Word processor for writers

Writing a book isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and consistency. Even the most prolific authors struggle now and then with writer’s block or another version of “life getting in the way.” Which is why, at one point or another, we’ve all had the same thought: “There must be a way to make this process easier.” And that’s how, sooner or later, writers end up going down a software rabbit hole, analyzing the tool that’s right in front of our faces for hours upon hours each day: our word processor.

So how do you choose the best word processor for writers?

First, a quick disclaimer. One of the perks of writing is its low barrier to entry. You have all the tools you need to do it, right now. Whether you have a desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or occasional access to a library computer, you have everything you need to start writing. Heck, a simple legal pad and pen will do the trick.

But some tools make writing more manageable than others. In this post, we’ll look at the most popular word processors for writers and break down the pros and cons of each.

Some cost money, and others are free. Some come with lots of bells and whistles, and others are bare-bones. Is paid software worth the investment, or should you use a free tool? 

Only you can decide which word processor will work best for you. And although some tools can make certain aspects of writing easier, full disclosure: writing will always be hard—at least for most of us. Even the best software in the world can’t create your magnum opus for you. But it can make the process a little easier.

Scrivener: $49

Scrivener is one of the best-known word processors on the market, at least among writers. Unlike more generic tools like MS Word, it was created specifically for writers. Other word processors like Word and Google Docs are used by everyone: students, lawyers, teachers, businesspeople, etc. But Scrivener was created with writers in mind.

So what can it do that other word processors can’t? 

• Helps with plotting
• Two outlining features: standard and corkboard
• Easy drag and drop to move sections around
• A collection of templates specific to writers (ex: character, setting, front matter, and back matter)
• A distraction-free full-screen mode
• A side panel to store notes, bookmarked websites, and documents related to your book

The organization is a significant selling point, too. Instead of keeping everything in one giant file (or lots of disjointed smaller files), Scrivener makes it easy to create multiple sub-files to organize and outline a writing project. On the corkboard, you can view chapters or scenes as index cards, making them easy to reorder by dragging and dropping.

Some writers swear Scrivener makes them more productive. (You can create word count goals and track your daily progress to stay on target.) Others simply enjoy transitioning to a tool they don’t use for any other type of work.

However, there are some cons—namely, the learning curve. Any software with a robust suite of tools must be learned, unlike the old standbys you can just pick up and use. If you enjoy learning new software, great! But if feeling your way around a tool will slow you down, Scrivener might be more trouble than it’s worth. 

Also, collaboration isn’t easy on Scrivener. Many writers with co-authors will write solo in Scrivener and then use Google Docs for the collaborative portion of a project.

Pros of Scrivener:

• Created for large book-writing projects
• Zoom out for a high-level view of your book’s structure
• Stay productive with project targets and built-in deadlines, plus a pared-down full-screen view for maximum focus

Cons of Scrivener:

• Steep learning curve
• Some features feel overly complicated
• Syncing is via Dropbox, which isn’t seamless
• Tricky to collaborate

Vellum: $199

Vellum is the priciest word processor on our list, but that’s because it functions more like a word processor and a service rolled into one. 

Exporting your word file into ePub format isn’t hard. Scrivener, Word, Pages, and even Google Docs can do it. The problem is, they probably won’t render very well in an e-reader without help. There’s an entire industry based on supporting authors trying to format their ebooks—that’s how difficult it can be to turn a text file into a professional-looking self-published book.

Enter Vellum, which makes beautiful books. 

In under an hour, you can get your book ready for the public eye. The previewer tool lets you see how each formatting change or edit will appear on any major e-reader: Kindle, Fire, iPhone, Nook, Kobo, etc. It also has stripped-down, option-based formatting—perfect for designing either ebooks or print books. (Print comes with an upgraded price tag, though.) 

Vellum is easy and intuitive to use, especially considering its range. It makes beautiful styling easy and could save you from hiring someone to format your book before publication.

On the con side, there’s the price. Vellum isn’t for the faint of heart. Also, there are limited styles available, so you’re subject to their styling options.

Pros of Vellum:

• Makes formatting and styling easy
• Exports to MOBI

Cons of Vellum:

• Expensive
• Lacks some in-built writing features that authors expect, like a collaboration tool 

Microsoft Word: $160 flat fee, or $70/year for Microsoft 365 

MS Word is world-famous. You’ve probably used it many times, and if you don’t love it, you likely know it well enough to accept its flaws. 

Word boasts many capabilities modern humans have come to rely upon, like a built-in grammar and spell-checker as well as a multitude of formatting and file transfer options. It’s even branched into cloud-based collaboration capabilities to keep pace with Google Docs, though the process doesn’t work nearly as smoothly. Word is the go-to word processor for many of us—and while it isn’t free, it probably came stock with your operating system if you’re on a PC.

However, Word is also the preferred word processor of the business world. Meaning that most of us have used it in our day jobs, or use it today to do non-creative work. Opening up the same tool to work on your novel could make it tough to transition your headspace, as our own Kevin Tumlinson has pointed out. He prefers Scrivener over Word, not because of Word’s functionality, but because it’s so ubiquitous that he finds it hard to get into a writerly frame of mind when he’s using it.

One complaint many authors share is that Word has more features than it needs. It can be tricky to hunt down a relatively simple function, which is why some writers prefer Google Docs, which offers pared-down functionality.

Another con of Word is online use. There is a web-based version and an app, but the lack of functionality in these versions gets frustrating quickly. And if you stick to the desktop version, files can become slow to load as your book grows. Word wasn’t designed for large book projects, either, so you’ll need to develop a naming hierarchy and organizational system on your own.

Pros of Microsoft Word:

• Ubiquitous enough that you probably already know how to use it
• Full-featured Word processor

Cons of Microsoft Word:

• Collaboration tools aren’t as robust as others
• Online and app-based user experience is very limited
• Too full-featured for many

Pages: Free (for iOS users)

Pages is Mac’s answer to Word. Like most Mac software, it’s better than its MS counterpart from a visual standpoint. The templates are prettier and more intuitive to use, the design is simple, and syncing across devices within iCloud is easy. 

Feature-wise, Pages sits somewhere on the spectrum between Word and Google Docs. It isn’t quite as robust as Word, but some would call that a good thing. It does more than Google Docs and has similar collaborative functionality. It’s also very ebook friendly, as it comes pre-loaded with artfully designed templates specifically for ebooks and can export to the Apple iPub format (and ePub too, of course).

If you like features but also enjoy writing on an iPad, Pages is probably your best bet. You don’t lose any functionality on the Pages app for iPad the way you do with Word. Pages integrates seamlessly with iCloud and syncs between devices without effort.

Pros of Pages:

• Beautiful templates
• Export directly to iPub
• Great collaboration tool
• Excellent in-app user experience

Cons of Pages:

• Not very accessible to PC users
• Not available on Android
• Exporting to Word can disrupt formatting 

Google Docs: Free and device-agnostic

There’s a lot to be said for Google Docs. It’s free, browser-based, and extremely easy to use. The functionality is simple, so don’t look to Google Docs for anything fancy. That said, it has everything you need to simply sit down and write. And because your work is stored exclusively in the cloud (without requiring you to adjust any settings), you never need to worry about losing your writing if your computer is stolen or your hard drive crashes.

But Google Docs is most famous for its online collaboration functionality. Multiple people can work on a document simultaneously, seeing each other’s changes in real time. Google Docs works offline, too, so you can still work on an airplane or anywhere else without connectivity. Next time you’re online, your doc will automatically sync to Google Drive. (Note that collaboration does require an internet connection.)

Another perk of Google Docs is that it works the same on any device: desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, so you don’t need to relearn where features live—or do without—when you’re traveling.

The limited functionality of Google Docs becomes a con when it’s time to manage formatting, however. There are limited formatting options, none of which are particularly friendly for self-publishing, so you’ll likely need to use another tool before your book is ready to publish (though you can export in ePub format).

Pros of Google Docs:

• The price—it’s free!
• Real-time collaboration
• Suggestion mode

Cons of Google Docs:

• No native functionality for large documents
• Documents can lag as file size grows
• Many features require an internet connection
• Formatting likely requires another tool

That’s it for our rundown of the best word processors for writers. So tell us—what do you use, and why? Do you use a tool that isn’t on the list? Comment below!

There are lots of free Microsoft Word alternatives.

I’m sure you don’t prepare business plans with charts and graphs. You don’t use online collaboration tools or schedule meetings for a group of directors.

I doubt you would ever need to create business presentations with 100 slides.

You write your words for blog posts, content articles, guest posts, and short stories, and maybe publish poems. So why do you pay for MS Office to do these simple writing tasks?

You don’t need to pay for a word processor

Whichever option or version of Word you choose, you pay.

The Office suite is a bundled application of many programs that writers will never need.

Even with the basic personal Office 365 subscription and Microsoft Onedrive, you pay for Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint just to get MS Word.

It might be a good deal for a small business, but you only want to write, create, and edit text.

Why pay for all the stuff you will never use to write in Word documents?

You can use Word online as part of Office Online, but you still need to pay.

If you only need to write, many free Microsoft Word alternatives will do the job perfectly for you.

I was a Word user for years, like all of us. But I can’t remember the last time I used it.

Sure, I have lots of old files in Word document format.

But I can open and edit almost any file format with a completely free Word alternative.

A word of warning for authors. Word processors are not the best programs for writing a book.

Long manuscripts can cause a lot of problems with any word processor, including Word.

You need to use software designed to handle the big job of writing a novel or a book.

Read our article that lists the best free and paid book writing software choices for you if you plan on writing a book.

Free alternatives to Microsoft Word – You have lots of choices

Nowadays, you have so many options for free writing programs like Word.

You can download free word processor software, or you can use web-based and cloud-based applications.

All you need is a blank document.

Then write your words. Add a little formatting and save your work.

Almost any free version word processor can do this.

Changing word processors is also a great way to view your writing in a different way.

Do you want to move away from using Word?

Try some of these free Microsoft Word alternatives to see if one is right for you and your writing needs.

To get you started, here are ten free word processors to choose from.

1. Google Docs

Google Docs is a free office tool suite. The big contrast to MS Office, of course, is that Google Docs is free.

If you know how to use MS Word, you will adapt to Docs in no time at all.

The user interface, menus, and formatting options are almost the same.

Docs has a word counter, so it’s easy to keep track of your writing goals.

Many writers, including content article writers, use Google Docs due to the ease of sharing documents and collaborating.

It is also fully compatible with importing and exporting docx documents.

Writing projects are stored and saved to Google Drive. You get 5 gigabytes for free, which is usually enough storage space for most writers.

Another advantage is that you can also set up Docs to work offline if you prefer.

2. Apple Pages

You are a Mac user, and all you need is a free word processor; it’s easy. Apple Pages can do everything you need to do.

The page layout view is extremely easy to work with. All the fonts, text formatting, and editing tools are easy to find.

It has a decent spell checker, word and page count, and track changes with a comments option.

Pages also has a great real-time auto-save function. It saves your work automatically to your computer or your iCloud drive when you are online.

There is a duplicate file function too. It allows you a lot of control over your edits and revisions.

Almost all of the common features in Word are available in Pages documents.

One area where Pages shines over Word is that you have much more control over any images you use.

Another is that you can format an ebook for publishing and export it to an epub file.

3. Libre Office

I used Apache OpenOffice for many years. It is an open-source project and is still a great option.

However, there is another very similar free office suite. Libre Office is a favorite for a lot of writers.

The two office suites came from the same basic development, so they share a lot of things in common.

Working with Writer, the word processor, is easy. It has clear traditional menus, icons, and toolbars. So it doesn’t have the sometimes confusing ribbon found in Word.

This might be a useful feature for you. It lets you get on with writing instead of endlessly searching ribbons for the right buttons.

If all you need is a functional word processor, Writer in OpenOffice or Libre Office might be sound choices for you.

4. WPS Office

If you are familiar with Google Docs or Microsoft Word, you will be able to work with WPS Office straight away.

WPS is in the same vein as other free word processors. It has all the standard features you expect, and it works with most standard word processing file extensions.

But one of its best features is that it gives you the facility to drag and drop paragraphs. It is a very practical idea.

Another great feature of WPS is that it has tabbed documents. No need to keep hunting for open windows.

WPS also comes with a complimentary cloud storage service that gives you 1G free space for PC and iOS.

5. Calmly Writer

Calmly Writer lets you one thing well. Write.

When you start typing, all of the distracting options disappear away from the interface. All you see are your words.

Calmly also includes a focus mode tool. When you activate it, it highlights only the paragraph you are working on at the time.

If you are a writing minimalist and hate distractions when you write, it could be a good choice for you.

Calmly Writer is a browser-based app, and there is a Chrome extension available.

6. Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer is a great free alternative to Word. It is packed with a lot of features.

You can sync between your PC or Mac, iPhone, Android, or iPad.

Almost everything you do in Word, you can do with this word processor. There are even collaboration tools.

It also has Zia, a writing assistant, to help with contextual grammar, readability, and style suggestions.

You can import your existing Word documents and get to work. There is also a plugin to link your Zoho documents to Word.

It’s not a bad deal at all for a free online writing tool.

7. Focus Writer

FocusWriter is another one of the minimalist distraction-free text editors.

It uses a full-screen hide-away interface, but you can access the menus by moving your mouse to the edges of the screen.

This option allows the program to have a familiar look and feel about it. But you can get all the clutter out of the way so that you can immerse yourself in your work.

It’s available for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X.

8. iA Writer

If you are looking for a clean, no-fuss writing web app, then iA Writer might be right for you.

Forget about all the fancy keyboard shortcuts and lists of menu options.

All you can do with this great little app is write.

The NYT says this about iA Writer. “It creates a clean, simple, and distraction-free writing environment for when you really need to focus on your words. It’s delightful to use.”

For article and blog post writing, it is one of the top free word processors out there and will suit most writing styles.

It is available for Windows, Mac, and apps for Android and iOS.

9. Softmaker Free Office

Free Office gets a mention because it can do one thing some other word processors can’t do.

It can export directly to .epub. It’s a very handy feature for self-publishers.

FreeOffice is a complete Office suite with a word processor, a spreadsheet application, and a presentation program.

All of these are compatible with their counterparts in Microsoft Office.

TextMaker is the free word processor in this office suite.

It comes with advanced formatting options, the ability to create databases for bibliographies and footnotes, as well as track change.

It is available as a free download for both Mac and PC.

10. Scribus

Scribus is a free program for desktop publishing.

It gets a mention here because it is free, of course. But also because it is such a feature-rich cross-platform program.

As long as you are familiar with using text boxes, you can use this program to design flyers, brochures, and newsletters.

Scribus is a page layout and desktop publishing program.

It works with Linux, FreeBSD, PC-BSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, OpenIndiana, Debian GNU/Hurd, Mac OS X, OS/2 Warp 4, eComStation, Haiku, and Windows.

So, well, that says you can use it on any operating system under the sun.

Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK colors, spot colors, ICC color management, and PDF creation.

Perhaps it is not a perfect choice for most writers and bloggers. But you might have a desktop publishing job you need to do one day.

Summary

No, you don’t need to pay a cent for a reliable and fully functional word processor.

There are a lot of free Microsoft Word alternatives.

Many of the programs listed above are complete office suites. So you get a bonus with all the extras that come with them.

You definitely have plenty to choose from. So make your choices and save yourself a lot of money.

Related reading: Choose Your Writing Apps For iPad To Write Anywhere Anytime

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!

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

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

The Best Free Word Processing Software

1. WPS Office’s Writer

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

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

Download WPS Office

Also Read: 7 Best Alternatives Of Microsoft Office In 2020

2. TextMaker From FreeOffice

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

Download FreeOffice

Also Read: Best G Suite Alternatives for Professionals Users

3. Open Office Writer

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

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

Download OpenOffice

Also Read: The Best Thesaurus Apps for Writers

4. WordGraph

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

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

Download WordGraph

5. AbleWord

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

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

Download AbleWord

6. AbiWord

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

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

Download AbiWord

7. Jarte

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

Download Jarte

8. WriteMonkey

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

Download WriteMonkey

9. RoughDraft

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

Download RoughDraft

10. FocusWriter

Image Source: FocusWriter

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

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

Download FocusWriter

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

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

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Online word processors are a great alternative to traditional word processors you have to buy and install. The options below are free and easy to use, and getting started is a breeze.

We’ve gathered the best online word processors out there; some of them are sure to meet your needs, no matter what features you’re looking for.

Thanks for letting us know!