8 Alternatives to Microsoft Word You Should Try
Although Microsoft Word enjoys a large user base, it is not the only word processor available. Considering all the options out there, picking the one that best fits your requirements can feel like a Herculean task.
There is a wide range of solutions to match your writing and formatting needs, from free, open-source software to sophisticated premium tools. This article reviews eight excellent word processors that are viable substitutes for Microsoft Word.
Whether you’re in the market for a simple, low-cost option or a sophisticated, high-end one, we’ve got you covered. All right, let’s dive in and find the ideal option for your upcoming paper.
1. Jarte
Jarte is a free word processor based on the Microsoft WordPad engine. It is suitable for anyone who needs a compact, fast-loading word processor that starts up quickly and gets out of your way.
Some of Jarte’s features include: a tabbed document interface, spell checker, thesaurus, text statistics tools, page break preview, image resizing tools, table creation wizard, and link verification. Jarte also supports opening and saving Microsoft Word documents (DOC and DOCX files).
2. AbleWord
AbleWord is a similar-looking software to Microsoft Word. At the top, you’ll find a standard menu with tools like File, Edit, and View, quick button actions for undo, redo, and spell check immediately below, and the font formatting bar right below that.
Features:
- Save documents as DOC, DOCX, PDF, HTML, or TXT.
- Insert images, text frames, tables, and page numbers.
- Format fonts, paragraphs, styles, columns, bullets, and numbering.
- Use tables by inserting, selecting, or deleting along with merging and splitting cells.
- And more: PDF file importing, print or draft layout views, word count, zoom in or out, and page layout options.
AbleWord is available for download at no charge with full functionality. And if you need assistance getting started, simply click the Help icon from the toolbar or visit AbleWord Online Help.
3. WordGraph
WordGraph is a comprehensive word-processing tool that offers all the features you need in a modern text editor. Whether it’s creating professional business reports or college assignments, WordGraph has got you covered. The software comes loaded with advanced formatting tools, spell checkers, and easy-to-use templates that make document creation seamless and effortless.
What sets WordGraph apart from MS Word is its user-friendly interface and powerful performance. Unlike MS Word, which can be overwhelming for new users with its complex settings and menus, WordGraph provides a simple yet intuitive interface that makes editing documents quicker and easier.
4. FocusWriter
Many alternatives to Microsoft Word provide a more focused writing environment. One such alternative is FocusWriter. FocusWriter is a free, open-source programme that allows you to set up a virtual writing space complete with margins, headers, and footers. It also provides a distraction-free interface with a minimalistic design. This can be helpful if you find yourself getting easily sidetracked when working on long documents in Word.
5. Google Docs
Google Docs is a powerful and versatile alternative to Microsoft Word. It’s a free cloud-based word processor that offers many of the same features as Word, as well as some unique advantages.
One of the biggest advantages of Google Docs is its collaborative features. With Google Docs, multiple users can edit the same document simultaneously, making it ideal for group projects, team meetings, and remote collaboration. Changes made by each user are instantly visible to everyone, and there’s no need to worry about version control or conflicting edits. In addition, Google Docs automatically saves your work as you go, so you never have to worry about losing your progress.
Another advantage of Google Docs is its accessibility. Because it’s cloud-based, you can access your documents from anywhere with an internet connection, and you can work on them using any device, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. This makes it ideal for people who are on the go or who work from multiple locations.
Google Docs also offers a range of formatting and customization options, including different font styles, paragraph formatting, and header and footer options. In addition, it has a variety of templates for different document types, such as resumes, cover letters, and project proposals.
Overall, Google Docs is an excellent alternative to Microsoft Word that offers powerful collaboration features, accessibility, and customization options. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or anyone in between, Google Docs can help you create and collaborate on documents with ease.
6. Apache OpenOffice
OpenOffice is a word processor that is completely compatible with Microsoft’s program. It’s free and works on all sorts of operating systems. OpenOffice supports all sorts of features that you may have come to expect from a word processor, such as table editing, headers, footers and page numbering. The program also allows you to format files and save them in a number of different formats. As with most programs, however, you won’t find a rich set of features that makes it stand out from the other options. Still, it’s an effective and free alternative that may help you get your documents ready faster than you could with MS Word.
7. LyX
LyX is a powerful document processor that stands as a viable alternative to Microsoft Word. But how does it work, and what makes it unique?
First and foremost, LyX uses LaTeX as its back end. This means that document creation in LyX is not done by manually inputting formatting codes but rather by structuring the content with sections, headings, lists, tables, and other useful features.
This approach allows for an easy separation between content and formatting. You write your text in LyX just like you would in any other word processor, but when you want to add something like a table or a reference, all you have to do is select it from the extensive list of available LaTeX commands.
Using LaTeX also means that documents created in LyX are highly customizable. Users can easily change the look and feel of their documents by applying different templates or creating custom ones.
One of the main advantages of using LyX over other word processors is its ability to handle large technical documents with ease. The software includes advanced tools such as syntax highlighting for code snippets, automatic numbering for equations and figures, and specialized support for bibliographies with BibTeX integration.
Additionally, LyX offers several export options including PDF files, HTML pages, and RTF files which can be opened in many other programs including Microsoft Word itself.
Download: LyX
8. Hancom Office
Hancom Office is a great alternative to Microsoft Word, offering a suite of software programs that include word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. It is compatible with various file formats such as.docx ,.xlsx and .pptx, allowing users to work on files created in Microsoft Office using Hancom or vice versa.
Hancom Writer, the word processing application, features a modern user interface and features spell check, grammar check, thesaurus and formatting tools for text, images and tables. It also has an auto text replacement function that allows users to create custom shortcuts for frequently used phrases or words. Additionally, it supports multiple language translations, allowing users to write a document in their native language and then quickly translate it to a selected language at any point in time. Overall, Hancom Office is a great alternative to Microsoft Word that is fully featured and compatible with multiple file formats.