The three main ways to get Word on your computer
You can get Microsoft Word through a subscription called Microsoft 365, by buying a one-time license called Office 2021 or Office 2019, or by using free alternatives like Google Docs or LibreOffice. The route you choose depends on whether you want the full Microsoft product, how often you plan to use it, and whether you are willing to pay.
Microsoft 365 is a monthly or yearly subscription that includes Word plus other programs like Excel and Outlook. Office 2021 and Office 2019 are older versions you buy once and own permanently, though they do not receive new features after purchase. Free alternatives work in a web browser or as downloadable programs and cover basic writing and editing, but lack some advanced features Word has.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that costs money each month or year and gives you the newest version of Word with automatic updates.
- Office 2021 is a one-time purchase that never expires but does not receive new features after you buy it.
- Google Docs and LibreOffice are free and work for most writing tasks, though they lack some formatting and collaboration tools Word has.
- You can read Word from Microsoft's website or the Microsoft Store, or sign up for Microsoft 365 online.
Microsoft 365 subscription: monthly or yearly payments
Microsoft 365 is the most common way people get Word today. You pay a monthly or yearly fee, and Microsoft sends you the latest version of Word automatically. The subscription includes not just Word but also Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and cloud storage through OneDrive. If you stop paying, you lose access to the programs, though your documents stay in OneDrive and you can read them.
Microsoft 365 comes in several tiers. The Personal plan covers one person on up to five devices. The Family plan covers up to six people, each on up to five devices. Business versions exist for people who use Word at work. You can start a subscription on Microsoft's website or through the Microsoft Store app on Windows. Microsoft often offers a free trial period before charging you.
When you subscribe, you read Word to your computer and sign in with your Microsoft account. Word then checks your subscription status each time you open it. Updates happen automatically in the background.
Office 2021 or Office 2019: one-time purchase, no subscription
If you do not want to pay every month, you can buy Office 2021 or Office 2019 as a one-time purchase. You pay once, read the software, and own it forever. The software never expires and never stops working. However, Microsoft does not add new features to these versions after release, and support eventually ends.
Office 2021 is the newer of the two and works on Windows 10 and later, or Mac OS 13 and later. Office 2019 is older and works on older computers. You buy these versions through the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or other retailers. After purchase, you read the installer from Microsoft's website and run it on your computer. You then sign in with a Microsoft account to set up the license.
The downside is that you are stuck with the features that shipped with your version. If Microsoft adds a new tool to Word in 2025 and you own Office 2021, you will not get it unless you buy a newer version.
Free alternatives: Google Docs and LibreOffice
Google Docs is a free online word processor that works in any web browser. You create an account on Google, go to docs.google.com, and start writing. Your documents save automatically to Google Drive, and you can share them with others for real-time collaboration. Google Docs handles most writing tasks well and works on any computer with internet access.
LibreOffice is a free downloadable program that works like Microsoft Office. You read it from libreoffice.org, install it on your computer, and use it offline. LibreOffice includes a word processor called Writer that can open and save Microsoft Word files. It does not require a subscription or internet connection.
Both alternatives are genuinely free and have no hidden costs. The trade-off is that they lack some advanced features Word has, such as certain mail-merge functions, some collaboration tools, or specific formatting options. For writing letters, essays, resumes, and basic documents, they work well. For complex business documents or heavy collaboration, Word's features may matter more.
How to read and install Word on Windows
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or own a one-time license, go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click "Install Office" or "Install apps". Choose Word and click "Install". Your browser downloads an installer file. Open that file and follow the on-screen steps. The installation takes a few minutes.
Alternatively, open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows computer, search for "Microsoft Word", and click "Install". The Store handles the read and installation automatically. After installation finishes, Word appears in your Start menu. Click it to open Word and sign in with your Microsoft account.
If you bought Office 2021 or Office 2019, you have a product key. Go to setup.microsoft.com, enter your product key, and follow the same read and install steps.
How to read and install Word on Mac
On a Mac, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and click "Install Office". read the installer and open it. The installer guides you through setup. Word then appears in your Applications folder. Open Applications, find Microsoft Word, and double-click it to launch.
You can also read Word from the Mac App Store. Open the App Store, search for "Microsoft Word", and click "Get". The App Store installs it automatically. After installation, Word appears in your Applications folder and in Launchpad.
Mac versions of Word work the same way as Windows versions. You sign in with your Microsoft account, and your subscription status or license is checked when you open the program.
What you need before you start
Before downloading Word, you need a Microsoft account. This is free to create. Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Create one". You provide an email address and password. Microsoft sends a verification code to your email. Enter the code, and your account is ready.
If you are buying a subscription, you also need a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or other payment option Microsoft accepts. If you are using a one-time license, you need the product key that came with your purchase. If you are using a free alternative, you need only an internet connection for Google Docs or nothing at all for LibreOffice.
Make sure your computer meets the system requirements. Word 2021 needs Windows 10 or later, or Mac OS 13 or later. Older computers may not support the newest versions. Check Microsoft's website for the full list of requirements for your version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Word on my phone or tablet?
Yes. Microsoft offers free Word apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android. You can read them from the App Store or Google Play. On phones, basic editing is free. On tablets, you need a Microsoft 365 subscription to edit documents, though you can view them for free. The apps sync with OneDrive, so documents you edit on your phone appear on your computer.
What happens if I stop paying for Microsoft 365?
Word stops opening documents for editing, but your files stay in OneDrive. You can read them and open them in a free program like Google Docs or LibreOffice. If you restart your subscription later, Word works again and your documents are still there.
Can I use Word offline?
Yes. Both Microsoft 365 and one-time licenses like Office 2021 work offline. You read Word to your computer and use it without internet. Microsoft 365 checks your subscription status online periodically, but you can work offline for weeks. Google Docs requires internet to save, though you can enable offline mode in your browser settings.
Is there a difference between Word and Microsoft 365?
Word is the writing program itself. Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes Word plus Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and cloud storage. You can buy Word alone through a one-time Office license, but Microsoft 365 is subscription-only and bundles multiple programs together.
Do I need to buy Office if I only need Word?
No. You can buy Word as a standalone subscription through Microsoft 365 Single App, or use a free alternative like Google Docs or LibreOffice. You do not have to buy the full Office suite if you only write documents.