The Best Document Creation Software in 2026
We researched document creation software using vendors’ official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features so buyers can compare tools for drafting, editing, formatting, and sharing documents.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Microsoft Word#1 of 259.4/10A full-featured document editor with web, desktop, mobile, review, and co-authoring tools.
Free plan
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Runner-up
Google Docs#2 of 259.3/10A browser-based word processor built around real-time collaboration and Google Workspace.
Free plan · 14-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
LibreOffice Writer#3 of 259.0/10A free desktop word processor with review tools and support for Word and OpenDocument files.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 25 tools, best first
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Best forFull-featured documents across devices
A full-featured document editor with web, desktop, mobile, review, and co-authoring tools.
- Real-time collaboration
- Offline editing
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft Word -
Best forTeams that collaborate in the browser
A browser-based word processor built around real-time collaboration and Google Workspace.
- Real-time collaboration
- Offline editing
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Google Docs verdict → Visit Google DocsFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.3/10★★★★★Visit Google Docs -
Best forFree offline desktop word processing
A free desktop word processor with review tools and support for Word and OpenDocument files.
- Offline editing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit LibreOffice -
Best forFree collaborative writing with document workflows
A free word processor that pairs team editing with automation and publishing tools.
- Real-time collaboration
- Offline editing
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Writer -
Best forApple users creating polished documents
A free document editor that pairs page layout tools with collaboration and Word compatibility.
- Real-time collaboration
- Offline editing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Apple Pages -
Best forBudget-conscious cross-platform DOCX editing
WPS Writer pairs cross-platform DOCX editing with PDF tools and AI features, including a free plan.
- Real-time collaboration
- Offline editing
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit WPS Writer -
Best forUsers needing office formats and PDF tools
A broad-format office suite with collaboration, PDF tools, and a free tier.
- Real-time collaboration
- Offline editing
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Polaris Office -
Best forOrganizations needing HWP and deployment choice
A multi-format office suite with HWP support, offline Windows work, and web collaboration.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Hancom Office -
Best forGroups needing self-hosted live editing
A self-hosted collaborative editor with strong revision, attribution, and export tools.
- Real-time collaboration
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Etherpad -
Best forAcademic and technical structured writing
LyX pairs structured editing and technical typesetting with a specialized WYSIWYM workflow.
- Offline editing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit LyX -
Best forResearchers writing LaTeX papers together
A focused LaTeX workspace for collaborative research writing and PDF review.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Overleaf -
Best forSalesforce-centered teams collaborating on documents
A Salesforce-focused workspace for co-editing documents, messaging, and live record data.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Quip -
Best forAuthors organizing long manuscripts
A structured writing workspace for long manuscripts, with research storage and publishing exports.
- Version history
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Scrivener -
Best forNovelists preparing books for publication
A focused book-writing workspace with free core tools and paid planning and writing add-ons.
- Version history
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Reedsy Studio -
Best forLaTeX authors who prefer a desktop editor
A free desktop LaTeX editor with strong writing and PDF tools, but a specialist focus.
- Real-time collaboration
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit TeXstudio -
Best forTeams writing and organizing shared notes
A Dropbox-integrated workspace for shared notes, tasks, comments, and media-rich documents.
- Real-time collaboration
- Offline editing
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Dropbox Paper -
Best forFree offline editing on major desktop platforms
A free desktop editor with review and export tools, but no real-time collaboration.
- Offline editing
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forDesktop users wanting advanced language tools
TextMaker pairs document review and export tools with multilingual and AI-assisted writing.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit SoftMaker -
Best forTeams building structured, shareable documents
Craft combines nested documents, publishing, offline editing, and collaboration.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Craft -
Best forPrivacy-focused collaborative rich-text editing
A privacy-focused browser editor with real-time collaboration and self-hosting.
- Real-time collaboration
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit CryptPad -
Best forLegal professionals working on Windows
A Windows desktop word processor with legal features and broad file compatibility.
- Offline editing
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit WordPerfect -
Best forApple-based writers who publish online
A focused Apple writing workspace with organization, exports, and direct publishing tools.
- Version history
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Ulysses -
Best forFocused Markdown writers on Apple or Windows
A focused Markdown editor with style tools, version recovery, and publishing options.
- Version history
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit iA Writer -
Best forLinux users needing word processing and layout
A focused Linux document editor for rich text, page layout, and PDF output.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Calligra Words -
Best forSolo writers seeking a distraction-free desktop
A focused open-source writing desk for solo authors who value minimal distractions.
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit FocusWriter
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Word | Yes | $7/user/mo | 9.4 |
| 2 | Google Docs | Yes | $7/user/mo | 9.3 |
| 3 | LibreOffice Writer | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 4 | Zoho Writer | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | Apple Pages | Yes | $29.99/yr | 8.8 |
| 6 | WPS Writer | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 7 | Polaris Office | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 8 | Hancom Office | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 9 | Etherpad | Free | 8.2 | |
| 10 | LyX | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 11 | Overleaf | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Quip | No | $10/user/mo | 7.8 |
| 13 | Scrivener | No | $23.99 one-time | 7.8 |
| 14 | Reedsy Studio | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 15 | TeXstudio | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 16 | Dropbox Paper | Yes | $0.99/mo | 7.8 |
| 17 | Apache OpenOffice Writer | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 18 | SoftMaker TextMaker | $49.90/yr | 7.7 | |
| 19 | Craft | Yes | $6.40/user/mo | 7.6 |
| 20 | CryptPad Rich Text | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 21 | WordPerfect | No | 6.9 | |
| 22 | Ulysses | No | $39.99/user/yr | 6.8 |
| 23 | iA Writer | No | 6.7 | |
| 24 | Calligra Words | Yes | Free | 6.4 |
| 25 | FocusWriter | Free | 6.2 |
Head-to-head All 13 comparisons →
- Microsoft Word vs Polaris Office
- Microsoft Word vs Hancom Office
- Google Docs vs Polaris Office
- Google Docs vs Hancom Office
- LibreOffice Writer vs Polaris Office
- LibreOffice Writer vs Hancom Office
- Zoho Writer vs Polaris Office
- Zoho Writer vs Hancom Office
- Apple Pages vs Polaris Office
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How we rank document creation software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update