Microsoft Word alternatives · Writing
Self-hosted alternatives to Microsoft Word
The Microsoft Word listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 4 of the 100 other writing tools in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Microsoft Word has a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). 3 of them are free or have a free plan.
4 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from Microsoft Word
- Free plan · from $16.75/mo
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.
- Free plan · from $7.99/mo
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.
- Free plan · from $4.99/mo
LanguageTool
Grammar and style checker for more than 30 languages
- LanguageTool starts at $4.99 per month on a 2-year plan ($119.80); $69.90 billed annually. Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Only LanguageTool lists a browser extension.
- Only Microsoft Word lists an Android app.
- LanguageTool is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Free trial · from $12/mo
Pressbooks
Book publishing platform that exports EPUB, PDF and web books
- Pressbooks starts at $12 per book / month ($120 billed yearly). Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
- Microsoft Word has a free plan. Pressbooks does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Microsoft Word lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Pressbooks is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Common questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Microsoft Word?
Yes. Overleaf, Typst, LanguageTool and Pressbooks can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Can Microsoft Word be self-hosted?
The Microsoft Word listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Oct 9, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these writing tools are free?
Overleaf, Typst and LanguageTool are free or have a free plan.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Microsoft Word: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.