Free picks · Linux
Best free writing apps for Linux (2026)
Every pick is listed under Writing in our directory, runs on Linux and is completely free or has a free plan. We rank them by our rating and popularity, then favour tools made mainly for writing and apps built for Linux.
Short answer
The best free writing apps for Linux are LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and WPS Office, the top three of 8 matches in our directory. 4 of the 8 picks are completely free and the other 4 have a free plan; 5 are open source.
Updated
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
At a glance
Counted from the top 8 picks, except the total.
- Matching tools
- 8
- Completely free
- 4
- Open source
- 5
- 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 | WPS Office | Free plan | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web | — | A free office suite for every platform, with documents, sheets, slides and PDFs. |
| 4 | Typst | Free plan | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | A modern markup-based typesetting system for papers, reports and books. |
| 5 | Scribus | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | Free, open-source desktop publishing for brochures, magazines and print-ready PDFs. |
| 6 | Jan | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Open source | An open-source ChatGPT alternative that runs 100% offline on your computer. |
| 7 | Claude | Free plan | Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux | — | An AI assistant that shines on long documents and careful writing. |
| 8 | Zoho Writer | Free plan | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | — | A free online word processor with every feature unlocked after sign-up. |
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 Linux pick, rated 4.5/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on Linux, and also on Windows and macOS. 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 8 for Linux, rated 4.5/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on Linux, and also on Windows and macOS. 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 8 for Linux, rated 4.1/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on Linux, and also on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and 1 more platform. Its listing says it works offline, syncs through the cloud and has AI features. On our Mac list it is number 5.
Watch out for: Ad-free use needs Pro+
Number 4 of 8 for Linux, rated 4.6/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. Runs on Linux, and also on Web, Windows and macOS. Its listing says it works offline. On our Mac list it is number 8.
Watch out for: You write markup rather than drag boxes on a page
Number 5 of 8 for Linux, rated 4.2/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on Linux, and also on Windows and macOS. Its listing says it works offline. On our Mac list it is number 9.
Watch out for: Takes time to learn if you are new to page layout
Number 6 of 8 for Linux, rated 4.5/5. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers writing. A desktop app that runs on Linux, and also on Windows and macOS. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and has AI features. On our Mac list it is number 10.
Watch out for: Local models need a reasonably powerful computer
Number 7 of 8 for Linux, rated 4.7/5, the highest here. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers writing. Runs on Linux, and also on Web, iOS, Android, macOS and 1 more platform. Its listing says it has AI features and is easy to pick up. It is not in the Mac top 10 (14th for Mac).
Watch out for: Usage limits on lower tiers
Number 8 of 8 for Linux, rated 4.4/5. Writing is its main purpose in our directory. Runs on Linux, and also on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and 1 more platform. Its listing says it works offline and is easy to pick up. It is not in the Mac top 10 (15th for Mac).
Watch out for: Extra automation credits cost money
Running these on Linux
Counted from each pick's listing type and platforms.
- By listing type, the 8 Linux picks are 5 desktop apps (LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, WPS Office, Scribus and 1 other), 2 web apps (Typst and Zoho Writer) and 1 AI tool (Claude).
- 5 of 8 are apps you install on Linux; the other 3 are web or cloud tools listed for Linux.
- Every Linux pick here also runs somewhere else. Claude reaches furthest, on 5 other platforms besides Linux.
- 3 of 8 also run on Android, so the same tool can follow you between Linux and Android; LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Typst, Scribus and 1 other do not.
How this list compares
The same search on other platforms. Only the differences are named.
- Free writing apps for Mac
6 of these 8 Linux picks also make the Mac top 10. 2 are on this list only: Claude (14th for Mac) and Zoho Writer (15th for Mac). In their place the Mac list has LanguageTool, Grammarly, ChatGPT and Hemingway Editor; none of them is listed for Linux.
- Free writing apps for Android
3 of these 8 Linux picks also make the Android top 10.
- Free writing apps for iPhone
3 of these 8 Linux picks also make the iPhone top 10.
- Free online writing tools
1 of these 8 Linux picks also makes the Web top 10.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free writing app for Linux?
- 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. WPS Office, Typst, Claude and Zoho Writer have free plans with paid upgrades.
- Which of these writing apps are open source?
- LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Typst, Scribus and Jan are tagged open source in our directory, so you can read the code of each and, depending on the licence, self-host or modify it.
- Which ones work offline on Linux?
- LibreOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, WPS Office, Typst, Scribus 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 WPS Office are rated beginner-friendly, along with 2 other picks. 3 picks take more time to learn.
- How many free writing apps for Linux are in the directory?
- 8 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 AI productivity tools for Linux
- Free writing apps for iPhone
- Free automation tools for Linux
- Free writing apps for Android
- Free file management apps for Linux
- Free online writing tools
- Free communication apps for Linux
- Free open-source writing apps for Mac
- Free open-source writing apps for Windows
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