Students and professionals must create and edit many documents daily for educational and business purposes. You need word processing software to create, edit, and customize a document on your PC, laptop, or phone. Microsoft Word is a top-rated word processing software with a specific cost.

Do you want a free word processing software download with all the features of MS Word? Which word processing software is best for Windows, Linux, or Mac devices?

In this article, we will describe the 10 best free word processing software for Windows, Linux, and Mac devices and how to use them.

Word processing uses a computer to create, edit, and format documents. The software used to perform this action is called word processing software. Many word processing software are available in the market, e.g., Microsoft Word, WPS Writer, Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer, etc.

Word processing software creates different documents, assignments, reports, letters, brochures, etc. You can add pictures, diagrams, charts, tables, and equations to your document with the help of word processing software. This software also helps correct your document's spelling and grammar mistakes.

Different word processors may differ in the features they offer. However, all word processors have the following essential features.

Insert and delete text, images, and tables in the document

Copy, cut, and paste the text

Find and replace a word(s) in the document

Word wrap and word count

Formatting features such as margins, borders, text alignment, line and paragraph spacing, bullets, and numbering

Font type and size adjustment

These basic features are included in almost all types of word processing software. However, some word processing software may support some additional features such as;

Spelling and grammar checking

Cross-reference and citations

Adding a table of contents and bibliography

Inserting graphics such as illustrations and vector art etc

Define and execute macros in the document

Built-in dictionary

Collaborative features, e.g., many team members located at dispersed locations, can simultaneously work on a single document.

AI features, e.g., voice inputs, reading text aloud, and translation from one language to another.

Here is a detailed description of the 10 best word processing software 2023.

If you want to create a well-designed professional document, then WPS Writer is the best choice. It is part of the WPS Office suite. It is compatible with all file formats. It is also available for all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, MacOS, and mobile devices.

Free to download and use

Create polished documents

Compatible with multiple file formats

100,000+ well-designed templates

Convert files between PDF to Word

WPS Writer comes as packaged software with the WPS Office suite. You can download WPS Office from its Official website for free.

WPS Writer is a user-friendly and easy-to-use software. You can open WPS Office once it is installed and click on the Document tab on the home page.

You can start creating a document from scratch by selecting a Blank document or using any template you choose.

Google Docs is a free online word processor offered by Google. It is part of Google Workspace. If multiple team members at different locations want to work on a single document, then Google Docs is the best option.

Seamless collaboration from anywhere

Write faster with built-in intelligence

Suggest, comment, and edit the document

Convert between Word documents to Google Docs

Document size limitations

Does not support the advanced features of a standalone word processor

Requires internet connection to work

Potential security concerns

A limited number of templates

Google Docs is a web-based word processor. You do not need to install it on your device. Just open your browser and go to the official website of Google Docs and start exploring it. Start with a blank document, or choose any template of your choice.

LibreOffice Writer is a free and open-source word processing software. It is used to create everyday documents with ease. It contains many advanced features and templates. It also supports all file formats; you can export your work as PDF.

Free and open-source

Formula editor to insert formulas and equations

Saves documents in Open Document Format (ODF)

Grammar checking feature with language tool API

An outdated user interface

No collaborative features, i.e., integration with Cloud

Lack of advanced features

Not easy to use for beginners

You can download LibreOffice from its official website. Install the software after downloading it. Open LibreOffice Writer for creating and editing your documents.

WriteMonkey is another free and easy-to-use word processing software. It comes with a minimal user interface with basic options on the screen so that the user can focus on writing only.

Portable software, no installation required

Free to use

Simple and minimalistic user interface

No spell-checking feature

No support for standard office file formats

Lack of advanced features such as Table of contents, thesaurus, macros, etc.

To download WriteMonkey, go to the official website of WriteMonkey and download the zip file for your desired operating system. Extract the zip file and run the exe file to use WriteMonkey. There is no need for installation.

FocusWriter is a simple writing solution. It provides a distraction-free writing environment with minimum options on the screen. It is available for Windows and Linux.

Txt, basic RTF, and basic ODT file formats supported

Theme customization

Optional spell-checking feature

Creation of Goals to track and stay on the task

Limited features

No support for rich text documents

You can get FocuWriter from its official website Gott Code. Download your desired version and install it on your device. It has a simple interface. You can hover your mouse on the screen edges to get the options menu.

AbiWord is another free word processor available for only Linux users. It has an organized option menu interface, allowing users to navigate to the required option quickly. It supports team collaboration; you can save and share your work online with your group members. It supports all standard file formats, e.g., DOCX, DOC, RTF, etc.

Free to use

Supports all standard file formats

Spell check and auto-save features

Online collaboration among groups

Only available for Linux users

Lacks an intuitive, modern interface

No advanced editing features

AbiWord is available for download at its official website. You can download and install it on your Linux machine.

It is another free word processing tool with a simple and easy-to-use interface. You can edit both PDF and Word files using AbleWord. Editing PDF files is as easy as editing Word documents. It supports all major file formats, including TXT, DOC, DOCX, RTF, and PDF. It also supports PDF to Word conversion.

PDF editing features

Converts PDF files to Word

Supports file formats including TXT, DOC, DOCX, RTF, and PDF

Spell check feature

Lack of advanced PDF editing features

Not updated since 2015

AbleWord is freely available to download at its official website. You can download and install it on your machine. You can start using AbleWord by creating a new document or editing one made earlier.

Jarte is a free and portable word processor. It is easy to use and equipped with all standard features. If you want advanced features, you can get a paid version of Jarte called Jarte Plus. It is built in the same style as Windows WordPad. It is simple, easy to use, and easy to run.

Very simple and lightweight software package

Offers a portable version as well as an installation package

Opens different documents in individual tabs

Supports standard file formats, e.g., DOC, DOCX, ODT, etc

No update since 2018

Lack of auto spell check feature

You can download Jarte from its official website. It is available both as an installation package and as a portable version. It is recommended to use a portable version as no installation is required.

It is another open-source and free word processor. It is included as a package in the OpenOffice suite. You must download the complete Office suite to use this software. It has a spell-check feature.

OpenOffice

Supports all file formats, e.g., Doc, Docx, Txt, etc.

Supports extensions and templates

Auto spell-checking feature

A portable version is also available

Must download the entire Office suite just to use Writer

Slow downloading speed

The interface is not user friendly

You can download OpenOffice word processing software free from its official website. It is also available as a portable version. If you have downloaded the standard installation file, you can install it on your machine, and if you have downloaded the portable version. Installing is unnecessary; extract the compressed file and use the OpenOffice Writer.

Download OpenOffice

When the download is complete, launch OpenOffice, and on the homepage, click on Text Document to create your first document using OpenOffice.

OpenOffice Homepage

SoftMaker FreeOffice is also an Office suite containing a word processing software called TextMaker. It is available for major operating systems, e.g., Windows, Linux, and MacOS. It supports all file formats of MS Office, OpenOffice, and plain text files. You can also create E-books using TextMaker.

Free to use

Feature for creating an E-book

Supports all standard document file formats, e.g., DOC, DOCX, RTF, ODT, WRI, and WPD, etc.

Contains many advanced features

Lacks collaborative features

Limited document viewing options

Slow performance on complex tasks

Go to the official website of FreeOffice to download it. You can select your desired operating system on the download page.

Download FreeOffice

Word processors are similar to Text editors and desktop publishing systems. A text editor only contains the basic editing features. It does not include advanced features to design and format the document. Programmers usually use text editors to write code.

On the other hand, desktop publishing systems are more advanced than word processors and text editors. They are equipped with advanced features to perform complex tasks. However, the Line dividing the word processors and desktop publishing systems is opaque. Modern word processors are also equipped with some of the advanced features of desktop publishing systems.

No, Excel is a data analysis or a spreadsheet program. It’s also pre-installed as part of the MS Office suite and thus compatible with Word. However, the two software programs have different functions.

While spreadsheet and word-processing applications are similar, there are a few distinctions. A spreadsheet program is designed to work with numerical data, while a word processor is meant to work with text. Also, spreadsheet programs store data in cells, tables, and columns, while word processors use an open template that allows data to be entered everywhere.

Apart from the word processing software listed above, there are numerous other word processors. Some of the examples of these word processors are:

CalmyWriter

Ginger Software

Zoho Office

Grammarly

Jotterpad

Evernote Web

Readable

Prowritingaid

In this article, we have discussed the ten best free word processing software of 2023. We have described each software's main features, pros, and cons. You can select a word processing software of your choice from this list.

However, we recommend you choose the WPS Office suite. WPS Office is a free, robust, and user-friendly office suite. It contains a word processing tool, a spreadsheet program, a presentation maker, and a PDF reader. It supports all file formats of MS Office, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, and FreeOffice. It is also available for major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Android, Mac OS, and iOS users. You can get WPS Office for free from its official website.