Free picks · Windows · Open source
Best free open-source writing apps for Windows (2026)
Every pick is listed under Writing in our directory, runs on a Windows PC 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 Windows.
Short answer
The best free open-source writing apps for Windows are LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and Typst, the top three of 5 matches in our directory. All 5 are tagged open source in our directory. 4 of the 5 picks are completely free and the other one has a free plan.
Updated
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
At a glance
Counted from the top 5 picks, except the total.
- Matching tools
- 5
- Completely free
- 4
- Open source
- 5
- Work offline
- 5
- Native apps
- 4
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. |
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 Windows pick, rated 4.5/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Windows PC, and also on macOS and Linux. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and is easy to pick up. On our Mac list it is number 1.
Watch out for: Complex Word and PowerPoint files may not look identical
Number 2 of 5 for Windows, rated 4.5/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Windows PC, and also on macOS and Linux. Its listing says it works offline and is easy to pick up. On our Mac list it is number 2.
Watch out for: Fewer extras than Microsoft Office
Number 3 of 5 for Windows, rated 4.6/5, the highest here. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. Runs on a Windows PC, and also on Web, macOS and Linux. Its listing says it works offline. On our Mac list it is number 3.
Watch out for: You write markup rather than drag boxes on a page
Number 4 of 5 for Windows, rated 4.2/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Windows PC, and also on macOS and Linux. Its listing says it works offline. On our Mac list it is number 4.
Watch out for: Takes time to learn if you are new to page layout
Number 5 of 5 for Windows, rated 4.5/5. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers writing. A desktop app that runs on a Windows PC, and also on macOS and Linux. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and has AI features. On our Mac list it is number 5.
Watch out for: Local models need a reasonably powerful computer
Running these on Windows
Counted from each pick's listing type and platforms.
- By listing type, the 5 Windows picks are 4 desktop apps (LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Scribus and Jan) and 1 web app (Typst).
- 4 of 5 are apps you install on a Windows PC; the other one is a web or cloud tool listed for Windows.
- Every Windows pick here also runs somewhere else. Typst reaches furthest, on 3 other platforms besides Windows.
- None of these Windows picks is listed on Android.
How this list compares
The same search on other platforms. Only the differences are named.
- Free open-source writing apps for Mac
All 5 Windows picks also make the Mac top 7. In their place the Mac list has Harper and Glyph; neither is listed for Windows.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free open-source writing app for Windows?
- 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 and Jan are completely free. Typst has a free plan with paid upgrades.
- Do these open-source writing apps work on other platforms too?
- All 5 picks also run elsewhere, including LibreOffice (macOS and Linux), ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors (macOS and Linux) and Typst (Web, macOS and Linux).
- Which ones work offline on a Windows PC?
- LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Typst, Scribus and Jan are listed as working offline. The others need an internet connection for at least some features.
- Which are easiest for beginners?
- LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors are rated beginner-friendly. 3 picks take more time to learn.
- How many free open-source writing apps for Windows are in the directory?
- 5 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
Weekly newsletter
New tools and visual guides, every Monday.
One short email a week with the best new tools and websites, plus my latest visual guides. Free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Join the newsletterYou sign up on Gumroad, which stores your email to send the newsletter. See our Privacy Policy.