Free picks · Mac · Open source
Best free open-source writing apps for Mac (2026)
Every pick is listed under Writing in our directory, runs on a Mac and is free to use and tagged open source. We rank them by our rating and popularity, then favour tools made mainly for writing and apps built for Mac.
Short answer
The best free open-source writing apps for Mac are LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and Typst, the top three of 7 matches in our directory. All 7 are tagged open source in our directory. 6 of the 7 picks are completely free and the other one has a free plan.
Updated
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At a glance
Counted from the top 7 picks, except the total.
- Matching tools
- 7
- Completely free
- 6
- Open source
- 7
- Work offline
- 7
- Native apps
- 5
Comparison table
“Free plan” means a free tier with paid upgrades. A dash in Licence means our directory does not list the tool as open source.
| # | Name | Pricing | Platforms | Licence | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LibreOffice | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | A free, open-source office suite for your desktop: Writer, Calc, Impress and more. |
| 2 | ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | Free desktop editors for documents, sheets, slides and PDFs with native Office formats. |
| 3 | Typst | Free plan | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | A modern markup-based typesetting system for papers, reports and books. |
| 4 | Scribus | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | Free, open-source desktop publishing for brochures, magazines and print-ready PDFs. |
| 5 | Jan | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | An open-source ChatGPT alternative that runs 100% offline on your computer. |
| 6 | Harper | Free | Chrome, Firefox, macOS | Open source | A free, open-source grammar checker that runs entirely on your device. |
| 7 | Glyph | Free | macOS | Open source | A private desktop workspace for notes, documents and ideas, with Markdown and built-in AI. |
Why each pick made the list
Every reason is taken from the tool's own listing: its categories, platforms, features, rating and pricing.
Our top Mac pick, rated 4.5/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and is easy to pick up. On our Windows list it is number 1.
Watch out for: Complex Word and PowerPoint files may not look identical
Number 2 of 7 for Mac, rated 4.5/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it works offline and is easy to pick up. On our Windows list it is number 2.
Watch out for: Fewer extras than Microsoft Office
Number 3 of 7 for Mac, rated 4.6/5, the highest here. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. Runs on a Mac, and also on Web, Windows and Linux. Its listing says it works offline. On our Windows list it is number 3.
Watch out for: You write markup rather than drag boxes on a page
Number 4 of 7 for Mac, rated 4.2/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it works offline. On our Windows list it is number 4.
Watch out for: Takes time to learn if you are new to page layout
Number 5 of 7 for Mac, rated 4.5/5. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers writing. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and has AI features. On our Windows list it is number 5.
Watch out for: Local models need a reasonably powerful computer
Number 6 of 7 for Mac, rated 4.5/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. Runs on a Mac, and also on Chrome and Firefox. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and is easy to pick up. It is not in the Windows top 5 (not listed for Windows).
Watch out for: English only for now
Number 7 of 7 for Mac, rated 4.3/5. Listed mainly under Note-Taking, it also covers writing. A desktop app that runs on a Mac and nowhere else. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and has AI features. It is not in the Windows top 5 (not listed for Windows).
Watch out for: AGPL-3.0 licence has strict terms for modified versions
Running these on Mac
Counted from each pick's listing type and platforms.
- By listing type, the 7 Mac picks are 5 desktop apps (LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Scribus, Jan and 1 other), 1 browser extension (Harper) and 1 web app (Typst).
- 5 of 7 are apps you install on a Mac; the other 2 are web or cloud tools listed for Mac.
- Glyph is listed for Mac and nothing else. Typst reaches furthest, on 3 other platforms besides Mac.
- None of these Mac picks is listed on iPhone and iPad.
How this list compares
The same search on other platforms, and the other price filter. Only the differences are named.
- Free open-source writing apps for Windows
5 of these 7 Mac picks also make the Windows top 5. 2 are on this list only: Harper (not listed for Windows) and Glyph (not listed for Windows).
- Free writing apps for Mac
Fine with closed source? The wider free Mac list ranks 19 tools that run on a Mac, open source or not, led by LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and LanguageTool.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free open-source writing app for Mac?
- LibreOffice is our first pick. A free, open-source office suite for your desktop: Writer, Calc, Impress and more. Yes. LibreOffice is free to use.
- Are these writing apps really free?
- Yes, every pick is free to start. LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Scribus, Jan and 2 others are completely free. Typst has a free plan with paid upgrades.
- Do these open-source writing apps work on other platforms too?
- 6 picks of 7 also run elsewhere, including LibreOffice (Windows and Linux), ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors (Windows and Linux) and Typst (Web, Windows and Linux).
- Which ones work offline on a Mac?
- LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Typst, Scribus, Jan and 2 others are listed as working offline. The others need an internet connection for at least some features.
- Which are easiest for beginners?
- LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and Harper are rated beginner-friendly, along with 1 other pick. 3 picks take more time to learn.
- How many free open-source writing apps for Mac are in the directory?
- 7 match right now, and all of them are on this page. New tools are added as they are checked.
Keep exploring
Wider lists
Related free lists
- Free writing apps for Mac
- Free writing apps for iPhone
- Free note-taking apps for Mac
- Free writing apps for Android
- Free to-do list apps for Mac
- Free writing apps for Linux
- Free project management apps for Mac
- Free online writing tools
- Free time management apps for Mac
- Free open-source writing apps for Windows
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