Compared · checked 2026-10-24

The best free word processors, compared

You can write and format documents for free in several good tools. They differ in whether you need an account, where your documents are kept, how well they handle Word files and whether you can work together or offline.

We make Documents, one of the tools on this page. Every fact about the other tools comes from their own pages, linked under each one, as they read on 2026-10-24. Prices and features change: check each site before you choose.

How we compared them

• Free to use for writing and formatting, without a paid plan
• Opening and saving Word (DOCX) files, and PDF export
• Whether you need an account, and where your documents are kept
• Working together: co-editing, comments, tracked changes and versions
• Working offline

At a glance

1. Documents (ours)

Best for: A quick private document with real pages, no account and nothing uploaded

A word processor in the browser with real pages: styles, lists, headers and footers, tables from Word files, and DOCX, PDF and Markdown out. Early version.

Good

• No account and nothing uploaded: documents are kept in Files in your browser
• Real pages with margins, headers, footers and page numbers
• Downloads Word (DOCX), PDF with selectable text and bookmarks, Markdown and text
• Opens DOCX, Markdown and text, and has random and saved templates
• The AI button can write a whole document from your outline, with headings, lists and tables, using a model on your device or your own key
• Works on your phone, tablet and computer in the browser, even offline

Not so good

• No co-editing, comments or tracked changes
• Pictures can be added only by asking the AI button and are not saved in DOCX; DOCX images, footnotes and comments are not imported
• Does not open ODT files
• Files open through Files, not straight from a folder on your computer

Open Documents

2. Google Docs

Best for: Writing together in real time, with comments and version history

Good

• Co-editing: several people work in the same document at once
• Comments, revision history and templates
• Edit Word documents directly, without making a copy
• Offline editing in Chrome or Edge with the Docs Offline extension

Not so good

• Needs a Google Account, and documents live in your Google storage
• Some features are only on Google Workspace plans
• Offline use has to be turned on first, in Chrome or Edge only

Google Docs website · Sources: Google Docs, Google: use Docs, Sheets and Slides offline, Google: manage your storage, Google: create, view or download a file

3. LibreOffice Writer

Best for: A full desktop word processor that is free and open source

Good

• Free and open source, with no paid tier for features
• Loads and saves DOCX and uses OpenDocument (ODT) as its own format
• Records changes (tracked changes) and exports PDF
• Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux

Not so good

• A program to download and install, not a website
• Its help says complex Word documents may need some manual reformatting
• No real-time co-editing is described on its pages

LibreOffice Writer website · Sources: LibreOffice home, LibreOffice FAQ, LibreOffice system requirements, LibreOffice Technology (file formats), LibreOffice Help: Microsoft Office documents, LibreOffice Help: export as PDF, LibreOffice Help: recording changes

4. Microsoft Word for the web

Best for: Word documents in Word's own format, shared through OneDrive

Good

• Opens and edits .docx natively
• Real-time co-authoring, comments and Track Changes in the browser
• Saves a PDF through Print ▸ Save as PDF
• 5 GB of free OneDrive storage

Not so good

• Needs a Microsoft account; files must be saved in and shared from OneDrive
• ODT works only for documents in a SharePoint library, not OneDrive
• Microsoft lists features that need the desktop app

Microsoft Word for the web website · Sources: Microsoft 365 for the web, free, Microsoft: subscription vs free web apps, Microsoft 365 plans and prices, Microsoft: save or convert to PDF, Word in the browser vs desktop, Track changes in Word

5. Zoho Writer

Best for: Reviews and business documents, with a free AI writing assistant

Good

• Free, with "unrestricted access to all its features" after sign-up, as its pricing FAQ says
• Track changes, comments with @mentions, versions and real-time editing
• Imports and exports DOCX, DOC, ODT, PDF, TXT and HTML
• Desktop apps with offline mode

Not so good

• Needs a Zoho account
• Document automation (merge, fillable forms) is paid after the free credits
• DOCX imports are capped at 50 MB, other formats at 10 MB

Zoho Writer website · Sources: Zoho Writer, Zoho Writer pricing and FAQ

Which one to choose

Documents is our pick for a private document: no account and nothing uploaded, real pages with headers, footers and page numbers, and DOCX, PDF and Markdown out. It installs from the browser on a phone, tablet or computer and works offline. It is an early version: there is no co-editing, comments or tracked changes, and pictures go in only through the AI button.

Choose Google Docs or Word for the web if you write with other people: both have co-editing, comments and history, in exchange for an account and cloud storage. Word for the web suits documents that must stay .docx; Google Docs has the smoothest collaboration.

Choose LibreOffice Writer for a full desktop word processor, if you can install a program, or Zoho Writer for reviews and an AI assistant in a free web editor.

Questions

Which free word processor needs no account?

Documents works without an account: open the page and start typing. Google Docs, Word for the web and Zoho Writer need an account; LibreOffice is a program you install.

Can a free word processor open and save Word files?

All five on this page open and save DOCX. Word for the web uses it as its own format, Google Docs can edit Word files directly, and Documents reads and writes DOCX in your browser.

Which one works offline?

Documents works offline after the first visit, and you can install it from the browser to open it in its own window. LibreOffice is a desktop app. Google Docs works offline in Chrome or Edge after you turn it on. Zoho Writer has desktop apps with offline mode.

Where are my documents stored?

Google Docs keeps them in Google Drive and Word for the web in OneDrive. Documents keeps them in Files, which is storage inside your own browser, so they are not uploaded.

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