We've all used Microsoft Word, the most ubiquitous word processor on the market, at one point in our lives. It still proves to be a staple, especially in education, but there are plenty of competitors vying for our word processing loyalty.
Microsoft Word. Microsoft Office produces a Mac-compatible version of Word, its word-processing program. Word for the Mac offers all of the traditional features of processing software, including formatting, layout and enhancement tools such as templates, borders, media importing, graphs and tables. Office for the Mac is good, there are free alternatives, like NeoOffice. To me it's like having a word processor and page layout and design program in.
If you aren't a fan of Word, aren't interested in purchasing a full office suite, or you really just need a new, free word processor, check out the best of the best below.
1. Google Docs
Likely the most popular word processor after Microsoft’s own, this list couldn't exist without Google Docs. Docs is available by way of Google Drive, which lets you upload the usual suspects — documents, photos, videos and files — to your 15GB of free storage.
The clean, classic Google design makes Docs easy to use, and it syncs across your devices. Edit as much as you want, and if you change your mind, Docs saves and tracks all your changes from the moment you start typing.
Docs is known as the saving grace of group projects both near and far — see what your teammates are doing in real-time, or easily chat with them in the sidebar.
Be sure to look into the Drive’s many other apps: play with Quickoffice to quickly open and edit Docs on your phone or tablet, Keep to stay organized, Drawings to add visuals, or Sheets to collaborate on spreadsheets.
Download the free Drive app for your iOS or Android device.
2. Textilus — Microsoft Word Edition
Image: Knowtilus
iPad users are probably familiar with Textilus, Knowtilus' flagship word processor. This comprehensive, rich-text app supports more than 32 languages, is often updated and has a variety of formatting options — more than 60 different fonts has to do the trick, right?
Textilus lets you create and edit documents that can be opened in Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, Scrivener and Nisus Writer. Insert photos, charts, signatures and drawings. Export your work in various formats, and sync with Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote or Scrivener to stay updated.
Use the snapshot feature to take a picture of the current state of the document. This picture is sent to the app’s snapshots folder, where it can be shared or saved indefinitely.
You can also search directly within the program via Google, Wikipedia or the dictionary, and customize the 25 toolbar buttons for your convenience. Textilus documents are compatible with hundreds of other word processors, such as Pages, Microsoft Word, Notes and more.
3. TextEdit
Image: Apple
Ever since Apple acquired computer company NeXT, it has distributed TextEdit on OS X to replace SimpleText.
Similar in design to PlainText, you simple need to open TextEdit and type away. You can format and lay out the page, create tables and lists, work with HTML, and import images, music and movie files. It automatically corrects spelling as you type, and on OS X Mountain Lion, you can also dictate using TextEdit.
4. Kingsoft Office Writer
Image: Kingsoft Office
Writer is part of the entire Kingsoft Office suite (along with Spreadsheets and Presentation), and it creates documents that are highly compatible with Microsoft Word.
The program supports rich text editing, document encryption, 'night read' mode, picture and table operation, and more. Writer also opens emailed documents in almost every format, and it’s easy to grab files from various locations.
The 2013 release added a sections tab and three different skins, and it made creating an in-text table especially intuitive.
Still, it may not be as elegant and clean-cut as other word processors — take, for example, the oversized toolbar. (It’s recommended that you set the document to full-screen.)
5. Pages
Image: Apple
Apple announced on Sept. 10 that it will give iWork for free with all new iOS devices. That means each newly purchased iPhone, iPad and fifth-generation iPod Touch receives Pages, normally $9.99, free of charge.
And although Pages is primarily geared towards iOS and Mac users, Windows users can use the web version Pages via the excellent iWork for iCloud. On the web users can create, edit and collaborate on documents with many of the same features in the iOS and Mac apps.
Additionally, the company announced at the iPad Air launch event on Oct. 22 that Mac OS X Mavericks and iWork would be free.
Pages gives you all the tools you need to create beautiful documents. Text automatically wraps around inserted images, charts and tables. Access more than 60 templates, or start with a blank slate.
You can also track comments, save documents as Word files, share them with your coworkers and access your work through iCloud.
Create and collaborate on documents that are beautiful beyond words.
Pages is a powerful word processor that lets you create stunning documents. You can even use Apple Pencil on your iPad to add comments and illustrations by hand. And with real-time collaboration, your team can work together, whether they’re on Mac, iPad, or iPhone, or using a PC.
Download Pages for Mac from the Mac App StoreDownload Pages for iOS from the iOS App StorePreview Pages for iOS in the iOS App StorePreview Pages for Mac in the Mac App StoreStart using Pages at iCloud.com
A canvas for creativity.
From the start, Pages places you in the perfect creative environment. It puts all the right tools in all the right places, so it’s easy to choose a look, customize fonts, personalize text styles, and add beautiful graphics. And everyone collaborating on a document has access to the same powerful features.
Start with a great‑looking template.
Choose from over 70 beautiful Apple‑designed templates, and customize your document any way you like.
See your progress.
Track changes, add highlights, and have threaded conversations with your team. Your edits are saved automatically.
Find and organize chapters easily.
Pages automatically creates a table of contents for you based on paragraph styles and updates it as you make edits. Just tap or click to find the content you want.
Communicate beautifully.
Liven up your text by filling it with color gradients or images. And take the entire page to the next level by adding photos, galleries, math equations, charts, or more than 700 customizable shapes.
Record and edit audio clips.
Add and adjust narration, notes, and sounds for people to play in your documents on iOS and Mac.
Create a book.
From travel books to fairy tales, it’s easy to make beautiful, interactive books with image galleries, audio clips, and videos right inside Pages. Built‑in tools let you copy and paste into different projects, create links to jump to other pages, and collaborate with friends, editors, colleagues, or classmates. And when you’re done, easily share them with others or publish them to Apple Books for download or purchase.
Turn your device into a teleprompter.
Now public speaking is nothing to be afraid of. With Presenter Mode, Pages turns your document into a ready-to-read speech with just a tap. You can then set it to scroll automatically at your pace.
Pages and Apple Pencil.
Sketch, illustrate, and create documents to express your ideas with Apple Pencil on your iPad.
Draw and modify
Sketch your idea, then press play to watch each stroke animate onto the page.
Beta
Edits that stick.
With Smart Annotation, your edits stay with the marked-up text, making it easy for you and your team to incorporate changes.
Collaborate with anyone. Anywhere.
Work together in the same document, from across town or across the world. You can see your team’s edits as they make them — and they can watch as you make yours, too. Just select a name on the collaborator list to jump to anyone’s cursor.
Work on any document. On any device.
You don’t work in one place on just one device. The same goes for Pages. So the documents your team creates using a Mac or iPad look the same on an iPhone or web browser — and vice versa.
Work together in real time on documents stored on iCloud or Box.
Everyone can collaborate — whether they’re on Mac, iPad, iPhone, or a PC web browser.
Unlock documents with a touch or a glance.
Open password-protected files in a snap with Touch ID or Face ID on compatible devices.
Microsoft Word friendly.
Teaming up with someone who uses Microsoft Word? Pages makes it simple. You can save Pages documents as Word files. Or import and edit Word documents right in Pages. Most popular Word features are supported, too. Now it’s no problem to work on the same project. Even if you use different apps.
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