20 Best Microsoft Word Alternatives 

Microsoft Office users, estimated at over 1.2 billion, might constitute their nation. Microsoft Word users are a significant component of that industrious population. Microsoft Word (2019, 2016, or 365) may build anything from an office message to a Kindle e-book. Word documents occasionally need a little additional oomph. Several outstanding and mainly free Microsoft Word add-ins can help.

Chrome has add-ons. MS Office has add-ins. Before, they were Office Apps. These small companions help Word accomplish certain things it can’t. Want to transmit and track an e-signature document? A pupil who wishes to add arithmetic equations swiftly? Or just want some gorgeous stock photographs for a document? Microsoft Word add-ins may accomplish all that and make it look more powerful. This article will cover how to install and manage these little tools and recommend the finest Microsoft Word add-ins for productivity. These add-ins work with Word 365, 2016, 2019, and Online.

Microsoft Word generates, edits, formats, and uses documents. Microsoft Word’s vulnerability to viruses and hackers is a big problem. Microsoft Word has drawbacks despite being the best word processor. Microsoft Word alternatives are here. Learn about the best Microsoft Word alternatives in the post.

Why We Have Chosen These Alternatives?

Several variables influence choosing Microsoft Word alternatives that meet unique needs and preferences. Cost-effectiveness is important. Microsoft Word is a great word processor, but its subscription model may alienate budget-conscious customers. Google Docs and LibreOffice, for example, offer substantial functionality without a subscription, making them appealing to people and organizations trying to save software costs.

20 Alternatives to MS Word

Here are 20 of the best Microsoft Word alternatives for 2024

AbiWord

AbiWord excels at word processing. Open-source word processor. It debuted in 1998. Only Linux supports AbiWord. It resembles MS Word. Multiple formats, including MS Word, Rich Text Format, and OpenOffice.Org, are compatible.

1. Use a free word processor.
2. AbiCollab.net offers basic and advanced word processing tools, allowing several users to collaborate on a single document.
3. MS Word-like interface for importing and exporting files of various types.
4. Grammar check feature.
5. Use plug-ins to enhance AbiWord.

AOO Writer

Apache OpenOffice Writer (AOO) is OpenOffice.Org’s successor. One of the most significant Microsoft Word alternatives. Open-source software. Apache OpenOffice Writer goes beyond replacing MS Word. AOO includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database management, drawing, formula editor, and presentation program.

1. Free word processor, spreadsheet, database, drawing, formula editor, and presentation software.
2. Compacter than Microsoft Word
3. It supports several formats.
4. Loaded with 41 languages
5. A variety of typefaces

Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is commonly called Paper. Document editing service. It was created by Dropbox in 2015. Dropbox Paper is a text processor and collaboration tool. Dropbox Paper requires a Dropbox account.

1. Online word processor for free
2. Cloud storage for documents
3. Access productivity tools
4. Easy file sharing
5. Prepare material with teamwork.
6. Teamwork simplified
7. Dropbox paper connects other applications
8. Offline editing too

Etherpad

Previous name: EtherPad. Famous Microsoft Word alternative. Web-based real-time editor Etherpad. Also, collaborative software. Due to its collaborative functionality, one may update a document and observe others amending it live. It was created in 2020.

1. Free collaborative real-time editor
2. Excellent web-based real-time editor
3. No registration is necessary.
4. Share the URL to a Pad (document) and edit in real-time.
5. History is available via the Time slider.
6. Secure your pads with passwords.
7. Multiple file formats import/export
8. The most customizable editing app

A Google Doc

Microsoft Word alternatives include Google Docs. A web-based word processor. Google offers this office suite. Google Docs contains Forms, Slides, Sheets, Drawings, Sites, and Keep. It supports Web, Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry, and Desktop.

1. Free Office suite
2. G Suite business costs $5/user for opening, writing, editing, and collaborating.
3. Complete feature set and add-on services
4. Allow offline file access.
5. Comment and reply
6. Autosave upon leaving Google Docs

Google Workspace

Formerly G Suite, Google Workspace. Google Workplace offers Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Classroom, Meet, Drive, Forms, Docs, Currents, Chats, and more. Google created this service. It works on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Web.

1. Office productivity package by Google Cloud
2. Once the ultimate service
3. Real-time team collaboration
4. Create, modify, and open spreadsheets, presentations, and documents.
5. Make webpages, forms, and surveys.
6. Talk to your colleagues via audio and video conferencing and more.

iWork

iWork is a macOS and iOS-only Office suite. The iCloud website has it too. iWork includes a word processor, keynote, presentation, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet. Microsoft Office cannot open iWork files. Instead, import iWork files to Microsoft Office formats.

1. Free iOS office suite
2. Joint work in real-time
3. Basic and complex document customization tools
4. Film-quality animations
5. Multi-touch gestures
6. Integrated iCloud
7. Apple created 70 documents and 30 spreadsheet templates.

Jarte

Alternative to Microsoft Word: Jarte. Based on WordPad. Jarte and Jarte + are its services. Jarte supports Word and WordPad. Its UI is simple. Jarte supports Windows, Mac, and Web.

1. Jarte and Jarte Plus are free.
2. Sees vital characteristics and functions
3. Portable word processor
4. Screen reader mode for blind people
5. Tabbed UI, sophisticated spellcheckers.
6. The steady editing engine
7. Detail several minor things

LibreOffice

The Document Foundation develops LibreOffice—an Open-source Office suite. LibreOffice is a word processor, spreadsheet, diagram, slideshow, drawing, database manager, and formula creator. It supports Linux, macOS, Android, Windows, and iOS.

1. One-stop office suite free
2. File format compatibility
3. The NotebookBar interface includes document signature functionalities.
4. Use document watermarks.
5. Edit and improve any document.
6. Include media-rich material in your documents.

Microsoft 365 online

Microsoft 365 online requires a membership. Office 365 is its common name. It includes all Microsoft Office software. Microsoft 365 online includes Outlook, Access, Publisher, OneNote, Sway, SharePoint, Yammer, Skype, Teams, and Office products and services.

1. Free online with few limitations
2. $7 per user, $10 per family of six.
3. Real-time, anywhere, anytime collaboration
4. Applications are cloud-based
5. One-stop Microsoft Office Suite
6. Collaborate with editors in real time

NeoOffice

NeoOffice is macOS-only. Full-featured Office suite. It has a word processor, presentation, graphics, spreadsheet, and add-ons. NeoOffice supports each of the services above file types. Mac users may manage documents and files using NeoOffice.

1. Pay $15 once and get NeoOffice free forever.
2. Cost-effective office suite
3. Text highlighting, advanced grammatical checking
4. Start setup and lock documents
5. Create, modify, and open documents
6. Secure file editing and additional features

Office Suite

Major cross-platform office suite programs include Office Suite. MobiSystems launched it. It is the most popular Microsoft Word alternative, with 220 million users. Office Suite includes Text, Mail, Sheets, Slides, and PDF. It supports Android, Windows, iOS, Sony, Amazon, Alcatel, Toshiba, Sharp, and others.

1. Yearly $29.99
2. Supports several platforms
3. Easily convert to PDF
4. Open, generate, and edit Excel, Word, and PowerPoint files.
5. Secure your files using passwords.
6. Signing electronically
7. Annotations, hyperlink editing, and other advanced features

OnlyOffice

Once TeamLab, Now OnlyOffice. One of the best office suiteware. OnlyOffice includes an online document editor, corporate communication, project management, and tools. About 25 languages are supported. Only Office supports Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and macOS.

1. The pricing of OnlyOffice runs from $40 to $200 a month, depending on the number of active users.
2. $72-$144/year
3. OnlyOffice dominates Collaboration, Version Control, Office, Productivity Suite, and Document Management Software.
4. Online office suite for managing company procedures and activities
5. The email aggregator
6. It is a wonderful option for large cloud companies and others.

Polaris Office

Polaris Office is a premium MS Word replacement. Infraware Inc. produced this Office suite. Microsoft Office file types and PDFs may be opened and edited. Polaris Office’s cloud storage and linked devices allow you to upload and view files and documents on several devices.

1. PDF to Microsoft Office conversion is simple.
2. User interface dual
3. Smart guidance and teamwork tools
4. More than 300 spreadsheet functions
5. Simple data sorting and clever filtering

SoftMaker FreeOffice

SoftMaker FreeOffice is a powerful office suite—a one-stop workstation. SoftMaker FreeOffice has a word processor, spreadsheets, and presentations. It is a top MS Word alternative. It also simulates MS Word. Microsoft Office, Windows, Linux, and Mac support it.

1. Cost-free Office suite
2. Save documents in multiple formats
3. Microsoft Office file sharing without exporting
4. Access all basic templates and features
5. Use normal messaging formats.
6. Handling files on the go

ThinkFree/Hancom Office

ThinkFree Office is a Java/C++ office suite. It was the first Microsoft-compatible web-based office. It began in 2001. It’s Hancom Office 2020. Thinkfree Office has a word processor that shares many of MS Word’s functions, such as formatting, document editing, and teamwork capabilities. It simplifies working with diverse file types by supporting a wide range of document formats.

1. $9.99/year; Mobile Business: $14.99/year; Personal: $19.99/year; Business Group: $29.99/year
2. NEO Home Edition $49.99, Enterprise Edition $79.99
3. $139 NEO EE Plus Phantom PDF
4. Affordable Microsoft Office alternative
5. Protect material with ThinkFree Office.
6. Collaboration is easy using a browser-based editor online.
7. These complex word processor layouts provide new insights.
8. Many productivity tools

WordPerfect

Since 1972, WordPerfect Office has been a word processor. It was the 80s and 90s’ top word processor. Only Linux and Windows, Web, support it. WordPerfect Office’s accessibility features are the finest since they help disabled people use word processors.

1. One-time purchase $149.99/user
2. Best word processor for document and report quality, etc.
3. Quattro Pro offers powerful spreadsheet functions.
4. WordPerfect Lightning provides many texts and graphics.
5. Microsoft Office and PDF integration
6. Major productivity tools and PDF support

WPS Office

Office can be Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets—formerly Kingsoft Office. WPS Office is a popular office suite. It includes Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheet. It has different features and costs for personal and commercial use.

1. The free personal basic version
2. It costs $9.99 for 3 months and $29.99/year for business.
3. Excellent editing tools
4. Use built-in features to analyze complicated data.
5. Easy file deletion recovery
6. Most compatible Microsoft Office Suite
7. Advanced features and productivity tools

WriteMonkey

WriteMonkey lets everyone write distraction-free. WriteMonkey’s Full-Screen mode boosts creativity. It only works with Windows. WriteMonkey is more keyboard-friendly and accessible. WriteMonkey has unique features, including repository mode and project management.

1. Free word processor with donation option.
2. Write and edit in full-screen
3. Compact and stable.
4. Portable USB storage
5. Flexible and fully customizable
6. Bookmarks, timed writing, advanced stats

Zoho Office

Zoho Office Suite is a leading web-based office suite. It has 20 free applications for diverse uses. Word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, web conferencing, note-taking, project management, and services are included—a one-stop office suite service.

1. Individuals can use it for free.
2. Best Zoho collaboration
3. The document editor has an automatic backup capability.
4. Work offline.
5. Discuss and act on feedback.
6. Dark mode and other improvements

Microsoft Word is a fantastic word processor, but its size and other drawbacks make its competitors preferable. All of the following options have everything Microsoft Word does and more. I hope this post is helpful. Thanks for reading.

Which One Is The Best?

AbiWord is a great word processor because of its simplicity, efficiency, and open-source philosophy. AbiWord’s lightweight, quick design streamlines user experience without sacrificing features. The straightforward UI makes it easy for beginners and experts to use. AbiWord is distinguished by its open-source ethos, community-driven development, and user feedback-driven innovation. Thanks to the software’s cross-platform compatibility, users may easily switch between Windows, Linux, and macOS. AbiWord is a popular open-source word processor that prioritizes functionality, user experience, and community involvement.

Methodology

Collaborative and accessible Microsoft Word alternatives also matter. Online collaboration tools like Google Docs let numerous people edit the same document in real-time. This is crucial for distant teams and collaborative workflow enthusiasts. Also important is interoperability with multiple operating systems and devices. Platform-agnostic alternative word-processing applications allow users to edit documents on several devices and operating systems, creating a more inclusive and adaptable workplace. Microsoft Word alternatives are generally chosen based on cost, collaboration, and cross-platform accessibility to meet the user or organization’s demands.