For decades, Microsoft released major new versions of Word and its other Part apps in one case every few years. That'south when the bulk of new features were added, with security and issues fixes prioritised at other times.

However, that all changed with the release of Role 365 (at present Microsoft 365). This subscription gets you Discussion, Excel, Powerpoint and many other services, all for a unmarried monthly price. New features are added to these apps all the time, despite Microsoft standing to make standalone versions.

Microsoft 365 is undeniably practiced value if y'all apply multiple Office apps each month, only it could exist harder to justify if you only use Word occasionally.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other options if you're looking to become started with Microsoft's classic give-and-take processor. You can access information technology across all your devices, whether you're working on a phone, tablet, laptop or PC.

In this article, we'll run through some costless workarounds for accessing Microsoft Word, plus where to find some big discounts. Just if you'd rather not pay a penny, in that location are enough free culling role suites that are still compatible with Microsoft's software.

Download the free Office apps for iOS, Android and Windows

Microsoft's aim is for all your files to seamlessly sync betwixt devices via OneDrive. With that in heed, its Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps are costless to download for Android and iOS. All the relevant links are beneath.

iOS apps

  • Word for iOS
  • Excel for iOS
  • PowerPoint for iOS

Android apps (links only work on devices with Google Play Store installed)

  • Give-and-take for Android
  • Excel for Android
  • PowerPoint for Android

Windows apps

  • Discussion for Windows 10/11
  • Excel for Windows x/eleven
  • PowerPoint for Windows ten/11

While these are free for any device, they don't simply allow yous full access to all the features, with the total functionality held back for Microsoft 365 subscribers. See our full Microsoft Office ownership guide to acquire more than.

You'll always be able to open up and read documents for free, but can only create and edit them for free on a device with a screen smaller than 10.1 inches. That ways you tin edit Word documents from a smartphone or small tablet, but if you lot're on a larger tablet, laptop, or desktop PC you can only view them.

On iOS, the distinction is simpler at least: you tin create and edit documents for free on any iPhone, regular iPad, iPad Air or Mini, merely iPad Pro users can only view files.

It's worth noting that even on a device with a smaller screen, you simply get what Microsoft calls the 'core' Office experience, with some editing tools and features non available to free users.

Office Mobile Windows store

Try Microsoft 365 for free

Being able to view documents lone is of express use, so if you lot're using a device with a screen bigger than 10.1in you'll want some extra functionality.

The easiest solution is to sign up for Microsoft 365, the company'southward cloud-based subscription service, which starts at £5.99/US$6.99 per month or £59.99/US$69.99 per year for a Personal business relationship. It offers the same apps listed above, simply simply unlocks their full feature prepare on any device, while saving your piece of work in the deject then that you can admission information technology wherever you are. You also get access to programs like Commutation Online and SharePoint Online.

Several new features were added in the April 2020 rebranding of Part 365 to Microsoft 365, but none are likely to fundamentally change the way you use the apps. They include a consumer-focused Teams subscription, new Family Safety app and a handful of new features across the cadre Role programs.

The good news is there's a one-month free trial of Microsoft 365, so you can test information technology out without committing to paying a penny.

Get Microsoft Teams for complimentary

If you often collaborate with other people you lot tin also sign up for Microsoft Teams for costless which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote Online apps. Teams lets y'all chat, share files and start video calls from within the platform. There are premium plans as well starting from £3/U.s.$4 per user per month.

Microsoft is offering a one-month complimentary trial of all the subscriptions.

Go Microsoft 365 Education for gratuitous

Teachers and students can get Microsoft 365 Pedagogy for gratuitous, which includes Office Online (Microsoft Discussion, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) and Microsoft Teams, as well equally unlimited personal cloud storage.

Y'all need to exist a full-time or part-fourth dimension faculty or staff fellow member or student with a valid schoolhouse e-mail to exist eligible. Bank check if you qualify here past entering your school email address at the bottom of the page.

You can find additional information almost Microsoft 365 Education hither, while schools can sign up using this link.

Larn more than in our separate guide: Do students get Function 365 for free?

Microsoft Dwelling house Use Program Discount

While information technology'southward not completely complimentary, yous tin can save 30% on a Microsoft 365 subscription through your employer via Microsoft's Home Use Program for 365 Family or Personal subscriptions.

Yous just demand to cheque your eligibility by entering your corporate email accost. If your employer qualifies, you lot would receive a verification link via e-mail to authenticate your Microsoft account which enables admission to the xxx% discount. Encounter if yous qualify here.

Free Office alternatives

If you demand more functionality than the Office apps give you lot for free, but don't desire to pay for Office 365, there are diverse alternatives to Microsoft Office out there that are completely free.

Our recommendation is LibreOffice - information technology's a full suite that's regularly updated and allows you to open and salvage documents in Microsoft formats.

How to get Microsoft Office for free

Should you happen to dislike Libre Part, yous can likewise bank check out free alternatives such every bit WPS Office, Free Office and Google Drive, which includes Docs, Sheets and Slides.

Related manufactures for further reading

  • Microsoft 365 buying guide
  • How to get Microsoft Excel for free
  • How to get Microsoft PowerPoint for free
  • Does Windows eleven come up with Microsoft Part?