6 Free Alternatives to Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word has lot of features, but its also costly and not all people can afford MS Office. For those who cannot shell out that much money there are lot of alternatives, which does the basic functionalities of Word processing and are free to use. Here is a list of free alternatives to MS Word.
- OpenOffice.org: OpenOffice need no introduction, its one of the popular free word processing softwares. OpenOffice.org is a multi platform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. OpenOffice latest version is 2.3 and it incorporates an array of new features and enhancements to all its core components. You can download the latest version from here. OpenOffice also supports variety of extensions.
- AbiWord: AbiWord is a free word processing program similar to Microsoft Word. It is suitable for a wide variety of word processing tasks. It supports Microsoft Word documents, OpenOffice documents, WordPerfect documents, Rich Text Format documents, HTML web pages, etc.
- EasyOffice: EasyOffice+PDF Filter is an office suite compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel and Adobe PDF files. It is a software from e-press.com and has good features.
- IBM Lotus Symphony: IBM Lotus Symphony is a free office suite, based on OpenOffice.org, that includes a word processor, presentation software and spreadsheet. It supports Open Document Format (ODF), Microsoft file formats (.doc, .ppt, .xls, .dot, etc) and Lotus Smart Suite formats. You can download the software from here.
- Jarte: Jarte is a word processor which handles Microsoft Word 95, 97, 2000 documents, rich text format (RTF) documents and plain text (ASCII) documents. It boasts of a good user interface which is easy to use as well. Jarte also has a plus version which has more features, but not a freeware.
- Ultrapad: Ultra-Pad is a freeware advanced Word Processor Application for Windows 95 and later. It features some of the most advanced features you would ever want in a Word Processor. Ultra-pad is skinnable software and there are themes available for download to change the looks. You can download Ultrapad from here.
These softwares listed are for Windows OS and if you are looking for a Word Processor for Linux, then try out KOffice and Gnome Office. For Mac OSX users there is Neo Office based on Open Office.
Share & Enjoy
Oct 20th, 2007 at 2:17 am
Or, if you want to go even more lightweight:
1. Pathetic Writer (Linux)
2. Ted (Linux
3. KPad (Windows, part of Floppy Office)
Oct 20th, 2007 at 3:48 am
Nice list Nirmal , i have tried open office and easy office , will try out the others also .
Oct 20th, 2007 at 4:44 am
used abiword once and believe simplicity is one of its strengths. openoffice screwed my Word tables, if they can improve on that, I will be more willing to convert my (proprietary) MS Office.
Oct 20th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I tried open office, its pretty good.
Also, IBM lotus seems to be good too. I’ll definitely give it a try.
Oct 20th, 2007 at 11:54 am
You seem to be going after list posts!
I’ve tried #1 and #2. While #2 is recommended for anyone with just simple wordprocessing needs, I’d say go for OOo - its more powerful, and though not yet as good as MS Office, its getting there.
And I’ve heard great things about NeoOffice, so Macsters should probably try that
Oct 20th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Guess the best would be staroffice…
http://indyankk.blogspot.com/2.....e-for.html
Oct 20th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Good list nirmal, Open office and Abiword are good ones.
Oct 20th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Back when I was using windows, there was a 602 Office suit - that was my favorite.
Oct 21st, 2007 at 12:12 am
Though there alternatives but Microsoft office still rulez.
Oct 21st, 2007 at 12:27 am
Haven’t tried Ultrapad yet. I’ve tried Abiword and Open Office and those were great. I think I’ll try Ultrapad too
Oct 21st, 2007 at 6:02 pm
602 Software has a great alternative system too.
Oct 21st, 2007 at 7:28 pm
From my experience, OpenOfice & AbiWord blow chunks on the Mac platform. Bean is, imho, the best free word processor for Macs
Oct 22nd, 2007 at 11:09 am
@Jake,
Thanks for the add.
@Sumesh,
List posts are the best ones for traffic and also useful for readers.
@Binny,
Never heard about 602 Office suit, will try it.
@Jennifer,
Thanks for the link.
Mike,
I do not use Mac currently, so I cannot check out Bean, thanks for the info.
Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I remember that I’ve done this kind of post before
Anyway, you’ve got some new programs in the list….its good to see more and more companies releasing something for the users to stay away from expensive MS OFFICE SUITE!
Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
@Mayank,
I didnt know that you have done is similar one before. Yea, its good to see some open source and freeware for MS office replacement.
Oct 22nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Nice list nirmal
Oct 22nd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
very good post buddy!, open office is the best of all free word processors according to me, what do you say guys?
Oct 24th, 2007 at 3:10 am
Nirmal, good list. I had recently written a post also on how many open source alternatives there are to Office. Thanks!
Oct 24th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
very good post buddy.. here is one coool free software you missed
http://www.freeserifsoftware.c.....ompare.asp
Oct 24th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
@Nicolas,
Thanks for that information.
Mar 18th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Gonna try StarOffice sooner
http://www.download.com/StarOf.....31878.html - I really mean a TRY. 
May 13th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Microsoft Office is one of the few software suites that one can work with efficiently, you should try alternatives for OTHER programs which .. well, suck.
Jul 3rd, 2008 at 1:50 am
You forgot to mention the ThinkFree suite, google it up, they have a free version.
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