Best Word Processing Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Calmly Writer is ranked #1 of 41 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of ONLYOFFICE Docs and Apple Pages. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ONLYOFFICE Docs. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Dropbox Paper at $0.99/mo.
Word processors support everything from composing a first draft to reviewing changes in a shared document. Compare desktop apps and supported desktop platforms, then consider whether offline editing or real-time collaboration suits the way you work. Track changes can help you assess revision features, while maximum document size may be relevant for larger files. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. The entries are ordered as a ranked best-of list, with Google Docs, ONLYOFFICE Docs, and Apple Pages among the first options; Zoho Writer and Dropbox Paper also appear near the top. Use the listed capabilities to narrow down tools that fit your writing and review needs.
41 word processing software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Word Processing Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 16 of the 25 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 Calmly WriterFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 ONLYOFFICE DocsFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 3 Apple PagesPaid from $12.99/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 4 WPS PresentationPaid from $5.83/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 5 Collabora OnlinePaid from $3.40/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 6 Zoho WriterFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 Dropbox PaperPaid from $0.99/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 8 Google DocsPaid from $7/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 9 Microsoft WordPaid from $7/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 10 WPS Office
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 11 Tencent Meeting & VooV MeetingFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 12 LibreOffice ImpressFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 13 SoftMaker FreeOfficeFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 14 LyXFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 15 FocusWriterFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 16 SoftMaker PresentationsPaid from $4.16/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 17 WriteMonkeyFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 18 MobiPDFPaid from $6.67/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 19 Apache OpenOffice Impress
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 20 Etherpad
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 21 Yandex 360 for Business
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 22 SSuite Office
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 23 GNU TeXmacs
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 24 Polaris Viewer Plus
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 25 PolyEdit
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which word processing software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
Calmly Writer is ranked #1 of 41 with a score of 8.0. ONLYOFFICE Docs is second and Apple Pages third.
How many of these have a free plan?
13 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Dropbox Paper has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.99/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.