You’ll also need to grab a separate plugin if you want to add PDF support.Īpache has a slightly different UI compared to LibreOffice, and some of the default settings are configured differently between the two. Apache OpenOffice Writer is not quite a feature-packed as LibreOffice Writer, only offering support for importing documents in Microsoft formats, but not saving in them. You can think of these two different word processors as siblings within the same family. It’s very actively developed, and fast to respond to potential security problems in loading supported files.Ī second open-source option that is also based on the earlier OpenOffice, this version is maintained instead by The Apache Software Foundation and is also available for Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD. The UI is a little basic, and some types of specialized documents saved in Microsoft formats won’t always load perfectly, but this is a great reliable choice for anyone looking for a free word processor. It supports advanced features such as MailMerge and signing/encrypting documents. It’s a powerful and robust word processor that offers full compatibility with Microsoft formats like. Now Under the LibreOffice moniker, maintained by The Document Foundation, this is a continuation of the open-source office suite that maintains compatibility with newer operating systems and hardware. It’s based on the now discontinued original version of OpenOffice. This is the gold standard of free word processors, released under an open-source license, and made available for Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD.

Here’s a look at the best word processors available for free. There are paid Word Processors available, but there are also several free options to consider before parting with your hard-earned cash.

Whether you’re writing a personal letter, filling out a report for work, producing a legal document, or creating some written instructions, you’ll be wanting a word processor of some kind. Over time the added more functionality like support for different fonts, spell check, grammar check, advanced formatting options, extensive layout options, support for adding images and rich media to documents, online collaboration support, and much more.Įven today, new features are being added to many word processors, either refining the ways you can use them, or using newer technologies like AI and machine learning to develop features like text to speech, or sentence autocomplete. Thus, the Word Processor was born, a tool for creating written documents on a computer.Įarly word processors were extremely basic by today’s standards. One of the earliest uses for Personal Computers was to replace the typewriter with something more powerful, and that lets you make changes to text on the fly, rather than stamping letters directly onto paper.

Best free word processor mac