Best 6 Free Microsoft Word Alternatives to Use

Many people use Microsoft Word because it has been the standard tool for writing, editing, and publishing documents for over 20 years.

There are lots of reasons why people choose to use Microsoft Word instead of another word processing program. Maybe they don’t want to spend time learning a new tool, or maybe they just prefer the familiar feel of Microsoft Word as it has been a popular application in the MS Office online suite of applications.

Whatever the reason, there are plenty of good options available to replace Microsoft Word when you need to write documents. Sometimes, you just need something else. There are many other options available that can help you create your unique style.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Microsoft Word, then this article will show you the top six of the best free online options available right now. They also work great as a backup solution for MS Office.

What is Microsoft Word?

Developed by Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Word is a word processor application that’s available for both Windows and Mac computers.

With Microsoft Word, you can create professional-looking documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, charts, and other types of files. It includes features like spell-checking, text formatting, tables, graphics, and drawing tools. Users can save their work in different formats, including .pdf, .docx, and others.

Microsoft Word has become the standard for creating docs. With over 100 million downloads, MS Word is a still popular choice among businesses and individuals alike.

Microsoft Word is part of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes processing applications, such as Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, Visio, Project, and more.

What is Microsoft Word Good for?

Microsoft Word works well with most software and hardware. The main benefits of using Microsoft Word include:

• Easy to learn and use.
• Quickly edit and format a document on any device, whether it’s a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer.
• Easily share your documents with others using email, social media, and cloud storage activities.
• Save your work in various file formats.
• Powerful search capabilities.
• Compatible with almost any device and all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Supports multiple languages.
• Many tutorials and support resources online.
• Easily update to the latest version from the Microsoft website and from within the application.

Microsoft Word is one of the most secure apps around. Microsoft Word office suites are great programs for creating professional-looking documents.

Main Features and Functions of Microsoft Word

Being a powerful word processing application, there are many features Microsoft Word offers.

1. Text editing and formatting tools

As a free text editor, the primary purpose of Microsoft Word allows users to type out words and sentences. You can add bold, italicize, underline, change font size, color, along with other standard text formatting options. It allows you to insert images, clip art, and hyperlinks. You can easily copy and paste content from web pages, emails, and other sources.

2. Spell checker

A spell checker ensures your document doesn’t contain spelling errors. This feature allows you to quickly correct misspelled words and automatically suggest alternatives. This is an essential feature for any writer.

3. Tables

Creating tables in Microsoft Word is easy. You can drag and drop rows and columns to organize your information. You can also add borders, shading, and background colors.

4. Drawing tools

You can draw shapes, lines, arrows, and circles in Microsoft Word. You can also add text boxes, frames, and pictures.

5. Grammar checking

This feature checks your grammar and helps you avoid common mistakes. For example, if you’re trying to write “I’m going to” but accidentally write “Im going to,” this feature will help you fix the mistake.

6. Document organization

Microsoft Word makes organizing your documents simple. You can group sections together by dragging them onto each other. You can also rearrange sections and move them up and down.

7. File formats

Microsoft Word supports many file formats. You can save your documents in .doc, .docx, .odt, .rtf, .txt, .pdf, and more.

8. Search capabilities

You can find specific words or phrases in your document using the built-in search function. You can also use advanced search functions to find specific items based on criteria such as date, location, author, and more.

9. Cloud storage

You can store your documents in the cloud so that you can access them from anywhere. You can also sync your documents across devices using an internet connection, which means you have access online to all your work.

10. Multiple languages

Microsoft Word supports multiple languages. You can type in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese, to name a few.

11. Security

Microsoft Word uses strong security measures to protect your personal information. Your files are encrypted before being sent to the server. When you open a document, only you have access to it.

12. Compatibility

Microsoft Word works well on all major platforms, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.

13. Customization

Microsoft Word gives you full control over how your documents look. You can customize fonts, colors, backgrounds, layouts, and more.

14. Sharing

The Microsoft Word web app lets you share your documents online via email, social media, and more.

15. Collaboration

Microsoft Word provides real-time collaboration options. You can create comments, track changes, and send messages to anyone who has access to your document. If you work with someone remotely, you can connect to their computer and edit your documents at the same time.

When it comes to document processing, Microsoft Word is still one of the best choices out there, no matter which version of Word you use.

Pricing and Limitations of Microsoft Word

Even though Microsoft Word is one of the leading word-processing applications, there are some limitations to consider.

1. High cost

Even Word is well-recognized, it is expensive to use. You can buy Word online for a one-cost license. You can also get an Office 365 subscription to get access to Microsoft’s online suite of products, which includes Word.

2. Removed features

The docs Microsoft Word allows you to create now are not what users have become used to. Familiar features have been removed, such as the toolbar.

3. Limited customization

Microsoft Word does allow you to customize its appearance, but it doesn’t give you complete control over how your documents appear. There are no themes or skins to change the appearance of the interface.

4. No support for PDF creation

A PDF is a great way to distribute documents, but Microsoft Word doesn’t offer any native support for creating PDFs. Instead, you’ll have to convert your Word documents to PDF manually.

5. High complexity

It takes time to learn how to use Microsoft Word effectively, therefore most users won’t use many Docs key features available to them. Even though docs customer ratings are often high from users, the lack of intuitiveness in the application makes it hard to use all the features available in Word.

The pricing opens are:

• $159.99 for one license.
• $6.99 per month for an Office 365 subscription, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneDrive.

What Are the Main Word Drawbacks?

There are several drawbacks to consider when you look for a Microsoft Word alternative.

1. No plagiarism control

You can easily copy text from other sources into your Word document without giving credit to those original authors. This means that if you’re using content from Wikipedia, you could be violating copyright laws.

2. Limited file size

While you can save a lot of space by converting your Word documents to PDF, this process can remove formatting and images from your doc. If you plan to share your document, you may lose these important elements.

3. Poor search capabilities

Searching through large Word documents isn’t easy. You can’t find specific words within a document unless you know exactly where to look.

4. Slow speed

Word is slow compared to other programs. This makes it slower to work with, especially when opening large documents.

5. Lack of security

Since Word stores data on your local machine, it’s vulnerable to hacking attempts. Hackers could steal sensitive information stored in your Word files.

Reasons Why You Need Word Alternatives

Here are a few reasons why you should use other applications instead of Microsoft Word alternatives.

1. Cheaper alternatives

There are Word alternatives that are either free or cheaper.

2. More powerful tools

Some of the best free Microsoft Word alternatives offer more advanced features than Word. They also provide better compatibility across platforms.

3. Customization

If you like customizing your Word documents, then you might consider other alternatives that give you the ability to change the look and feel of your docs.

4. Better performance

Word alternatives usually run faster than Word. Some even come pre-installed on certain devices.

5. More secure

Many Word alternatives include built-in security features that help protect your data. These features make it harder for hackers to access your sensitive info.

It’s important to note that while Microsoft Word is a powerful tool, it isn’t always the best option for every situation. There are times when you may be better off using a different type of app.

What to Look for in Word Alternatives

Choosing the right Microsoft Word alternative depends on what you need from your software. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a Word alternative.

1. Compatibility

Make sure that the Word alternative you select supports the same operating systems as Microsoft Word. Also, check whether it runs on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

2. Features

Look at the features offered by each option before making your final decision.

3. Price

You should also consider how much money you’d like to spend. Some programs may cost more than others, but they all have their advantages.

4. Learning curve

The easier it is to install the program, the less likely you’ll encounter problems during setup. If you’re looking for an easy way to get started, then look for a program that offers a simple user interface. If you’re more experienced, however, you might want to go for a program that gives you access to advanced tools.

5. Customization

Some programs allow you to customize the appearance of the document you’re creating. This means that you can change fonts, colors, and layouts without having to learn complex editing techniques.

6. Support

Make sure that the program you choose comes with support. This includes customer support and cloud support for storing your documents or files. You won’t want to invest in a program, only to find out later that it doesn’t work properly.

7. Continuing development

Ensure the program developers improve the product regularly so that it stays relevant.

8. Security

Check whether the program includes any built-in security measures to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your data.

9. User reviews

Read reviews written by real customers who’ve used the program. This will tell you if the program works well and if it meets your needs.

10. Reputation

Consider the reputation of the company behind the program. A reputable business will stand behind its products and services.

Top 6 Best Word Alternatives

The best free Microsoft Word alternatives will give you everything you need to create professional documents. To help you decide which one is right for you, here are six options.

1. FuseBase (formerly Nimbus)

More than a document processing application, with FuseBase (formerly Nimbus), you can do more than just create notes or documents. 

With FuseBase, you can:

• Create online docs, wikis, and notes.
• Rearrange any piece of information by dragging them into different positions to view your content as you wish.
• Include information in multiple formats, including text, images, videos, audio, PDF files, and other attachments. It also has a free PDF viewer, which means when you share a note with a PDF file, others can view it inline, without needing to download the document on their computer.
• Create tables to manage tasks, projects, and to create databases, with several table types available, including columns for attaching files, checking your progress, keeping track of tasks, adding links, etc.
• Easily share your work with others, and they do not need to have a FuseBase account, which means you can share pages with them with a link.

FuseBase provides features for better collaboration and productivity. It’s great for project management, document management, and client communication.

To find out more about FuseBase and to start a free trial, visit this website.

2. Google Docs

Another Microsoft Word alternative, Google Docs, is another option for creating and sharing documents online. It’s completely free and lets you collaborate with others via real-time chat and instant messaging.

Google Docs is a web-based office suite that allows you to collaborate with others while sharing documents.

With Google Docs, you can:

• Easily edit and add comments to existing documents, and even make changes to shared documents directly from within a browser.
• Share documents with anyone using email and shareable links that are private or public.
• Add charts, graphs, and maps to your documents.
• Use Google Drive to store all your files in the cloud so you can access them anywhere.
• Save your work to Google Drive and then open it later using the same browser window.
• Voice type, which means you can use your voice instead of a keyboard as the input method to add text to a document.

3. WPS Office Writer

A free word processor, WPS Office Writer, allows you to create, edit, and publish documents online.

With WPS Office Writer, you can:

• Write, format, print, and save documents online.
• Edit and proofread documents before publishing them.
• Convert between different file formats as it’s fully compatible with multiple file formats, including Microsoft Word and RTF.
• Publish documents to websites like WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, and many more.
• Attach files, such as photos, music, video, and presentations.
• Install on Windows computers, MacOS computers, Android smartphones, and iOS smartphones.

4. Apache OpenOffice Writer

An open-source word processor, Apache OpenOffice Writer, has everything you need to create, edit, read, and publish documents online and offline. As an office writer tool, it provides the features you need to create a simple memo or create books with contents, diagrams, indexes, etc.

With Apache OpenOffice Writer, you can:

• Create your own templates for your documents.
• Generate a table of contents or indexing terms, bibliographical references, illustrations, tables, and other objects.
• Use text frames and links to publish newsletters, flyers, etc.
• Display notes and comments suggestions on the side of the document. This makes notes a lot easier to read. Notes from different users are displayed in different colors with the editing date and time.
• Save your documents in OpenDocument format, the new international standard for office documents.
• Read older Microsoft Word documents, or save your work in Microsoft Word format for sending to people using Microsoft products.

5. LibreOffice

Another open source Microsoft alternative, LibreOffice, is compatible with most major platforms, and offers similar functionality and includes all the same formatting options as Word.

With LibreOffice, you can:

• Type more efficiently with AutoComplete, which can suggest commonly used words and phrases to complete what you started typing.
• Take advantage of a wider range of fonts than Microsoft Word.
• Save a document as a PDF and retain all the formatting and layout of the original document.
• Transfer all your MS Word docs without formatting issues.
• Can better track changes made to a document and see who made them.
• Add comments to specific parts of a document, which is useful when working on a project with multiple people.

6. Dropbox paper

Dropbox paper is a great alternative to Microsoft Word if you need to share content with a team. It offers versatile features for seamless document collaboration. But whether you’re working with a team, or just need a platform for yourself, Dropbox paper can come in handy!

With Dropbox paper, you can:

• Edit, annotate, and sign PDFs directly within your cloud storage.
• Synchronize docs between your desktop and cloud storage.
• Brainstorm ideas & outline projects with your team.
• Create to-dos and mention coworkers right inside the documents.
• Automatically turn your doc into an interactive presentation.
• Store your files in one safe place.
• Easily collaborate: edit, format, and comment on docs seamlessly with your team.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for free alternatives to Microsoft Word, the apps mentioned provide many of the features as Microsoft Word, including formatting tools and collaboration capabilities. They’re similar, but each has its own unique features that will appeal to different users. Now is a great time to consider a Microsoft Word alternative.

If you’re managing a lot of documents in your business, it’s beneficial to have a document management system. Find out what a document management system is and how you can create one in our latest blog post.

Creating documents for a knowledge base is an excellent way to improve customer satisfaction. In one of our blog posts, find out why you should use a self-service knowledge base for your business.

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Find out how FuseBase can help you with building up your perfect knowledge base here.

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