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Alternatives · Docs & Wikis

Google Docs alternatives

Google Docs compared with 12 alternatives: Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer, Dropbox Paper, Proton Docs, ONLYOFFICE and 7 more.

Google Docs has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). All 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Google DocsThis toolFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Microsoft WordFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Zoho WriterFree plan · from $2.50/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Dropbox PaperFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Proton DocsFree plan · from $3.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
ONLYOFFICEFree plan · from $20/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Bit.aiFree plan · from $8/moYesWeb
Collabora OnlineFree plan · from $3.40/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
EtherpadFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
Microsoft LoopFree plan · from $5.40/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
LexFree plan · from $14.99/moYesWeb
LibreOffice WriterFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
OverleafFree plan · from $16.75/moYesWeb

How each one differs from Google Docs

  1. Microsoft Word

    Word processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser

    • Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Microsoft Word lists Windows and macOS apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Microsoft Word also covers dictation and grammar & style.

    Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor on Windows or Mac

    Microsoft Word vs Google DocsMicrosoft Word pricing and details

  2. Zoho Writer

    Free online word processor with AI and document automation

    • Zoho Writer starts at $2.50 per user / month, billed annually (Zoho WorkDrive Starter). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Zoho Writer lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Zoho Writer also covers grammar & style.

    Suits: Individuals who want a free word processor on every device

    Zoho Writer vs Google DocsZoho Writer pricing and details

  3. Dropbox Paper

    Free collaborative documents that live in a Dropbox account

    • Dropbox Paper starts at $9.99 per month, billed yearly (Dropbox Plus). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Dropbox Paper also covers tasks.

    Suits: Teams that already keep their files in Dropbox

    Dropbox Paper vs Google DocsDropbox Paper pricing and details

  4. Proton Docs

    End-to-end encrypted collaborative documents inside Proton Drive

    • Proton Docs starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Proton Docs is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Google Docs also covers templates.

    Suits: People who want documents the provider itself cannot read

    Proton Docs vs Google DocsProton Docs pricing and details

  5. ONLYOFFICE

    Open-source office suite for documents, sheets, slides and PDFs

    • ONLYOFFICE starts at $20 per admin / month for the DocSpace Business cloud plan. Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only ONLYOFFICE lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • ONLYOFFICE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • ONLYOFFICE also covers spreadsheets and presentations.

    Suits: Organizations that want to host their own office suite

    ONLYOFFICE vs Google DocsONLYOFFICE pricing and details

  6. Bit.ai

    Collaborative documents and wikis with embeds and link tracking

    • Bit.ai starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually ($12 billed monthly). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Google Docs lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Bit.ai also covers wiki.

    Suits: Teams writing documents that mix text with embedded files, designs and spreadsheets

    Bit.ai vs Google DocsBit.ai pricing and details

  7. Collabora Online

    Self-hosted, open-source office suite based on LibreOffice

    • Collabora Online starts at $3.40 per user / month on a yearly subscription (up to 99 users). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Collabora Online lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Collabora Online is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Collabora Online also covers spreadsheets and presentations.

    Suits: Organizations that must keep documents on their own servers

    Collabora Online vs Google DocsCollabora Online pricing and details

  8. Etherpad

    Open-source real-time collaborative editor you host yourself

    • Etherpad is free. Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Etherpad lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Etherpad is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.

    Suits: Institutions that must keep drafts on their own servers

    Etherpad vs Google DocsEtherpad pricing and details

  9. Microsoft Loop

    Shared workspaces and pages with components that sync across apps

    • Microsoft Loop starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.

    Suits: Teams that already work in Microsoft 365, Teams and Outlook

    Microsoft Loop vs Google DocsMicrosoft Loop pricing and details

  10. Lex

    Collaborative word processor with built-in AI editing

    • Lex starts at $14.99 per month, billed yearly ($179.88). Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Google Docs lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Lex also covers chat assistant and grammar & style.
    • Google Docs also covers templates.

    Suits: Writers who want AI feedback on a draft instead of generated text

    Lex vs Google DocsLex pricing and details

  11. LibreOffice Writer

    Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux

    • LibreOffice Writer is free. Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only LibreOffice Writer lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a web app.
    • Only Google Docs lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.

    Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor at no cost

    LibreOffice Writer vs Google DocsLibreOffice Writer pricing and details

  12. Overleaf

    Collaborative online LaTeX editor for papers and theses

    • Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25. Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
    • Only Google Docs lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Overleaf also covers citations and long-form writing.

    Suits: Researchers and students writing papers and theses in LaTeX

    Overleaf vs Google DocsOverleaf pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Google Docs

  • There is no standalone paid Docs plan; the business version comes only as part of Google Workspace, with Gmail, Drive and Meet.
  • Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not in Business Starter; both start at Business Standard, $14 per user / month on a 1-year commitment.
  • Offline editing on a computer works only in Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension installed.
  • Google lists Docs for web browsers, Android, iPhone and iPad; no Windows or Mac desktop app is listed.
Google Docs pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Google Docs?

The alternatives to Google Docs in this directory are Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer, Dropbox Paper, Proton Docs, ONLYOFFICE, Bit.ai, Collabora Online, Etherpad, Microsoft Loop, Lex, LibreOffice Writer and Overleaf. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Google Docs.

Is there a free alternative to Google Docs?

Yes. Etherpad and LibreOffice Writer are free to use. Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer, Dropbox Paper, Proton Docs, ONLYOFFICE, Bit.ai, Collabora Online, Microsoft Loop, Lex and Overleaf have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Google Docs alternatives work on Windows?

The Google Docs listing does not include a Windows app. Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer, ONLYOFFICE, Collabora Online, Etherpad and LibreOffice Writer list one.

Which Google Docs alternatives work on macOS?

The Google Docs listing does not include a macOS app. Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer, ONLYOFFICE, Collabora Online, Etherpad and LibreOffice Writer list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Google Docs?

ONLYOFFICE, Collabora Online, Etherpad and LibreOffice Writer are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.