With the increased load of documents, careful writing and management become a must. To prevent this load from becoming a headache for people, various word processing software programs have come to the aid.
However, with numerous such programs, the question arises: What is the best word processing software? So here’s a complete guide to uncovering some of the best word software programs in 2025, along with their benefits and limitations.
Word processing software is an application that helps to create, edit, and format various types of documents. This involves grammar checking, layout designing, and adding images, videos, or any other multimedia, among others.
Furthermore, these software programs also assist in printing and saving all types of documents, including books, articles, reports, etc. Google Docs and Microsoft Word are two of the most common examples of word programs.
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After weighing all the options, we have come up with a list of the 10 best word processing software programs in 2025, which includes Microsoft Word, Google Docs, WPS Writer, LibreOffice Writer, Apple Pages, FreeOffice TextMaker, and many more.
Microsoft Word is the most widely used word processing application software, popular among both students and professionals. Whether for Windows or as a MacBook word processing software, Microsoft Word is known for its cross-platform compatibility and high-quality editing tools.
| Price Range | Microsoft 365 Personal: $99.99 per year, $9.99 per month Microsoft 365 Family (up to 6 people): $129.99 per year, $12.99 per month |
| Pros | Cons |
| Online collaboration tools are available. | While the web-based version is free, a subscription is required to access the full features. |
| Compatible with various document formats such as DOC and DOCX, among others. | Might not support non-Microsoft document formats. |
| Has an in-built grammar checker. |
The second in the list of top word processing application software is Google Docs. Known for its convenience and simple interface, this software is free to use if you have a Google account. Additionally, it is also popular among writers as free book-writing software.
| Price Range | Free |
| Pros | Cons |
| Auto-saving feature is available. | Advanced formatting features are limited. |
| Easy and real-time collaboration tools for multiple users. | Limited offline functions. |
| Open source word processing software. |
Compatible with both Windows and macOS, WPS Writer, a part of WPS Office Suite, is considered one of the best word processing software programs. While the standard version of WPS Writer is free with some ads, a subscription is required for advanced versions.
| Price Range | WPS Standard: Free WPS Pro: $2.99/month WPS Pro + WPS AI: $10.83/month WPS AI: $9.99/month |
| Pros | Cons |
| The standard version of WPS Writer is free with the necessary functions. | Ads in the free version. |
| Cloud storage is available for real-time saving. | Limited features are available in WPS Standard. |
| Supports various Microsoft Word formats. | Advanced data analysis tools are not available in the free version. |
| Compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. |
LibreOffice Writer is one of the best free word processing application software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. This open source software is popularly used for formatting and provides various advanced features, including document conversion and auto-correction, to its users.
| Price Range | Free |
| Pros | Cons |
| Free, open-source word processing software | Users face formatting issues while converting documents. |
| Offers advanced features such as automated indexes and footnotes, among others. | The interface seems to be outdated, unlike other software programs. |
| Apart from Windows and macOS, it is Linux word processing software. |
Apple Pages is a free word processing software accessible across various Apple devices, including macOS, iPad, and iPhone. The software offers a range of formatting features and templates for various document types, including resumes, letters, and more.
| Price Range | Free |
| Pros | Cons |
| Free software for Apple users. | Limited offline editing features. |
| Compatible with all Apple devices. | Not designed for other operating systems, such as Windows. |
| User-friendly interface | |
| Multiple template options for different types of documents. |
TextMaker is a part of the SoftMaker FreeOffice suite, offering its users various word processing features free of cost. Being an alternative to Microsoft Word, the software is known for its cross-platform compatibility, formatting options, and simple interface.
| Price Range | Free SoftMaker 2024 required for advanced features: $129.95(one-time) |
| Pros | Cons |
| Operate across different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. | The free version lacks features such as a thesaurus and document conversion. |
| Support multiple file formats, including ODT, DOC, and DOCX. | Although collaboration features are available, they are limited to a certain extent. |
| Collaboration features are available. |
Zoho Writer, a part of the Zoho suite, allows its users to create, edit, and format various documents. The software is known for its AI features and real-time collaboration and is easily accessible through a web browser. While Zoho Writer is free for individuals, it charges a fee for businesses.
| Price Range | Individuals: Free Starter: $3 per month Team: $6 per month Business: $11 per month |
| Pros | Cons |
| Has an in-built AI assistant, Zia. | Users face issues with the accuracy of the grammar checker. |
| Provides various real-time collaboration features | The mobile application does not work properly. |
| Provides several templates for various document types. |
FocusWriter is a word processing software designed for a distraction-free writing process. Along with minimalist design, the software gives the option to hide toolbars and other features in the layout to concentrate entirely on the writing while tracking the word count goal.
| Price Range | Free |
| Pros | Cons |
| Free, open source word processing software. | No collaboration features are available. |
| Customized specially for distraction-free writing. | Doesn’t have any application available for mobile phones. |
| Available for all operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. |
WriteMonkey is a free word processing application software designed for the Windows operating system. Especially designed for focused work, the software is known for its minimalist interface design and is a perfect choice for distraction-free writing.
| Price Range | Free |
| Pros | Cons |
| Progress tracking options, such as a word count goal, are available. | Primarily designed for Windows users only. |
| Free software specifically designed for distraction-free writing. | Works only with TXT files. |
| It can be used without installation. |
Apache OpenOffice is a software suite that offers a word processor similar to Microsoft Office. The writer of Apache Open Office is a free, open source word processing software compatible with multiple operating systems and several document formats, including letters and books, among others.
| Price Range | Free |
| Pros | Cons |
| One of the best free word processing software programs | The interface is outdated. |
| Compatible with various document formats. | Limited updates and slower development compared to its rivals. |
| Operates on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. |
There are various features to consider before choosing such software, as every user has unique requirements. Some of these features include compatibility with different document formats and operating systems, regular updates, and collaboration features.
The most important feature to look for while choosing word processing software is its compatibility with distinct document formats. A good word processor will support various major document formats, including DOC, DOCX, OTD, or even PDF files.
Several word processing software programs operate on a specific operating system, such as Apple Pages and Writemonkey. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a software that supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Fast development is also an important point to consider while choosing word software, as regular updates keep your software in top-notch condition. Furthermore, these updates bring several new features and enhance your overall writing experience.
Advanced real-time collaboration features are a trademark of good word processing software. This enables real-time editing, important feedback, comments, and teamwork on various documents that need immediate attention.
Always choose a word processor with a simple and user-friendly interface, as it will save your time and increase the productivity of your work. Software programs with steep learning curves not only waste your time but also drain your mind.
There are various advantages of using word processing software, including accuracy, time efficiency, formatting, and easy document storage.
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There are some drawbacks to using these word processing software programs as well, including higher costs, security concerns, a difficult learning curve, and internet dependency.
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Word processing software programs have significantly reduced the burden of writers, students, and professionals by providing various formatting and editing features to their users.
There are several paid and open source word processing software programs, including Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Focus Writer, and Apple Pages, among others.
Lastly, these software programs also face some criticisms due to their higher costs, internet dependency, and difficult learning curves.
Ans: A word processing software is an application that assists in the overall editing and formatting of several types of documents, including books, letters, and articles, among others.
Ans: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, WPS Writer, and LibreOffice Writer are some of the best word processing software programs.
Ans: Apple Pages, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs are some of the best choices of word processors for Apple users. Software programs such as WPS Writer and LibreOffice Writer are also notable mentions.
Ans: Microsoft Word is the most used word processing software.
Ans: While Google Docs is considered the best free word processing software, the free version of Microsoft Word is also popular for basic editing. Other notable mentions include WPS Writer and LibreOffice Writer.
