Microsoft Word 5 Best Alternatives

1. Google Docs

This word processor supports all kinds of platforms viz the web, iOS, Android, Mac & Windows operating systems. Thus, it can be utilized on a phone, tablet, or computer.
This feature-packed software is accessible from anywhere with the help of an internet connection; thereby, providing support to anyone and everyone who wants it.
In addition to its online support, this mufti-faceted word processor also enables offline writing using Chrome Extension.
Additionally, it provides the flexibility to return to older file versions and to convert Google Doc files to Word files, and vice versa.
This free word processor can help make changes in a document in real-time and share them instantly.
The auto-save feature rids you of the everlasting worry of having to save whatever you’re writing manually, every time you do so.
It can also export files in PDF format.
It assists in signing documents, creating charts, taking care of maps, and a lot more, using its add-ons.
Its word processor comes with a free voice-to-text feature.

FocusWriter is a free, multilingual word processor supporting more than 20 languages.
It supports Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems.
Holding true to its name, it enables you to focus on your writing completely, throwing all distractions to the wind.
It allows for basic formattings like bold, strikethrough, text alignment, etc., and advanced tools like spelling check & correction, etc.
Using this software, you can open and save documents in different formats, such as DOCX, ODF, RTF, and TXT.
This processor sets your daily goals so that you do not need to worry about keeping a track of word count.
It also helps you track and set time limits by fixing the number of minutes/hours you want to devote to your work each day.
It automatically triggers an alert by sounding an alarm on reaching the pre-defined word count or time limit.
This word processor even provides live data of the number of corrections and edits you make in your document.
It also offers line spacing options in a document.
It opens multiple documents with custom themes for better clarity and productivity.

WPS Office was developed by Kingsoft, a software company based in Beijing, China. It is lightweight software of approximately 300 MB.
It is available for free on the web and is considered to be the easiest to use a word processor.
It offers 1 GB of cloud storage space for your documents.
It supports Word, Mac, Linux, and iOS operating systems giving flexibility of use on Mobile phones too.
WPS Office offers all three office programs, namely, Word, Spreadsheet, and Presentation.
A self-styled interface, almost identical to Word, enables better document management.
It supports all text files, including Microsoft legacy and current versions, dating back to Office 97.
This also enables the alignment of text and objects, the addition of header, footer and watermarks, use of heading styles, and much more.
You can insert common objects like breaks, tables, shapes, pictures, WordArt, and text boxes in any document.
You can use advanced object formatting and modify the 3D effects, depth, direction, and lighting of an object.
It provides an auto spell-check feature as well.
WPS Office can track any kind of change in a document making it easier to review edits or disable editing, altogether.

This is a feature-packed, lightweight, free-to-use word processor for both, home and business use.
It supports Linux, Mac 10.10, and Windows 10, 8, and 7 operating systems for PCs and Android for mobile phones.
It can save your work in TMDX and TMD formats, specific to this program.
It can save any new designs created for future use, in its TMV format.
Furthermore, it can save your work in common file formats because it highly supports MS Office file formats like DOCX, HTML, TXT, and EPUB format, with strong compatibility with Office XML.
Using this word processor, you can create documents and letters with the help of several available templates.
Using multiple language dictionaries allows for more efficient auto spell checks.
It can view as well as read documents beforehand i.e. before opening them.
With this word processor, you can track changes made to any document on which multiple users are collaborating.
This software can open password-protected files, even from MS Word along with TXT, WRI, WPD, SXW, PWD, etc.
This program enables you to print the work you have carried out thus far.

OpenOffice Writer is one of best alternatives to Microsoft Word.

Apache OpenOffice Writer is a pretty efficient & professional online word processor.
It works with a lot of popular basic and advanced file format options, templates, and extensions.
It also has a portable usage option i.e. With the help of a flash drive which, you can use the program, even while traveling.
A side menu panel enables custom fonts, text size, and styles, arrows, bullets, line spacing, bookmarks, an in-built image gallery, keyboard shortcuts, macros, etc.
Using this word processor, you can write your diary, letters, faxes, and programs using its in-built Wizards tool.
You can also use its spreadsheet, presentation, and database programs, which can however be disabled using custom set-up.
It enables a preview option to help finalize the look and formatting of your documents.
It offers automatic spell check in real-time while you’re typing.
This software provides auto-save, auto-completion, word counter and offline support.
It provides dependable storage space for your personalized vocabulary of words, for future use.
It not only allows you to download and edit your work in TXT, PDF, HTML, DOCX files but to even share it with others using WordPress and Tumblr.

Tags: Microsoft Word