Best 41 Word Processing Applications – Free, Open-Source & Paid Tools Compared in 2025

Discover the 41 best word processing applications of 2025, from free and open-source writers' tools to premium creative suites. Find the perfect match for your essays, books, business documents, or academic projects — all updated for the latest features! 

1-20: Top Word Processors With the Most Features (2025 Edition) 

1. Microsoft Word

   • Purpose: Industry-standard word processor for creating and editing documents.

   • URL: https://www.microsoft.com/word

   • Get Professional Training Here, In Order To Quickly Master MS Word (Includes Certification): 

2. Google Docs

   • Purpose: Cloud-based word processor for collaboration and editing.

   • URL: https://docs.google.com/

     1. 1. • Get Professional Training Here,  In Order To Quickly Master Google Docs (Includes Career Certification): 

3. Apple Pages

   • Purpose: Word processor for macOS and iOS with design tools.

   • URL: https://www.apple.com/pages/

4. LibreOffice Writer

   • Purpose: Open-source word processor for creating documents.

   • URL: https://www.libreoffice.org/

5. Apache OpenOffice Writer

   • Purpose: Open-source word processor for document creation.

   • URL: https://www.openoffice.org/

6. WPS Office Writer

   • Purpose: Word processor with Microsoft Word compatibility.

   • URL: https://www.wps.com/

7. Zoho Writer

   • Purpose: Cloud-based word processor for collaboration.

   • URL: https://www.zoho.com/writer/

8. OnlyOffice Docs

   • Purpose: Collaborative word processor for teams.

   • URL: https://www.onlyoffice.com/

9. Dropbox Paper

   • Purpose: Collaborative word processor for teams.

   • URL: https://www.dropbox.com/paper

10. Quip

    • Purpose: Collaborative word processor with spreadsheet integration.

    • URL: https://quip.com/

11. Notion

    • Purpose: All-in-one workspace with word processing features.

    • URL: https://www.notion.so/

12. Evernote

    • Purpose: Note-taking app with word processing capabilities.

    • URL: https://evernote.com/

13. Bear

    • Purpose: Word processor for notes and writing on Apple devices.

    • URL: https://bear.app/

14. Ulysses

    • Purpose: Word processor for writers and bloggers.

    • URL: https://ulysses.app/

15. Scrivener

    • Purpose: Word processor for long-form writing and research.

    • URL: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/

16. FocusWriter

    • Purpose: Distraction-free word processor for writers.

    • URL: https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/

17. IA Writer

    • Purpose: Minimalist word processor for distraction-free writing.

    • URL: https://ia.net/writer

18. Typora

    • Purpose: Markdown-based word processor for writers.

    • URL: https://typora.io/

19. Joplin

    • Purpose: Open-source note-taking app with word processing features.

    • URL: https://joplinapp.org/

20. Standard Notes

    • Purpose: Secure note-taking app with word processing capabilities.

    • URL: https://standardnotes.com/

21-30: Best Lightweight & Free Word Processor Apps for Students 

21. AbiWord

    • Purpose: Lightweight open-source word processor.

    • URL: https://www.abisource.com/

22. SoftMaker FreeOffice TextMaker

    • Purpose: Free word processor with Microsoft Word compatibility.

    • URL: https://www.freeoffice.com/

23. Calligra Words

    • Purpose: Open-source word processor for KDE.

    • URL: https://calligra.org/words/

24. TextEdit (macOS)

    • Purpose: Basic word processor included with macOS.

    • URL: https://support.apple.com/textedit

25. WordPad (Windows)

    • Purpose: Basic word processor included with Windows.

    • URL: https://support.microsoft.com/wordpad

26. Notepad++

    • Purpose: Text editor with word processing features.

    • URL: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/

27. Sublime Text

    • Purpose: Text editor with word processing capabilities.

    • URL: https://www.sublimetext.com/

28. Atom

    • Purpose: Open-source text editor with word processing features.

    • URL: https://atom.io/

29. Visual Studio Code

    • Purpose: Text editor with word processing capabilities.

    • URL: https://code.visualstudio.com/

30. MarkText

    • Purpose: Markdown-based word processor.

    • URL: https://marktext.app/

40. Scrivano

61. • Purpose: Word processor for academic writing.

    • URL: https://www.scrivano.org/

31-40: Specialized and Niche Word Processing Software 

31. Scrivano

    • Purpose: Word processor for academic writing.

    • URL: https://www.scrivano.org/

32. Manuskript

    • Purpose: Word processor for writers and novelists.

    • URL: https://www.theologeek.ch/manuskript/

33. yWriter

    • Purpose: Word processor for novel writing.

    • URL: https://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html

34. Storyist

    • Purpose: Word processor for screenwriters and novelists.

    • URL: https://www.storyist.com/

35. Final Draft

    • Purpose: Word processor for screenwriting.

    • URL: https://www.finaldraft.com/

36. Celtx

    • Purpose: Word processor for screenwriting and storytelling.

    • URL: https://www.celtx.com/

37. Trelby

    • Purpose: Open-source word processor for screenwriting.

    • URL: https://www.trelby.org/

38. Fade In

    • Purpose: Word processor for screenwriting.

    • URL: https://www.fadeinpro.com/

39. Highland

    • Purpose: Word processor for screenwriting and storytelling.

    • URL: https://highland

40-41: Best Novel-Writing, Screenwriting & Technical Word Processors 

40. Arc Studio Pro 

61. • Purpose: Industry Standard for Professional Screenwriting 

    • URL: https://www.arcstudiopro.com

41. Bibisco

61. • Purpose: Word processor for novelists and writers.

    • URL: https://www.bibisco.com/