The 5 Best Free Word Processors. Or you really just need a new, free word processor, check out the best of the best below. Classic Google design makes Docs easy to use,. Every time I try to use a word processor (Word, Office Access, etc. I am surprised with the buy option. Isn't there anything free on Microsoft 10.
Online word processors are a great alternative to the traditional word processor that you have to buy, install on your computer, and wait while it loads up and opens your document. The online word processors below are free, easy to use, and quick to get started with.
Jarte is a free and streamlined word processor that's based on Windows' built-in WordPad text editing engine, the same word processor that millions of Windows users rely on time and time again.
We've found some excellent free online word processors and compiled them into the list below. These are the best online word processors out there and no matter what feature you're looking for, you're going to find an online word processor that works the best for you out of the options below.
If you'd like a word processor that will do a little more, consider downloading some free word processor software. We also keep a list of free Microsoft Office alternatives if you're looking for more than just a word processor.
Free Word Processors Alternatives to MS Word
Many of these free online word processors will allow you to use free Word templates to create professional documents in your online word processor.
Free Simple Word Processor
Google Docs
What We Like
Cloud-based.
Accessible from multiple devices.
Google Script automation.
Converts Word documents.
What We Don't Like
Limited features compared to Microsoft Word.
Limited space.
Requires a Google account.
If you're looking for a free online word processor the most similar to a traditional word processor such as Microsoft Word then you're going to want to check out the popular Google Docs.
Google Docs allows you to create, edit, and collaborate on documents quickly and easily knowing that you'll be able to access them anywhere you want, anytime you want. There's a bunch of editing options available and you won't miss Microsoft Office one bit with Google Docs.
Though this word processor is entirely free, it doesn't at all mean that it's lacking in features; you can insert images, tables, comments, and special characters, as well as headers/footers, bookmarks, and a table of contents. You can even type with just your voice!
In addition to creating your own documents online, Google's online word processor also lets you edit documents that exist on your computer (like DOCX files) by simply uploading them to Google Docs.
Zoho Writer
What We Like
Lots of collaboration tools.
Accessible offline.
Includes version controls.
What We Don't Like
Difficult to organize files.
No spell check feature.
Less functionality than Microsoft Word.
Like Google Docs, Zoho Writer is an online word processor that's incredibly easy to use while at the same time has all the bells and whistles of a traditional word processor.
You'll be able to create and edit documents with this free online word processor with ease. Spell check is included, documents are auto-saved, you can see past revisions that were made to the document, and you can upload MS Word files as well as save Zoho Writer documents to your computer in popular formats like PDF and DOCX.
A unique feature of this online word processor is the ability to chat within Zoho Writer as you collaborate on a document.
Logging on to Zoho Writer is super simple if you already have a Google, Yahoo!, Facebook, or Twitter account.
ONLYOFFICE Personal
What We Like
Intuitive to use.
Many add-ons available.
Easy to add images and formatting.
What We Don't Like
Difficult to import documents from other products.
Limited documentation.
Some features can be buggy.
Sign in with your Google or Facebook account and get instant access to ONLYOFFICE Personal's free online word processor.
You can upload existing DOCX files from your computer as well as from websites like Google Drive, Zoho, Box, and OneDrive. Documents can then be saved back to your computer
This word processor looks very nice, has plenty of useful features, can import a variety of objects (charts, pictures, tables, shapes, etc.), and lets you co-edit and chat with others, even the public, which means they don't need to be logged in to their own account to collaborate with you. A document can be shared with read-only or full access rights.
One feature worth mentioning is the ability to restore to older versions of documents so that you can undo changes another user may have made.
Microsoft Word Online
What We Like
Edit Word documents for free.
Interface is similar to the desktop app.
Offers real time collaboration.
Integrates with Skype.
What We Don't Like
Many missing features.
No free offline option.
Lacks support for many file formats.
Word Online is Microsoft's online word processor and is a stripped down version of the popular Microsoft Word.
You can open documents you have stored in your online OneNote account or use the upload button on Word Online to upload a file directly to the website.
It auto-saves your documents and there are plenty of editing options like adding tables, headers and footers, pictures, and basically anything else you can do with a common word processor.
You can also share a document with others rather easily, and download a copy of the file to your computer in DOCX, PDF, or ODT.
Calmly Writer Online
What We Like
Simple and clean interface.
Focus mode highlights what you're working on.
Automatically saves files.
What We Don't Like
Very limited features.
No documentation available.
Calmly Writer Online is unique because it would appear to lack all the bells and whistles of a normal word processor, but it actually has a lot going on in the background. The simplicity of the program makes sure you're concentrating on what really matters: your words.
At the top of the workspace is a menu button where you can make a new document, open an existing one (from your computer or Google Drive), save the document (to TXT, HTM, or DOCX), insert pictures, toggle fullscreen, print, and change preferences.
Some of the options you can play around with let you turn the workspace into a darker mode, adjust the text width and size, and more.
Thinkfree Office Word Web
What We Like
Advanced features available.
Lightweight.
Apps for multiple devices.
What We Don't Like
Poor template choices.
Difficult to work with macros.
Not many add-ons available.
Thinkfree Office Word Web is a robust free online word processor that lets you edit existing MS Word documents, create new documents from scratch or via templates, and save your document offline in the Word or PDF format.
There are lots of regular word processor tools in this editor. You can add shapes, images, tables, text boxes, symbols, headers and footers, pages numbers, hyperlinks, etc. This online word processor also supports bookmarks, page setup preferences, and more.
A good word processor is one of the few pieces of software you simply can't live without. You might be able to manage without a spreadsheet tool or something for making slideshows, but text documents are unavoidable. Thankfully, you don't need to splash out on a full Microsoft Office subscription; there are some superb word processors available to download and use completely free.
Here we’re looking at the very best word processors that can be used offline (particularly useful for distraction-free writing), but there are also several excellent browser-based tools to consider if you'd rather do your writing online.
Google Docs is the most obvious choice, and has the advantage of saving your work automatically so you don’t have to worry if your connection fails. It’s also a good choice for collaborative working, and means you don’t have to upload work to a separate cloud storage service. However, it has a limited selection of templates, there’s no way to import content from other Google applications, and any online tool is going to be surrounded by distractions like social media.
If you'd prefer an offline word processor, read on – the perfect one is only a click away.
1. WPS Office Free
A word processor with cloud storage and support for all text files
If you’ve used a modern version of Microsoft Word, there’ll be no learning curve when you switch to Writer – the word processing component of WPS Office Free.
This free word processor looks and behaves almost exactly like its premium counterpart, and even has its own equivalent of OneDrive, offering 1GB free cloud storage.
Its selection of pre-installed templates gives you everything you need for common document types, and you can easily create your own for bespoke tasks. It’s compatible with every text file format you can think of, including current and legacy versions of Microsoft Word dating back to Office 97.
WPS Office Writer is supported by discrete ads, which can be removed by upgrading to the premium version, but they’re barely noticeable and no features are locked behind a paywall. Overall, WPS Writer is very impressive, and in our opinion it’s the best free word processor available to download today.
WPS recently launched a free PDF to Word converter as well, which is a great companion to its word processor.
2. LibreOffice or Apache OpenOffice
All-singing, all-dancing word processors for any text-based work
LibreOffice is a fork of Apache OpenOffice, and although there are some differences between the two suites (LibreOffice receives more frequent updates, for example, and has a more lively userbase), their word processing components are so similar, we’re listing them together.
Both versions of Writer are feature-packed analogs of Microsoft Word, packed with all the features you could possibly need for any text-based work.
The two versions of Writer include wizards and templates for common document types, such as invoices and letters, and it’s easy to create your own templates for future use as well. The word processors also work together with the other office software in their respective suites – so you can use Base to create a bibliography, for example.
Both word processors support all the most popular file formats, and can export documents to PDF without the need for additional software. If you’re looking for a word processor that can stand in for Microsoft Word, either of these two will be a perfect candidate.
3. FocusWriter
The ideal word processor for first drafts, with no fussy formatting
If you simply want to hammer out some words without worrying about formatting, you could just use Windows’ built-in Notepad app, but FocusWriter is full of clever tools that will help you maximize productivity without ever getting in the way.
As the name implies, FocusWriter blocks out all distractions so you can give that all-important first draft your full attention. In normal use, all you see is a blank page – toolbars are only visible if you move your mouse pointer to the edge of the screen – but there’s a killer feature in Focused Text, which fades everything into the background except the current paragraph or sentence.
Where Is My Word Processor
FocusWriter also features alerts that are triggered at certain times, or when you’ve reached a predefined word count, so you don’t need to worry about watching a counter (as you would in Microsoft Word). This also makes FocusWriter a good tool to use in tandem with the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working hard for a period of time that’s long enough for you to work productively, but not so long that you become fatigued.
It’s not suitable for editing, but for productivity, FocusWriter is hard to beat.
4. SoftMaker FreeOffice
Another great looking word processor, but watch your file formats
TextMaker – the word processing element of SoftMaker FreeOffice – is good looking, and comes with several handy templates for creating letters and other everyday documents. The selection isn’t as extensive as some of its rivals’, but you can also make new designs for future use and save them in TMV format.
All the features you’d expect from a modern word processor are present and correct, including advanced formatting options, the ability to create databases for managing bibliographies and footnotes, and a function for tracking changes to collaborative projects.
The only real drawback of TextMaker is its inability to save your work in DOCX format (though you can open and edit these files with no difficulty). This feature is limited to the premium version of SoftMaker Office, which retails for £48.20 (about US$60, AU$75).
5. Writemonkey
Productivity-focused word processing with quick shortcuts
WriteMonkey is another no-frills word processor designed to help you maximize your output without fussing with editing and formatting. It’s not intended for documents like letters or CVs, but is great for committing early ideas to paper (or screen) so you have the raw material to develop later.
Unlike FocusWriter, which is compatible with all the most common text formats (including Microsoft’s DOC and DOCX), WriteMonkey only works with TXT files, so you’ll have to convert any works in progress before opening them. WriteMonkey’s hidden controls are tricker to navigate, too – everything is accessed via a large right-click menu, or a vast collection of keyboard shortcuts.
That said, if you’re happy to commit those shortcuts to memory, you’ll find WriteMonkey faster to use than toolbar-based alternatives.
We also like the ability to look words up in Wikipedia, Google Images, Poetry.com, Answers.com, and many others without opening a browser winder manually and leaving yourself open to the temptations of Twitter and Facebook.
WriteMonkey is a portable app, so there’s no need to install it – just extract all the downloaded files to a removable drive or cloud storage service and fire it up by running the file WriteMonkey.exe.