
• Enterprise: Contact Notion for pricing 

Notion ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.7/5 (1,100+ reviews)
• G2: 4.6/5 (1,000+ reviews)

8. Coda

Coda is a powerful document editor for creating and managing content. With Coda, you can create documents from scratch, edit existing ones, track changes, collaborate with others in real-time, and share them securely. The editor provides a range of tools to help you write fluently and quickly—including text formatting, image editing, tables, and hyperlinks. 

Coda also comes with built-in collaboration features, so you can invite people to join in on projects and discuss changes easily. With its easy-to-use interface and intuitive tools, Coda is a word processor solution for anyone looking to build professional documents!

Coda best features

• Building blocks to upgrade documents into boards
• Dashboards to view connected data
• Google Calendar and Slack integrations
• Drag-and-drop basic templates

Coda limitations

• Not scalable as a document database compared to other word processors
• Limited integrations with other apps 

Coda pricing

• Free plan
• Pro: $10/month per Doc Maker, billed annually
• Team: $30/month per Doc Maker, billed annually
• Enterprise: Contact Coda for pricing 

Coda ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.6/5 (40+ reviews)
• G2: 4.7/5 (300+ reviews)

Bonus: Compare Coda Vs. Airtable

9. Evernote

Evernote is an online note-taking application to help you be more productive and organized. With Evernote, you can store anything from text-based notes to images, videos, and audio recordings. You can even add reminders and read web pages offline. Evernote is available for various platforms, including mobile devices. Plus, it has a Web Clipper browser extension!

No matter what type of project you’re working on, Evernote makes managing the details easier. Whether it’s brainstorming new content ideas or planning a business meeting, Evernote gives you the freedom to capture, organize and sync all your information. With features like searchable tags and categories, you’ll have the tools to find what you need, when you need it.

Connect Evernote and ClickUp to manage your notes in one place!

Evernote best features

• Calendar view to connect schedules and notes
• Document scanner to go paperless
• Due dates and reminders functionality
• Google Calendar integration

Evernote limitations

• Limited number of saved templates on all plans
• Evernote Teams account has a shared 30 GB of uploads per month

Evernote pricing

• Free plan
• Personal: $6.67/month, billed annually
• Professional: $9.17/month, billed annually
• Teams: $14.99/month per user

Evernote ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.4/5 (7,700+ reviews)
• G2: 4.4/5 (1,900+ reviews)

10. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free open source office suite designed to make completing everyday tasks easier. It’s an open-source product, meaning that it’s free and available to all users. LibreOffice includes programs for word processing, presentation building, spreadsheet editing, database manipulation, formula editing, drawing, and more. 

Together these tools provide an intuitive user experience and help individuals create their best work. With LibreOffice, you can develop financial reports, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. If you want more functionality, extensions are available through the LibreOffice repository. 

LibreOffice best features

• Formula editor to insert mathematical and scientific formulas
• LanguageTool APIs for grammar checking
• OpenDocument Format (ODF) extensions
• Custom templates 

LibreOffice limitations

• Outdated interface compared to other free word processing programs
• Not scalable as a long-term document database 

LibreOffice pricing

• LibreOffice is free

LibreOffice ratings and reviews

• Capterra: 4.3/5 (1,600+ reviews)
• G2: 4.3/5 (200+ reviews)

ClickUp—More Than the Average Word Processor

It’s time to ask for more from your word processing software, ClickUp Docs will show you how. 🙂

Edit with the team, turn your thoughts into actionable tasks, and connect your documents directly to your workflow, all without leaving your editor! No other word processor can enhance the value of your documents like ClickUp can. But the best part? ClickUp does it all for free.

Access ClickUp Docs, unlimited tasks, tons of templates and resources, more than 1,000 integrations, and so much more when you sign up for ClickUp today.

Word processing software are almost indispensable today, especially in the corporate environment, with everything from letters, contracts, resumés, and notices, to even web pages being designed on them. Techspirited brings you a list of the top word processing software available in the market today, based on your requirement and platform of use.

Interestingly,

Michael Shrayer, in 1976, wrote a software known as Electric Pencil. This software functioned as the first-ever word processor for a microcomputer and could perform (then) revolutionary features, like word wrapping. He later wrote different revisions and updates, which were compatible with the various available microcomputers available during those days. He eventually sold off his company, and after that, the next era of word processors was heralded by WordStar, which remained widely recognized well into the 80s

Human fascination for some sort of device or software that allows them to format text documents goes back to the days when even computers did not exist. From hardware that existed with the sole purpose of taking input from the writer in the form of keystrokes, storing it in some kind of memory, processing, and then outputting/printing it either on a screen or on paper, to software with features as basic as word wrapping, that did away with the typist’s need to give a carriage return when the line was exhausted, and now sophisticated word processing packages that are sold for hundreds of dollars, there has been an evolution of word processors, in the truest sense, from then to now.

Ask the layman today what the term ‘word processor’ means to him, and you will immediately get the reply, “Microsoft Word”. Truly, Microsoft Office products have become so widespread that people in all corners of the world find it difficult to function normally if their computer does not have this software installed. But did you know of the many word processing alternatives available to Microsoft Word? While Microsoft Word was largely unmatched for a very long time, today there are various categories of word processing software; free-to-download, open-source, web-based, professional suite packages, to name a few. Below, we have featured some of the best word processing software that you could use for all your formatting needs.

Top Alternatives to Microsoft Word

WordPerfect X7

Developer: Corel
Compatible With: MD DOS, UNIX, Windows (since 5.1), Mac OS, Atari TOS, AmigaDos
Key Features:

• The Reveal-Codes Feature:- One of the earliest features of this software, and unique to it, WordPerfect allows you to optionally see the exact point where the formatting begins and ends for your file.
• The ability to combine left-aligned, centered, and right-aligned text on a single line with ease.
• The parallel-column feature that lets you create side-by-side text without needing to bother with table formatting.
• >Recordable Macros:- Additional Macro management interface to easily view which macros are available, and conveniently debug and modify them too.
• Mail Merge:- Revamped look to the Mail Merge feature allows for easy coordination.
• The ability to save files in any format, including even the standard ebook format and PDF forms.

Price: USD 249.99, upgrade at USD 159.99
Website: WordPerfect OFFICE X7

TextMaker 2012

Developer: SoftMaker
Compatible With: Windows, Linux, Android devices
Key Features:

• Compatibility with Microsoft Work; opens .DOC and .DOCX files without any problem, including password-protected files. Also opens WordPerfect, OpenOffice.org, and PDF files.
• Smart Text:- A feature that allows one to enter short forms, which will be automatically completed.
• Format Brush:- Formatting can be automatically transferred to other parts of the file with this feature.
• It allows you to track all the individual changes made to a complex document, and to either accept or reject them afterwards.
• Features like spell check, synonyms, and hyphen-correction, are available in more than one language. Spell check can be done in real time, just like with Microsoft Word.
• Additional features like support for creating mathematical equations, macro programming, and database management, are also available.

Price: Standard version, USD 79.95 Pro Version, USD 99.95

Google Docs

Developer: Google Inc.
Compatible With: Web-based. Apps for Chrome, iOS, Android
Key Features:

• Auto-Save:- The ability to save the file as and when it is typed
• Easy sharing of files, and ability to edit them in real time.
• Compatibility with Microsoft Word documents.
• All sorts of formatting, ability to add images, and links, from the browser/app itself.
• Offline editing is also possible.
• Integrated with Google Drive, therefore files can be accessed and edited from anywhere, or saved on the system too.
• Copy-pasting over different systems, because the clipboard is located on the server

Price: Free, web-based service, but a Google Account is required.
Website: Google Docs

Kingsoft Writer 2013

Developer: Kingsoft
Compatible With: Windows, iOS (iPhones and iPads), Android, Linux (in development phase)
Key Features:

• Compatibility with Microsoft Word; opens .DOC as well as .DOCX files.
• Drag-and-Drop:- This feature allows easy dragging and dropping of styles, and to easily change the dimensions of various sections, including paragraphs.
• Section Navigation:- It is possible to easily switch from the new interface to the classic interface, and also, Section Navigation lets you browse through various sections of your file.
• Initial backup of the first save is created, and auto-saves repeatedly happen throughout the editing process.

Price: There is a free version of WPS Suite for PCs, and a Professional Suite that costs USD 69.95. For mobile/tablets, the app is free to download.
Website:Kingsoft Office Free 2013: Writer

OpenOffice.org Writer

Developer: Sun Microsystems, and later Oracle Corp.
Compatible With: Windows, Linux, OS X, Solaris
Key Features:

• Compatibility with MS Office
• Multiple pages can be displayed at the same time, and one can easily navigate from page to page.
• Language Selector:- Different languages can be applied to different paragraphs with ease by selecting and changing this option in the Tool Bar.
• Notes:- The Notes feature allows for notes to be inserted in the document, of different colors, that can also be displayed on one side of the page.

Price: Free, and it is also an open-source software.
Website: Download OpenOffice.org Software

The Best Free Word Processing Software

Microsoft Office Online: Word

• For users who love Microsoft Word, genuinely feel that it is impossible to work with any other word processor but do not wish to purchase the whole Microsoft Office Suite, there is a great alternative.
• Since 2010, Microsoft has launched the freemium version of their Office Suite, in the form of browser-based web apps.
• All of the essential features of Microsoft Word are available in the word processing app of Office Online. One can open and edit documents on the go, including PDF files, and save them in the Microsoft (Open) Office XML format.
• Files can also be shared and real-time editing and auto-saving is also supported.
• Microsoft’s answer to Google Docs is a wonderful, free-of-cost alternative that allows one to have the Microsoft Word experience online.

Visit the official website for Microsoft Office Online here.

IBM Lotus Symphony Documents

• A free-to-download suite of Office applications, that are compatible with Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org, and many others, Lotus Symphony was developed by IBM, with its most recent update in 2012
• The development of this software has now been discontinued in favor of IBM’s other endeavor, taking over a thread of Oracle’s OpenOffice.org open-source suite of office programs, called Apache OpenOffice.org.
• It has a very friendly, easy-to-use interface, which can be used efficiently even by beginners. It was designed to increase productivity in the business environment.
• Any file format can be opened with this software, and easily edited, from .DOC or .DOCX files to .ODF files, Open Office XML files, and even PDF files. It is also compatible across operating systems.
• It has an interface that is similar to a browser, because it allows every different document to be opened in a separate tab. It can also function as an actual web browser.

Jarte

• Jarte is a word processor that was developed by Carolina Road Software, that uses the same word processing engine as Windows WordPad, and it is essentially a dramatic improvement on that software.
• It is a lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word and comes in two versions; free and paid, where the paid version is available at a price of USD 19.95, and has a few advanced features in comparison to the free version.
• The free version includes features such as the ability to open different documents in separate tabs, dictionary and thesaurus (it is linked to the free online portal, WordWeb), the ability to bookmark favorites, repeatedly-used features, including fonts, and even complete documents, and using the mouse’s scroll wheel to copy and paste.
• The chargeable version has features such as auto-correction, auto-capitalization, word count, notes, the ability to view more than one document at a time by using the split-view mode feature, and the ability to save a theme, called ‘personality’, with formatting as per one’s preferences.
• This program works with all versions of Windows, and opens various formats like DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, and can export to HTML or PDF. It is also mobile-compatible.

NeoOffice Word Processing Application

• An open source software suite exclusively for Mac OS, NeoOffice was developed by Planamesa Software to integrate OpenOffice.org, which was not available for Apple users unless they downloaded an integrating app with the native OS X interface.
• It is very convenient for Mac users to use this suite, because its interface contains features that resemble OS X, such as, for example, pull-down menus, and the same shortcut keys that are used with Mac OS X.
• The word processor of NeoOffice can open a wide variety of document formats, including .ODT, .DOC, .DOCX, .XML, .SDW, .FODT, .RTF, .TXT, and even .HTML. It also supports PDF documents. One can open files in their original format.
• This software uses Mac OS native file locking to prevent a collision if a file is edited simultaneously across different platforms.

The entireNeoOffice 2014.5 can be downloaded for free here.

AbiWord

• Developed by AbiSource, and written in C++, AbiWord is another open-source word processing software that is compatible across multiple platforms and has a mobile version for Android too.
• It can read a variety of different formats of documents, from .DOC and .DOCX of Microsoft Word, to OpenOffice.org documents, WordPerfect documents, and many more. It can also read and export HTML files. It also supports different languages.
• It allows you to organize letter-format documents by using the Mail Merge feature.
• In general, AbiWord is quite lightweight. However, its functionality can be extended by using the plug-in features that allow you to imtegrate external features to this software too.

Click on the link to download AbiWordfor free.

The Best Word Processing Software for Tablets

Pages

• A word processor that can do a lot more, a lot of Pages users will vouch for this app, simply because it allows you to create extremely beautiful pages.
• A number of templates are available in this app. Apart from simply making text documents, one can design flyers, invitations, and a lot more using Pages. Pages lets you select the exact color you are looking for, with a very complex color picker.
• >It allows you to add images (which can be dragged and dropped anywhere), change fonts, and apply other kinds of formatting to your document, with superior professionalism.
• The app comes with many tools that help make writing documents easy, including one that helps you build a list. One can add notes, track comments, and there are helpful pointers that can be referred to at any point during the page-creation process.
• With Apple’s love for platform integration, a file being designed from scratch on one device using this app can be completed using Pages on another device, say, your Mac computer.
• Documents can be easily shared on various social media platform, or as attachments and can also be converted to formats like PDF and Microsoft Word document formats.

Click here to visit the official website of Pages. The app costs USD 9.99

iA Writer

• Developed by Information Architects Inc., iA Writer is a minimalistic word processing tool that is available for Mac, iPhones, and iPads. It allows you to write and edit text documents.
• On the iPhone and iPad, the toolbar vanishes once you start writing, so as to allow the writer to focus without being distracted. In the iPad version, there is a feature named Focus Mode, which allows only the current line, along with the previous and next line, to be in clear focus, while the rest are blurred.
• No settings need to be specified beforehand in line with the minimalistic premise. It allows you to navigate left and write within the text using the navigation keys built into the keyboard.
• Documents can be ported to iCloud or DropBox, or any other cloud server, and also, they can be printed directly from the app. The app for Mac allows one to convert documents to the Microsoft Word formats as well.
• A professional version of iA Writer is available for both Mac as well as iOS, with advanced features, such as Syntax Control, which highlights various parts of speech in the text, like the adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, nouns and so on, and another feature that allows you to organize your workflow, and first outline your ideas, write, and later format the document.

iA Writer costs USD 4.99 for iOS, and USD 9.99 for Mac. iA Writer Pro costs USD 9.99 for iOS, and USD 19.99 for Mac. Click the link to visit the official website of iA Writer

Documents To Go

• A handy Office Suite that comes in versions for iOS, Android, and even BlackBerry, Documents to Go is a highly recommended free-to-download alternative to Microsoft Office, for the mobile environment.
• It allows one to open Microsoft Word documents and other files of various formats (Documents to Go is not merely limited to a word processor, but the entire suite of office applications, including spreadsheet and presentation viewer), and to edit them, but one can retain the original formatting as well. It is also compatible with PDF files.
• One can connect to and save documents on various cloud servers, including DropBox, Google Drive, and many others.
• One can also download a desktop version for this app that will improve portability of documents further.

Of course, it is unnecessary to say that while some of these software are absolutely mind-blowing and come with perks like being less expensive (or even free), web-based, more lightweight, or loaded with features, most of us would give them up for Microsoft Word in the blink of an eye. It is no surprise that Microsoft Word enjoys worldwide popularity and is the most widely used word processor in the world. Yet it is reassuring to know that if one does not have access to it, all these superb alternatives are readily available.

Well, many of us believe that apart from using Microsoft Word for all our document creation needs, we don’t have any other option to go for. And it’s not wrong to an extent as we have only heard about this doc creation tool from our childhood till now.

But due to rising user demand and competitive market, many Microsoft Office alternatives (called word processing software/word processor) have recently emerged and gained user trust. The best thing about these alternatives is that some of them are absolutely free to use to its full capacity, which in our books is a winner.

Today we will explore the topmost used and trusted word processors other than Microsoft Word and choose the best one as per your needs. Out of these word processing software, it will be a combination of online and offline word processors that you can install on your system. Before starting with the list of alternatives, let’s take a look at what actually a “Word Processing Software” is?

Also Read: Best File Sharing Software For Windows PC

What is Word Processing Software/Word Processor?

In order to know the options, first I must know what is the thing I’m looking options of? Correct?

So Word Processing Software or Word Processor is something that allows you to create, edit, and print the documents. It gives you the control to manage all these options including storing it on electronic devices, display on a screen, or modify the amendments you want to make.

In short, a word processor is the same you use MS word for doc creation, make content changes and takeout print in case you need it. Microsoft Word is also an example of the word processor.

Now I hope everyone has a basic idea of what a word processing software means. So, let’s take a good look at the best free alternatives of MS Word:

The free word processors can be categorized into two segments as below:

1. Online word processing software

2. Offline word processing software

1. Online word processing software

Instead of saving the files on your local hard drive and sharing it via email to the other person, it’s always better to work on an online doc. It has all the features of auto-saving and sharing the file with the link given. As simple as that. It has its drawbacks too that can make you switch from online to the offline use of word processors.

Below enlisted are some popular online word processing software:

A. Dropbox Paper

Offered by the online cloud storage provider, Dropbox is a free online word processor. In order to use it, all you need is a Dropbox account. Once you are logged in, you get full access to the online suite. Apart from creating the text document, you can do a lot of things using the tool.

Designed specifically from a professional point of view, Dropbox Paper stores every created document onto the cloud. From this platform, you can perform many tasks including document link-sharing, assigning tasks to team members, remove or download the document for offline purposes.

In order to go ahead and access this amazing online word processing software, Dropbox Paper, click here.

B. Google Docs

One of the most popular and widely used word processors, Google Docs is literally the backbone of some of the organizations. Exactly like MS Office, it lets you create documents, presentations, or work on excel flawlessly (unless there is internet interruption). With many features to count, it’s a treat for professionals who work with the same files and keep each member of the team updated on any changes.

The best part which I experienced is that it automatically saves the file in real-time while you are working on it and store it there only. From that platform only, you have the option to share the file online, download it, or email as an attachment in many formats and those are many, I tell you.

Now in case you no longer have an internet connection, enable offline access and resume your work. Isn’t it great?

Go ahead and enjoy the Google Docs here.

C. Etherpad

A highly customizable Open Source online editor, Etherpad provides collaborative editing in real-time. Like Google Docs, this word processor lets you edit documents, save them, and collaboratively work on the same document. For example, you can write articles, create to-do lists and collaborate on the same task with your friends or colleagues at the same time.

Sometimes users are a bit hesitant of signing up and providing their email addresses, however, with Etherpad, there is no need to sign up. You can directly go to the link, create a new pad, start writing, and share it with your group to work on the same doc at the same time.

Use Etherpad, the real-time online word processor.

D. Zoho

Another online free word processing software, Zoho is also a combination of the features, the above mentioned are embedded with. Considered as a powerful word processor, Zoho is available across all of your devices and collaborates with teammates/friends in real-time. All you need to do is sign up on the page and you are good to go for using its extraordinary services.

Some of the quite effective factors Zoho follows are “write together” “a crisp, clean space” that says a lot about the perks it has to offer. Some of the other features Zoho has including Zia, the writing assistant, WordPress integration, and many powerful tools for work.

Get started with Zoho here and explore the powerful online word processor.

2. Offline Word Processing Software

While many believe and prefer working on an online document that provides real-time saving and multi-users working on the same file at the same time, others go with offline document creation tools that don’t involve internet connection for file-sharing. Maybe they don’t want anyone to review their work unless it’s done and ready to be forwarded. Whatever the reason, we have several free word processing software that can be downloaded and installed on your local computer. Without further ado, let’s check out the offline word processing software below:

A. WPS Office Free Writer

Previously called Kingsoft Office, WPS Office Free Writer is an offline word processor that majorly comes with three products i.e. Writer, Presentations, and Spreadsheets. Available from Android to iPhone and Windows to Linux, WPS Office is a complete office suite with PDF editor.

A Few of the perks the WPS Office word processor comes with are it opens multiple document tabs and has the feature of eye protection and night mode. Some of the downside points can be that there are paid versions in order to suppress ads and use advanced features. But if you aren’t concerned with ads and want to use Office suite for a basic level, this word processor is the best for you.

Go ahead and download WPS Office free writer here.

B. Apache OpenOffice

Compatible with other major office suites, Apache OpenOffice is free to download. A bundle of 6 different products (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math), OpenOffice is a bit similar to other offline word processing software and easy to learn and use.

This leading free doc creation alternative to MS Word, OpenOffice is compatible with Windows XP to Windows 10, macOS, and Linux. Since it is an open-source word processing software, the updates are freely available to download and use.

Explore Apache OpenOffice products here and start creating documents offline for free.

C. Jarte

Another leading and widely used word processor, Jarte is also free to download and offline doc creation software. Jarte is based on the Microsoft WordPad word processing engine built into Windows and works flawlessly only on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, or 10.

Undoubtedly, Jarte is a small, portable, and touch-enabled word processor whose documents are fully compatible with Word and WordPad.

“It’s one of life’s little ironies that in a country with free speech, a program called Word costs over a hundred dollars. Fortunately, we also have Carolina Road Software and their free-of-charge word processor, Jarte.” – PC World magazine

“I found Jarte to be a kick!” – Kim Komando (Kim Komando Radio Show)

Tap, download, and enjoy Jarte (one of the fast and easy to use a word processor).

D. FocusWriter

As the name suggests, FoucsWriter is a tried and proven word processor that provides multiple ways to create a distraction-free interface and I think that’s what any writer will need. No distraction!! In order to stay on the deadline, you can also create short term goals to make sure that you won’t miss out on any teeny-tiny details.

Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, FocusWriter has been translated into many different languages. The feature of auto-hiding the menu and any other additional buttons so that you can enjoy the full-screen view while writing on your document really stand out. You also can customize the colors and layouts of the document creation tool.

Go ahead, download this amazing word processing software and start writing without any distraction.

Wrapping Up

As there is cutthroat competition in the market, you will encounter many MS Office suite alternatives which claim to be the best at what they do, however, to save your time from that part, we have mentioned here the best ones you can go for.

In case you aren’t happy with the word processor you’re looking for, take advantage of the free trial of Microsoft Office so at least you get to explore the full capabilities of Microsoft Word for a whole month.

Next Read: Best PowerPoint Alternatives

Since the invention of the typewriter, people have moved away from writing things out by hand in favor of word processing tools.

Nowadays, it’s hard for people or businesses to get work done without an electronic word processor. Tons of options exist, from simple solutions to expansive programs with hundreds of features.

Below, we’ll define in detail what a word processor is and briefly recount the history of this kind of software. Then, we’ll explore the benefits of using an online word processor and take a look at the key features your choice should come with.

What is word processing software?

Word processing software, also called word processors, are any computer programs or devices that let you input, delete, edit, adjust the formatting of, and generally manipulate text and data.

German IBM typewriter sales executive Ulrich Steinhilper coined the term “word processing” in the 1950s.

The most prominent example of a word processing program is Microsoft Word. Cloud-based apps like Google Docs are also popular because of their benefits, but we’ll discuss those later.

As mentioned, word processing software forms the bedrock of most modern work and communications today.

Without it, we’d still write by hand or, at best, use a typewriter.

A brief history of the word processor

Before word processing software, we had typewriters, which were considered the first word processors. The first recognizable typewriter was invented in the late 1800s by Christopher Latham Sholes.

(Image Source)

Here’s a fun fact: you can trace the lineage of word processors back to these machines — not computer programs.

Throughout the 1960s, companies like IBM innovated by adding electronic features to mechanical typewriters. Then, software came along in the late 1970s and early 1980s — Electric Pencil being the first for home computers.

A basic word processor program called WordStar dominated the market in the 1980s, but several competitors, including Microsoft Word, came along and unseated WordStar.

MS Word eventually became the dominant program, alongside the rest of the Microsoft Office suite, thanks to the growing popularity of Windows OS throughout the 1990s.

Many more innovations came along in the 2000s, such as formatting, spell checking, and even grammar checking features.

But in 2006, the world changed with the first widely popular cloud-based word processing program, Google Docs.

Google created Google Docs after acquiring Upstartle, the creator of cloud-based word processor Writely. At this point, you were no longer limited to your personal computer — you could work on documents from anywhere.

Today, plenty of word processing programs, including Microsoft Word, have moved to the cloud.

We also now have word processors built into larger cloud-based platforms, such as monday.com’s new Docs feature.

Get started with monday.com

Why should I get a cloud-based word processing solution?

Throughout the 2000s, word processing software was generally desktop-based.

Google’s acquisition of Upstartle began the explosion of cloud-based word processing programs.

Today, cloud-based programs have plenty of benefits over traditional word processor tools. Here’s a look at 4 of the big ones:

Availability

Online word processors let you work from anywhere with the proper device and an internet connection. This is vital in the age of remote work.

These cloud-based programs let you write, edit, comment, collaborate, and do other word processing tasks from anywhere — the office, home, your favorite coffee shop, or even the other side of the world.

No need to have a computer, as most word processors offer mobile versions, too.

Collaboration

Traditional word processors only let one person on at a time.

Collaboration in these programs involves tracking lots of changes and constantly sending emails between teammates.

It’s really easy to lose the most updated version of a document in a sea of messages — not to mention the time wasted in sending so many emails and the inbox clutter.

Cloud-based software eliminates this issue because multiple people can be in the same doc at once.

Plus, features like commenting help teams communicate on specific items.

​​

Storage safety

Everyone knows the pain of working on a document for hours just for the computer to freeze and realizing you hadn’t hit save.

Yet, even if you do save, a crashing computer could result in you losing that document.

In the past, you needed to routinely back up your computer or keep copies of documents on USB drives. Of course, it was pretty easy to lose those USB drives and find them later in your washing machine.

These are no longer significant worries with the cloud at your back.

Cloud-based programs store everything, well, in the cloud. No more lost or broken thumb drives.

Many also autosave every time you make a change, so no need to worry about “I forgot to click save.”

User interface and intuitiveness

Many cloud-based word processing apps are designed with multiple devices and mobile apps in mind.

The companies behind these, therefore, put intuitive UI at the forefront of their efforts during development.

Programs like monday.com’s Docs don’t take too long to figure out, and everything is right where you’d expect it to be. They’re designed to make learning them simple and finding things quick.

Plus, they come with plenty of documentation in case anything confuses you.

What features should I look for in a modern word processor?

Word processing is foundational to your ability to get work done. You shouldn’t take picking one for your organization lightly.

Here are some features to look for:

1. The actual word processing features

First and foremost — your app should be excellent at its main job: word processing.

Being able to type words on a page isn’t enough. You should have plenty of formatting and customization options at your fingertips.

Here’s an example of text that someone is customizing the format of in monday.com’s Docs app:

Beyond that, being able to add video and images is key.

In monday.com Docs, you can add and then customize these just like if they were text.

2. Cloud-based mobile app

As mentioned before, you need cloud-based software to keep up today.

The entire monday.com platform is cloud-based, so you can use our Docs feature to work on documents wherever you have a device and an internet connection.

But what if you can’t access a computer while out of your office space? You might need to get onto the doc via your mobile phone or tablet.

We thought of that. monday.com has apps for both iOS and Android devices.

Here’s a quick view of monday.com’s mobile app UI:

Get started

3. Permissions

Some docs you want visible to your entire organization. For example, company policy documents are best shared with everyone. Others may have sensitive information or are only pertinent for certain individuals or teams, making permissions a vital word processing feature.

For example, if the marketing team is brainstorming an ad campaign, they may not need to share it with the operations team.

Maybe they want sales to have a look, though, but without editing privileges.

For situations like this, you want the ability to control who can view, edit, or comment on your documents.

You also want control over sharing the docs, of course.

monday.com offers 3 types of Docs depending on your needs, and you can always adjust sharing settings.

For example, you can choose between a main, private, or shareable document upon Doc creation.

4. Easy sharing and collaboration

Speaking of permissions and sharing, your cloud-based word processing app should make collaboration seamless. That includes managing who’s on the doc and the actual collaborative work.

In the monday.com Docs app, you can add teammates to your doc with a few button clicks.

Once all team members you need are in the doc, working on things together is pretty easy.

To illustrate, here’s a brainstorming doc for a proposed marketing campaign that a marketing team is collaborating on in monday.com:

Notice the information in the top right corner. You can monitor who’s been in the doc, add more people as needed, leave comments, and much more.

And, if you have ideas on how to make the app even better, there’s that “Give feedback” button sitting there as well.

The word processor: a vital tool for success

It’s hard to imagine a world without word processors. So much of what we do on and off the internet requires these programs.

That said, the abundance of products can make it hard to choose. You have plenty of standalone options — but it’s even better to get a Work OS that integrates your word processing capabilities alongside the rest of your workflow.

Thanks to monday.com’s new Docs app, that’s entirely possible. It only takes one click to activate, too. Try monday.com free for 14 days to see what it’s all about.

Get started

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

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

The Best Free Word Processing Software

1. WPS Office’s Writer

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

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

Download WPS Office

Also Read: 7 Best Alternatives Of Microsoft Office In 2020

2. TextMaker From FreeOffice

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

Download FreeOffice

Also Read: Best G Suite Alternatives for Professionals Users

3. Open Office Writer

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

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

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Also Read: The Best Thesaurus Apps for Writers

4. WordGraph

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

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

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5. AbleWord

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

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

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6. AbiWord

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

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

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7. Jarte

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

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8. WriteMonkey

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

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9. RoughDraft

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

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10. FocusWriter

Image Source: FocusWriter

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

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

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

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

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