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Best Word Processing Software in 2026

Word processing software supports everything from drafting text to editing shared documents. Compared on desktop apps and platforms, free plans, maximum document size, offline editing, paid-from pricing, real-time collaboration and track changes, these entries let you weigh writing and review needs alongside access and cost. If you often work without a connection, offline editing may be important; for group revisions, check collaboration and change-tracking details. ONLYOFFICE Docs, Calmly Writer and Collabora Online are among the options shown, alongside Zoho Writer, Dropbox Paper and Microsoft Word. Consider which document features and working arrangements matter most to you.

  1. 1

    FocusWriter

    Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindows

    Choose FocusWriter if you want a free Linux or Windows word processor with hidden controls, writing goals, and automatic return to your last position.

    8.9 Open source Visit site
  2. 2

    LibreOffice Impress

    by LibreOffice Impress
    Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    Impress offers presentation creation, templates, illustration tools, and offline editing at no listed charge. Its lack of real-time collaboration is an important limitation for teams editing together.

    8.9 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    ONLYOFFICE Docs

    Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6

    Choose ONLYOFFICE Docs if you need collaborative office editors, broad integration options, or desktop editing offline.

    8.8 Free plan · paid from $1,500 · 30-day trial Visit site
  4. 4

    Calmly Writer

    Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+2

    Calmly Writer offers writing tools and offline apps alongside a limited browser editor.

    7.6 Free plan · paid from $16.99 · 14-day trial Visit site
  5. 5

    Apple Pages

    Free plan iPhoneMacWeb

    Pages covers writing, page layout, file conversion, and collaborative review while keeping core document work free.

    7.5 Free plan · paid from $2.99/mo Visit site
  6. 6

    Atlantis Word Processor

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Atlantis combines offline document editing with writing aids, protection tools, and broad format support. Check the Lite limitations and platform requirements before choosing a license.

    7.5 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
  7. 7

    Collabora Online

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

    Collabora Online combines familiar office applications with deployment choices that keep documents within an organisation's infrastructure.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    Dropbox Paper

    by Dropbox Paper
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

    Dropbox Paper combines collaborative documents with task and timeline features at no charge. Its web-based access and mobile timeline limitation are important to consider.

    7.5 Free plan · paid from $0.99/mo (annual) Visit site
  9. 9

    GitHub CodeQL

    Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+3
    7.4 Free plan · paid from $30/mo Visit site
  10. 10

    Google Docs

    Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+1

    Google Docs combines document editing, collaboration, offline access, and compatibility with Word and PDF files.

    7.4 Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  11. 11

    Fidus Writer

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    Choose Fidus Writer for collaborative academic publishing when citations, formulas, and content reuse across web, print, or ebook formats matter.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    GNU TeXmacs

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Choose GNU TeXmacs if you need a free desktop editor for technical documents, with offline editing, multiple output formats, and extensibility through Scheme.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  13. 13

    Bean

    Free plan Mac

    Bean offers a compact set of writing and formatting tools with broad everyday file support. Its conversion losses and missing advanced document features make it better suited to simpler documents.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  14. 14

    CryptPad Rich Text

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    Choose CryptPad Rich Text for collaborative documents when browser encryption, link-based sharing, and open-source self-hosting matter.

    7.2 Free plan · paid from €5/mo Visit site
  15. 15

    Etherpad

    by Etherpad
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    Etherpad combines collaborative editing, detailed revision history, and self-hosting with broad app and API support.

    7.2 Open source Visit site
  16. 16

    LyX

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    LyX combines structured writing with TeX and LaTeX capabilities, plus support for references, equations, and a range of formats.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  17. 17

    SoftMaker Presentations

    by SoftMaker Presentations
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

    SoftMaker Presentations offers broad platform coverage, PowerPoint compatibility, and a free desktop suite option.

    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    SSuite Office

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    SSuite Office combines free Windows desktop software with account-free browser apps and a range of document tools.

    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  19. 19

    Mellel

    Free plan iPhoneMac

    Mellel's structure, style, and note tools are geared toward long-form academic and technical documents. Choose between the Mac app and iPad version with the mobile editing limitations in mind.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $69 Visit site
  20. 20

    Quoll Writer

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Choose Quoll Writer if you want a free, open-source desktop application to organize and draft a writing project offline.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  21. 21

    SoftMaker FreeOffice

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    FreeOffice brings document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools together with compatibility for common Microsoft Office file types.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  22. 22

    WPS Office

    by WPS Office
    Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+5

    WPS Office combines document and presentation capabilities with offline use, collaboration, and broad platform support.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $41.99/user/yr · 3-day trial Visit site
  23. 23

    Jarte

    Free plan Windows

    Jarte covers everyday document editing and portability at no cost, with broad legacy Windows support and accessibility behavior.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  24. 24

    Zoho Writer

    Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+5

    Zoho Writer combines document editing and review with offline desktop apps and automation tools.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  25. 25

    WriteMonkey

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Choose WriteMonkey 3 if you want a free, offline-capable desktop editor with tools for navigating and preparing longer Markdown documents.

    6.8 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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