Get our latest top picks
Subscribe to our Top Picks RSS Feed or enter your email address below to get the feed delivered to you by email:
|
Follow Gizmo |
 |
 |
 |
Register/Login
Top Rated
Gizmo's Freeware is Recruiting
We are looking for people with skills or interest in the following:
- Mobile Platform Reviews
- Rootkit Scanner and Remover
- Streaming Media Recorder
- Email Client
- Archive Manager Interested? Click here
Best Free Word Processor
|
In a Hurry?
|
 Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide |
|
Introduction
|
|
Do you not have a lot of space on your hard disk? Do you frequently access your stored information through an Internet machine or public computer? Do you not own your own computer but own an external hard disk? Do you frequently set up ready-to-use computers for single clients? Have you grown tired of waiting for slow loading office suites? If you found yourself nodding yes to any of these questions then you've come to the right place. The following list contains reviews of lightweight word processors, that load in a jiffy, with capabilities near those of an office suite word processor. If you are looking for an office suite then click: Best Free Office Suite and take a look at Gizmo's Freeware List of Best Office Suites. NOTE: The Comments section of this category is for brief feedback and input. For more detailed discussions, please submit those comments in our Forums section. NOTE: Web of Trust - WOT (www.mywot.com) is the world's leading community-based surfing tool that helps web users' stay safe when searching and shopping online. |
|
Discussion
|
|
Everything about Jarte breathes lightweight and fast. Created by Carolina Road Software this word processor is offered as a free version upgradeable to Jarte Plus. The program downloads as either a regular install or a manual install for live, RAM-only use. The manual installation downloads as a .zip file and once the contents are extracted the icon with a J for Jarte is the one to select. Jarte boots quickly enough and with a Welcome and About document already tabbed. The program has a functioning spell check, located at F7, and saves in .rtf and .txt formats. Templates are available through download and documents may be exported as PDF files or as HTML docs. Jarte has a multitude of available fonts and traditional sizes (6-72) as well as full formatting functionality for most needs. The user can format a document with Jarte to be double-spaced or otherwise, have different sized margins, and bulleted or numbered lists. The user can insert tables and equations, reference a dictionary, thesaurus or encyclopedia, and provide you with an accurate word, line or character count. Jarte uses wrap text which may be enabled or disabled with the push of a button. The shortcut keys don't vary noticeably from those used in Word and OpenOffice, so 'hopping into this sport car' of a word processor is as simple as the download. In addition, to near Word functionality, Jarte has changeable layouts. The program boots in Compact but the user also has the option of Minimal and Classic. These layout changes mostly affect toolbars and button orders. Within the Compact Layout option the user may also change the texture of the background window. Jarte boots originally in a marble and I opted for a brushed metal look that reminds me of the Apple computers of yesteryear. Version 4.3 contains a bug fix that prevented doc files created with Word from opening properly in some instances. |
|
AbiWord's layout is not changeable, but it does have an interface that is similar to those found in Microsoft Word and WordPerfect. The download and install process for AbiWord is as easy as any and comes complete with six different install types: typical, full, full with file associations, minimal, full plus downloads, as well as a custom install where the user can pick and choose between which functions and features to add or remove from the installation. In under thirty seconds the program is installed and runs upon completion. AbiWord's initial boot comes with a readme document in .abw format already opened. AbiWord can also save files in .doc, .rtf, and .txt file types. AbiWord has a spell check option, provides the user with templates and contains a normal font type amount as well as traditional 6-72 sizing. Bulleted and numbered lists can also be made as well as tables; however, equations are not available for insert in this version. Regular paragraph formatting is also available complete with adjustable line spacing, indentation, and margins. AbiWord has a dictionary and a reference section, but no thesaurus and performs word, line and character count. Wrap text is also a provided function in AbiWord. Sharing documents is possible with the integration of AbiCollab Web service in the latest version (2.8.6). This feature is especially welcome for scenarios such as remote collaboration. |
|
PolyEdit Lite is a freeware version provided by PolySoft Solutions. The download introduces the user to CNET's latest download and install process. The first downloaded file opens a CNET installer from which the install file for PolyEdit is downloaded. Once this second file is downloaded the install process runs through like countless others. Users are advised to take care during the install process to avoid any unwanted extra programs being installed. The layout of PolyEdit is changeable and the user can choose to view documents in Notepad, Classic or Advanced. PolyEdit Lite comes with spell check and provides the user with option to make their own or download ready-made templates. The document file types that PolyEdit Lite can save in give this program the greatest save functionality of any on this list. PolyEdit Lite can save in: .rtf, .txt. .etf (PolyEdit's own file type), encrypted .etf or .doc. The program contains normal fonts and sizes as well as text formatting such as superscript and subscript. Users can created bulleted or numbered lists as well as tables and, once MathType is added, equations. Paragraph formatting is also fully functional, and wrap text is also selectable. Document creation in a variety of styles is simple and traditional in this version of PolyEdit. Dictionaries, thesauri, and other reference materials link to WordWeb. |
|
CryptEdit provides the same three tiered style view with Notepad, Classic or Advanced. Upon initial boot the program appears as if it came straight from a Windows 95 or 3.11 application set. The free version of CryptEdit does not come with spell check or any dictionaries, thesauri or encyclopedia, but they may be downloaded and added. Supported dictionaries include: English, Russian, German, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. CryptEdit saves documents in a variety of file types: .rtf, .txt, .prt, or .doc (.prt is an encrypted file type requiring password). CryptEdit also comes with ready-made templates, and the ability to save your own. Font sizes and font types are normal and bullets and numbered lists can be added. CryptEdit also comes with Auto Formatting and normal user initiated paragraph formatting. As in many others word, line, and character counts are available for reference. CryptEdit also comes with optional plug-ins and a plug-ins manager for increased functionality. |
|
WordTabs: Rich Text Editor is a free word processor developed by Skip Bremer. It is no longer maintained or supported, but is still available for download from other alternative websites. WordTabs features a tabbed interface without changeable layouts. It comes with spell check and the ability to export PDFs at initial run. As a rich text editor WordTabs only saves in .rtf, and .txt file types. Font types and sizes are typical and bulleted lists are created easily enough. Tables and equations; however, are not present in the initial install, and neither are any reference materials nor text wrapping. Word, character, and line count are available. As a dedicated rich text editor WordTabs does not have a lot of multi-document flexibility. |
|
The download and install for Atlantis Nova is normal, and finishes in less than 30 seconds for the whole process. Upon initial run the program appears very similar to Microsoft Word and even uses Microsoft Outlook for its send email function (You may consider this a shortcoming of an independent, dedicated word processor). Atlantis Nova does not come with a spell checker and saves in .rtf as well as regular .txt and DOS .txt formats. Atlantis Nova also comes with ready made templates and normal font sizes, types and formatting. Bulleted and numbered lists can be used in documents but tables and equations leave a noticeable vacancy. Atlantis Nova can count words, characters, and lines as well as manage normal paragraph formatting. There are no reference materials, dictionaries or thesauri available and text wrapping is also an unavailable function. |
|
Related Products and Links
|
|
You might want to check out these articles too: Best Free Text Editor |
Supported formats: txt, rtf, doc, docx for read-only, pdf and html for export.
Supported formats: OpenOffice.org documents, .doc, .docx, .rtf, HTML web pages
Supported formats: txt, rtf, etf, doc.
Supported formats: txt, rtf, prt, doc.
NB: Please rebuild the homepage link by replacing [Dot] with .
The homepage is hosted on Chat[DOT]ru which is currently rated red by WOT -13 Feb 2010.
Supported formats: txt and rtf
Supported formats: .rtf, epub for export
|
Editor
|
|
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor joeguru. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or questions they might have by clicking here. |
|
Tags
|
|
word processors, wordpad replacement, text editors, best free, light-weight word processor, wordpad, letters |
Back to the top of the article.
- Article type:
- Login or register to post comments
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Jarte 5 is out:
http://www.jarte.com/
http://www.jarte.com/whats_new.html
Thanks Panzer, I'll check it out in the near future.
I tried Abiword, Jarte and Polyedit Lite. Unfortunately neither of them works with revisions which is a problem for me (a lot files going back and forth between me and my editor). Additionally, PolyEdit Lite comes bundled with Pokki and some kind of game package, even though I unchecked all the opt-in boxes during the installation. So, it's back to Open Office for me, bloated as it is.
Not having a grammar checker is listed as a :( for Jarte. In my opinion, it's a :) not having one.
I've been using Jarte for quite some time now. I liked it so much that I just bought the Plus version. Thanks for the excellent article!
What about WordGraph from SSuite Office?
I saw the interfaces are much more easier to use with the latest tabbed document features popping up on all the new word processors.
I am sure they are worth a look at?
For more info: http://www.ssuitesoft.com/wordgraph.htm
very NICE.
SSuite is reviewed here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-office-suite.htm
Non-technical reviews.
Atlantis Nova is amazing! It is clean, clear, simple and lightweight. It is logical to use- everything seems like it's where it should be.
AbiWord was alright for a while. The layout frustrated me because it seemed all over the place. It felt chunky to use and very old-school.
Jarte didn't feel like it was made for writers. It seems like a program from the 90s used on Goosebumps the TV series. It just looks awful and the layout doesn't scream out, "write on me!"
Kingsoft Writer is okay. It feels like a ripoff of Word 2007 without the benefits.
[Moderator's note : Commercial content edited out.]
Yes, Atlantis is lightweight, but it has a very outdated look. The free version can save DOS, text and rtf files.
Hey alexx46,
most of what I wrote the Moderator edited out (fair enough) because I got a bit commercial when talking about Atlantis.
I've checked out three of these word processors in some depth, and I can't say I agree with your ratings at all, so I think maybe things have moved on since this article was originally published ...
Jarte:
I persevered with this for about a month, and it's a cumbersome beast. The menu structure is quite frankly, weird - often requiring a lot of clicks to achieve even the simplest of tasks, and not at all intuitive. And configuring it to suit your personal preferences is fiddly, and easily lost if you click on the wrong menu option, upon which you have to dig about figuring out how on earth to restore your preferred settings. I'd give this product 5 out of 10.
AbiWord:
Initially, this was a breath of fresh air after using Jarte. But the install is odd, loading a lot of Microsoft C++ libraries over and above the software itself. So when I removed it, I had to go and uninstall all the Microsoft stuff as well. It's pretty slow to load, but I could live with that. What instantly condemned it though is that - having spent the best part of three hours creating a document with all sorts of elaborate text formating, and saving as I went - when I came to reload it, the file was corrupted and my three hours work was completely lost. That qualifies for an instant uninstall - any product that trashes your work as you save it is obviously quite useless - 0 stars out of 10.
PolyEdit:
This product is a delight to use - it loads instantly, it's got a clean interface, it's sophisticated without being complicated, and is packed with all sorts of practical and useful functionality that I haven't seen anywhere else. I'm even thinking about using it as a combined word processor and HTML / PHP editor all in one - the only thing lacking is automated colour-coding of tags and variables for coding purposes, something I could probably learn to live without anyway. Otherwise, the only area it falls short is the Help documentation - I had to dig around on Google to find out what 'Format Paint', 'docking', and various other terms meant, but a bit of experimentation sorted them out. A very flexible yet easy-to-use product, so 9 stars out of 10 certainly, probably deserves a 10 out of 10.
I concur, at least about AbiWord. Used it for 5 minutes on Windows 7 and the interface got messed up so that I couldn't see the left edge of my document. After 10 minutes of simple editing operations, it crashed. That is an instant disqualifier for me. Fortunately I was just playing around with it and not doing serious work.
I consider AbiWord to be beta software.
Thank you for the in depth appraisal. The article designation "site.editor" means that no editor is currently assigned and yes it does require an update. Maybe you'd like to take this on? :)
Thanks for the offer, but I'm tied up with another project at the moment, so in the short term at least I couldn't commit the time that such a role would demand - well, to be done properly anyway!
But I'll certainly bear it in mind for down the track, should I find myself at a loose end! Cheers.
No problem - thank you for responding.
Can someone recommend a wordprocesser for me? I write only sometimes long personal letters to family and ageing friends. I'd like to find a simple program that enables me, without difficulty, to produce a letter with initials at the top, date, and "Dear".........At the bottom I need have only my address, email address, street address, town, state and zip code. And I'd like to have it available with only a keystroke or two. Somehow I've found myself unable to produce such a product with WordPerfect et al. Instead I get entangled in all sorts of difficulties and end up frustrated. So I still write letters but the format is not stylish. Surely there is such a product out there. It can't be the rocket science I seem to have encountered.I'll buy a drink for whomever can help.
Any word processor can do what you want. Even WordPad has that capability. All you need to do is create a template with all of the desired information and save it. When you want to write a new letter open that template, change the date, add the name of the person, then insert the main body of text in between the Dear Person and the bottom, save it with a different name using the Save As feature, print, and your finished.
If you want to get more involved you can create a template in WordPerfect that has prompts for the information that changes and also to auto insert the date at the top. WordPefect can do just about anything you could ever want or need to do in a word processor as it borders on being a page layout program. It makes Word look like WordPad by comparison. The only limitations are the user.
There are numerous resources for getting help in setting you your document template in WP. You can contact me if needed and I would be glad to create one for you.
This category currently has no editor. You will get a better response by posting your query here in our forum.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/i-want-freeware-program-t...
I don't have money to buy Word. This is a great site!!
If you have no money to buy Word, then either Atlantis Nova or AbiWord will serve you well.
If you need the full Microsoft Office platform (word processor, spreadsheet, presentations, database, etc.) then I would think that you could not go wrong with one of the freeware/open-source recommendations on this web page...
Tech Support Alert
Best Free Office Suite
http://bit.ly/HsOylX
...and of them, my recommendation would be LIBRE OFFICE... but that's just me.
And, yes, I agree: It IS a great site, isn't it. [grin]
Hope that helps!
_________________________________
Gregg L. DesElms
Portable Focus Writer is a great word processor when you are looking for something that just focuses on writing. eg letters, essays, books.
http://gottcode.org/focuswriter/
Great simple interface. Spell checker. Easy formattinmg using themes. Saves in ODT format.
[Moderator's note : Replaced link with homepage of software. Please post the link to homepage of software when suggesting a software]
As far as KINGSOFT OFFICE is concerned, I've uninstalled it in the end,
my primary con being its excessive network activity every time I shot it up.
Generally, I'm feeling sort of biased towards Chinese software.
which one of these has the easiest font colouring if any?
thank you
Font colouring...I am not familiar with that. Please describe what you are looking for in font colouring.
Cheerio!
I think s/he just means the ability to highlight some text and change its color. I could be wrong, but I'll bet that's what it means.
If so, then the answer is that pretty much any of them can likely do it; and as with most tools of their type, it's usually as simple as highlighting/selecting the text (the color of which one intends to change), and then clicking on a button up in one of the toolbars which, once clicked-upon, displays a color chart/table, from which one simply clicks on a color and then, voila!, said chart/table closes and the previously highlighted/selected text is now in the chosen color.
Precisely which one does it the easiest I cannot say at the moment because I no longer remember, from my testing, how each of them do it; but, seriously, it's pretty simple in them all, as I recall... as described immediately above; and similar, come to think of it, to how it's done in WordPad...
...er... well... except in Jarte...
...which brings us to my complaint in my other posting, herein, about why anyone even likes Jarte and its oddball, doesn't-conform-to-Windows-standards user interface. One of the reasons I can so confidently write, here, that each of the products -- except, of course, for Jarte -- probably does it about the same is precisely BECAUSE they all (except for Jarte) more or less conform to the standards of the Windows API and user interface. That's what standards are for; and Jarte just blows them off (see my other posting, here).
Hope that helps.
___________________________________
Gregg L. DesElms
Have not had time to try these yet, but they look promising.
My vote is for Jarte!
Something put an ad for Atlantis: The Lost Tales into my Windows Games folder and there was no way to get it off because of how Windows stores its game files, so I used a system image. I am guessing it was Atlantis Nova that did it, but someone might want to test that out.
That's Funny I got the same thing (Atlantis The Lost Tales™) in games folder. It came from Atlantis Word Processor. Stupid Windows thinks it's a game, no big deal just delete the shortcut