The 10 Best Word Processing Apps for iPad in 2024 (2024)

WPS Office Writer

If you're looking for an all-in-one iPad word processor, Writer, which is part of WPS Office, fits the bill while throwing in a presentation maker, spreadsheet editor and PDF Creator. Writer's features include table creation, document sharing, and document encryption. You can open a Microsoft Word document, edit it, and save it all from within the Writer app.

WPS Office is free to download and use, but its VIP premium version ($3.99 monthly, $9.99 quarterly or $29.99 yearly) adds additional security features and functionality.

Google Docs

Google Docsis the iOS-resident word processing app for Google's suite of web-based office productivity apps. Docs allows you to create, edit, share, and collaborate on documents stored inGoogle Drive, Google's cloud storage service. However, an internet connection isn't required to use the Google Docs app on your iPad or iPhone. Docsoffers the basic word processing features you'd expect in a document editor.

A generous 15 GB of space is free with Google Drive. Keep in mind, however, that your Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, Jamboard, Gmail, and Google Photos files are all competing for your free storage allotment. If you're getting low on storage, you have the option to upgrade to bigger storage plans with a paid subscription.

Docs doesn't connect with other cloud storage services, however.

Google Docs is easy to use and versatile, especially if you work and collaborate within the Google ecosystem of productivity apps (for example, Sheets and Slides).

iA Writer

The iA Writer app is a visually clean text editor that offers simple word processing with a nice keyboard that gets out of your way and lets you simply write. The app's keyboard is well-reviewed and includes an extra row of special characters. iA Writer supports the iCloud storage service and can sync between your Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

iA Writer doesn't have a free trial for its iOS version; the product costs a one-time fee of $49.99 on the App Store.

Pages

Apple Pages, along with the Numbers spreadsheet app and Keynote presentation app, comprise a suite of versatile and powerful document editing and creation tools known as iWork.

The Pages app was designed to work with unique iPad features. Insert images into your documents and move them around by dragging them with your fingertip. Pages ​makes formatting straightforward with built-in templates, styles, and other standard formatting tools.

Another Pages benefitis the ability to save your document in multiple formats, including as a Pages document, Microsoft Word document, and PDF file. Plus, you'll have access to iCloud, Apple's cloud storage service, where you can save documents and access them from other devices.

Microsoft Word

Not to be left out of the move to mobile, Microsoft Word is available as an iPad app, alongside other Office apps, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive. OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, where you can store and access your documents online.

The Word app version offers core features and compatibility for document creation and editing. You don't get all of the functionality found in the desktop software, but Word for iPad offers many features and handles well. There's an option to subscribe to the Microsoft 365 service for a fee, which will unlock additional features for all Office mobile apps.

Docs To Go

Docs To Gois an app that gives you access to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files, as well as the ability to create new files from scratch. This app also supports iWork files.

Docs To Go offers extensive formatting options and features, including bulleted lists,styles, undo and redo, find and replace, and word count. This app also uses InTact Technology to retain existing formatting.

Docs To Go Standard is free to download and use and is ad-supported. There's a $16.99 Docs to Go Premium version that offers additional functionality without ads.

FreeNotes Writer

FreeNotes Writer is a free app that specializes in note-taking, annotations, editing PDF files, and much more. Students and professionals alike can use an Apple Pencil to take notes, create memos, highlight textbooks, and more. You can also organize and manage your notes in unlimited notebooks, folders, and subfolders.

FreeNotesWriter is completely free to download and use.

Werdsmith

Werdsmith is an AI-powered writing assistant designed to motivate writers to push past writer's block and develop efficient and fluid writing habits. Add your ideas to an Ideas list, and if you're feeling stuck, the Ghostwriter AI helper will offer you inspiring prompts. Werdsmith helps you set and accomplish writing goals and track your daily stats.

Werdsmith is free to download and use, but to unlock various features and become a member of the Werdsmith community, you'll need a paid subscription, starting at $4.99 a month and going up to $99 per year.

Ulysses

Ulysses is designed as a tool for focused writers, offering a clean interface and distraction-free editing using markdown syntax. Markdown syntax is meant to help writers stay immersed in their work and leave formatting for later. Ulysses has excellent document management features and easy exporting and syncing functionality.

Download and use a fully functioning version of Ulysses for a trial period. Then, you'll need a paid subscription starting at $5.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly.

Scrivener

Scrivener is designed as a true writer's tool and works particularly well if you're planning to write a long manuscript. Compose your text in any order as you write about what inspires you, and then fit your ideas into the greater manuscript later. It's easy to import your research materials and view them as you write to ensure accuracy and attributions.

Scrivener has multiple formatting, viewing, structuring, and organizing options, but all this functionality isn't cheap. You'll need to pay a one-time $23.99 price for Scrivener.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for letting us know!

Tell us why!