5 Best Free Online Word Processors for 2024

Create, save, and share documents everywhere with Google Docs and other great options

Online word processors are a great alternative to traditional options you have to buy and install. The choices I've gathered below are the best free web-based word processors; some are sure to meet your needs, no matter what features you're looking for.

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Free Word Processors Alternatives to MS Word

If you'd like a word processor that will do a little more, consider downloading some free word processor software. We also list free Microsoft Office/365 alternatives if you want more than a word processor.

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Best Overall: Google Docs

Google Docs sample document
What We Like
  • Accessible from multiple devices.

  • Google Script automation.

  • Converts Word documents.

  • Supports extensions.

What We Don't Like
  • Limited features compared to Microsoft Word.

  • Requires a Google account.

I love Google Docs. I've used it for years, and it's always my first pick when I want to write something in my web browser that needs to be longer than just a simple note, although I also use it for notes. If you're looking for an online word processor similar to a traditional app like Microsoft Word, I highly recommend you give this one a shot.

Google Docs lets you create, edit, and collaborate on documents quickly and easily, knowing you'll be able to access them anywhere you want, anytime you want. With robust editing options, you won't miss Microsoft Word a bit.

You can insert images, tables, comments, special characters, headers and footers, bookmarks, and a table of contents. You can even type with just your voice! Collaboration is impressive with Google Docs; you can even track edits made by multiple editors.

In addition to creating your own documents online, Google's word processor lets you edit documents on your computer (such as DOCX files) by simply uploading them to the site. This free site also serves as a functional PDF editor.

Google Docs is accessible through its mobile app and its website.

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Best for MS Word Fans: Microsoft Word Online

A document open in the free online version of Microsoft Word
What We Like
  • Edit Word documents for free.

  • Similar interface to the desktop app.

  • Offers real time collaboration, even with non-users.

  • Install add-ins for more features.

What We Don't Like
  • Lacks support for many file formats.

Word Online is Microsoft's online word processor, a stripped-down version of the popular Word desktop app. You can open documents you have stored in your OneDrive account.

It auto-saves your files and has plenty of editing options like adding tables, headers and footers, pictures, and anything else you can do with a typical word processor.

One neat collaboration feature, Catch Up, keeps track of changes since you were last in the document. This makes it easy to see what went on in your document while you were away.

Some supported add-ins include ChatGPT, Grammarly, Mendeley Cite, and Adobe Acrobat Sign.

If you have MS Word installed on your computer, it's easy to open your web document in the desktop app anytime. You can also share a document with others easily, download a copy of the file to your computer in DOCX, PDF, or ODT, and even export to a PowerPoint presentation or send the document directly to your Kindle.

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Best Advanced Online Word Processor: ONLYOFFICE Personal

ONLYOFFICE Personal
What We Like
  • Intuitive to use.

  • Many add-ons available.

  • Easy to add images and formatting.

  • Public collaboration.

What We Don't Like
  • Difficult to import documents from other products.

  • Limited documentation.

  • Some features can be buggy.

This word processor looks very nice, a lot like MS Word. It even shares the same ability to hide the ribbon menu. There are plenty of other useful features; you can import various objects (charts, pictures, tables, shapes, etc.), it supports plugins, and it lets you co-edit and chat with others, even the public. That means they don't need to be logged in to their account to collaborate with you. A document can be shared with read-only or full access rights.

Some other things worth mentioning: you have the ability to restore to older versions of documents so that you can undo changes another user made, the compare feature lets you see what's different between files, hyperlinks can be added to a place in the same document, and you can add a custom watermark.

I also like the Speech option, which reads any selection aloud. There are several languages to pick from and options to adjust the speaking rate and pitch.

Sign in with your email, Google, LinkedIn, or Facebook account and get instant access to ONLYOFFICE Personal's free online word processor. You can upload DOCX files from your computer and websites like Google Drive and OneDrive. Documents can be saved to your computer in various formats, including DOCX, PDF, TXT, and more.

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Best for Focused Writing: Calmly Writer Online

Calmly Writer Online in Google Chrome
What We Like
  • Simple and clean interface.

  • Focus mode highlights what you're working on.

  • Automatically saves files.

  • Lots of visual customizations.

What We Don't Like
  • Very limited features.

Calmly Writer Online is unique because it would appear to lack all the bells and whistles of a typical word processor, but it has a lot going on in the background. The program's simplicity ensures you concentrate on what matters: your words.

At the top of the workspace is a menu button where you can make a new document, open an existing one (from your computer or Google Drive), save the document (to TXT, HTM, or DOCX), insert pictures, toggle fullscreen, print, and change preferences.

Some options you can play around with let you turn the workspace into a darker mode, adjust the text width and size, and enable smart punctuation (check out the Calmly Writer FAQ for formatting shortcuts). There's also a desktop app if you ever use it offline.

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Best Online Word Processor With No Login: Aspose.Words

The Aspose Words online word processor
What We Like
  • No user account required.

  • Perfect for quick edits.

  • Download the doc in three different formats.

  • Minimal UI with full screen option.

What We Don't Like
  • Basic editing tools.

This tool is a bit different from the others in this list because you can use it right now without making a user account, so it's built a bit more for quick edits.

One reason I like this website over the others is that I recommend it to people who have a document they need to edit but don't have a program on their computer to read it. Sure, you could use one of the editors listed above, but Aspose.Words is ideal because you don't have to wait around to make a user account; just upload the file, make the necessary changes, and then download it.

It accepts many file types, including DOCX, PDF, MD, RTF, HTML, DOC, DOTX, DOT, ODT, OTT, TXT, and others. You can pick from Markdown, DOCX, PDF, HTML, and JPG when you're ready to save.

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