The Most Popular Word Processor, Ranked

Choose the word processor you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:54
In today's fast-paced digital world, finding the right tools to streamline work and enhance productivity is crucial. Among these tools, word processors stand out as fundamental for everyone from students to professionals. By creating a ranked list of the most popular word processors, users can gain insights into which tools are preferred by most people and why. Through this list, which dynamically adjusts based on user votes, individuals who are undecided about which word processor to use can make informed decisions. This clear, aggregated ranking can help identify which features resonate with users and which tools best meet users' specific needs. So, cast your vote and see how your favorite tool stacks up against the competition.

What Is the Most Popular Word Processor?

  1. 1
    88
    votes
    Microsoft Word
    Microsoft Corporation · Public domain

    Microsoft Word

    Microsoft Corporation
    Microsoft Word is the most popular word processor due to its user-friendly interface, advanced formatting options, and extensive features. It is widely used in businesses, education, and personal use.
    Microsoft Word is a word-processing application developed and published by Microsoft Corporation. It allows users to create, edit, format, and save documents. Microsoft Word is widely used for creating professional documents, such as reports, letters, resumes, and manuscripts. It offers a comprehensive set of features and tools for text formatting, spell-checking, grammar correction, inserting images and tables, creating charts and graphs, tracking changes, and collaborating with others.
    • Operating System: Windows, macOS
    • File Formats: DOC, DOCX, RTF, PDF, XML, HTML
    • Templates: Available built-in templates for various document types
    • Collaboration: Real-time co-authoring, comments, and track changes
    • Word Art: Ability to create stylized text and graphical effects
  2. 2
    48
    votes
    Google Docs
    Christopher J. Fynn · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Google Docs

    Google
    Google Docs is a free online word processor that allows multiple users to collaborate on a single document in real-time. It is popular due to its accessibility, cloud-based storage, and integration with other Google services.
    Google Docs is a web-based word processing platform that allows users to create, edit, and store documents online. It provides a collaborative environment where multiple users can simultaneously work on the same document. Google Docs is part of the Google Workspace suite offered by Google.
    • Add-ons: Supports third-party add-ons to enhance functionality.
    • Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can edit a document simultaneously in real-time.
    • Cloud Storage: Documents are stored online, allowing easy access from any device with an internet connection.
    • Offline Editing: Documents can be edited offline and changes automatically sync when reconnected to the internet.
    • Version History: Users can access and restore previous versions of a document.
  3. 3
    23
    votes

    Apple Pages

    Apple Inc.
    Apple Pages is a word processor designed for Mac and iOS devices. It is popular for its sleek design, powerful features, and seamless integration with other Apple products.
    Apple Pages is a word processing software designed for Apple devices. It provides users with a range of features and tools to create and edit documents easily. With a sleek and intuitive interface, it offers a user-friendly experience.
    • Formatting Tools: Powerful formatting tools for text, images, and shapes
    • Compatibility: Exclusive to Apple devices (iOS, macOS)
    • Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple apps and services
    • Templates: A wide selection of professionally designed templates
    • Collaboration: Real-time collaboration and commenting features
  4. 4
    20
    votes
    LibreOffice Writer
    Software: The Document Foundation and contributors Screenshot: VulcanSphere · MPL 2

    LibreOffice Writer

    The Document Foundation
    LibreOffice Writer is a free and open-source word processor that offers extensive formatting options and compatibility with Microsoft Word documents. It is popular among users who prefer open-source software.
    LibreOffice Writer is a popular word processor that is part of the LibreOffice suite, an open-source productivity software. It provides a comprehensive set of features and tools for creating and editing documents of various types. With a user-friendly interface, it enables users to write and format texts, design pages, insert images and tables, create indexes and references, and collaborate with others.
    • Operating System: Windows, macOS, Linux
    • File Format Support: ODF, DOC, DOCX, RTF, TXT, HTML, PDF, and more
    • Collaboration: Real-time collaborative editing, commenting, and track changes
    • Templates: Wide range of templates for various document types
    • Styles and Formatting: Advanced formatting options and style management
  5. 5
    17
    votes

    WPS Office

    Kingsoft Corporation
    WPS Office is a free cross-platform office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. It is popular for its compatibility with Microsoft Office documents and its user-friendly interface.
    WPS Office is a popular alternative to Microsoft Office, offering a suite of productivity tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. It provides a user-friendly interface with a similar look and feel to Microsoft Office, making it easy for users to transition. WPS Office is known for its compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats and its lightweight design.
    • Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    • Supported File Formats: DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX
    • Word Processor Features: Formatting tools, spell check, track changes, PDF conversion
    • Spreadsheet Features: Formulas, charts, tables, conditional formatting
    • Presentation Features: Slide templates, animations, slide transitions
    WPS Office in other rankings
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    OpenOffice Writer is a free and open-source word processor that offers similar features to Microsoft Word. It is popular among users who prefer open-source software and want an alternative to Microsoft Office.
    OpenOffice Writer is a free and open-source word processor developed by Apache. It is part of the OpenOffice productivity suite, which provides a comprehensive set of office tools. Writer is designed to be user-friendly and offers a wide range of features for creating and editing documents.
    • Compatibility: Ability to open, edit, and save documents in various file formats including Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) and OpenDocument Format (.odt)
    • Formatting: Support for various text formatting options including font styles, sizes, colors, and paragraph alignments
    • Templates: Built-in templates for creating professional-looking documents such as resumes, letters, and reports
    • Styles and Formatting: Easy management of document styles, allowing consistent formatting throughout the document
    • Tables: Powerful table editor for creating and manipulating tables with advanced features such as formulas and sorting
  7. 7
    11
    votes

    Zoho Writer

    Zoho Corporation
    Zoho Writer is a free online word processor that offers collaboration features, cloud-based storage, and integration with other Zoho apps. It is popular among businesses and teams who need to work on documents together.
    Zoho Writer is a web-based word processor that allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents online. It is part of the Zoho Suite of productivity applications.
    • Collaboration: Real-time collaboration and co-editing features.
    • Cloud Storage: Ability to save documents directly to the cloud.
    • Compatibility: Supports multiple file formats, including .docx, .rtf, .txt, and .odt.
    • Mobile Access: Mobile apps available for iOS and Android devices.
    • Templates: Wide range of pre-designed templates for various document types.
  8. 8
    5
    votes
    Scrivener is a word processor designed for writers, researchers, and other creative professionals. It offers advanced features such as outlining, research tools, and manuscript formatting. It is popular among authors and academic writers.
    Scrivener is a powerful word processing software designed specifically for writers and authors. It provides a unique platform for organizing, structuring, and writing long-form documents such as novels, scripts, and academic papers. With its focus on writing workflows, research management, and organizational tools, Scrivener offers a comprehensive solution to streamline the writing process.
    • Corkboard: Visual organization of ideas and scenes
    • Binder: Ability to outline and navigate the document
    • Full-screen mode: Distraction-free writing environment
    • Split View: Simultaneously work on different sections
    • Research tools: Integration of research materials and notes
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    FocusWriter is a distraction-free word processor that offers a full-screen mode, customizable interface, and productivity tools. It is popular among writers who need a distraction-free environment to focus on their work.
    FocusWriter is a distraction-free word processor that helps users stay focused on their writing by providing a clean and minimalist user interface. It allows writers to create and edit documents without the distractions of formatting options or other unnecessary features. FocusWriter provides a calm and customizable writing environment, making it an ideal choice for writers, authors, and journalists.
    • Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
    • Price: Free and Open Source
    • Compatibility: Microsoft Word, OpenDocument formats
    • Customization: Themes, fonts, and sounds
    • Typewriter Sound: Simulates the nostalgic sound of typewriters
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    AbiWord is a free and open-source word processor that offers basic formatting options and compatibility with Microsoft Word documents. It is popular among users who need a lightweight and simple word processor.
    AbiWord is a free and open-source word processor available for multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It provides users with a lightweight and efficient tool for creating, editing, and formatting documents.
    • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Open-Source: Developed collaboratively with contributions from the community
    • Small Footprint: Takes up minimal system resources
    • Familiar Interface: User-friendly interface similar to other word processors
    • Collaboration Tools: Ability to track changes and comments, and support for collaborative editing

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular word processor. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or word processor is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 4028 views
  • 232 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each word processor once every 24 hours. The rank of each word processor is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular word processor

When it comes to word processors, there are a plethora of options available in the market. These software applications are designed to make writing, editing and formatting text documents a breeze. From Microsoft Word to Google Docs, Apple Pages to LibreOffice Writer, the list goes on. But which one is the most popular? The answer may surprise you. According to a recent poll conducted on StrawPoll, the majority of respondents voted for Microsoft Word as the most popular word processor. It's no surprise that a software giant like Microsoft, with its powerful features and user-friendly interface, has emerged as the top choice for word processing needs. However, there are other popular options out there as well. Google Docs, for instance, has gained traction amongst users as a cloud-based alternative to Microsoft Word. Apple Pages, on the other hand, is a popular choice for Apple users who prefer a more streamlined interface. Ultimately, the choice of word processor depends on personal preference and the intended use. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a casual user, there is a word processor out there that will suit your needs.

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