When Vista was released to replace Windows XP, Microsoft’s word processor Microsoft Word wasn’t included anymore as a free service whenever someone bought a new computer or laptop with Windows Vista on it. Instead, people were given Microsoft Works Word Processor, which contrary to popular belief, isn’t entirely used by a lot of people out there and some computers can’t even recognize the file type. So, if you type up an exam paper or resume, there’s a chance that the recipient might not even get it if you used Works Word.
Sure, you could buy Microsoft Word, but that is upwards of 140 dollars (that is without buying Office, which includes Excel, PowerPoint and programs like that). Or, you could use these free alternatives that provide the same exact thing as Microsoft Word (and Office).
OpenOffice.org
Perhaps the most popular out of all of these, OpenOffice operates the same exact way as Microsoft Office by providing different programs to help with productivity, including a word processor. You simply download it to your laptop or computer of choice and you can use it for free for life. It is also free to distribute and free to copy on as many computers as you’d like. It even has an area where you can add extra widgets or software to your OpenOffice (most of them are free, too).
AbiWord
Another popular tool among creative types sans Microsoft Word, AbiWord is pretty much uncanny from its competitor. The toolbar that can be found at the top looks pretty much exactly the same as the one found in a Microsoft Word document. Just like OpenOffice, AbiWord is free to use and free to distribute. It is also another program that you must download to use, but, is well worth it.
Google Docs
If you have a Gmail account, then you can use Google’s own word processor. However, what makes it probably less popular is because of this-you cannot just go to a website and download the program, rather, you need to set up an account with Google (which is free) and sometimes people just want something right away. Regardless, Google docs isn’t any less unusable because of this.
Jarte
If you’re looking for lists of free word processors to use, Jarte will usually come up quite often. Much like OpenOffice or AbiWord, Jarte is another service where you just download for free (open source as it is called in tech speak). However, Jarte also provides a paid version of their software called Jarte Plus, which is $19.95 to purchase.
IBM’s Lotus Symphony
Much like AbiWord, Lotus Symphony looks like the long lost sibling of Microsoft Word. Lotus Symphony also provides free plug-ins as well as a support center and help desk for any concerns or questions you might have.
And some extra freebie websites…
ThinkFree
Like Google Docs, with ThinkFree you must set up a free account in order to use their software. Though they provide all of the same things as a Microsoft Office Suite would.
Zoho Writer
Another website in which you must set up a free account with them to use their programs, Zoho Writer provides a much more stable service than ThinkFree, which is prone to random glitches and timing out problems. The interface is also a lot cleaner.
LyX
Though this is a word processor and is free to use with no account sign-up, LyX is best used for technical papers that need to be written up and have to include equations or bigger term and exam papers. Essentially, this is the grad student’s best friend on the cheap. It is also easier to set up a term paper than Microsoft Word is.
Again, there is no reason to pay an over-the-top fee for Microsoft Word when there are completely reliable open source programs online, which can be downloaded and be used offline. These are considered some of the best and are used by many professionals and students alike as well as have many reviews that can be found with a simple search.
So, get writing!
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