Best Windows Apps for Word Processing 2022 - Alternative to Microsoft Word

A word processor is a computer program that provides for input, editing, formatting, and output of the text. It includes some additional features such as creating, editing, saving, and printing documents. Microsoft Word is widely-used Windows software for word processing. Besides it, there are also many other word processing tools available. We have listed out some best windows apps for Word processing that are alternative to Microsoft Word.

Apache OpenOffice Writer

Apache's OpenOffice Writer has a classic interface that, while it can look a bit cluttered, mimics the menus that Microsoft tossed out when Office 2007 was released. It will definitely feel familiar to Office 2003 users, with the added perk of still receiving updates and security patches, which is important for a business software suite.

This word processor has its own document format, but it also supports .doc and .docx files, and it does a great job of maintaining formatting when importing those types of files. Many of the advanced features of Microsoft Word are included in OpenOffice Writer as well, so editing complex Word documents won't be an issue. 

If online collaboration or native cloud support is a selling point, then you may want to pass on OpenOffice Writer because it includes neither. It is possible to store files in a cloud drive and access them using OpenOffice, but you'll need to have the desktop client of Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Apple iCloud installed so you can open your cloud storage like a local computer folder.

LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice is a fork of Apache OpenOffice, and the two offer very similar word processing apps, but LibreOffice receives more frequent updates and has a more lively userbase, so we're inclined to lean in its favor. This Windows word processor, Writer, is a feature-packed analog of Microsoft Word, packed with all the tools you could need for any text-based work. 

The two versions of Writer include wizards and templates for common document types, such as invoices and letters, and it’s easy to create your own templates for future use as well. The word processors also work together with the other office software in their respective suites – so you can use Base to create a bibliography, for example.

Both word processors support all the most popular file formats, and can export documents to PDF without the need for additional software. If you’re looking for a word processor that can stand in for Microsoft Word, either of these two will be a perfect candidate.

Writer

Writer is a word processor that enables you to create documents for free. This tool offers readability, contextual grammar, and style suggestions. It allows you to integrate with Blogger pages or WordPress. And this Windows word processing software is developed with many great features.

Major features of this word processor:

• Allows you to collaborate with team in real time;
• It helps you to review and document approval easily;
• You can save the document as PDF and MS Word;
• This tool helps you to manage your workflow;
• Enables you to merge documents together

SSuite WordGraph Editor

SSuite WordGraph Editor is a complete and powerful software solution for creating, editing, and viewing various types of documents. A number of available features give you a fine degree of control over the formatting of text, pages, sections of documents, and also entire documents. You may also save your documents in a variety of industry-standard formats and even export them to pdf, jpg, bmp, png, gif, and our presentation format ssp. You can create PDFs without any additional software.

Most importantly, this Windows Word processing softawre is a free word processor that is part of a larger (but still free) office productivity suite. WordGraph isn't a Word clone, and it's not fully compatible with the latest Word release, but it's compatible with earlier Word versions and many other formats, and it also integrates with Accel Spreadsheet and other SSuite office tools. WordGraph includes extras like an envelope printer and online dictionaries.

Major features of this word processor:

Uses less resources: WordGraph doesn't need additional software, like Java or .NET, keeping its footprint light compared to similar freeware word processors.

PDFs: The ability to create and edit PDFs without Adobe Acrobat or similar programs is an advantage for WordGraph.

Presentations: You can create presentations in WordGraph that display in Web browsers.

Dropbox Paper

This is the best writing and editing word documents for free. Dropbox Paper allows you to create and edit documents stored in Dropbox. You will need to create an account on the cloud storage platform to view and edit document files. You can share document files and folders with other users.

Major features of this word processing software:

• view and edit word documents online
• share documents

FocusWriter

FocusWriter is a fullscreen, distraction-free word processor designed to immerse you in your work. The program autosaves your progress, and reloads the last files you had open to make it easy to jump back in during your next writing session, and has other features that make it such that only one thing matters: your writing. It features a hide-away Interface, themes, live statistics, spells checking, and document tabs.

Corel WordPerfect Office

WordPerfect Office Standard 2020 celebrates the latest version of the office suite supporting your productivity needs, from crafting documents and presentations to impressive spreadsheet creation. You'll continue to find all of the familiar features you need to work more efficiently when you tap into built-in PDF functionality, enhanced Reveal Codes, and eBook publishing. Collaboration is key and simple to leverage with support for more than 60 file types, including the latest Microsoft Office formats.

Writemonkey

Writemonkey is the best for developers who want to write codes in document format on windows for free. This Windows Word processing software is a light  lightweight application that supports basic word document processing. The free word processing software supports different languages and plugins.

For starters, it's portable freeware. You can take WriteMonkey along with you on a USB drive and run it on any handy Windows machine. Zenware notes that WriteMonkey has "an extremely stripped-down user interface," but that's what sets it apart from other word processors and note keepers. That "stripped-down," full-screen interface replicates the inspirational purity of a blank piece of paper. But WriteMonkey is also a full-featured writing tool that doesn't cut corners and even packs lots of cool extras, such as simulated typewriter sounds for the total effect (you provide the leather elbow patches). WriteMonkey receives frequent upgrades and new features. Recent updates include better performance on Netbooks and Windows 8 compatibility.

AbiWord

AbiWord is a lean yet full-featured word processor. It features a familiar-looking interface, basic character formatting, paragraph alignment, a spell checker, interactive rulers and tabs, styles, unlimited undo/redo, find and replace, and image support. It can also import Microsoft Word 97 and RTF (Rich Text Format) documents, as well as support headers/footers, superscript/subscript, widow/orphan control and newspaper-style columns. Many plug-ins are available.

AbiWord is an open-source word processing program that gives you the freedom to create and share documents, as well as open documents created in other programs. No matter what type of word processor you're used to, you'll feel right at home with this intuitive program.

Major features of this Word processor:

Accessible interface: The layout is quite similar to most other word processing programs, so it doesn't take long to figure out where everything is. All font options, editing tools, etc are nicely arrayed across the top of the main document screen, and they include all of the typical items you'd expect.

Editing and file format options: This app comes with a nice set of editing tools, including showing markup, highlighting, and more. You'll also have the option of saving your new or edited document in a variety of formats, including Word, HTML, Rich Text, Text, Encoded Text, Outlook Express Mail, Open Document, Open Office Writer, and Open Office XML.

Google Docs

If you are looking for a free word processor that can be used on any platform then Google Docs is the perfect pick. Unlike other online word processors, Google Docs is actually pretty feature-packed and supports offline writing too which can be enabled through a Chrome extension. There are a ton of third-party add-ons just like Microsoft Word Add-ins that can be integrated to bring more functionality. 

What’s more, Google Docs is far superior to any other word processor when it comes to real-time collaboration. So if you have a writing project where multiple users are working on then Google Docs will fare better than other apps.