Microsoft Word vs Apple Pages

Microsoft Word9.4Visit Apple Pages8.6Visit

Higher score Microsoft Word #1 in Word Processing Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Microsoft Word

vs

Apple Pages #6 in Word Processing Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Apple Pages

• Microsoft Word fits best

  Professional users needing a complete word processor

• Apple Pages fits best

  Apple users wanting polished document creation

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft Word 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Apple Pages 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Word Processing Software	#6 in Word Processing Software
Best for	Professional users needing a complete word processor	Apple users wanting polished document creation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$7/user/mo	$29.99/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, macOS, iOS
Integrations	3 integrations	3 integrations
Features Microsoft Word 4/4 · Apple Pages 4/4
Desktop apps	✓	✓
Offline editing	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Track changes	✓	✓
Specs
Desktop platforms	Windows, macOS	macOS
Maximum document size	512 MB	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Real-time co-authoring, track changes, and version history support review workflows Desktop, web, and mobile access across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Templates, dictation, accessibility checking, and Copilot-assisted writing tools	Free editing and real-time collaboration without a subscription Track changes, threaded comments, and rich page-layout tools Exports to PDF, Word, EPUB, RTF, and TXT
Cons	The free plan is limited to Word for the web and basic editing features Desktop Word requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription The 512 MB maximum applies to Word files opened by Word	No Linux or Android platform listed Premium Pages content and intelligence features require a subscription Collaboration is limited to 2 GB, or 4 GB for subscribers
Our verdict	Microsoft Word is a word-processing application for creating, editing, formatting, reviewing, and sharing documents. It suits professional users who need a complete document workspace across web, desktop, and mobile platforms. Core… Read the review →	Apple Pages combines word processing and page-layout tools for reports, resumes, books, posters, and other documents. It suits Apple users who want polished templates, flexible formatting, and support for both writing and visual document… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Microsoft Word — where it wins

  • Real-time co-authoring, track changes, and version history support review workflows
  • Desktop, web, and mobile access across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Templates, dictation, accessibility checking, and Copilot-assisted writing tools

  Where it doesn't

  • The free plan is limited to Word for the web and basic editing features
  • Desktop Word requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
  • The 512 MB maximum applies to Word files opened by Word

• Apple Pages — where it wins

  • Free editing and real-time collaboration without a subscription
  • Track changes, threaded comments, and rich page-layout tools
  • Exports to PDF, Word, EPUB, RTF, and TXT

  Where it doesn't

  • No Linux or Android platform listed
  • Premium Pages content and intelligence features require a subscription
  • Collaboration is limited to 2 GB, or 4 GB for subscribers

• Microsoft Word9.4/10 · Free plan

  A complete word processor with strong collaboration, review, accessibility, and Microsoft ecosystem support.

  Visit Microsoft WordFull verdict →
• Apple Pages8.6/10 · Free plan

  A capable free document editor for Apple users who value layout and collaboration.

  Visit Apple PagesFull verdict →