Free Microsoft Word Alternatives for Windows

Word processing tools are designed to create and work with digital documents. This kind of software usually comes with plenty of features allowing users to manipulate text documents, including editing, formatting, and printing .doc, .docx, .odt files.

Price  
Special features  
Spell and grammar checker  
Autosaving, template support  
Mail merging, integrated drawing tool   ? Mail merging creates multiple letters with the same layout, text, graphics, or formatting
Streamlined interface  
Multilanguage support  
$9.99 per month, 1 month trial
Built-in search tool, real-time co-authoring
Free
Cloud storage, PDF converter
Open source
Autocomplete tool
Open source
Autocomplete tool
Open source
Mail merging only

Price

$9.99 per month, 1 month trial

Free

Open source

Open source

Open source

Special features

Built-in search tool, real-time co-authoring

Cloud storage, PDF converter

Autocomplete tool

Autocomplete tool

Spell and grammar checker

Autosaving, template support

Mail merging, integrated drawing tool

Mail merging only

Streamlined interface

Multilanguage support

Microsoft Office Word
Microsoft Office Word
46 (69%) 21 (31%)
Download
MS Word is the world's most used word processor. Its rich set of tools greatly simplifies digital documents creation and customization. You can get it as the part of MS Office 365 for $9.99 per month or try its 1-month trial for free.
Screenshot
Main window
Features
  • Intelligent technology to help with spelling, grammar and even stylistic writing.
  • Uses Bing as a built-in content search tool.
  • Citation adding.
  • Integrated image manipulation and graphics drawing.
  • Word mobile version.
  • Available for Windows, iOS, Android.
  • Collaboration capabilities to leave comments and keep track of other people’s revisions within a document.
  • Co-authoring tools for several people (edit or comment documents in real time).
  • Resume Assistant that helps you compose a resume by showing the examples of how real people describe their work experience and skills on LinkedIn.
Advantages
  • Searches information, images and materials using Bing.
  • Wide range of formatting and polishing features (fonts, heading styles, color change, alignment tools).
  • Can edit PDF files.
  • Real-time collaboration.
Disadvantages
  • Lacks backward compatibility and users of older MS Word versions can’t open documents in the newer version.
  • Doesn't reveal codes for characters that show the exact coding for each character within a document).
Official website:
microsoft.com
WPS Office Writer
WPS Office Writer
10 (50%) 10 (50%)
Download
The word-processing component of the WPS Office suite that offers an excellent selection of document composing tools. WPS Office Writer features the alike look and functionality of MS Word, comes with the integrated cloud storage of 1GB, and can convert PDF files into the Word format.
Screenshot
Main window
  • 1GB free cloud storage for PC and iOS.
  • Document sharing.
  • Drag-and-drop paragraph adjuster.
  • Multiple templates.
  • Section navigation to easily group the functions and edit the sections in a document.
  • PDF converter.
  • Multi-language support.
  • Available for Linux, iOS, and Android.
Advantages
  • PDF conversion.
  • 1GB free cloud storage.
Disadvantages
  • Ads.
  • No real-time collaboration.
Official website:
wps.com
LibreOffice Writer
LibreOffice Writer
14 (70%) 6 (30%)
Download
A free open-source word processor that works with any kinds of documents. LibreOffice Writer is full-featured and creates complete documents with various interactive forms and graphics. Includes the AutoComplete and AutoCorrect tools.
Screenshot
Main window
Features
  • Open-source.
  • AutoCorrect dictionary.
  • Built-in customization styles and fonts.
  • Mail merging.
  • Document templates.
  • User wizards to create documents such as letters, faxes, agendas, and minutes.
  • Drawing tools.
  • Imports and edits PDF files.
  • Available for Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Advantages
  • Frequent releases of new features and fixes.
  • Compatible with all Microsoft Office formats.
  • AutoComplete tool.
  • No ads or extra-paid functionality.
  • Straightforward and familiar-looking interface.
Disadvantages
  • Doesn't have integrated cloud storage.
  • Lacks real-time co-authoring.
Official website:
libreoffice.org
OpenOffice Writer
OpenOffice Writer
4 (57%) 3 (43%)
Download
Apache OpenOffice Writer is a complete open-source word processor for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. Allowing you to compose documents with contents, diagrams, and indexes, this freeware tool also provides a huge set of editing and formatting features to work with HTML, PDF, or MediaWiki formats.
Screenshot
Main Window
Features
  • Saves documents in the .odt Standard.
  • MS Word document support.
  • AutoCorrect and AutoComplete tools.
  • Text frames and section linking.
  • HTML, PDF, MediaWiki format support.
  • Styles and templates.
  • Multi-page display.
  • Available for Windows, Linux, Solaris, and Mac OS X.
Advantages
  • Open-source.
  • Extensive language support (Asturian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Italiano, Indonesian, etc.).
Disadvantages
  • Lacks a mobile version.
  • No cloud storage.
  • No collaboration capabilities.
Official website:
openoffice.org
AbiWord
AbiWord
7 (50%) 7 (50%)
Download
A free word processor that isn't included in any office suites. AbiWord looks much like an open-source copy of the popular Microsoft Word, can be used in any of the major operating systems, as well as features both basic and professional tools for creating digital documents.
Screenshot
Insert Table
Features
  • Mail merge.
  • Autodetection of spelling and grammar errors.
  • Supports any file formats (ABW, HTML, DOC, DOCX, ODT, RTF, TXT).
  • Automatic saving.
  • Annotation adding.
  • Toggle case feature (changes lower case letters to uppercase, and vice versa).
  • Available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
Advantages
  • Open source.
  • Autosaving tool.
Disadvantages
  • Lacks print preview.
  • Can't insert objects.
  • No autocorrect tool.
  • No support for Unicode fonts.
  • Lacks help section.

Conclusion

The result of our testing shows that Microsoft Office Word is the leader in word processing. This program features the fullest set of tools to streamline the creation and editing of digital documents, including the built-in spelling and grammar checker, various collaboration capabilities, and style templates.

What word processing tool are you using? Why? Share it with us and we'll add it to our comparison list.

Comments

B
Brenda Pruitt 2 years ago

I'm using Open Office 4.1.9 (whatever that means). My son gave me the computer and this program was already on it. I prefer Microsoft Office Word but can't afford to "rent" it at $10 per month. Have been trying to find a free version, but I'm afraid that once I download it I'll be charged either a high download fee or a monthly fee.

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+6)
A
Aqua Fyre 5 years ago

Your list is missing one very good 'free' program called 'OnlyOffice'.
The Desktop edition is available for Win, Mac & Linux.
It's my 'go to' program for writing, presentations etc.

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (-3)
G
Globe 5 years ago

I'll try Abiword, I don't need any advanced settings.

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+5)