WordCraft: write letters, quotes and contracts without an Office subscription.
WordCraft is a free word processor that opens Word files in .docx format directly and saves them again. The ribbon and styles feel familiar, and spelling and grammar are checked without an internet connection.
How it helps day to day
- A customer sends a contract as .docxWordCraft opens the file directly. You mark your edits with track changes, so the customer sees exactly what you changed when you send it back.
- A quote needs to go out as PDFYou write the quote with your styles and export it as a PDF with selectable text, just as the customer expects.
- There are two versions of a documentDocument comparison shows what changed between the two versions, without reading them side by side paragraph by paragraph.
What is inside WordCraft
Opens and saves .docx directly. Imports and exports .odt, .rtf, .html, .md and .txt; exports PDF with selectable text.
- Familiar interface
- Ribbon with tabs, keyboard shortcuts and a styles gallery.
- Reviewing documents
- Margin comments, track changes with accept and reject, document comparison.
- Checks without internet
- Spelling and grammar are checked offline as you type.
- Long documents
- Tables of contents, footnotes, citations and bibliographies.
WordCraft compared with Microsoft Word
WordCraft follows Word’s interface: ribbon, styles, track changes, comments. According to a test, the biggest risk is file fidelity with real Office documents. The vendor does not mention macros.
| WordCraft | Microsoft Word | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | free, also for business | part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, price depends on plan Source |
| Licence | open source (Apache 2.0) | commercial software |
| Systems | Windows, macOS, Linux, in the browser | see vendor |
| Shared files | .docx directly, plus .odt, .rtf and PDF export | |
| Maturity | in development, version 0.10.0 | on the market for years |
What independent tests say
- Office Watch, 11.10.2026Test of version 0.5.0 with real Microsoft 365 files: styles, track changes, table of contents and mail merge work. Verdict: not yet a replacement for Microsoft 365 today. Read the article
Microsoft Word and Microsoft 365 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. It is named for orientation only; there is no connection between Microsoft Corporation and the maker of WordCraft.
Our assessment
WordCraft is worth a look if you occasionally edit .docx files and do not want to pay for a subscription. As the program is still in development, check important documents once after saving.
Already useful for
- Letters, notes and internal documents
- Opening, reading and commenting on .docx files
- Spell checking without a cloud service
Better wait for now
- Contracts and quotes that go out without a second check
- Extensive templates with many fields and macros
- Switching every workstation over completely
Frequently asked questions
Can I open customers’ Word documents?
Yes, WordCraft opens and saves .docx directly. As the program is still in development, check important documents after saving.
Can WordCraft replace Word?
WordCraft is worth a look if you occasionally edit .docx files and do not want to pay for a subscription. As the program is still in development, check important documents once after saving.
May I use WordCraft commercially?
Yes. The Apache 2.0 licence allows business use without a licence fee. It does not require you to publish your own files or data. Licence notices only apply if you redistribute or modify the program itself.
What does WordCraft cost?
Nothing. WordCraft is open source under the Apache 2.0 licence and may also be used in a business free of charge.
How do I install it?
The vendor’s page offers installers for Windows, macOS and Linux. If you use several Craft apps, the ArtCraft Launcher installs them and keeps them up to date. In businesses with several workstations, new programs should be approved centrally; we can help with that.
Related
Sources: vendor page and source code on GitHub, accessed 25 Oct 2026. We have tested the program ourselves and rated it worth a look. We have no business relationship with the vendor.
Introducing new software in your business
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