When most people think "word processor," Microsoft Word comes to mind, and usually not because people are particularly fond of that piece of software. Most accept it as the defacto word processor of choice because of its ubiquity in offices all over the world, but would prefer something a little less bloated or perhaps more specialized.

Luckily, there's lots of folks out there looking for a better word processor and the App Store has a ton of them.

Here are seven different takes on the word processor, each of which is equally viable and offers something unique.


Hanx Writer(Free)

This word processor, created by Tom Hanks, is for the old school typist. The app has typewriter effects (some of which are optional) and is geared towards just writing. Users can't even align text without paying $2.99 for the upgrade.

That being said, Hanx Writer is a great app for those that just want to turn on airplane mode, focus, and write.

Editorial($9.99)

Editorial is one of the - if not the most - fully-featured mobile word processor I've ever encountered.

It comes prebuilt with commands to help users with common workflow patterns, and even goes so far as to allow users to build their own custom workflows to further streamline their process - even if they aren't a coder!

Even if workflows aren't your thing, Editorial is still a great word processor that supports things like markdown and plays nice with Dropbox. The only real drawback here is that it's far and away the most expensive alternative on this list, coming in at $9.99. You get what you pay for though.

Google Docs(Free)

Google Docs, unsurprisingly, is a great processeor - particularly for the Google-centric user. If you're heavily invested in Google Drive, this app should probably be your go-to, as it grants all the access to your documents that you're accustomed to while on the go.

It still feels a little bare when compared to everything Google Docs offers on a computer, but it's definitely good for someone deep in Google's platforms already.

1Writer($4.99)

1Writer, when compared to the other competition I tested, feels like a mix of everything. The app has good support with things like Evernote and Dropbox, has a built-in browser, and yet retains a minimal aesthetic in the typing mode.

The big thing with 1Writer seems to be its customizability and its huge suite of formatting options.

The only thing I don't like about it is that navigating in it feels a bit cumbersome. This cuts down on the amount of time I can actually set aside to get the "writing" part of a task done, so it's not my favorite, though it's probably good for the writer that wants something cheaper than Editorial that still does things just so.

Matcha ($4.99)

Matcha is a visually appealing word processor with markdown support that (kind of) shows users markdown language and the preview result together. The app also has iCloud and Dropboxsupport, which is always a plus.

The only time I might not recommend Matcha is if users are using a bluetooth keyboard, because the inferace weirdly becomes cumbersome and ugly when the app has to deal with a lack of virtual keyboard. This makes Macha a solid choice primarily for touch typers.

Pages($9.99)

Pages is probably the most Word-like word processor out of the ones on this list, and it seems very much designed for the Apple user.

There are virtually no distinguishable differences between the mobile version of Pages and its desktop counterpart, which means it's pretty feature-rich and beautiful to boot.

The app isn't always an ideal experience on phones - particularly when working with documents with specific formatting - but it works great on an iPad.

Pages is as expensive as Editorial, but only for anyone that hasn't bought an iOS device since before September 1, 2013. Devices purchased from this date forward receive Pages for free.

Check out Pages if you want a prettier version of Word on your iPad.

Werdsmith (FREE)

Werdsmith is a lean and mean word processor for the lightweight, mobile typist. The app is built for sharing a portfolio online or keeping a daily habit to write primarily, but has the added bonus of being wicked fast.

On top of this, Werdsmith is one of those apps that perfectly syncs between devices pretty much all the time. The app also allows users to set word count goals and can export to almost anything via iOS's share sheet.

Although it doesn't have markdown capabilities and charges for non-mobile access via a subscription that's ok in my book. For my money, Werdsmith is my favorite "quick and dirty" mobile word processor.

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