Google Docs is a great document editor. As one of Google Workspace’s most popular apps, it gets regular updates with nifty features. It’s powerful and easy to use on mobile, the best Chromebooks, and desktops. But it’s not perfect. Some document editors are more powerful. Others are better for collaboration. And some are open-source apps for Android.
We grabbed the eight best document editors, from well-known brands to little-known apps. Let’s dive in.
1. Microsoft Word: Top dog for a reason
If you want a document editor that’s more advanced than Docs, try Microsoft Word. It has a robust set of features, like most Microsoft Office apps. You don’t need any add-ons to get the best experience. It also is easy to use. You won’t have to spend ages searching through its user-friendly interface to find the tools you need.
While its collaborative features aren’t as streamlined as Google Docs, it still offers real-time collaboration with other users. It’s also the best option for editing complex word documents on both Windows and mobile devices. It also saves OneDrive users a significant amount of time when backing up documents.
2. Polaris Office: A non-Microsoft powerhouse
Polaris Office is an excellent option if you want powerful features like Microsoft Word but don’t care for other Office products. Its desktop and mobile apps come with full functionality. So, you won’t sacrifice any features when switching between devices. However, the mobile app has a relatively cluttered UI.
Polaris Office comes with its own cloud storage option. It can also link to Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox, and more. If you don’t mind working around the menus, it’s a flexible Google Docs alternative.
3. Dropbox Paper: Simple and easy
Dropbox Paper is the most streamlined document editing option. Designed with users in mind, it’s the easiest-to-use app here. It lacks some word-processing features but has great collaboration tools.
Dropbox Paper is also a good option if you don’t need a ton of advanced features. But only a single font option and the lack of a spell checker can be frustrating. However, its smooth interface makes it better than Google Docs for quick note-taking or simple collaborative work.
4. Zoho Writer: A familiar design
Zoho Writer’s design philosophy mirrors Google’s. It has a clean look and a style that mimics paper. Docs users will feel right at home. However, Zoho’s formatting options outshine Google’s. While the UI isn’t as straightforward as Docs, its conversation-style comments make collaboration easy. It’s a great alternative if you want more features than Docs but don’t want to mess around with add-ons.
5. ONLYOFFICE Documents: Painless and powerful
ONLYOFFICE Documents is a streamlined document editor that doesn’t skimp on features. While many open-source document editors can be clunky, its painless interface makes it stand out from the crowd.
It takes some time to explore ONLYOFFICE Documents’ suite of editing features, but it’s worth the effort. It also has private cloud storage, so you have complete control over your stored data. A great option if you value privacy above all else.
6. LibreOffice Writer: The open-source standby
Anyone who uses Linux knows about LibreOffice. It’s the open-source office suite that comes packaged with many Linux distributions. Windows and Mac versions are also available. Its text editor, Writer, has powerful editing tools that compete with Microsoft Word. Its extension library makes up for any features it lacks. While its user interface is stuck in the 90s, it still gives other word processors a run for their money.
There is no LibreOffice app for Android or iOS. However, the mobile-friendly Collabora Office is based on its code.
LibreOffice – The Document Foundation
7. Collabora Office: LibreOffice for mobile
Many open-source document editors are built off of LibreOffice. Collabora Office is one of the best. If you’re familiar with LibreOffice for desktop, adapting to Collabora will be easy. It’s a bit rough visually, but that’s a small price to pay. It’s in active development and has a public bug tracker, so it’s easy to see what’s going on behind the scenes.
Collabora Office found its way into our roundup of the best tablet apps for Android.
8. Etherpad: Everyone edits at once
Etherpad is a word processor with one focus: real-time collaboration. It boasts that it works like a “live multiplayer editor” and lives up to its claims. Many users can edit a file once, seeing each change as it happens.
It doesn’t have many fancy features, but the features it does have help with document collaboration. Users can talk with live chat while editing. The app can highlight each user’s contributions in different colors. There are a few better options if you want a simple way for many people to edit a word-processing document.
Etherpad – Open-source online editor
Go beyond Google
Even diehard Google Docs fans should try a few of these apps. Who knows, maybe Docs isn’t the best for you! If not, you’ll find your niche here. If you want to find more apps outside the Google bubble, there are plenty of great Google Calendar alternatives available.
