Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Docs VS AbiWord

Compare Google Docs VS AbiWord and see what are their differences

Google Docs logo Google Docs

Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

AbiWord logo AbiWord

AbiWord is a free software word processor.
  • Google Docs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-16
  • AbiWord Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Google Docs features and specs

  • Accessibility
    Google Docs can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, allowing for easy access to documents from anywhere.
  • Collaboration
    Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, making real-time collaboration easy and efficient.
  • Auto-Save
    Documents are automatically saved to Google Drive, reducing the risk of data loss due to unexpected issues.
  • Version History
    Allows users to see the revision history of a document and revert to previous versions if necessary.
  • Cost
    Google Docs is free to use, which is advantageous for individuals and organizations looking to cut down on software expenses.
  • Integrations
    Seamlessly integrates with other Google services (Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Drive) and third-party applications.
  • Add-ons
    Offers a variety of add-ons to enhance functionality, such as grammar checkers, templates, and other productivity tools.

Possible disadvantages of Google Docs

  • Internet Dependency
    Requires an internet connection for full functionality, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity or during outages.
  • Limited Offline Access
    Although offline access is available, it requires planning and setup; the experience is not as seamless as online use.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Storing sensitive information on Google’s servers can raise privacy and data security concerns for some users and organizations.
  • Feature Limitations
    While Google Docs provides robust basic functionality, it may lack some advanced features found in other word processing software like Microsoft Word.
  • Formatting Issues
    Some users may experience formatting inconsistencies, especially when exporting documents to other formats or printing.
  • Storage Limitations
    Free accounts are limited to a certain amount of storage space on Google Drive, necessitating payment for additional space should it be required.
  • Performance
    Occasionally, performance may be sluggish with very large documents or during peak usage times.

AbiWord features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    AbiWord is completely free to use and its source code is openly available for anyone to inspect, modify, and improve upon. This can lead to a more secure and customizable software experience.
  • Lightweight
    AbiWord is a light application that doesn't consume much system resources. It's clean and minimalistic, making it ideal for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Cross-Platform
    AbiWord is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and MacOS, allowing for versatility and integration into various operating environments.
  • Collaborative Editing
    AbiWord includes support for real-time collaborative editing, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously.
  • Compatibility with Various Formats
    AbiWord supports a range of document formats including Microsoft Word, OpenDocument, and RTF, making it easy to open and save documents in various file types.

Possible disadvantages of AbiWord

  • Limited Advanced Features
    AbiWord lacks some of the advanced features found in other word processors like Microsoft Word, such as more sophisticated page layout options and extensive template libraries.
  • Infrequent Updates
    The development pace of AbiWord is relatively slow, which may result in less frequent updates, bug fixes, and new features compared to more actively developed alternatives.
  • User Interface Design
    The user interface of AbiWord is somewhat dated and less intuitive compared to more modern word processors. This might result in a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Despite supporting various formats, AbiWord can sometimes struggle with perfect compatibility, especially with complex documents created in other word processing software.
  • Limited Integration
    AbiWord has limited integration with other office suite applications like spreadsheets and presentation software, which can be a disadvantage for users needing a more holistic office suite.

Google Docs videos

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AbiWord videos

Abiword Features and Review - The Best Alternative to Microsoft

More videos:

  • Review - Abiword 3.0: Microsoft Word Alternative?
  • Review - Abiword for Linux Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Docs and AbiWord)
PDF Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Office Suites
0 0%
100% 100
PDF Editor
100 100%
0% 0
Word Processing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Google Docs and AbiWord

Google Docs Reviews

Top 12 Online Collaboration Tools for Smart Working
Users can share meeting notes or create project briefs collectively with one click. They can also choose from a variety of formats, such as Nifty Docs, Google Docs, Presentation, or Spreadsheet, and sync with their Google Drive! Google Docs, as a crucial component within Google Workspace, facilitates teamwork and accessibility, offering document management capabilities...
Source: niftypm.com
Best 25 Software Documentation Tools 2023
Google Docs allows users to create, edit, share and collaborate on documents in real-time, online and is accessible from any device. It's a powerful and collaborative documentation tool that offers a wide range of features and it is widely used by individuals, teams and organizations.
Source: www.uphint.com
The 11 Best Slite Alternatives in 2022- Free Tools Included!
“Intuitive layout, integration with other Google services/offerings and hosting in the cloud make Google Docs arguably the best way for small teams with far-flung members to generate collaborative documents quickly. Four years ago, using Google Docs to author, edit and review documents was a nonstarter due to missing features found in word processing software. Today, many...
Source: remoteverse.com
EasyContent vs Google Docs
Google Docs require external tools to make it appropriate for collaborative content production. It's often upgraded to GSuite (which consists of multiple apps in one package) or paired with project management platforms like Asana and Trello. This means you'll need to manage multiple apps and platforms, adding overhead to your content production process.
Source: easycontent.io

AbiWord Reviews

We have no reviews of AbiWord yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Docs and AbiWord, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Acrobat DC - Make your job easier with Adobe Acrobat DC, the trusted PDF creator. Use Acrobat to convert, edit and sign PDF files at your desk or on the go.

Microsoft Word - Microsoft Word is a commercial word document processor for Windows.

Wondershare PDFelement - All-in-one PDF editor

LibreOffice - Writer - Open-source cross-platform word processor.

Atlantis Word Processor - Atlantis Word Processor enables users to create documents and reports and to publish e-books.

Pages - Pages for Mac is a word processor that offers tools needed to create documents.