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For a free desktop word processor, start with LibreOffice Writer or ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors. For shared documents in a browser, consider Google Docs. Apple Pages suits an Apple-device workflow. If you mainly want Word without buying the desktop app, Word for the web is also an option, though it is still Microsoft Word.
Choose by where and how you write
| Option | Useful for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| LibreOffice Writer | Offline documents, styles and longer reports | Check complex Word formatting and macros after conversion |
| ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors | Offline editing in a familiar Office-style interface | Online collaboration needs a supported connected service |
| Google Docs | Simultaneous editing, comments and sharing | Cloud account/storage limits; offline access needs preparation |
| Apple Pages | Documents and layouts in an Apple workflow | Word export may change layout or unsupported features |
| SoftMaker FreeOffice | A free desktop suite with TextMaker | FreeOffice is distinct from the paid SoftMaker Office suite |
LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE for local files
LibreOffice is free and open source, with desktop tools for documents, spreadsheets and slides. Writer uses ODT by default and can open and save DOCX. That does not guarantee identical pagination, fonts or VBA behavior. Keep an editable original and inspect an exported copy.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a free suite for Windows, macOS and Linux. Editing local files does not require buying its server products. Compare it with your real documents rather than assuming either suite reproduces every Microsoft feature. Our LibreOffice versus OpenOffice comparison explains another common desktop choice.
Google Docs for collaboration
Google Docs provides browser editing and shared comments with a Google account. Consumer account storage is shared with other Google services. It can import and export Word documents, but intricate layouts still need checking.
Offline editing is supported when set up beforehand in a compatible browser; it is not something to assume will work on a newly opened computer without a connection. Follow Google’s offline setup instructions and test the document you will need.
Pages, FreeOffice and Word for the web
Apple Pages offers free basic document creation, with optional premium content and features through Apple Creator Studio. FreeOffice provides a separate free desktop suite. Check the current system requirements and feature list before downloading.
Word for the web is available with a free Microsoft account. It is useful for familiar Word collaboration, but the browser edition does not have every desktop feature.
Test compatibility before switching
- Make a copy of a representative DOCX with tables, headings and images.
- Open it, make a small change and export to the required format.
- Reopen the copy in the recipient’s application and check page breaks, comments and fonts.
- Use PDF for a final layout when the recipient does not need to edit it.
Templates can speed up repeat documents; see our OpenOffice template examples. For slide decks rather than text documents, use the Mac presentation-tool comparison.