Five Must-Have Cross-Platform Word Processing Tools for Small Businesses

Word processing software is a must-have for most businesses these days. Office work now relies on quick sharing and easy ways to collaborate in real time, mostly because of the rise in remote work. Here are five versatile and scalable word processing apps that are great for small companies.

Google Docs is a free, online service that covers all the basic needs for text editing. It offers a straightforward way to share documents with groups or individuals. Every change is saved in the revision history, so everyone can see what’s been edited over time. You can make modifications directly in the text or through the chat function, which allows collaborators to discuss specific symbols, words, lines, or paragraphs in real time.

As part of G-Suite, Google Docs integrates with Google Drive, making it easy to store and share files through many partner platforms. Though the mobile version has fewer features, it still offers the flexibility to work from anywhere, outside a traditional office.

Microsoft Word is probably the most well-known word processor out there. It’s undergone significant updates over the years and now offers a robust system. While it may seem too complex for simple tasks, it’s the go-to tool for high-level typographical work. It supports the creation of all types of official documents and offers custom templates to streamline the process.

Like Google Docs, Microsoft Word also allows real-time co-authoring, although it requires users to have the paid version to share access. It offers more options for detailed editing, which is where Google Docs falls short.

Quip is designed with team collaboration in mind. It features a unique revision history bar that’s helpful for reviewing edits made by multiple authors. When someone is working on a paragraph, it becomes locked for others to avoid conflicts. You can add inline comments and use the chatroom, which is organized into directory and in-document feeds. Completed conversations can be archived to keep the workspace tidy.

Quip is ideal for teams that need strong communication tools within their word processor. It blends the simplicity of Google Docs with the benefits of instant messaging.

Zoho offers a sleek and intuitive word processing experience. Both its desktop and mobile versions include a range of automated formatting and layout design templates. With over 350 default fonts that work on any platform, it also provides tools for managing document security, such as two-factor authentication.

Permissions can be assigned not just to entire documents or directories but to specific paragraphs as well. Sharing features allow you to send finished files directly to platforms like WordPress. With Adobe Sign and DocuSign integration, you can add signatures with just a few taps. Zoho Writer’s mobile interface is particularly user-friendly for text editing.

Finally, iA Writer is designed to minimize distractions. It offers basic formatting features along with a Focus Mode, which lets you zero in on paragraphs or sentences to polish them. It can also color-code parts of speech, which is useful for analyzing books, manuals, articles, and official documents.

You can link iA Writer to iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive for automatic backups. Like Zoho Writer, it supports direct posting to WordPress blogs. Although it might not be the most universal tool, iA Writer is an excellent specialized solution for focused writing tasks.