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WordCraft: Free Word Alternative

Write and format documents with tables, comments and tracked changes.

Free · No subscription · Windows / macOS / Linux

WordCraft document editor with a formatted handbook and the Home ribbon.
Official screenshot
Download for your systemShortcutsvs Word
WordCraft 0.6.1 · Official release
On this page

WordCraft vs Word

Good for…

  • Writing and formatting everyday documents.
  • Adding headings, tables, references and page numbers.
  • Reviewing a draft with comments and tracked changes.
  • Preparing a PDF for someone who only needs to read it.

Not yet if you need…

  • Exact pagination when exchanging complex Word documents.
  • Every embedded chart or SmartArt object to stay editable.
  • Word's full team collaboration and add-in workflows.
  • A complex DOCX to look unchanged after saving and reopening.

Good for everyday documents; check complex DOCX layouts and embedded objects before sharing.

Keep Word for complex layouts, embedded objects and established team workflows.

Its Word-style workspace puts writing, styles, tables and review tools in a familiar ribbon. A document you write for yourself is a simpler starting point than a client's heavily formatted report, especially when that client expects to continue editing in Word.

Screenshots and results

The official screenshots show a sample document in the writing workspace and a draft with review marks. The first image above includes the Home ribbon, live style previews and a navigation pane for headings.

WordCraft sample document with tracked changes and comments.

Comments and tracked changes

See inserted and deleted text alongside comment balloons in the document margin.

Is WordCraft free?

Free

Local document editing is free, with no subscription.

Account policy

The developers haven't published a complete account policy for connected services.

Offline writing

WordCraft's writing, spelling and grammar tools work offline on your computer.

ArtCraft's AI workbench is a separate product, and hosted generation uses credits. Optional external services have their own requirements; for example, the Zotero citation connection needs the Zotero desktop app running.

You need internet access to download the installer. See Is ArtCraft free? for the distinction between local Craft apps and the separate generation service.

Download and install

Choose the official WordCraft package for your system below. Use Craft Launcher if you want one place to install and update several Craft apps; WordCraft also has its own download.

For several editing apps, use Craft Launcher to install, verify and update them.

Choose your system and processor to get an official package. The complete package list is available below.

Current release 0.6.1 · published 12 Oct 2026
All official desktop packages
Windows6 packages
  • ARM64 / aarch64MSI72.9 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-windows-arm64.msi

    SHA-256

    3ea2f2cebb3b8e9f66522f44cb2b3530339ff23b129f8077d4197378dd637645

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    Get-FileHash -LiteralPath "<downloaded-file>" -Algorithm SHA256
  • ARM64 / aarch64Portable ZIP88.9 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-windows-arm64-portable.zip

    SHA-256

    baf28c75a7bb41efded0d8ea110451bfb8e57b722ab0a64243c4458338ea0879

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    Get-FileHash -LiteralPath "<downloaded-file>" -Algorithm SHA256
  • x86 / 32-bitMSI74.2 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-windows-x86.msi

    SHA-256

    08b6ac9b364a7873523447912aa8f169741e3986b88dd1b65622055c36de9afe

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    Get-FileHash -LiteralPath "<downloaded-file>" -Algorithm SHA256
  • x86 / 32-bitPortable ZIP88.7 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-windows-x86-portable.zip

    SHA-256

    a5ae4f6c16ed89b64e2a47bd380148d577a71b5991a75c13ef4ead790b0c5fbd

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    Get-FileHash -LiteralPath "<downloaded-file>" -Algorithm SHA256
  • x64 / Intel & AMDMSI75.5 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-windows-x64.msi

    SHA-256

    ec1761f5efb32247d2674c5d05e488f4a8f8c0323f7dfcd608266510d636deb8

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    Get-FileHash -LiteralPath "<downloaded-file>" -Algorithm SHA256
  • x64 / Intel & AMDPortable ZIP91.4 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-windows-x64-portable.zip

    SHA-256

    4576d76363b0513242e0c1e5038fabaee4b3369909de60821900a01fc6277261

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    Get-FileHash -LiteralPath "<downloaded-file>" -Algorithm SHA256
macOS1 packages
  • Apple silicon & IntelDMG99.5 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-macos-universal.dmg

    SHA-256

    6cfbc5b0c1270894f4df7eed15f6d880d01f4733f856cee55d3793bd738786ae

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    shasum -a 256 "<downloaded-file>"
Linux13 packages
  • ARM64 / aarch64AppImage85.7 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-aarch64.AppImage

    SHA-256

    78edd2b884fee4cfcfe8a072c4f1608759882e524f73c74c92dbc21612db860e

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • ARM64 / aarch64DEB91.7 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-aarch64.deb

    SHA-256

    165e5c0634d6a8f9ecc312792e85f6d9ceea034267365ba3681b6a764c2403c7

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • ARM64 / aarch64Flatpak64.0 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-aarch64.flatpak

    SHA-256

    3001f7964cbe0cbed4b322d1d8820feb218b4801d923a0c46a85d59dcb99cb6b

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • ARM64 / aarch64RPM91.1 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-aarch64.rpm

    SHA-256

    9bad1ebd1e9818bc3d475393b27a2cf13ed808aa68a4c6e127b8a61cf4a833e5

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • ARM64 / aarch64tar.gz89.9 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-aarch64.tar.gz

    SHA-256

    8d58f745d29fe17e8e5b4268e07553f140005b6986c27c6aa40b53f3cfb1e0f1

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • RISC-V64DEB92.5 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-riscv64.deb

    SHA-256

    214f23ca59c638ba1c5f8127e252c57295eafe0550676f93b6dc78340c4f959d

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • RISC-V64RPM92.2 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-riscv64.rpm

    SHA-256

    1e936815ccdf7ca0493988730f0526944888d6db0a967dadebaf53ec70ce6ae6

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • RISC-V64tar.gz91.4 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-riscv64.tar.gz

    SHA-256

    2a1eea6990f62a8326c1f58deaba4eb987ddccd4b7e6902662dc3c6164155329

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • x64 / Intel & AMDAppImage88.1 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-x86_64.AppImage

    SHA-256

    36ed3844c4e58391cf1341d133bf6b569b5221f8e707e5e271db3c38df6dc3c3

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • x64 / Intel & AMDDEB93.6 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-x86_64.deb

    SHA-256

    7c86f97e43cc24eae765de431f9d924cc19370c0cbac2ebd108d732386220508

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • x64 / Intel & AMDFlatpak66.7 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-x86_64.flatpak

    SHA-256

    4aac50474bd964948cda9c1eb6b8e9495f35992be81568be7431ec9258585a8f

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • x64 / Intel & AMDRPM93.1 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-x86_64.rpm

    SHA-256

    95ed5cf7ed688121d409078cfdfb0981a0c6ac5daa0b2c61f4f445681b2d2eee

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
  • x64 / Intel & AMDtar.gz92.4 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-linux-x86_64.tar.gz

    SHA-256

    79bd54c81276f6ea551222432adec15e0eaab4cb5881decee38eafd7a5ca38f9

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256sum "<downloaded-file>"
FreeBSD1 packages
  • x64 / Intel & AMDtar.gz94.9 MiBDownload
    File & checksum

    wordcraft-0.6.1-freebsd-x86_64.tar.gz

    SHA-256

    3dab8a41638e6305590405a7768c76e7300a2de67d76d1211430c84e142720c3

    Matching SHA-256 list

    Calculate the local file’s SHA-256, then compare the complete value for this filename.

    sha256 -q "<downloaded-file>"
macOS
  1. Choose the universal DMG, which covers Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
  2. Open the disk image; if its window shows an Applications shortcut, drag WordCraft there.
  3. Open WordCraft from Applications after copying it.
Windows
  1. Choose the MSI that matches your processor: x64, ARM64 or x86.
  2. Open the downloaded MSI and follow the installation prompts.
  3. Open WordCraft after installation; portable ZIP packages are a separate download option.
Linux
  1. Choose the x86_64 or aarch64 Flatpak bundle for your processor and follow Flathub setup.
  2. Install the downloaded bundle with flatpak install --user followed by its filename.
  3. Open WordCraft from your desktop's app menu.

System requirements

System Published requirement
macOS Universal package for Intel and Apple silicon; minimum macOS version unpublished.
Windows x64, ARM64 and x86 packages; minimum Windows version unpublished.
Linux General minimum runtime requirements unpublished; riscv64 tarball needs glibc 2.39 or later.
RAM, GPU and storage The developers haven't published complete minimum values.

The developers haven't published app-specific steps for Gatekeeper or SmartScreen warnings. If WordCraft is blocked or won't open, use the official support tracker and include the message and your system.

Check your processor before choosing a Windows or Linux package. The official download notes describe other Linux packages and Windows graphics-startup troubleshooting if you need them.

Your first edit, shortcuts and tutorials

Start by changing a short DOCX, then save an editable copy and a PDF. Use a copy of your own document so you can compare the original page layout with the result.

Your first edit in 5 steps

  1. Choose File > Open and open your DOCX copy.
  2. Select a short passage and choose Home > Font > Bold.
  3. Press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Linux, or Command+Z on macOS, to undo; apply Bold again if you prefer it.
  4. Choose File > Save As and save a new editable copy.
  5. Choose File > Export > Export PDF, then check the PDF's fonts and page breaks.

Everyday shortcuts

Ten shortcuts for opening, saving and everyday document edits.

Action Windows / Linux macOS
New Ctrl+N Command+N
Open Ctrl+O / Ctrl+F12 Command+O / Command+F12
Save Ctrl+S / Shift+F12 Command+S / Shift+F12
Save As F12 F12
Print Ctrl+P / Ctrl+Shift+F12 / Ctrl+F2 Command+P / Command+Shift+F12 / Command+F2
Close Ctrl+W / Ctrl+F4 Command+W / Command+F4
Undo Ctrl+Z Command+Z
Redo Ctrl+Y / Ctrl+Shift+Z Command+Y / Command+Shift+Z
Cut Ctrl+X Command+X
Copy Ctrl+C Command+C
More command and tool shortcuts

Command and tool defaults

ActionWindows / LinuxmacOS
NewCtrl+NCommand+N
OpenCtrl+O / Ctrl+F12Command+O / Command+F12
SaveCtrl+S / Shift+F12Command+S / Shift+F12
Save AsF12F12
PrintCtrl+P / Ctrl+Shift+F12 / Ctrl+F2Command+P / Command+Shift+F12 / Command+F2
CloseCtrl+W / Ctrl+F4Command+W / Command+F4
UndoCtrl+ZCommand+Z
RedoCtrl+Y / Ctrl+Shift+ZCommand+Y / Command+Shift+Z
CutCtrl+XCommand+X
CopyCtrl+CCommand+C
PasteCtrl+VCommand+V
Paste: Keep Text OnlyCtrl+Shift+Alt+VCommand+Shift+Option+V
FindCtrl+FCommand+F
Find NextCtrl+G / F3 / Ctrl+PageDownCommand+G / F3 / Command+PageDown
Find and ReplaceCtrl+HCommand+H
Go ToCtrl+Alt+G / F5Command+Option+G / F5
Go BackShift+F5Shift+F5
Copy FormattingCtrl+Shift+CCommand+Shift+C
Paste FormattingCtrl+Shift+VCommand+Shift+V
BoldCtrl+BCommand+B
ItalicCtrl+ICommand+I
UnderlineCtrl+UCommand+U
Double UnderlineCtrl+Shift+DCommand+Shift+D
Underline Words OnlyCtrl+Shift+WCommand+Shift+W
SubscriptCtrl+=Command+=
SuperscriptCtrl+Shift+=Command+Shift+=
All CapsCtrl+Shift+ACommand+Shift+A
Small CapsCtrl+Shift+KCommand+Shift+K
HiddenCtrl+Shift+HCommand+Shift+H
FontCtrl+Shift+FCommand+Shift+F
Font SizeCtrl+Shift+PCommand+Shift+P
Increase Font SizeCtrl+Shift+. / Ctrl+Shift+>Command+Shift+. / Command+Shift+>
Decrease Font SizeCtrl+Shift+, / Ctrl+Shift+<Command+Shift+, / Command+Shift+<
Grow Font 1 PointCtrl+]Command+]
Shrink Font 1 PointCtrl+[Command+[
Change CaseShift+F3Shift+F3
Font DialogCtrl+DCommand+D

Tutorials worth opening

  • Official Zotero guide: add and edit citations, refresh a bibliography and choose a citation style with Zotero desktop running.

Use the five steps above for a first document edit. Open the Zotero guide when your work needs references; it focuses on citations rather than teaching every writing tool.

What others say

Published feedback includes a successful small-file check and a report of a slow, unstable heading edit.

GetPhotoCraft editorial team

Their earlier-release macOS command-line check kept text, a table and an italic edit in a small DOCX. Read their file check.

lr0 · Hacker News

This user reported a long slowdown followed by a crash when changing text into a heading on an M4 MacBook. Read the comment.

Save a separate copy before making broad formatting changes.

Can WordCraft open DOCX files?

WordCraft opens and saves DOCX files. Check page layout, revisions, fonts and embedded objects in Word before returning a document to someone who will edit it there.

Format Open / save What to watch
DOCX Read and write Complex pagination, charts and SmartArt need checking.
DOC Import Legacy Word import; DOC export is undocumented.
ODT / RTF / HTML / Markdown / LaTeX / TXT Import and export Check formatting in the app receiving the file.
PDF / PNG pages Export Reading copies or page images, rather than editable Word documents.

Keep an editable file for further revisions and make a separate PDF for reading. When sharing a review, check that the comments and tracked changes you want to deliver remain in the returned DOCX. See the full format reference.

Other free alternatives

Choose around your usual documents and the people receiving them. WordCraft offers familiar local writing and review tools; the other free desktop options below cover broader office work too.

App Good for Free option
WordCraft Everyday documents and draft review Free local editing; complex DOCX exchange needs checking.
LibreOffice Writer Offline word processing, long documents and styles Free open-source desktop app; professional support can cost money.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors Common Office documents and a familiar interface Free desktop editors; cloud, enterprise and external AI services have separate terms.

FAQ

Do I need an ArtCraft subscription?

No. WordCraft's local document editing is free; the separate ArtCraft AI workbench uses credits for hosted generation.

Can WordCraft replace Word for my reports?

Try an ordinary report first. Keep Word for complex pagination, embedded charts, SmartArt and team workflows that depend on its add-ins.

Can I open an old DOC file?

Yes, WordCraft has a DOC import path. Save an editable DOCX or another supported output format afterward; DOC export is undocumented.

Does the Zotero connection work in the browser?

No. The connection needs Zotero desktop running, and the browser build cannot connect to it.

Where should I download WordCraft?

Use the official download selector above or Craft Launcher. The selector links to WordCraft's official GitHub release packages.

Sources

Based on official docs and published reviews; we didn't install it ourselves.

Last checked: 14 Oct 2026.

Current release: 0.6.1.

Image credits

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