If you’ve been using Windows but want to switch to a Mac, you may be wondering what alternatives there are to Microsoft Word.
Well, your search ends here. In this article, you will find some of the best options for alternatives to Microsoft Word. Keep reading to know more.
Google Docs
First on the list is Google Docs. Google Docs is your free word processor if you need an online alternative to Microsoft Word for your Mac. With a stable Internet connection, you can start creating and editing your documents from the convenience of your browser, without the hassle of installing the program. on your local machine. The program also features a modern and intuitive design that is relatively easy to learn. As a result, you won’t have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to use your new Microsoft Word alternative.
A standout feature of Google Docs is the ability to automatically sync your newly created documents to Google Drive. This is beneficial as you can access your documents across multiple devices. However, you need to make sure you have access to the Google account you initially used to create the document. This feature also protects you from losing your documents due to hard drive failure or abrupt shutdowns, which are common in computers.
While the platform is free to use, you can’t create new documents if you exceed the 15GB of storage allocated to your Google Suite apps. Therefore, you may be forced to purchase more storage or delete any unnecessary files that you don’t need on the account. Surprisingly, 15GB of storage is large enough to hold around 250,000 three-page documents, and in most cases, it should be enough.
Plus, Google Docs makes sharing documents over the Internet a piece of cake. With a simple link, you can share your document with anyone on the Internet. You can also restrict access to the document by limiting who can access the file. Additionally, this cloud-based word processor allows you to collaborate with others on creating and editing documents, allowing you to work with documents faster.
Since this is a web-based application, you may be wondering if you can still access and edit your files without an Internet connection. Well, Google Docs allows you to continue editing your documents even if you lose your internet connection. However, to access this feature, you must ensure that offline editing mode is enabled. Sometimes you may see a pop-up window asking you to enable offline mode if you lose your internet connection.
Being exposed to the Internet comes with its fair share of problems. However, the documents in your Google Docs account are encrypted and kept safe from all the predators roaming the Internet. Plus, you own the documents you create on the platform, so don’t worry about ownership rights.
Unfortunately, there is a considerable feature gap between Microsoft Word and Google Docs that could put off most users. For example, Google Docs has no thesaurus and only limited sources. These and other features that the platform lacks are essential for a good word processing tool.
Another drawback is the design of the menu bar. Unlike the ribbon layout that comes with Microsoft Word, you have to dig deep into the options to perform simple operations like formatting your document.
LibreOffice
If you need a free alternative to Microsoft Word for Mac, LibreOffice should be at the top of the list. LibreOffice is an open source word processing program. Additionally, it is available for all major operating systems. It has different applications, but if you are just looking for a word processor, then LibreOffice Writer is what you should consider.
Like Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer offers robust features that make publishing documents easy:
- Document signing
- form construction
- Import and edit PDF documents
- Export documents in EPUB format
- Track edits made to a document, etc.
In addition to word processing, you can use LibreOffice Draw to create and edit PDF files. Draw offers a set of powerful PDF features that come in handy when dealing with PDF files.
Considering that the program is open source, be prepared to encounter a rather dated interface design. But again, the program is free, so it’s hard to complain. It still gets the job done, sometimes even better than some paid word processing packages.
Another disadvantage of LibreOffice Writer is that you need to have the entire LibreOffice Office package installed on your machine to use the program. But that shouldn’t be a deal breaker, just download the full suite on their website and you’ll be good to go.
Apple Pages
Pages is a desktop application designed and developed by Apple Inc. specifically for Mac users. It is part of the iWork suite. The word processor comes preinstalled on your computer. As such, you don’t have to struggle with the installation process. To make the deal sweeter, the application is available on the web, allowing you to create your documents through a browser.
Pages helps users create stunning and elegant documents. Furthermore, it has a rich collection of Apple-themed templates that you can easily customize and personalize.
Additionally, this program is one of the few desktop word processors that allows you to remotely backup your files to the cloud. This is through iCloud, a popular Apple-based cloud solution that is similar to Dropbox for Word documents. You can also work with your team members on a single document and track the changes they made to the document in real time.
Apple’s Pages sounds like a solid word processor, but what’s not to like? Well, the default file formats for Pages documents are not supported by many applications. For that reason, opening your documents in these applications can be almost impossible.
All in all, Pages is a great word processing tool and it won’t hurt to try it out.
Free office
As the name suggests, this free desktop word processor is a great alternative to Microsoft Word. Like Microsoft Word, FreeOffice also uses a ribbon interface. This makes it easier to learn and get used to the software, especially if you’re just transitioning out of the Microsoft Word experience.
Unlike LibreOffice, you do not need to install the entire FreeOffice package to access its word processing capabilities. Consequently, you can save some disk storage space.
Unfortunately, FreeOffice has an issue that could be a deal breaker for many people. The application does not have a built-in spell checker or thesaurus as is the case with Microsoft Word. For this reason, you have to really be on top of your spelling game to use the app.
WPS Office (writer, presentation and spreadsheets)
You cannot exhaust the list of best Microsoft Word alternatives for Mac users without mentioning WPS Office. If you already know how to use Microsoft Word, learning how to use this desktop application should be a breeze. All this is thanks to its intuitive and simple interface. Additionally, WPS Office is available for all major platforms.
WPS has a rich set of features ranging from simple text creation tools to complex PDF editing capabilities. However, to access more complex features, you may want to upgrade to a premium version. Here’s what comes with the paid version:
- Ability to collaborate with other users on documents.
- 20GB storage
- No ads or pop-ups
- PDF editing
- Converting files to other formats.
If you’re a fan of customization, WPS Office is your new best friend. The app features a customizable menu that you can play with to get the look you want. The menu bar has a tab-like structure that helps you switch between Writer, Presentations, and Spreadsheets with ease.
As you can see, WPS Office is a great word processor, but what are some of its disadvantages? Well, being a freemium program, expect to see some ads and pop-ups asking you to upgrade to a paid version. These can be distracting, especially since authoring requires maximum attention.
Online office
Office Online is an online version of Microsoft Office. If you’re looking for the Microsoft experience outside of your Windows PC, you should definitely check out Office Online. The solution covers all the functionalities necessary to create and edit Word documents.
Unfortunately, the app lacks some features that are already in Microsoft Word, such as the Format Copier that allows you to copy a format to other sections of the document.
Like any other online word processor, Office Online allows you to share your documents with other users over the Internet. Additionally, you can collaborate with your teammates and edit a document.
One advantage of Office for the web is that it’s free. Therefore, you don’t have to pay for a 365 subscription like you do with the desktop app. Finally, you don’t need a Microsoft account to use the solution because they give you the option to use a free account.
Zoho Documents
Zoho Office Suite is another web-based solution that offers a great alternative to Microsoft Word. But Zoho docs is much more than just an authoring tool. With this program, you can add complex functionality to your document, some of which you won’t even find in Microsoft Word.
Below are some powerful features that you can include in your document using Zoho Docs:
- Videos
- QR codes
- Barcodes
- Graphics
- Equations
- Formulas
- Symbols
Like Google Docs, Zoho Docs allows you to share your documents with other users over the Internet. Additionally, you can collaborate with other users in editing a document, which is a plus.
One drawback of Zoho docs is the inconsistency in layout. If you’re just switching from Microsoft Word, it may take a longer learning curve to get used to the program.
Unlike Google Docs, with Zoho you can’t continue editing your files offline. But the program already features some great offers considering that it is absolutely free to use.
Caligra Suite
If you are looking for a complete, intuitive and functional word processing tool, Calligra Suite is the application for you. This program was developed by KDE, the team behind excellent software solutions such as Frameworks and Plasma Desktop.
In essence, Calligra Suite consists of Words, Sheets, Gemini, Karbon, Plan, Stage and KEXI. However, Calligra Words is what will help you with your editorial needs.
Calligra Words offers most of the features you find in Microsoft Word, allowing you to create attractive documents with ease. Additionally, the program supports many industry file formats. However, its default format is OpenDocument Format (ODF).
Lastly, Calligra Suite is an open source desktop application, so you can use the program without spending a lot of money.
Explore the world beyond Microsoft Word
Processing a Word document on a Mac doesn’t have to be limited to Microsoft Word. However, with the number of word processors on the market, it’s easy to end up in analysis paralysis. Hopefully, with the Microsoft Word alternatives mentioned above, you will be able to choose the one that best suits your creation needs.
