Microsoft Phrase stays the usual solution to create and share textual content paperwork, whether or not you’re in a company or academic organisation. Lately, it’s undoubtedly had its iron-clad grip loosened by the likes of Google Docs, however in lots of cases Phrase is the popular or anticipated software program to make use of. There’s just one drawback with that: it’s not free. So, for those who don’t need to add one other month-to-month invoice to your account, how are you going to nonetheless use the software program with out shelling out? Right here’s learn how to get Microsoft Phrase in your Mac at no cost, plus the assorted paid variations and a few helpful options.

use Microsoft Phrase at no cost on the net

Microsoft affords fully free variations of Phrase, Excel and PowerPoint, all of which you entry on-line at its Microsoft 365 hub. You’ll want a Microsoft account, however these are free and chances are you’ll discover that you have already got a Hotmail or Outlook account that you just created some time again. In case you don’t, they solely take a couple of minutes to create.

As soon as that is accomplished, you’re free to entry the assorted apps and use them in your browser. This was known as Workplace.com however Microsoft is now transitioning it to Microsoft 365 to maintain it according to its different productiveness software program.

It’s true that you just don’t get the total suite of instruments that the paid variations of Phrase, Excel and PowerPoint possess, and you need to save paperwork to OneDrive, however for those who simply want a phrase processor that may precisely create and deal with .docx file sorts, it is a useful solution to get it at no cost. 

get the paid model of Microsoft Phrase

In case you want the total vary of instruments that Phrase has to supply, to not point out the power to work offline and save information into different folders or on-line storage companies, then you definately’ll must pay. There are two routes open to you: one-off cost, or a subscription. 

We already pay for loads of issues every month, so the concept of including one other invoice to the checklist won’t enchantment. Fortunately, you don’t should, as Microsoft nonetheless affords a one-and-done strategy to purchasing Phrase. It’s not low cost, although, as shopping for the app outright will set you again $159.99/£149.99, though there are not any extra funds afterwards. 

The most suitable choice in our opinion, as long as you don’t thoughts signing as much as one other service, is the Microsoft 365 subscription. With this you not solely get Phrase, but additionally Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook and 1TB of OneDrive storage. Microsoft retains you on the newest model of the apps always, so that you by no means must take care of outdated software program or miss out on new options. 

For a one-year Microsoft 365 Private subscription you’ll be able to both pay up entrance, costing $69.99/£59.99, or $6.99/£5.99 per 30 days, which permits one account to make use of the Workplace apps on as much as 5 units, together with an iPad. 

If you’d like extra accounts, there’s the Microsoft 365 Household tier which permits 2-6 folks to make use of the service and boosts the storage as much as 6TB. This prices $99.99/£79.99 p/a or £7.99 p/m. 

Microsoft

If you wish to give the Workplace apps a take a look at run earlier than committing to a subscription, there’s additionally a 30-day free trial. 

To see how the subscription model compares to the purchased one, check out our Microsoft 365 vs Workplace 2021 shopping for information. 

Be careful for scams and hacks

It takes about 30 seconds to seek out movies on YouTube that may present you learn how to obtain, set up and get Phrase (plus all the opposite MS Workplace software program) up and working in your Mac for nothing. If the directions are just like those on this article, then you ought to be wonderful, however lots of the ones we’ve seen require some form of serial code-cracking program to be purchased and downloaded to your machine. Whereas this would possibly appear to be a victimless crime to some–Microsoft is a multi-billion-dollar firm whereas the person is only a single individual with no cash–the actual sufferer is most certainly to be you.

It’s true that some hackers are benevolent, wanting solely to free the knowledge in order that anybody can use it, however sadly others are most undoubtedly not. Downloading and putting in issues like this in your Mac is likely one of the best methods to contract malware or adware software program that may trigger havoc along with your information. That’s except for the truth that you’re contravening copyright, which is somewhat naughty.

Our recommendation could be to maintain nicely away from these ‘free’ routes to Phrase.

Free options to Microsoft Phrase

Until you particularly want Microsoft Phrase, you’ll discover that there are many nice phrase processors on the market that received’t value you a penny. Any new Mac will include a free copy of Apple’s Pages software program, which is a vastly highly effective software for creating and enhancing paperwork, and in addition works nicely with its iOS/iPadOS counterpart app.

Google Docs is a perennial favorite because the web-based software program is free and straightforward to make use of. You received’t discover extremely superior options like these on the full-blown Microsoft Phrase, however for most individuals it’s all they’ll ever want.

LibreOffice Author is one other one which’s at all times price trying out. The open-source software program is totally free and but affords a whole resolution for individuals who need the performance of MS Phrase. Sure, it’s not fairly the sleek and aesthetically pleasing expertise of its inspiration, however you will get a lot accomplished on Author that you just received’t care.

For a roundup of different choices, try our Greatest Mac phrase processor roundup.