Best Google Docs Alternatives in 2026
The top Google Docs alternatives are Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer and WPS Writer: 15 word processing software our editors would look at instead of Google Docs, in our ranking order.
Google Docs: A strong browser-first word processor for teams that edit documents together. Where it falls short: no verified desktop apps are listed.
Switching from Google Docs? For most word processing software buyers the best Google Docs alternative is Microsoft Word, built for professional users needing a complete word processor. On a budget, Dropbox Paper starts at $0.99/mo, against $7/user/mo for Google Docs.
Why People Look for a Google Docs Alternative
- No verified desktop apps are listed
- Higher tiers are needed for Gemini or advanced management features
- Paid plans bundle Docs with broader Workspace tools
- No desktop apps — 11 of the alternatives below have it
- Paid from $7/user/mo — Dropbox Paper is $0.99/user/mo
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMicrosoft Word9.4
Professional users needing a complete word processor
Visit Microsoft Word - Lowest priceDropbox Paper7.9
Paid plans from $0.99/mo
Visit Dropbox Paper - Best free optionMicrosoft Word9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Microsoft Word - Most maximum document sizeMicrosoft Word9.4
512 MB
Visit Microsoft Word - Best for desktop appsMicrosoft Word9.4
Desktop apps (Google Docs: no)
Visit Microsoft Word
All 15 Google Docs Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forProfessional users needing a complete word processor
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
- Maximum document size: 512 MB vs 50 MB
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.2
A complete word processor with strong collaboration, review, accessibility, and Microsoft ecosystem support.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft Word -
Best forFeature-rich free and cross-platform editing
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A broad free word processor for teams needing cross-platform editing and workflow features.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Writer -
Best forAffordable Microsoft-compatible editing
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
Affordable Word-compatible editing with offline work, collaboration, AI, and PDF tools.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit WPS Writer -
Best forOrganizations needing self-hosted office software
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A broad, self-hosted office suite with free Community access and a costly Enterprise tier.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ONLYOFFICE -
Best forApple users wanting polished document creation
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A capable free document editor for Apple users who value layout and collaboration.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Apple Pages -
Best forFree offline desktop word processing
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A capable offline Writer with broad document features, but no real-time collaboration.
- Track changes
- Offline editing
- Desktop apps
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit LibreOffice -
Best forPrivacy-focused collaborative deployments
A privacy-focused office suite for teams that need on-premise collaboration.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
8.4/10★★★★☆Try Collabora Online -
Best forBroad office editing with AI assistance
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A broad office suite with collaboration, offline editing, document review, and AI tools.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Polaris Office -
Best forWeb-first teams using Yandex services
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
- Paid from: $3.99/user/mo vs $7/user/mo
- Maximum document size: 100 MB vs 50 MB
A practical web-first editor for teams already working in Yandex services.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Yandex -
Best forEnterprise cloud collaboration in Tencent ecosystems
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A Tencent-centered workspace for collaborative documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
- Real-time collaboration
- Desktop apps
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Tencent Docs -
Best forFree desktop office compatibility
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A capable free desktop suite for DOCX work, offline editing, and language support.
- Track changes
- Offline editing
- Desktop apps
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit SoftMaker -
Best forLightweight collaborative notes and documents
- Better than Google Docs:
- Paid from: $0.99/user/mo vs $7/user/mo
A focused web editor for shared documents, tasks, comments, and embedded media.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Dropbox Paper -
Best forCross-platform office editing on a budget
- Better than Google Docs:
- Desktop apps
A budget-friendly office suite with broad device support, offline apps, and core collaboration tools.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
- Offline editing
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit MobiOffice -
Best forSelf-hosted academic collaborative writing
A focused open-source editor for scholarly teams that need self-hosted collaboration.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Fidus Writer -
Best forPrivate-cloud office platform builders
- Better than Google Docs:
- Maximum document size: 300 MB vs 50 MB
A flexible private-cloud office suite, priced for organizations rather than ordinary writers.
- Real-time collaboration
- Track changes
7.6/10★★★★☆Try Thinkfree Office
Google Docs Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Google Docs?
Microsoft Word: #1 in our Word Processing Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A complete word processor with strong collaboration, review, accessibility, and Microsoft ecosystem support.
Is there a free alternative to Google Docs?
Yes. Microsoft Word, Zoho Writer, WPS Writer, ONLYOFFICE Docs and Apple Pages have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Google Docs?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Dropbox Paper starts lowest, at $0.99/mo.
Why do people look for Google Docs alternatives?
No verified desktop apps are listed; Higher tiers are needed for Gemini or advanced management features; Paid plans bundle Docs with broader Workspace tools.
Which Google Docs alternative has the most maximum document size?
Microsoft Word, with 512 MB.
How do I switch from Google Docs?
Export your data from Google Docs (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Google Docs.
How to Switch from Google Docs
- Export your data from Google Docs (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Google Docs.
Google Docs vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Desktop apps | Offline editing | Real-time collaboration | Track changes | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Google Docs | Yes | $7/user/mo | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 1 | Microsoft Word | Yes | $7/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Zoho Writer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 3 | WPS Writer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 4 | ONLYOFFICE Docs | Yes | $1,500/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 5 | Apple Pages | Yes | $29.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 6 | LibreOffice Writer | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 8.5 |
| 7 | Collabora Online | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 8 | Polaris Office | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 9 | Yandex Documents | Yes | $3.99/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 10 | Tencent Docs | Yes | 250 CNY/user/yr | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | ||
| 11 | SoftMaker FreeOffice | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Dropbox Paper | Yes | $0.99/mo | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 13 | MobiOffice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 14 | Fidus Writer | Yes | Free | 7.7 | ||||
| 15 | Thinkfree Office | No | $900/yr | No | No | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- Google Docs vs Microsoft Word
- Google Docs vs Zoho Writer
- Google Docs vs WPS Writer
- Google Docs vs ONLYOFFICE Docs
- Google Docs vs Apple Pages
- Google Docs vs LibreOffice Writer
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update