The Internet is filled with all kinds of services for working with text. You have several interesting options to choose from. The choice of the optimal solution depends on what features you want to get. They may not have the advanced options found in computer programs, but they do their job well..
The next time you need to prepare a simple text, try one of these free editors. They are equipped with formatting and collaboration tools to make your life easier without the need to download additional software.
Microsoft Word Online
Word processing has traditionally been associated with Microsoft Word. Therefore, the online editor Word Online took first place in the list, deservedly so. All you need is a free Microsoft account to start using it..
The interface is familiar to those who have already used the desktop version of the Microsoft Office program. Word Online is a simplified version of the PC application, so the number of functions in it is reduced, although the basic functionality is preserved. You can only save files in DOCX format. But viewing and editing documents in other MS Office formats is available.
You can choose the font, its size and color. Align already typed text to the edges or center. Set line spacing or special indentation. If necessary, add headers and footers or number pages. There is a review tab where you can check spelling or see document statistics by the number of words and characters..
Google docs
Google Docs can be safely called a universal tool: it is available to everyone and works everywhere. The basic functionality you need to create and edit documents isn't all that Google Docs gives you.
For example, you can insert an image from the Internet simply by specifying its URL or find it through the built-in search in Goolge Images without going to other sites. Standard features include spell checker, insertion of tables and charts.
You can use a variety of templates, revert to old versions of files, exchange materials with other people, make a document available for reading or editing by reference. Within the framework of collaboration, it is possible to edit a file by several users in real time. And thanks to autosave, you don't have to worry about manually saving files.
Google Docs has several advantages over Word Online: a cleaner interface, improved collaboration tools, free voice typing that supports Russian.
Zoho writer
Zoho Writer can compete quite well with Word Online and Google Docs. Moreover, according to some parameters, this service even comes out on top.
In addition to the usual tools for document editing and collaboration, the application also allows you to separately view each stage of work on the document. This makes the interface look more minimalist. At each stage, you see only those tools that are needed to work at the moment.
Zoho lets you save files to cloud storage such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
OnlyOffice Document Editor
The text editor OnlyOffice Document Editor is less well-known than the others in this review, but in terms of functionality it is quite capable of competing with them. In terms of layout and feature set, it is very similar to Microsoft Word.
In it, you can upload documents from your computer or cloud storage such as Google Drive and Dropbox, edit text in real time with other users. Sharing is available to anyone, not just OnlyOffice users.
Pages for iCloud
If you're a Mac user, Pages for iCloud might be the perfect word processing solution. This is a version of the Pages text editor, which is part of iWork, Apple's own office suite.
The program has clear and convenient settings, so you don't have to deal with the peculiarities of its operation for a long time. Collaboration with documents in real time is supported. But the people you work with must also have an iCloud account or create one to view and edit documents.
You don't need a Mac to use Pages for iCloud. It is enough to register a free iCloud account to run this service anytime and on any computer with Internet access.
Quip
The structure of the Quip service seems somewhat unusual, but the minimalist interface helps you quickly navigate. Get started with one of the preset presets to save time learning.
If you start with a blank document, you can insert lists, calendars, and other additional items into it. Formatting options are displayed immediately when the user selects text.
Quip is free for personal use only. An unlimited number of documents can be created and edited. If the tool is required for corporate use, you will have to pay for the paid version.
Dropbox paper
There are many reasons to try Dropbox Paper . Perhaps one of the most important is the integration of this tool with the Dropbox cloud storage. Documents created with this tool are not counted when calculating the occupied memory in the storage.
Another plus is support for the simplified markdown language Markdown, which allows you to quickly create texts with edits for uploading to sites. With unlimited document creation, multimedia support, and collaboration tools, Dropbox Paper is an even more interesting option. You can edit documents and create new ones even without an Internet connection. For this, an offline mode is provided.
Writer
Text editors usually provide great options for editing text. Writer is an exception: the tool is designed for regular typing. But it copes with its main function really well.
Writer features laconic settings without cluttering up various icons in the program window. There is autosave, word counter, preview. Markdown markup language is supported. The result is a simple and reliable text tool. Not only can you upload documents in TXT, PDF and HTML formats, but you can also publish them on platforms such as WordPress and Tumblr.