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Documents & Writing

Best Word Processing Software in 2026

Writing tools differ in how they handle long documents, review, and shared work. Compare desktop apps and platforms with offline editing and real-time collaboration; track changes and maximum document size can also shape a fit.

  1. 01 Calmly Writer

    It suits writers who want offline editing and tools such as writing targets, document tabs and multiple export formats.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    9.4 Visit Specs
  2. 02 LibreOffice Impress
    Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    9.1 Visit Specs
  3. 03 ONLYOFFICE Docs

    ONLYOFFICE Docs suits people who need document editing and collaboration across supported platforms, or teams looking to deploy editors in a web app.

    From $8/mo Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.9 Visit Specs
  4. 04 Dropbox Paper

    Paper suits teams that need shared documents with assigned to-dos and timeline views.

    From $0.99/mo Free plan Web · iOS · Android · API
    8.7 Visit Specs
  5. 05 WPS Office

    WPS Office suits people who need office tools across desktop, mobile, and web platforms, including offline access.

    From $3.50/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.7 Visit Specs
  6. 06 Collabora Online
    From $3.40/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.6 Visit Specs
  7. 07 FocusWriter
    Free plan Open source Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.6 Visit Specs
  8. 08 GitHub CodeQL
    From $30/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.6 Visit Specs
  9. 09 Apple Pages

    Pages suits people creating documents, page layouts, or shared work, including users who need Word-file import or common export formats.

    From $12.99/mo Free plan Web · macOS · iOS
    8.5 Visit Specs
  10. 10 Ability Office

    It suits Windows users who want an offline office suite with familiar file-format support.

    Free trial Windows
    8.3 Visit Specs
  11. 11 Atlantis Word Processor
    Free trial Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.3 Visit Specs
  12. 12 CryptPad Rich Text
    From $0.13/mo Free plan Web · Self-hosted
    8.3 Visit Specs
  13. 13 Google Docs

    It suits individuals and teams creating documents across web and mobile, especially those needing real-time collaboration, offline editing, or Google-service integrations.

    From $7/mo Free trial Web · iOS · Android · Browser extension
    8.2 Visit Specs
  14. 14 Mellel
    Free plan macOS · iOS
    8.1 Visit Specs
  15. 15 Fidus Writer
    Free plan Web · Linux · Self-hosted
    8.0 Visit Specs
  16. 16 GNU TeXmacs
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.9 Visit Specs
  17. 17 NJStar Chinese WP
    Free trial Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.9 Visit Specs
  18. 18 Thinkfree Office

    Thinkfree Office may suit organisations that need an online office suite with self-hosted or private-cloud deployment.

    From $75/mo Free trial Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.9 Visit Specs
  19. 19 Bean
    Free plan macOS
    7.8 Visit Specs
  20. 20 Etherpad

    Etherpad suits groups that want shared editing on infrastructure they control and need an attributable revision history.

    Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.8 Visit Specs
  21. 21 LyX

    LyX suits writers producing structured documents, from academic work to books and scripts, especially when they need mathematical formulas, references, or bibliography tools.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.8 Visit Specs
  22. 22 Nisus Writer Pro
    Free trial macOS
    7.7 Visit Specs
  23. 23 SoftMaker FreeOffice
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.7 Visit Specs
  24. 24 PolyEdit
    Free plan Windows
    7.6 Visit Specs
  25. 25 Quoll Writer
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.6 Visit Specs
How this list is ordered. Specifiction scores each tool on how fully its maker documents it, whether its prices are published, where the research puts it, the platforms it runs on and whether it can be tried for free (how we rank). Makers can also buy a numbered place (how Specifiction is paid for).

Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add a cost dimension. The entries are ordered as a ranked best-of list, beginning with ONLYOFFICE Docs, Google Docs, and Zoho Writer. Apple Pages and LyX are among the other options shown. Consider which capabilities matter in your document workflow, then weigh the listed platform, editing, and pricing details.

Compare Calmly Writer and LibreOffice Impress Get a place on this list

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