Comparison
Online word processor vs desktop app: which one do you need?
The short answer
Pick an online word processor for quick edits, shared work and any device. Pick a desktop app for long documents, heavy formatting and working offline. A browser tool that runs on your device, like Wrdio, sits in between: no install, and the file stays with you.
The old way to write a document was to install a big program on your computer. The new way is to open a web page and start typing. Both are fine. They are good at different jobs, and choosing well saves you time.
What each kind is good at
| Online (in the browser) | Desktop app | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | None. Open a page. | Download and install |
| Works on any device | Yes, with a browser | Only where installed |
| Long, complex documents | Fine for most, slower for huge ones | Best |
| Offline | Limited | Yes |
| Live sharing | Strong in cloud suites | Possible with extra services |
| Updates | Automatic | You install them |
| Cost | Often free | Free or paid |
Three kinds of online tool
- Cloud suites such as Google Docs. Your document lives in your account. Great for working with others.
- Browser versions of desktop suites. They match the desktop look but need an account.
- Local-in-the-browser tools such as Wrdio. The page loads, then the editing happens on your device, without an account or an upload.
How to choose
- A quick fix to one file: a local-in-the-browser tool.
- A report that several people edit: a cloud suite.
- A 100-page manuscript with a table of contents: a desktop app.
- You are travelling with poor internet: a desktop app.
- It is a private file: a tool that does not upload. See our guide on whether online tools are safe.
Features to look for in an online word processor
- Styles for headings and body text.
- Lists, tables and pictures.
- Page numbers, headers and footers.
- Export to DOCX and PDF.
- Find, and undo that goes back far enough.
You can check these in Wrdio's editor. Drop a file onto the home page and press Edit.
What to avoid
Be careful with tools that need an account for a one-off job, add a watermark at export, or upload the file without saying so. Our guide to free editors with no signup has a thirty-second test for all three.
Questions people ask
What is an online word processor?
It is a word-processing program that runs in a web browser instead of being installed on your computer.
Is an online word processor as good as Word?
For everyday writing, often yes. For very long documents, complex layouts and advanced features, a desktop program still has the edge.
Do online word processors work offline?
Some cache enough to keep working after the first load. Check each tool. Wrdio needs a connection the first time it loads the editor.
Is my document safe in an online word processor?
It depends whether the tool stores or uploads it. A tool that runs in your browser and does not upload, like Wrdio, keeps it on your device.