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Microsoft Word alternatives

Microsoft Word compared with 8 alternatives: LibreOffice Writer, WPS Writer, Google Docs, Mellel, ONLYOFFICE and 3 more.

Microsoft Word has a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). 7 of the 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

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

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Microsoft WordThis toolFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
LibreOffice WriterFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
WPS WriterFree plan · from $5.83/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Google DocsFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
MellelFree trial · from $69.99 one-timeTrial onlymacOS, iOS
ONLYOFFICEFree plan · from $20/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
OverleafFree plan · from $16.75/moYesWeb
TypstFree plan · from $7.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
Zoho WriterFree plan · from $2.50/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

How each one differs from Microsoft Word

  1. LibreOffice Writer

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

    • LibreOffice Writer is free. Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only LibreOffice Writer lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft Word lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Word lists iOS and Android apps.
    • LibreOffice Writer is open source, according to its own site.

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

    LibreOffice Writer vs Microsoft WordLibreOffice Writer pricing and details

  2. WPS Writer

    Word-compatible word processor in the WPS Office suite

    • WPS Writer starts at $5.83 per month, billed $69.99 per year (WPS Pro+). Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only WPS Writer lists a Linux app.
    • Microsoft Word also covers dictation.

    Suits: People who want a free word processor that opens and saves Word files

    WPS Writer vs Microsoft WordWPS Writer pricing and details

  3. Google Docs

    Browser-based word processor, free with a Google Account

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

    Suits: People and teams who draft and review documents together in a browser

    Google Docs vs Microsoft WordGoogle Docs pricing and details

  4. Mellel

    Mac word processor for long academic and technical documents

    • Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99. Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Microsoft Word has a free plan. Mellel does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Microsoft Word lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Word lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Mellel can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Academics and students writing theses, papers and books on a Mac

    Mellel vs Microsoft WordMellel 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. Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only ONLYOFFICE lists a Linux app.
    • ONLYOFFICE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • ONLYOFFICE also covers spreadsheets and presentations.
    • Microsoft Word also covers dictation, templates and grammar & style.

    Suits: Organizations that want to host their own office suite

    ONLYOFFICE vs Microsoft WordONLYOFFICE pricing and details

  6. 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. Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft Word lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Overleaf also covers citations and long-form writing.
    • Microsoft Word also covers dictation, documents and grammar & style.

    Suits: Researchers and students writing papers and theses in LaTeX

    Overleaf vs Microsoft WordOverleaf pricing and details

  7. Typst

    Markup-based typesetting system with a collaborative web app

    • Typst starts at $7.99 per month, billed monthly ($79.99 billed yearly). Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Typst lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft Word lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Typst is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Typst also covers citations, long-form writing and presentations.

    Suits: Students and researchers who want an alternative to LaTeX

    Typst vs Microsoft WordTypst pricing and details

  8. 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). Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Zoho Writer lists a Linux app.
    • Only Zoho Writer lists a browser extension.
    • Microsoft Word also covers dictation.

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

    Zoho Writer vs Microsoft WordZoho Writer pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Microsoft Word

  • The Windows and Mac apps need a Microsoft 365 subscription or a one-time Office purchase; only the web version is free.
  • Copilot requires a paid subscription, has usage limits, and on shared plans works for the subscription owner only.
  • On phones and tablets, advanced formatting and track changes need a Microsoft 365 subscription.
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic ($7.00 per user / month paid yearly, or $5.40 without Teams) includes only the web and mobile versions of Word.
Microsoft Word pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Microsoft Word?

The alternatives to Microsoft Word in this directory are LibreOffice Writer, WPS Writer, Google Docs, Mellel, ONLYOFFICE, Overleaf, Typst and Zoho Writer. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Microsoft Word.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Word?

Yes. LibreOffice Writer is free to use. WPS Writer, Google Docs, ONLYOFFICE, Overleaf, Typst and Zoho Writer have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Microsoft Word alternatives work on Linux?

The Microsoft Word listing does not include a Linux app. LibreOffice Writer, WPS Writer, ONLYOFFICE, Typst and Zoho Writer list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Word?

LibreOffice Writer, ONLYOFFICE and Typst 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.