GITNUXSOFTWARE ADVICE
Digital Products And SoftwareTop 10 Best Document Making Software of 2026
How we ranked these tools
Core product claims cross-referenced against official documentation, changelogs, and independent technical reviews.
Analyzed video reviews and hundreds of written evaluations to capture real-world user experiences with each tool.
AI persona simulations modeled how different user types would experience each tool across common use cases and workflows.
Final rankings reviewed and approved by our editorial team with authority to override AI-generated scores based on domain expertise.
Score: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
Gitnux may earn a commission through links on this page — this does not influence rankings. Editorial policy
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
Google Docs
Real-time co-editing with comments and suggestion mode in a shared document
Built for teams collaboratively drafting and reviewing documents with cloud-based continuity.
LibreOffice
Writer’s style-based formatting with automatic table of contents and cross-references
Built for teams needing local document authoring and office-format compatibility.
Apple Pages
Live collaboration in Pages using iCloud links with simultaneous editing
Built for small teams creating polished documents with collaborative editing and templates.
Comparison Table
This comparison table evaluates document-making software across commonly used tools, including ONLYOFFICE Docs, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and LibreOffice. Each row focuses on practical differences such as editing and collaboration model, file format compatibility, offline support, and publishing or export options, so selection decisions are grounded in workflow needs rather than branding.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ONLYOFFICE Docs Provides web-based document editing and collaborative document creation with desktop editors and a self-hostable server. | collaborative suite | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 2 | Microsoft Word Enables document creation, formatting, and exporting with real-time co-authoring via the Word web app and desktop apps. | desktop-first | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 3 | Google Docs Creates and edits documents in the browser with version history, comments, and collaborative co-authoring. | web collaboration | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Apple Pages Creates paginated word-processing documents with templates and exports to common formats through Pages on iCloud. | mac ecosystem | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | LibreOffice Provides offline word processing and document tools with support for OpenDocument and Microsoft Office file formats. | open-source office | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Zoho Writer Creates and edits documents in a browser with collaboration features and exports to common office formats. | cloud office | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 6.7/10 |
| 7 | WPS Office Writer Creates and edits Word-style documents with compatibility-focused import and export plus templates and collaboration options. | compatibility suite | 7.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 8 | Canva Docs Builds document-like assets with page layouts, templates, and export options for print and share workflows. | template design | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | Adobe Acrobat Creates and edits PDFs and supports converting documents into PDF and exporting to formats for reuse. | PDF authoring | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Quip Supports collaborative document writing with threaded comments, real-time updates, and embedded spreadsheets and files. | collaborative docs | 7.3/10 | 7.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 6.7/10 |
Provides web-based document editing and collaborative document creation with desktop editors and a self-hostable server.
Enables document creation, formatting, and exporting with real-time co-authoring via the Word web app and desktop apps.
Creates and edits documents in the browser with version history, comments, and collaborative co-authoring.
Creates paginated word-processing documents with templates and exports to common formats through Pages on iCloud.
Provides offline word processing and document tools with support for OpenDocument and Microsoft Office file formats.
Creates and edits documents in a browser with collaboration features and exports to common office formats.
Creates and edits Word-style documents with compatibility-focused import and export plus templates and collaboration options.
Builds document-like assets with page layouts, templates, and export options for print and share workflows.
Creates and edits PDFs and supports converting documents into PDF and exporting to formats for reuse.
Supports collaborative document writing with threaded comments, real-time updates, and embedded spreadsheets and files.
ONLYOFFICE Docs
collaborative suiteProvides web-based document editing and collaborative document creation with desktop editors and a self-hostable server.
Simultaneous multi-user editing with tracked changes and threaded comments
ONLYOFFICE Docs distinguishes itself with a full office suite experience built around document viewing and editing across Writer, Spreadsheets, and Slides. It supports collaborative workflows with comments, change tracking, and simultaneous multi-user editing on supported document types. It also focuses on compatibility with common office formats, plus import and export paths that fit typical business document lifecycles. Admin-friendly deployment options support centralized document access and workflow consistency for teams.
Pros
- Integrated Writer, Spreadsheet, and Slides editing inside one document platform
- Real-time collaboration with comments and tracked changes for review workflows
- Strong import and export for common office formats and layouts
- Consistent toolbar patterns that map closely to familiar office commands
- Document versioning and permission controls support structured sharing
Cons
- Advanced formatting features can diverge on complex documents
- Some niche presentation and spreadsheet functions need manual verification
- Performance can degrade on large files during active collaboration
- Comment threading and review navigation can feel less polished than leaders
- Third-party integrations depend on external components for deeper automation
Best For
Organizations needing collaborative document editing and compatibility without separate apps
Microsoft Word
desktop-firstEnables document creation, formatting, and exporting with real-time co-authoring via the Word web app and desktop apps.
Track Changes with Commenting and Accept or Reject controls
Microsoft Word stands out with mature word-processing controls and tight integration with Microsoft 365 apps. It supports page layout, advanced formatting, styles, and tracked changes for producing polished documents. The desktop and web experiences cover common editing, commenting, and export workflows while preserving formatting across standard file types. Built-in templates and add-ins help teams standardize reports, proposals, and long-form content.
Pros
- Advanced styles and layout tools for consistent formatting
- Reliable tracked changes and comments for review workflows
- Strong DOCX compatibility with consistent export to PDF
- Templates for proposals, reports, and business documents
- Add-ins support specialized document creation needs
Cons
- Complex formatting can be brittle across mismatched templates
- Collaboration features are lighter in web editing than desktop
- Large documents can slow down during edits
Best For
Organizations creating polished long-form documents with review and formatting control
Google Docs
web collaborationCreates and edits documents in the browser with version history, comments, and collaborative co-authoring.
Real-time co-editing with comments and suggestion mode in a shared document
Google Docs stands out with real-time co-editing that updates across browsers and devices instantly. It supports rich text authoring, templates, and structured collaboration via comments and suggestions. Document output is strong with multi-format export and compatibility with common Microsoft Office workflows. Its add-on ecosystem extends document workflows without leaving the editor.
Pros
- Real-time co-authoring with live cursors and conflict-free merging
- Comments and suggestion mode streamline review cycles
- Robust export to Word, PDF, and plain text formats
- Templates speed up letters, reports, and internal documents
- Version history enables recovery after edits
Cons
- Advanced page layout control can feel limited versus desktop word processors
- Deep offline editing and syncing are less reliable than fully offline apps
- Large documents can lag during heavy edits and formatting changes
- Some complex Word features do not convert cleanly
- Granular document automation requires add-ons rather than built-in workflows
Best For
Teams collaboratively drafting and reviewing documents with cloud-based continuity
Apple Pages
mac ecosystemCreates paginated word-processing documents with templates and exports to common formats through Pages on iCloud.
Live collaboration in Pages using iCloud links with simultaneous editing
Apple Pages delivers tightly integrated document creation in a browser with strong layout and typography controls. It supports rich page layout workflows, including styles, tables, charts, and media embedding. Real-time collaboration works through iCloud sharing links, and documents remain compatible with common Office formats like DOCX and PDF export. Brandable templates and reusable layouts speed up creation for letters, reports, and brochures.
Pros
- Robust page layout tools for typography, spacing, and section formatting
- Templates and styles accelerate report and marketing document creation
- Real-time collaboration via iCloud sharing with live cursors
- Export to PDF and Office-friendly formats supports common sharing needs
Cons
- Advanced document automation like complex mail merge is limited
- Track-changes and review workflows are less comprehensive than dedicated editors
- Some formatting can shift when converting to complex DOCX from other tools
Best For
Small teams creating polished documents with collaborative editing and templates
LibreOffice
open-source officeProvides offline word processing and document tools with support for OpenDocument and Microsoft Office file formats.
Writer’s style-based formatting with automatic table of contents and cross-references
LibreOffice stands out with an all-in-one, desktop document suite that covers writing, spreadsheets, slides, and publishing in one installation. Writer enables long-form documents with styles, table of contents, footnotes, and trackable changes. Calc provides spreadsheet analysis and charting, while Impress supports slide templates and presenter-friendly tooling for deck creation. The suite’s document interchange remains a practical strength due to strong support for common Office formats and export to PDF.
Pros
- Writer supports advanced styles, TOC generation, and citation-friendly footnote workflows
- Calc includes pivot tables, formula tools, and reliable chart types for reporting
- Impress offers templates, master slides, and practical export to PDF
- Document interchange with DOCX and PPTX is consistently strong for common layouts
- Offline-first editing covers most document needs without extra tooling
Cons
- Complex DOCX features like advanced typography can import imperfectly
- UI density makes formatting and settings harder to locate quickly
- Collaboration and real-time coauthoring are not built-in
- Some advanced layout controls require deeper configuration than Word-style tools
- Performance can lag on very large documents with heavy embedded media
Best For
Teams needing local document authoring and office-format compatibility
Zoho Writer
cloud officeCreates and edits documents in a browser with collaboration features and exports to common office formats.
Real-time co-authoring with comments and change tracking
Zoho Writer stands out for its tight integration with the Zoho suite, especially document collaboration and business workflows. It provides real-time co-authoring, structured document editing with styles and templates, and export options for common formats. It also supports commenting, revision history, and permission controls suited to shared team documents. Compared with dedicated document-automation tools, its strengths focus on authoring and collaboration rather than complex multi-step document generation.
Pros
- Real-time co-authoring with comments keeps reviews in one place
- Styles and templates speed consistent formatting across documents
- Export to common formats supports broad document interchange
- Permission controls fit team collaboration and controlled sharing
Cons
- Document automation is limited compared with template-to-output generators
- Advanced formatting tools feel lighter than dedicated desktop editors
- Large, complex documents can be slower than specialized word processors
Best For
Teams collaborating on formatted documents with Zoho-centric workflow integration
WPS Office Writer
compatibility suiteCreates and edits Word-style documents with compatibility-focused import and export plus templates and collaboration options.
DOCX compatibility that preserves formatting and styles during open and save
WPS Office Writer stands out for delivering word processing with strong compatibility for Microsoft Word formats and a familiar ribbon-style editing experience. It includes document creation, page layout tools, styles, and reference features like table of contents and footnotes. Collaboration workflows exist through review and commenting tools, while export options cover common office formats including PDF. It also benefits from a broad WPS Office suite that shares templates, fonts, and file handling across Writer and related apps.
Pros
- Strong Microsoft Word compatibility for .docx layouts, styles, and tables
- Fast template-driven document creation with consistent formatting controls
- Built-in references for TOC, footnotes, and captions
- Review tools support comments and tracked changes workflows
- Reliable export to PDF and common office formats
Cons
- Advanced formatting tools can feel crowded compared with streamlined editors
- Complex documents sometimes show minor fidelity differences after import
- Collaboration features are lighter than enterprise document management systems
Best For
Teams needing Word-compatible document editing and PDF-ready exports
Canva Docs
template designBuilds document-like assets with page layouts, templates, and export options for print and share workflows.
Brand Kit styling and templates applied directly inside Canva Docs
Canva Docs stands out by pairing document authoring with Canva’s visual editing and brand tools in one workspace. It supports rich text formatting, structured pages, and collaborative editing with real-time cursors. Templates and styling make it fast to produce proposal, SOP, and internal doc formats that match brand standards. Export options enable sharing in common formats, and links to Canva assets help keep visuals consistent across documents.
Pros
- Templates and brand styling speed up consistent document creation
- Real-time collaboration with comment and presence indicators improves team workflows
- Easy insertion of Canva visuals helps keep documents visually on-brand
- Export options support sharing documents without extra tooling
- Simple page layout tools work well for standard business documents
Cons
- Advanced document publishing features like complex publishing workflows are limited
- Version history depth is not as strong as dedicated documentation platforms
- Long-form authoring tools such as deep outlining and navigation are basic
- Structured data fields and reusable components are limited for automation needs
Best For
Teams creating brand-consistent business documents with visual content
Adobe Acrobat
PDF authoringCreates and edits PDFs and supports converting documents into PDF and exporting to formats for reuse.
OCR and accessibility tooling that converts scanned PDFs into searchable, tagged content
Adobe Acrobat stands out for its deep PDF handling and reliable layout fidelity across complex documents. It supports creating PDFs from multiple file types, editing text and objects, and adding digital signatures. Document workflows are strengthened by OCR for scanned pages, form tools for interactive fields, and export features that convert PDFs back into Office and image formats.
Pros
- High-fidelity PDF editing that preserves layouts and typography
- Strong OCR for scanned documents with searchable text output
- Robust digital signatures and certificate-based identity validation
Cons
- Advanced editing tools can feel complex for occasional users
- Document conversion quality varies by source formatting
- Workflow features are powerful but require deliberate setup
Best For
Teams producing and securing PDFs with signatures, OCR, and structured forms
Quip
collaborative docsSupports collaborative document writing with threaded comments, real-time updates, and embedded spreadsheets and files.
Document-linked comments with threaded conversations and mentions
Quip is distinct for blending docs with chat-style collaboration in a single threaded workspace. It provides document pages with lightweight formatting, real-time co-editing, and activity history for auditability. Quip’s tables and templates support repeatable doc structures for status updates, project notes, and simple team knowledge. The product focuses on team workflows more than advanced publishing or document layout control.
Pros
- Integrated chat threads inside documents keep discussions attached to content
- Real-time editing with change history makes collaboration and review straightforward
- Tables and templates support consistent project updates and lightweight reporting
- Permissions and sharing controls cover typical team document access needs
Cons
- Advanced layout, typography, and page-level publishing controls are limited
- Exporting to complex formats can be cumbersome for document-heavy workflows
- Versioning and audit trails are useful but not as deep as enterprise DMS tools
Best For
Teams needing chat-linked collaborative documents with lightweight structure
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 digital products and software, ONLYOFFICE Docs stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Document Making Software
Which document making software supports real-time co-editing with threaded discussions?
Google Docs and Microsoft Word both support collaborative editing workflows that include comments. Google Docs emphasizes real-time co-editing with suggestion mode and comments, while Quip adds threaded conversations tied to specific document locations.
What tool best handles tracked changes and controlled review for polished long-form documents?
Microsoft Word provides mature tracked changes with explicit accept or reject controls for reviewing revisions. ONLYOFFICE Docs also supports change tracking and comments, which works well for teams that want Word-like review behavior while staying within a broader office suite.
Which option offers the strongest PDF workflow for signatures, OCR, and form creation?
Adobe Acrobat is purpose-built for PDF security and compliance workflows, including digital signatures. It also supports OCR for scanned pages and form tools for interactive fields, and it can export PDFs back into Office and image formats.
Which software is best for teams that need Word-format compatibility without leaving a dedicated editor?
WPS Office Writer is designed for DOCX compatibility and aims to preserve formatting and styles when opening and saving. LibreOffice Writer also supports common Office formats and exports to PDF, which suits teams that need local desktop authoring with interchange reliability.
Which document platform is better for structured business documents tied to a larger productivity suite?
Zoho Writer fits teams that already run Zoho workflows because it integrates collaboration, templates, and permissions within the Zoho suite. ONLYOFFICE Docs serves a similar category for office-centric teams by pairing document collaboration with Writer, Spreadsheets, and Slides in one deployment.
Which tool is best for creating brand-consistent proposals and SOPs with visual assets?
Canva Docs combines document authoring with Canva’s visual editing and brand controls through templates and a Brand Kit. The workspace supports real-time collaboration and can keep links to Canva assets consistent across documents.
Which option supports advanced page layout and typography with reliable DOCX and PDF output?
Apple Pages focuses on page layout and typography controls and supports embedding media plus tables, charts, and reusable layouts. It exports to PDF and maintains DOCX compatibility for common Office workflows.
Which software fits teams that want an all-in-one desktop suite for documents, spreadsheets, slides, and publishing exports?
LibreOffice delivers a single desktop installation that covers Writer, Calc, Impress, and publishing-oriented outputs like PDF export. ONLYOFFICE Docs also acts as an all-in-one suite for document lifecycles, but it prioritizes collaborative editing inside its office suite components.
What tool is better for lightweight project documentation connected to team chat activity?
Quip blends document pages with chat-style collaboration in a threaded workspace and keeps an activity history for auditability. It works best for status updates and team knowledge where comments, mentions, and document-linked discussions matter more than deep layout controls.
Which platform is easiest to start with for file handling across common Office workflows while adding cloud continuity?
Google Docs offers cloud-based continuity with real-time co-editing that updates across browsers and devices instantly. It also supports strong export options for common Microsoft Office workflows, and its add-on ecosystem extends document workflows without switching editors.
Tools reviewed
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
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