Online document editors make it easy to create, edit and work together on docs. There's a ton of options out there and it can be hard to pick the right one. So I rounded up the top 10 for 2024, plus 4 other ones worth checking out, to help you find your perfect match.
I looked at stuff like how easy they are to use, what features they have, how well they work with other apps, security, mobile versions and pricing. This list has something for everybody, whether you're a student, professional or aspiring novelist.
When you're looking at online document editors, think about what matters most to you. Are you doing a lot of writing solo or working with a team? Do you need something simple or are you tackling big, complex projects?
I checked each option based on key criteria like:
The comparison table gives you a quick look at how they all stack up. Use it to zero in on the best fit for you.
| Feature | Papermark | Google Docs | Microsoft Word | LibreOffice Writer | Apache OpenOffice Writer | WPS Office Writer | Zoho Writer | Dropbox Paper | Evernote | Quip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Feature Set | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| File Formats | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Cloud Sync | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Collaboration | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Security | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Mobile Apps | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Pricing | from $0 | from $0 | from $6.99/m | Free | Free | Free | from $4/m | from $5/m | from $7.99/m | from $10/user/m |
Let's break down what those key criteria actually mean and why they matter:
Ease of use: A simple, intuitive interface helps you get stuff done faster. I looked at how easy it is to navigate and do common tasks without a steep learning curve.
Feature set: From basic text formatting to advanced things like adding media, more features = more flexibility. I checked the range of tools to see how versatile each editor is.
File format support: You need your editor to play nicely with other apps. I tested how well they open, edit and save file types like .docx, .pdf, .odt and more for smooth integration.
Cloud integration: Connecting to Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive makes access and sharing easy. I looked at sync features for streamlined workflows.
Collaboration tools: Features like real-time co-editing, comments and track changes are key for teamwork. I evaluated how each editor handles collaborative editing.
Security/privacy: Protecting sensitive info is critical. I explored encryption, password protection, access controls and more to gauge security.
Mobile access: We all work on the go. I checked if each editor has a mobile app or responsive design so you can edit from anywhere.
Pricing: Free is great but sometimes extra features are worth paying for. I broke down free vs paid plans and subscription models to compare value.
Use this breakdown to think about your top priorities and choose the criteria that matter most for your needs.
Papermark.io is a modern, open-source document sharing platform. It's known for secure sharing, page-level analytics, custom branding and AI features to enhance your docs. It works great for individuals and enterprises.
Papermark.io has a solid set of tools for secure sharing and collaboration:
Papermark.io has 5,000+ happy customers like founders, investors and experts. They love the clean UI, efficient document management and custom branding. The open-source, self-hosted setup with strong security is a big draw.
Industry pros praise the page-level analytics and AI features as game-changers for document insights and improvements. The innovative approach gets a thumbs up.
Papermark.io has a freemium model - the basic plan is free, with paid plans from $8/user/month for more advanced features like custom branding and extra data rooms. Pricing is meant to scale for individuals up to enterprises.
Papermark is loved and used by over 5000 founders and users for creating data room and sharing pitch deck decurely.
It is highly rated by startup founders and investors.
Startups sharing there Pitch Deck and documents with top investors out there.
Google Docs is part of Google's wildly popular productivity suite. It's a collaborative online word processor that integrates seamlessly with other Google apps. The simple interface and real-time collaboration make it a go-to for individuals and teams working together from anywhere.
Google Docs covers all the document creation and editing essentials:
Google Docs is a hit for its simplicity, collaboration features and integration with the Google-verse. Users of all skill levels find it intuitive. Teams rave about the efficient real-time co-editing.
Experts recommend it for the rock-solid cloud integration, easy access and $0 price tag. Individuals and organizations alike appreciate the free, cohesive experience across Google apps.
You really can't beat free. Google Docs lets you access all the features without spending a dime, which is a huge draw for individuals, students and budget-conscious organizations. You get 15 GB of storage included and can upgrade if you need more space.
Microsoft Word is the industry-standard word processor and part of the Microsoft Office suite. It's famous for its powerful formatting and editing tools. Professionals across industries rely on it for all kinds of documents, from basic memos to complex reports.
Microsoft Word has an extensive array of document creation and editing capabilities:
Microsoft Word has been the go-to for ages. Professionals and organizations praise its robust features and formatting for high-quality docs. The familiar interface and Microsoft integrations make it a natural fit for many.
Experts give it high marks for its extensive customization, macros and add-ins. But some note the subscription pricing and limited real-time collaboration may not work for all, especially teams or budget-conscious users.
Microsoft Word is part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Personal plans start at $6.99/month or $69.99/year for core Office apps. Family plans are $9.99/month or $99.99/year. You can also make a one-time purchase of Office Home & Student 2021 with Word, Excel and PowerPoint for $149.99, but without updates.
Get started with Microsoft Word
LibreOffice Writer is a popular free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Word. It's part of the LibreOffice productivity suite. Users love its compatibility with Microsoft Office formats and wide range of supported file types.
LibreOffice Writer packs in a solid set of word processing features:
LibreOffice Writer has a loyal fan base in the open-source community. Users praise its robust features that go toe-to-toe with premium tools while being compatible with key Microsoft formats.
Experts recommend it for the $0 price tag and flexibility, especially for cash-strapped individuals and organizations. But they caution its limited collaboration, lack of mobile apps and dated UI may not fit more demanding use cases.
LibreOffice Writer is 100% free to download and use. The open-source model means a collaborative community for improvements too. It's a go-to for individuals, students and organizations watching their budgets.
Download LibreOffice Writer for free
Apache OpenOffice Writer is another well-known free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. It's widely recognized for its compatibility with Microsoft formats at a budget-friendly $0 price point.
Apache OpenOffice Writer offers a well-rounded set of word processing tools:
Apache OpenOffice Writer has a dedicated open-source following. The community appreciates the free, flexible alternative to commercial suites, especially its compatibility with Microsoft Office docs.
Industry experts tout its cost-effectiveness for individuals and organizations on tight budgets. However, they note the limited collaboration, lack of mobile apps and older interface may not suit those with more advanced needs.
Apache OpenOffice Writer is completely free to download and use. The open-source approach fosters a collaborative environment for the community to pitch in on improvements and customizations.
Download Apache OpenOffice Writer for free
WPS Office Writer is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word. It's popular for its compatibility with Microsoft Office formats while being more nimble than the full Microsoft suite.
WPS Office Writer delivers essential word processing and document creation features:
WPS Office Writer has a following among users wanting a free, no-frills alternative to Microsoft Word. The community praises its Microsoft Office compatibility and smooth performance even on older systems.
Experts recommend it as a cost-effective option, especially for its Microsoft format support. But they point out its limited collaboration and fewer bells and whistles vs. Word may not fit power users or complex use cases.
WPS Office Writer is free to download and use. While there are some paid plans with extra features, the free version covers all the essentials for most users' basic document needs.
Zoho Writer is a cloud-based word processor that's part of Zoho's wider productivity suite. It's known for its strong real-time collaboration and tight integration with other Zoho tools, making it popular for teams already using Zoho.
Zoho Writer focuses on collaborative document creation and editing:
Zoho Writer gets praise from users for its slick collaboration tools and integration with Zoho's other apps. Teams dig the efficient real-time co-editing and unified workflows across Zoho tools like Sheets and Show.
Experts give it a thumbs up for the robust cloud features and collab focused on teams. But they note the limited formatting, potential Zoho learning curve and cloud storage may not jive for all users and needs.
Zoho Writer has a limited free plan and paid plans from $3/user/month. Paid tiers open up advanced collaboration, Zoho app integrations and more storage. Teams may find the paid plans worthwhile for the full Zoho experience.
Dropbox Paper is a minimalist document editor and collaboration tool connected with Dropbox's cloud storage. Its streamlined interface and collaboration features make it popular for team-based document editing and info-sharing.
Dropbox Paper offers a focused toolset for collaborative document creation:
Dropbox Paper has fans who love its simplicity for seamless team document editing and collaboration. Users praise the intuitive interface and integration with Dropbox's ecosystem for streamlined workflows.
Experts recommend it for the slick UI and powerful collaboration, especially for teams already using Dropbox. But they caution its limited formatting, fewer features vs. heavy-duty word processors and cloud-only access may not suit all use cases.
Dropbox Paper is included with Dropbox's paid plans, which start at $12.50/user/month for additional storage, advanced sharing and other perks on top of the limited free plan. Teams may find the paid tiers worthwhile for the full feature set and Dropbox integration.
Get started with Dropbox Paper
Evernote is a popular cross-platform note-taking and organization app. It's known for its ability to capture various types of content and information and sync seamlessly across devices. Evernote's collaboration features also make it useful for team-based knowledge sharing.
Evernote packs a lot of utility into its note-taking and organization toolset:
Evernote has a loyal user base that values its flexibility and cross-platform syncing. The community appreciates its content capture and organization for note-taking, research and document creation, as well as the collaboration features for efficient team info-sharing.
Experts recommend Evernote for its powerful search and organization to quickly find and retrieve notes across devices. However, some point out its limited formatting for complex documents, learning curve for larger note collections and cloud storage may not work for all needs.
Evernote has a limited free plan and paid tiers starting at $7.99/month for individuals. Paid plans unlock more upload capacity, advanced search and collaboration tools. Teams with bigger demands may find the paid options worthwhile for the full feature set.
Quip is a cloud-based document editor and collaboration platform that's part of Salesforce's productivity suite. It's known for its team-focused document editing and tight integration with Salesforce's ecosystem, making it popular with organizations already using Salesforce.
Quip offers a solid set of tools for collaborative document creation:
Quip gets kudos from users for its slick collaboration and integration with Salesforce's apps. Teams appreciate the efficient real-time co-editing and unified workflow within the Salesforce ecosystem.
Industry pros recommend Quip for its powerful team collaboration tools and deep Salesforce integration, especially for organizations already bought into the Salesforce universe. But they note its limited formatting, fewer features vs. dedicated word processors and cloud-centric model may not be ideal for all use cases.
Quip has a limited free plan and paid tiers from $10/user/month for additional features like advanced collaboration, Salesforce integration and more storage. Teams may find the paid plans worthwhile for the full experience and Salesforce synergy.
While the top 10 got the spotlight, there are a few other online document editors worth a quick shoutout:
Word docs (.docx) and PDFs are different beasts:
You'd use a Word doc while drafting and editing, then "print" to PDF for a clean final version that looks the same everywhere.
Yes, but to a point. You can use PDF editors to:
But for major content changes, it's usually better to edit the original source file (like a Word doc) if you can. Editing PDFs can sometimes mess up formatting.
You've got options:
Just watch out for sensitive info - most platforms have privacy settings to lock down who can access your doc.
Creating PDFs is pretty painless these days:
And most modern operating systems and browsers can "print" any file or webpage to PDF too. Easy peasy.
Sort of, but it's a bit of a workaround:
Heads up though - this can mess with the original PDF's formatting, especially for complex layouts. For major edits, it's usually smoother to change the original source file if possible.
The right online document editor can be a game-changer for your workflow, whether you're writing solo or collaborating with a team. We've covered a lot of ground here, but the key is to prioritize the features and experience that matter most for your specific needs.
Think about factors like ease of use, collaboration tools, file format support and integrations with the other apps in your toolkit. Don't forget security and privacy too, especially if you're working with sensitive info.
The good news? With so many great options out there, you're sure to find an online document editor that checks all your boxes. Whether you go for an all-in-one heavyweight like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, an open-source alternative like LibreOffice, or a collaboration-focused tool like Quip or Dropbox Paper, you can't really go wrong.
So go forth and find your document editing soulmate! Your productivity (and maybe even your sanity) will thank you.
