The Best Free Online Word Processors in 2018

If you're looking for a free online word processor the most similar to a traditional word processor such as Microsoft Word then you're going to want to check out the popular Google Docs.

Google Docs allows you to create, edit, and collaborate on documents quickly and easily knowing that you'll be able to access them anywhere you want, anytime you want. There's a bunch of editing options available and you won't miss Microsoft Office one bit with Google Docs.

Though this word processor is entirely free, it doesn't at all mean that it's lacking in features; you can insert images, tables, comments, and special characters, as well as headers/footers, bookmarks, and a table of contents. You can even type with just your voice!

In addition to creating your own documents online, Google's online word processor also lets you edit documents that exist on your computer (like DOCX files), by simply uploading them to Google Docs.

Read our review of Google Docs

Like Google Docs, Zoho Writer is an online word processor that's incredibly easy to use while at the same time has all the bells and whistles of a traditional word processor.

You'll be able to create and edit documents with this free online word processor with ease. Spell check is included, documents are auto-saved, you can see past revisions that were made to the document, and you can upload MS Word files as well as save Zoho Writer documents to your computer in popular formats like PDF and DOCX.

A unique feature of this online word processor is the ability to chat within Zoho Writer as you collaborate on a document. 

Logging on to Zoho Writer is super simple if you already have a Google, Yahoo!, Facebook, or Twitter account.

Read our review of Zoho Writer

Sign in with your Google or Facebook account and get instant access to ONLYOFFICE Personal's free online word processor. 

You can upload existing DOCX files from your computer as well as from websites like Google Drive, Zoho, Box, and OneDrive. Documents can then be saved back to your computer 

This word processor looks very nice, has plenty of useful features, can import a variety of objects (charts, pictures, tables, shapes, etc.), and lets you co-edit and chat with others, even the public, which means they don't need to be logged in to their own account to collaborate with you. A document can be shared with read-only or full access rights.

One feature I like is the ability to restore to older versions of documents so you can undo changes another user may have made.

Read our review of ONLYOFFICE Personal

Word Online is Microsoft's online word processor and is a stripped down version of the popular Microsoft Word.

You can only open documents you have stored in your online OneNote account, but uploading files there first before using them with the editor isn't a huge step to take.

It auto-saves your documents and there are plenty of editing options like adding tables, headers and footers, pictures, and basically anything else you can do with a common word processor.

You can also share a document with others rather easily, and download a copy of the file to your computer in DOCX, PDF, or ODT.

Visit Microsoft Word Online

Calmly Writer Online is unique because it would appear to lack all the bells and whistles of a normal word processor, but it actually has a lot going on in the background. The simplicity of the program makes sure you're concentrating on what really matters: your words.

At the top of the workspace is a menu button where you can make a new document, open an existing one (from your computer or Google Drive), save the document (to TXT, HTM, or DOCX), insert pictures, toggle fullscreen, print, and change preferences.

Some of the options you you can play around with let you turn the workspace into a darker mode, adjust the text width and size, and more.

Visit Calmly Writer Online