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Microsoft Word alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Microsoft Word: full desktop features need a Microsoft 365 subscription, and layout with images and tables can still shift unexpectedly. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Microsoft Word, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Docs currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1LibreOffice logoLibreOfficeOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 462.6
2Apple Pages logoApple PagesFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS, Web4 of 459.6
3ONLYOFFICE logoONLYOFFICEOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 557.2
4Zoho Writer logoZoho WriterFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 455.3
5Scrivener logoScrivenerPaidNomacOS, Windows, iOS3 of 353.6
6iA Writer logoiA WriterPaidNomacOS, Windows, iOS4 of 452.3
  1. LibreOffice logo

    1. LibreOfficeTop pick

    Best for: People and organisations who want a full free office suite on their own computers

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Word

    LibreOffice Writer is a free desktop word processor that opens and saves .docx.

    Pros

    • Completely free with six apps, including a database and drawing tool
    • Runs offline on Windows, macOS and Linux with no account
    • Uses the open ODF standard while still reading and writing Office files

    Cons

    • Interface feels older than Microsoft 365 or Google Docs
    • Complex Office files can show layout differences
    • No built-in real-time co-editing
    Visit LibreOffice Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is LibreOffice a good Microsoft Word alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MPL 2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026libreoffice.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Latest version
    26.8.1
    Checked Oct 25, 2026libreoffice.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Apps included
    6 (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026libreoffice.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026libreoffice.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Apple Pages logo

    2. Apple Pages

    Best for: Apple users who want good-looking documents and layouts without paying for Word

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS, Web

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Word

    Free on Apple devices with cleaner page-layout tools and Word export.

    Pros

    • Free and preinstalled on Apple devices
    • Attractive templates and easy page layout for flyers and books
    • Exports to Word, PDF and EPUB

    Cons

    • No native Windows or Android app
    • Complex Word files with tracked changes may not convert cleanly
    • Newer premium templates and AI tools need a subscription
    Visit Apple Pages Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Apple Pages a good Microsoft Word alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Included with new Apple devices
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium features
    Apple Creator Studio subscription
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac, iPad, iPhone, Vision Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web version
    Pages for iCloud
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. ONLYOFFICE logo

    3. ONLYOFFICE

    Best for: Teams wanting self-hosted, Office-compatible editing inside Nextcloud or similar

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Word

    Open-source editor whose interface and .docx handling stay very close to Word.

    Pros

    • Very close .docx/.xlsx/.pptx compatibility
    • Free desktop editors on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Self-hostable server that integrates with Nextcloud, ownCloud and others

    Cons

    • Free community server has limits on simultaneous connections
    • Many editions and product names make choosing confusing
    • Advanced features sit in paid Enterprise editions
    Visit ONLYOFFICE Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is ONLYOFFICE a good Microsoft Word alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPLv3 (core of Docs)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    DocSpace Startup, up to 3 admins
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business price
    $20 per admin/month (DocSpace)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile, SharePoint
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Zoho Writer logo

    4. Zoho Writer

    Best for: Small businesses on Zoho that want docs, mail merge and e-sign in one place

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Word

    Free online word processor with offline desktop apps and document automation.

    Pros

    • Free for individuals with real-time collaboration
    • Desktop apps with full offline mode on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Built-in document automation, forms and e-signatures

    Cons

    • Fewer add-ons and templates than Google Docs or Word
    • Business features tie you into Zoho's suite
    • Automation features are metered by credits
    Visit Zoho Writer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zoho Writer a good Microsoft Word alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, for individuals
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Desktop apps for Windows, Mac, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI assistant
    Zia, included free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Automation credits
    200 free per month per org
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Scrivener logo

    5. Scrivener

    Best for: Novelists, screenwriters and academics working on book-length projects

    PaidmacOS, Windows, iOS

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Word

    Built for long manuscripts, with structure and research tools Word lacks.

    Pros

    • Binder, corkboard and outliner make restructuring long drafts easy
    • Research files live inside the project
    • One-time purchase rather than a subscription

    Cons

    • Compile and settings have a steep learning curve
    • No real-time collaboration
    • Mobile sync relies on Dropbox
    Visit Scrivener Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Scrivener a good Microsoft Word alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free trial
    30 days of use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026literatureandlatte.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Export formats
    Word, PDF, Final Draft, plain text
    Checked Oct 25, 2026literatureandlatte.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Import formats
    Word, OpenOffice, Final Draft, PDF and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026literatureandlatte.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. iA Writer logo

    6. iA Writer

    Best for: Writers who want a distraction-free Markdown editor and plain-text files

    PaidmacOS, Windows, iOS

    52.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Word

    Distraction-free Markdown writing for people who mostly need plain text.

    Pros

    • Focus Mode and style checks keep writing tight
    • Plain-text Markdown files with no lock-in
    • One-time purchase per platform

    Cons

    • No page layout, complex tables or tracked changes
    • Separate purchase for each platform
    • No real-time collaboration
    Visit iA Writer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.353
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is iA Writer a good Microsoft Word alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    7 days, no card
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Mac price
    $49.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows price
    $29.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirements
    macOS 10.15+, Windows 10+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best Microsoft Word alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Docs logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for most people

Google Docs

Free, browser-based and simpler, with the smoothest real-time collaboration.

LibreOffice logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for a free option

LibreOffice

LibreOffice Writer is a free desktop word processor that opens and saves .docx.

Apple Pages logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Apple Pages

Free on Apple devices with cleaner page-layout tools and Word export.

ONLYOFFICE logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for open source

ONLYOFFICE

Open-source editor whose interface and .docx handling stay very close to Word.

ONLYOFFICE logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for self-hosting

ONLYOFFICE

Open-source editor whose interface and .docx handling stay very close to Word.

Zoho Writer logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for Mac

Zoho Writer

Free online word processor with offline desktop apps and document automation.

Scrivener logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for Windows

Scrivener

Built for long manuscripts, with structure and research tools Word lacks.

LibreOffice logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for Linux

LibreOffice

LibreOffice Writer is a free desktop word processor that opens and saves .docx.

Google Docs logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Docs

Free, browser-based and simpler, with the smoothest real-time collaboration.

Google Docs logo

Best Microsoft Word alternative for working in the browser

Google Docs

Free, browser-based and simpler, with the smoothest real-time collaboration.

Microsoft Word alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft Word?

Google Docs ranks first right now. Free, browser-based and simpler, with the smoothest real-time collaboration. LibreOffice and Apple Pages follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Word?

Yes. Google Docs (free), LibreOffice (open source), Apple Pages (free plan + paid) and ONLYOFFICE (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Word?

Yes: LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE. ONLYOFFICE can also be self-hosted.

Which Microsoft Word alternatives work on Linux?

LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE and Zoho Writer run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Microsoft Word?

The complaints we hear most: full desktop features need a Microsoft 365 subscription; layout with images and tables can still shift unexpectedly; the ribbon is crowded for simple writing.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Microsoft Word, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.