There are dozens of word processors available today, and that is true. Among these, the most popular and most used worldwide is Microsoft Word. Currently, over 1.2 billion people use MS Word around the globe. Still, many alternatives to Microsoft Word provide a similar product with comparable features and tools. But which are the best ones? In this article, we will suggest the best MS Word alternative software in case you are looking for a different experience than the one offered by Microsoft.

Microsoft Word is the graphical word processor included in the Microsoft Office suite. It was released for the first time in 1981. Since then, it has become the most popular word processor worldwide. Within, users can type and save documents with a series of basic and advanced features such as:

• Speech recognition;
• Spelling & Grammar checker;
• Word count;
• Typefaces alternatives;
• Insert images in documents;
• Special codes;
• Tables, graphs, webpages, etc;
• Export documents;
• Prints in different file formats, such as PDF files.

As we mentioned above, there are dozens of alternatives to Word. Some of them are free Microsoft Word alternatives, others require some form of payment. Below, you will find the best options in both ways. 

However, if you are looking for an alternative because the price of MS Office scares you away, we have also prepared a solution. At RoyalCDkeys, you can get a legitimate MS Office activation key for a fraction of the official price. 

Even though the programs mentioned below are decent substitutes, most users prefer to use software they already know, as getting acquainted with the features of a new word processor may take some time.

Google Docs is one of the best alternatives to the dominant word processor of Microsoft. It has an intuitive interface similar to what you can find in Microsoft Word. 

Creating documents and using all Google Docs’ features is very easy. You can access them in the upper part of the screen. There you can edit your text, select the format you prefer, and use many tools. All your Google documents are stored on the web, on Google Drive, so you can edit them from anywhere with an Internet connection. 

Google Docs also supports Dark Mode seeking for best conditions and comfortable usage in special environments. 

Finally to say that Google Docs is completely free. You can use it directly on the Internet from Google applications. To access it, you need to have a Google account.

Microsoft Office users will feel this word processor is one of the best Microsoft Word alternatives since it’s very similar to use. WPS Office Writer is part of the WPS Office suite (WPS is the acronym for Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheet) and a free option for the Microsoft iteration.

WPS Office Writer is a full-featured software with nothing to envy Microsoft Word since it feels Premium despite not being a paid version. 

Among all the free alternatives to Microsoft Word, WPS Office Writer is the only one that does most of the same things as Microsoft Word. Unlike the other free alternatives mentioned in this article, it contains native cloud storage and support, which lets you store files online. The company's cloud storage service WPS Cloud offers 1GB of free cloud storage to let you store files.

It also has real-time collaboration. To do this, you need to convert your WPS Office document into a WPS Office Online document with co-authoring.  So, if your idea is to have a word processor for multiple users and great collaborative editing, WPS Office writer is a great alternative for your purposes. 

You can also promote collaborative editing by sharing your document. You can create and share a link via email or scan it with a mobile device. 

Despite being a free alternative to Microsoft, WPS Writer does not have ads or banners. In this sense, it is more user-friendly. You only will see ads when printing or exporting, which will not stop you at any time from using all its tightly integrated functions.

Apache Openoffice Writer is an open-source word processor part of the OpenOffice software suite. This package includes other applications, such as a spreadsheet called “Calc” and a presentation program called “Impress.” OpenOffice Writer is a free word processor, so we can say that it’s a free version of Microsoft Word. 

This Microsoft Word alternative is very similar to this Microsoft’s iteration, either in terms of interface or functions. Still, OpenOffice has a more classic interface without the typical ribbon of Word. This mimics the menus that Microsoft tossed out in Office 2007. 

Almost all the features of Microsoft Word are included in Writer. However, OpenOffice has many features that are not included in the Microsoft iteration, such as the ability to export to PDF format natively.

Apache Writer continuously receives updates and security patches, which makes it an excellent alternative to what Microsoft Word offers. 

Though Writer has its own file format, it can also support various formats, such as Docx files, .doc, RTF, XHTML, and the OASIS Open Document Format. 1.1.When you import these types of files, you’ll notice that Writer does a great job of maintaining formatting. 

The only disadvantage of Writer against Word is that the first does not include online collaboration features or native cloud support. This way, teamworking is not a real option in Writer.

OpenOffice Writer can be used in several Operating Systems, including Linux, OS X, FreeBSD, and Solaris.

LibreOffice Writer, just like OpenOffice Writer, is a free and open-source product for Word processing. This is very similar to Word and Corel’s World Perfect, featuring all the basic features and full compatibility. LibreOffice Writer is part of the suite forked from Sun Microsystem’s OpenOffice office suite.

LibreOffice features a wide file format support. Among these, ODT (OpenDocument), plain text, Word documents, .docx file and .doc formats. LibreOffice Writer also features all the tools that any user of Word is used to utilize. Some of them are the following:

• Spelling and grammar checking;
• Built-in drawing tools;
• Built-in calculation functions;
• Generate hybrid PDF documents;
• The ability to edit PDF files;
• Export in HTML and XHTML without using WYSIWYG support;
• Export in EPUB format;
• Document sing-ing, password, and public-key;
• Change tracking while revising and comparing.

LibreOffice is a great alternative to Microsoft Word since it can be used in many operating systems, including Mac OS, Windows, and Linux distributions. But, just like the alternative above, it lacks cloud integration and real-time collaboration.

One of the strongest points of this free alternative is that LibreOffice is improved continuously by users and developers. This way, LibreOffice has a thriving community of coders and users that keep making the app better.

Zoho Writer is another free word processor part of the Zoho Office Suite, which includes apps for presentations, databases, spreadsheets, note-taking, wikis, customer relationship management (CRM), invoicing, project management, and more. 

Compared to the MS Office iteration, Zoho docs Writer has a clean interface with no embedded graphics. It also features powerful built-in capabilities. 

Zoho stands up over other word processors due to its native features that are fully compatible with the functions of other Zoho applications, such as those we mentioned above. 

Some tools, such as Document Sign, allow you to put digital signatures right in the doc. Others, such as Zia, an IA tool, will help you to create high-quality content, perform fast grammar fixes, and insight into a document's readability.

Another of the great advantages of Zoho Writer in comparison to other free word processors is that it features a real-time collaboration with several controls, such as suggestions, comments, text masking, and content blocks.

AbiWord is a free open-source word processor. Its name AbiWord comes from the Spanish word 'Abierto,' meaning 'open.' AbiWord is part of the Abisource project, together with other office-related applications. 

This lightweight word processor consumes fewer resources than other similar applications. AbiWord can also detect and correct spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. 

One aspect that differentiates AbiWord from the other alternatives to Word is that AbiWord can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation. 

Another aspect that stands out from AbiWord over other processors is that it allows users to edit a shared document in a local network simultaneously. Thanks to this, you can share, download, and edit documents without an Internet connection. 

One of the best features of Abi is a special presentation view, allowing you to display presentations created in AbiWord on screen-sized. 

AbiWord also presents basic features such as character formats, lists, and some new features, like styles, tables, footers, page headers, templates, page columns, multiple views, and spell check and grammar check.

The only disadvantage of AbiWord is that it’s not available in Microsoft Windows due to a lack of maintainers. AbiWord runs on Mac OS, Linux, ReactOS, BeOS, Solaris, MeeG0, MaeMo, QNX and AmigaOS 4.

Apple Pages is a powerful Word processor designed for the Mac Operating System that allows you to create stunning documents, making it one of the best alternatives to Word. It comes with most Apple devices and is part of the iWork suite. As such, it performs the great look of Apple iterations. 

Apple Pages allows real-time collaboration. Thanks to this, all your teamwork can create, edit and save documents at any moment and any time. Besides, Apple Pages has dozens of free templates, which are a good starting point to jump-start your designs. 

Besides, Pages allows you and your friends and collaborators to organize the blank page and the canvas easily, just grabbing and dropping the sections you want. This way, you can keep your work organized with a simple move of the texts and images. 

Page’s interface features a minimalist view with minimum icons and tools. This signature gives you the maximum space for your text and designs. Apple Pages was intended for more than text processing. 

Besides, Apple Pages provides an optimal view for documents on mobile devices, especially iPhones. Screen view makes it easy to edit your docs on your iPhone. Turn it on to see text, images, and tables optimized to fit your screen. Turn it off to see the full layout. 

Apple Pages also provides an instant translation of any selected text. This is perfect for organizations that have businesses with foreign countries or if you need a quick in-document translation.

Finally to say that Apple Pages receives regular updates for support and security. This and the other services mentioned above make Pages a great option for those who want to change Word for other processors.

As its name suggests, Dropbox Paper is a free product from the famous online storage service. And as you can imagine, to start using it, you need to have a Dropbox account. Dropbox Paper will feature rich components and elements, having full access to the online suite. 

The strongest feature of Dropbox Paper is its co-editing tool which allows your teamwork to create, coordinate, edit, and save documents in a secure and creative place. It also features cross-platform compatibility. 

Dropbox presents a minimalist interface that lets you focus on your ideas and content. You can also add rich media, such as images, video, audio, and more as well as access apps that let you embed graphics, Trello cards, Slideshares, Youtube videos, and general links.

If you're a Linux or Chromebook user, then Dropbox Paper is the best way to access Microsoft Word writing and editing features for free.

ClickUp Writer is an interactive whiteboard and word processor that allows you to create incredible ClickUp Docs, wikis, presentations, and more. ClickUp Writer also allows you to create workflows to track and execute ideas with your collaborators in your teamwork. 

This processor puts at your disposal dozens of options to create and edit your documents, such as nested pages, and style options. This application also lets you embed bookmarks, tables, and many format documents into the document.

Besides, ClickUp offers you interesting templates to organize your documents from an advanced starting point. It’s just a matter of adding images, distributing the sections on the black canvas, and starting to write your text. Very easy, isn't it? Thanks to this, you can easily write stories, letters, essays, or whatever you want!

With ClickUp is also very easy to collaborate in real-time alongside your team. Thanks to this, all your colleagues can add comments, footnotes, assing action times, change the font of the text, and chat with other members of the team.

Word Online is a different program from the standalone word processor you commonly use on your computer. To access it, you only need to enter the Microsoft website and sign in. MS Word Online has all the basic features of its desktop big brother but lacks many powerful features. 

Luckily, Word Online allows you to save your documents on your computer's hard drive as Docx formats or PDF files. You can also choose to save your files in OneDrive, but, unfortunately, you will have to pay USD$2 per month. 

Still, this is great for students who need to collaborate and do not have enough money to buy the Microsoft 365 subscription. If you haven’t installed the standalone version of MS Word, it’s a good alternative for writing and editing.

Thanks for reading this long list of the best MS Word alternatives to Microsoft Word that exist on the market today. We hope we’ve given you a glance at the options available you can access, both paid or free. 

Still, if you prefer to use Microsoft Word, here in RoyalCDKeys, you can buy Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus Key Retail Global at €11,93. The Microsoft Office Suite contains this word processor and all the other famous Microsoft apps, for example. Excel, PowerPoint, Exchange, and much more!

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