13 Best Alternatives To Microsoft Word For Mac of 2026

Although there are ways to use Microsoft Word (via Microsoft 365) for free on a Mac, most methods require a subscription to unlock full features.

If you’d rather avoid paying, there are now excellent free and paid alternatives to Microsoft Word for Mac – many of which can open, edit, and save .DOC and .DOCX files without any issues.

Some even offer complete replacements for Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint replacements.

After extensive testing, we found that Apple Pages is the best free Microsoft Word alternative for Mac users, but depending on your needs, there are several other strong options worth considering.

Quick Answer: What’s the Best Word Alternative for Mac?

• Best free Mac-native option: Apple Pages
• Best online alternative: Google Docs
• Best free Office suite: LibreOffice
• Best Microsoft Word-style alternative: ONLYOFFICE
• Best for writers: Scrivener

App	Best For	Free Plan	Works Offline	Word Compatibility
Pages	Mac users	✅	✅	Excellent
Google Docs	Collaboration	✅	Limited	Excellent
LibreOffice	Full Office suite	✅	✅	Very good
ONLYOFFICE	Word-like interface	✅	✅	Excellent
WPS Office	Familiar UI	✅	✅	Excellent
Scrivener	Long-form writing	❌ (trial)	✅	Good
Nisus Writer Pro	Lightweight pro use	❌	✅	Excellent
Mellel	Academic writing	❌	✅	Very good
Ulysses	Distraction-free writing	❌	✅	Good
Zoho Writer	Online alternative	✅	❌	Very good
Bean	Lightweight editing	✅	✅	Basic
Growly Write	Simple writing	✅	✅	Basic

Is There a Free Version of Microsoft Word?

There is no fully free version of Microsoft Word for Mac.

You can download it from the Mac App Store, but editing requires a Microsoft 365 subscription, which now includes Microsoft Copilot AI features.

Pricing currently starts at:

• £89.99/year (Personal)
• £119.99/year (Family – up to 6 users)

Fortunately, the alternatives below can completely replace Word for most users.

1. Pages (Best Free Mac Alternative)

Pages is Apple’s free answer to Microsoft Word and easily the best word processing replacement for it on a Mac.

Although Pages was originally part of the iWork suite, Apple now allows you to download it for free from the Mac App Store.

As you would expect from an Apple product, Pages is extremely slick with some fantastic looking templates that make your work and documents look really professional.

If you’ve got an iCloud account, you can also share Pages documents to it and continue editing on your iPad via iCloud.com.

In an effort to work on all platforms and appeal to all users though, Pages has had to sacrifice certain features on Mac and it sometimes feels a bit “lightweight” and less professional than Word.

Pages also takes some adapting to if you’re only used to using Word. Menus are laid out differently and the “logic” behind it is slightly different to Word but when you get used to it, it’s amazingly easy to use with very smart results.

You can read our full comparison of Pages vs Word for a closer look at how they compare.

You can also read our full review of Apple Pages.

You can download Pages for free from the Mac App Store.

2. Google Docs (Best Free Online Alternative)

If you want a very simple and free online alternative to Word without having to install or download anything, then Google Docs is your solution.

Google Docs is now quite a powerful suite and the word processor does much of what Word can do.

It’s obviously more limited than MS Word in some areas but if you want a hassle free solution for simple opening and editing of DOCX documents and editing them on any device, Google Docs is perfect.

Google Docs isn’t very good when it comes to adding images and annotations and if your documents are confidential, it’s maybe not the best solution as they are stored on Google’s servers.

3. LibreOffice (Best Free Office Suite)

LibreOffice is an adaption of OpenOffice specifically for macOS with a much slicker Mac like interface.

As with OpenOffice, the equivalent to Word in LibreOffice is Writer.

It also has some added functionality compared to OpenOffice such as support for full screen mode, it’s slightly quicker than OpenOffice and it has all-round better integration with macOS.

LibreOffice is free to use although donations are encouraged.

Note that NeoOffice, which was a fork project of LibreOffice, has now been discontinued.

4. ONLYOFFICE Document Editor (Best Microsoft Word Clone)

OnlyOffice is a free alternative to the Microsoft 365 suite of products and OnlyOffice Document Editor is its Word equivalent.

Document Editor can open Word documents in DOCX format on your Mac desktop and can also be used to collaborate online on Word documents via a web app or mobile app.

OnlyOffice Document Editor can also edit and create PDF forms via the DOCXF tool which allows you to customize them with fields, checkboxes and other elements.

It even has an AI assistant that can be used to generate text, images and correct formatting mistakes in documents.

There’s no free version of OnlyOffice Document Editor although there is a free educational edition for Teachers and Students.

5. WPS Office (Best Word-Style Alternative)

WPS Office is one of the closest alternatives to Microsoft Word on Mac in terms of both design and functionality.

The Writer app (its Word equivalent) looks and feels very similar to Word, with a familiar ribbon-style interface that makes switching from Microsoft 365 almost effortless. It supports all major file formats including .DOC and .DOCX, and in testing, compatibility with Word documents is excellent – even with more complex formatting.

WPS Office is also a full office suite, meaning you get alternatives to Excel and PowerPoint included (Spreadsheets and Presentation), making it a strong all-in-one replacement for Microsoft Office.

One of its biggest advantages is that there’s a free version available, although it does include some ads and limitations. Upgrading to the premium version removes ads and unlocks additional features like advanced PDF tools and cloud storage.

Performance-wise, WPS Office is fast, lightweight, and runs smoothly on macOS, including Apple Silicon Macs.

On the downside, some users may find the ads in the free version a bit intrusive, and like many freemium tools, certain advanced features are locked behind a subscription.

6. Scrivener (Best for Long-Form Writing)

If your writing projects are more complex than just drafting a simple document, Scrivener is a good alternative.

Scrivener offers a comprehensive workspace that combines a word processor with a huge variation of tools.

If you are drafting a novel, scripting a screenplay, or managing a large research paper, Scrivener allows you to organize your ideas, notes, and references in a single place.

One thing we particularly like about Scrivener is how you easily can break your work into manageable sections, rearrange them and then view the entire project in a corkboard or outline format. This is extra handy for longer projects, where it is important to keep track of various plot ideas, chapters or research points.

Another advantage of Scrivener is its ability to compile and export your work into many different formats, including Word, PDF, and ePub. This makes it easy to share your draft with editors, publishers, or collaborators, regardless of the software they use.

While Scrivener has a steeper learning curve compared to the standard word processors, its powerful features make it a favorite among both writers and academics alike.

You can read our full review of Scrivener here.

You can also download a 30 day FREE Trial here to try it out.

7. Nisus Writer Pro (Best Lightweight Pro Alternative)

Nisus Writer Pro has been around for over 20 years and many faithful users prefer it to Microsoft Word.

Its is suitable for all types of writing but is particularly good for essays and technical writing as it supports cross referencing, line numbering, table of contents etc.

It’s not exactly cheap at $65.00 but it’s a very straightforward, slick and functional word processor that offers much of what Microsoft Word does.

8. Mellel (Best for Academic Writing)

Mellel is a powerful word processor that focuses on scholars and those doing technical writing.

However, it’s a very suitable replacement for Word, especially if you need multilingual support as Mellel supports Arabic, Persian, Hebrew and Syriac.

Some users feel Mellel is more tailored for professional writers than Microsoft Word which tries to cater for everyone.

Mellel is very responsive and fast and makes referencing and creating a table of contents for large documents easy.

Although Mellel saves documents in its own format, you can save it in .docx, pdf, rtf and most other formats.

There’s also a Lite version of Mellel which lacks some of the more powerful Word-like features of the full version but is still an excellent lightweight alternative to Word.

9. Ulysses (Best Premium Distraction-Free Writing App)

Ulysses is one of the most popular writing apps for Mac and is designed specifically for those who want a clean, focused, and distraction-free writing experience.

Unlike traditional word processors such as Word, Ulysses uses a minimalist interface with Markdown-based formatting, allowing you to concentrate purely on writing without worrying about layout or styling. Documents are organised in a library-style sidebar, making it easy to manage multiple projects, notes, and drafts in one place.

One of Ulysses’ biggest strengths is how well it handles long-form and structured writing. You can break content into sections, rearrange them easily, set writing goals, and export your work to formats like PDF, Word (.DOCX), HTML, and ePub when you’re finished.

It also integrates seamlessly with iCloud, meaning you can continue writing across Mac, iPad, and iPhone without missing a beat.

However, Ulysses is a subscription-based app, which may not appeal to users looking for a free alternative. It’s also not ideal if you need advanced layout tools or precise formatting during the writing process, as those are handled mainly during export.

10. OmmWriter (Best Premium Writing App)

OmmWriter works on Mac, PC and iPad and is aimed at those that need a simple and soothing word processor with no flashy features or distractions.

It uses relaxing backgrounds and a simple interface to help you focus on writing. It also has calming audiotracks and keystroke sounds which depending on the person, will either soothe or annoy the hell out of you.

The free version of OmmWriter has 3 backgrounds 3 audio tracks and 3 keystroke sounds. The paid version has more of each and asks for a small donation.

If you’re looking for an extremely basic word processor for Mac that focuses just on the writing, OmmWriter may be for you.

11. Zoho Writer (Best Google Docs Alternative)

Zoho Writer is a powerful cloud-based word processor that offers a strong alternative to both Microsoft Word and Google Docs – especially if you want advanced collaboration features without relying on Google.

It provides a clean, modern interface with real-time collaboration, comments, and version tracking, making it ideal for teams and shared documents. Unlike many free tools, Zoho Writer is completely free to use with no ads or paywalls, which is a big advantage.

One of its standout features is the built-in AI writing assistant (Zia), which can help with grammar, rewriting, summarising, and improving readability as you write. It also includes useful extras like a citation generator, document automation tools, and the ability to publish directly to platforms like WordPress.

Zoho Writer supports Microsoft Word formats including .DOC and .DOCX, allowing you to import and export documents while preserving formatting. It’s primarily browser-based, but there are also desktop apps for Mac with offline editing support, so you’re not entirely dependent on an internet connection.

On the downside, it’s still not quite as widely used as Google Docs, and some users may find the interface slightly less intuitive at first. It’s also more focused on online workflows, so if you prefer fully offline software, alternatives like Pages or LibreOffice may be a better fit.

12. Bean (Best For Lightweight Editing)

Bean is a popular free alternative to Word on Mac.

Its an excellent free word processor that can open Word documents, save documents in Word format and generally do most of the things you can do in Word.

Of course, it’s nowhere near as slick or powerful but it’s a very accomplished word processor for free.

Bean works with macOS 11 Big Sur or above although there are older versions available for download for earlier versions of macOS.

13. Growly Write (Best For Simple Writing)

Growly Write is made by the same developers that created one of the best OneNote for Mac alternatives available, Growly Notes.

The app takes up far less space than Word yet offers many of the same features without being bloated. Growly Write allows you to add pictures, columns, tables and has a clear and easy to use interface.

The format panel on the right puts all of Growly Write’s features and tools at your fingertips and it can also export to PDF.

Conclusion

For most Mac users:

• Best overall free alternative: Pages
• Best for collaboration: Google Docs
• Best full Office replacement: LibreOffice
• Best for serious writing: Scrivener

If you want something closest to Microsoft Word, go with ONLYOFFICE or WPS Office.

If you want a clean Mac-native experience, Pages is still the top choice.

FAQ

Is there a free version of Microsoft Word for Mac?

No, there is no fully free version of Microsoft Word for Mac.
You can download it from the Mac App Store, but editing documents requires a Microsoft 365 subscription.

If you want a completely free option, apps like Apple Pages, Google Docs, and LibreOffice are the best alternatives.

What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Word on Mac?

For most Mac users, Apple Pages is the best free alternative.

It’s easy to use, fully optimised for macOS, and handles Word documents very well.
If you prefer working online or collaborating with others, Google Docs is another excellent free option.

Which Word alternative is most similar to Microsoft Word?

The closest alternatives to Microsoft Word in terms of interface and features are:

• ONLYOFFICE
• WPS Office

Both offer a familiar layout and strong compatibility with .DOCX files, making them ideal if you don’t want to learn a new system.

Can free Word alternatives open and edit DOCX files?

Yes, most modern Word alternatives support .DOCX files.

Apps like Pages, Google Docs, LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE, and WPS Office can all open, edit, and save Word documents with good formatting compatibility.

What is the best Word alternative for writing a book?

If you’re writing a book or long document, Scrivener is one of the best options available.

It allows you to organise chapters, notes, and research in one place and easily export your work to Word or PDF when finished.

What is the best Word alternative for collaboration?

For collaboration, Google Docs is the most popular choice thanks to real-time editing and sharing.

Zoho Writer is also a strong alternative, offering similar features with added tools like an AI writing assistant.

Do any Word alternatives work offline on Mac?

Yes, many Word alternatives work offline on Mac.

These include:

• Pages
• LibreOffice
• WPS Office
• Scrivener

Web-based tools like Google Docs and Zoho Writer offer limited offline functionality but work best with an internet connection.

What is the best lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word?

If you want something simple and fast, Bean and Growly Write are good lightweight options.

They don’t have advanced features, but they’re ideal for basic writing tasks without the complexity of Word.

Are Word alternatives safe to use?

Yes, most well-known Word alternatives are safe to use.

Trusted apps like Pages, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and WPS Office are widely used and regularly updated.

As always, it’s best to download software from official websites or the Mac App Store.