As hybrid and remote work continue to shape everyday life in 2026, handling documents has become more complicated than it used to be. People now switch between multiple file formats, make last-minute edits, and work with teammates who may be located in completely different time zones. The right software can handle these tasks much easier saving time, reducing mistakes, and helping teams stay productive.
In this post, we will take a closer look at nine popular tools that cover three essential areas: document conversion, document editing, and collaboration. For each tool, you’ll find a simple breakdown of what it does, pros & cons, and recommended use cases.
Converters are essential when you deal with multiple file types. For example, you may need to transform DOCX into PDF, distribute e-books in MOBI, extract images from a file. Document converters make transformations quick and painless ensuring format compatibility and preserving your layout.
A desktop application, part of AVS4YOU Multimedia Suite, designed to deliver bulk conversion across a wide range of document and e-book formats. It supports DOCX, PDF, TXT, RTF, HTML, e-book formats MOBI, EPUB,FB2, and more.
Batch conversion: Converts dozens or hundreds of files at once, ideal for large-scale projects or archives used in several projects.
Format flexibility: Converts between standard office formats, e-books, HTML, and plain text.
Security features: Offers password protection and watermarking when exporting to PDF. It is useful for sharing sensitive documents.
Consistent formatting: Maintains layout, styling, and references (tables, images, footnotes) accurately across formats.
User-friendly interface: Clean, minimal UI, easy-to-use even for less tech-savvy users.
Typical Use-Cases: Ideal for professionals, students, multi-language teams, and administrators who regularly convert large batches of documents for archiving, sharing, or publishing. It is a good choice for users who want fast conversions and a simple workflow.
Desktop-only: Requires installation and runs locally; not a cloud solution.
No collaborative editing: Once converted, further edits need separate software.
No OCR (by default): If source is scanned images, another tool is needed to convert it to editable text.
Pricing: It is free without hidden restrictions. The app allows to convert an unlimited number of files.
A web-based file conversion service which does not require installation. Upload your file, choose the necessary format, and download the output. It supports over 1200 formats and allows to send converted files via e-mail.
Cross-platform: Works on any operating system via browser: Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS.
Speedy for small tasks: Perfect for quick, one-off conversions without software installation.
Wide format support: Hundreds of input and output formats, including outdated ones.
Accessibility: Great for occasional users or for working on devices where installation isn’t an option.
Typical Use-Cases: Great for occasional users, freelancers, and anyone who needs to convert a few documents quickly and don’t want to install anything. It’s also suitable for use on public or restricted computers, or for occasional conversions of uncommon formats.
File size limits: free tier limits upload size, may not suit large documents or bulk conversions.
Speed varies depending on your internet and server load.
Privacy concerns: Uploading sensitive files to another server could compromise their security.
Pricing: Freemium model with paid plans for higher volume and faster conversion times.
A lightweight, desktop-based converter from NCH Software that supports common document formats and basic batch conversions.
Simplicity: Straightforward interface with clear conversion flow.
Speed: Fast processing for most small-to-medium documents.
Batch support: Allows converting multiple files at once, including text documents and some basic image-to-text conversions.
Typical Use-Cases: Suits individual users and small offices looking for a free, simple desktop solution for everyday document format switching. Conversion of small or moderate-sized document sets such as reports, letters, simple e-books.
Limited advanced formatting support: Might struggle with complex layouts, footnotes, or embedded images/tables.
Fewer export options compared to more powerful converters, limited customization of output (e.g. watermarks, security).
Not ideal for publishing: it can be necessary to correct formatting after the conversion so that the documents look professional.
Pricing: Free basic version with an option to upgrade to a paid version for additional features.
| Tool | Strength | Best For |
| AVS Document Converter | Batch conversion + format flexibility + security | Large document sets, publishing, business archives |
| Zamzar | Fast & no-install, wide format support | Quick one-off conversions, cross-platform ease |
| Doxillion Document Converter | Lightweight and fast for simple docs | Home offices, small teams, basic needs |
After converting a document to the right format, the next step is often editing, styling, or designing it. This section highlights tools that provide full editing capabilities, from simple changes to complex layouts.
A full-featured office suite compatible with major document formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PDF). It includes word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools, PDF editing and form creation in one package. It also features built-in AI assistants for text generation, proofreading, and translation.
High compatibility with Microsoft Office formats: opens and saves DOCX, PPTX, XLSX without breaking layout or formatting.
Advanced layout and styling tools: tables, images, headers/footers, styles, footnotes — everything expected from a modern word processor.
Ability to create PDF forms and fillable documents: useful for creating surveys, registration forms, or templates.
Integration with cloud/storage: can link to cloud storage or collaboration platforms for seamless workflow.
Security features: allows setting edit/review permissions, password protection, and read-only modes.
Typical Use-Cases: Perfect for businesses and power users as well as individuals who need a robust, MS Office-compatible desktop suite that can also connect to collaborative cloud workspaces. It provides almost the same features as widely used office suits, but at no cost, making it ideal for personal use, education, or price-sensitive users.
Potential Limitations
Advanced features sometimes require familiarity, less intuitive than minimal editors for new users.
Cloud integration may demand setup: for full value, linking to a server or storage is recommended.
Pricing: Completely free with all features and updates included.
An open-source, free office suite (part of the LibreOffice suite) widely used as a free alternative to paid editors. It works well with both old and new document formats and lets you add extra features with plug-ins.
Full-featured word processor with support for complex layouts, styles, footnotes, tables, images, and more.
Open-source formats – especially useful if you want to use ODT files or avoid being tied to one program.
Large community and plugin ecosystem: lots of people use it, share tips, and help each other. There are many extensions for templates, citations, bibliographies, and more.
No licensing cost — a good fit for users looking for affordable options, educational institutions, or open-source supporters.
Typical Use-Cases: Ideal for cost-conscious users, students, educational institutions, and anyone who values software flexibility and open standards. It’s a full-featured replacement for commercial office suites.
Interface is less polished compared to modern commercial suites, as a result, some users find it clunky or outdated.
Occasional formatting issues when importing complex DOCX files. There may be layout shifts and style inconsistencies.
Performance may lag with very large documents or heavy image use.
Pricing: Completely free of charge.
A compact, user-friendly office suite with modern styling, offering word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations with strong mobile support. Its interface is similar to that of the latest Microsoft Office. The program boasts excellent MS Office format compatibility.
Modern UI and templates: Attractive pre-made templates for letters, reports, resumes, helpful for users who want quick, professional-looking documents.
Good Microsoft format support: handles DOCX and other formats reasonably well.
Mobile and cross-platform versions: edit documents on laptops, tablets, or phones.
Lightweight and faster startup: runs quickly and starts fast, perfect for older computers.
Typical Use-Cases: Excellent for users who want a Microsoft Office-like experience without the subscription cost. Its mobile apps are also highly rated.
Advanced featuresare locked: some premium templates or features require a subscription.
Less robust formatting controls compared to ONLYOFFICE or LibreOffice. There may be problems with very complex documents.
Occasional compatibility issues, especially with macros or advanced DOCX features.
Pricing: Freemium model with a paid Premium plan to remove ads and unlock advanced tools.
| Tool | Advantage | Best For |
| ONLYOFFICE for Desktop | Robust editing, compatibility, security | Students, educators, freelancers, small businesses, and anyone needing a free, professional-grade office suite |
| LibreOffice Writer | Free, open-source, long-term friendly | Budget users; open-format supporters |
| WPS Office Writer | Lightweight, easy, good for mobile | Students; freelancers; mobile-first users |
In a world where remote teams and distributed workflows prevail, collaboration platforms are the backbone of productive document workflows. They combine editing, sharing, version control, and team collaboration into one environment. While Google Docs and Microsoft 365 dominate on the market, we have picked several other platforms that offer unique and powerful approaches to document collaboration.
A secure collaboration platform designed to integrate with ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, offering structured teamwork, document rooms, access rights, and more.
Document Rooms: Organize projects into “rooms”, for example, “Marketing”, “Legal”, “Design”, each with its own files and permissions.
Granular access control: Define roles setting flexible access rights such as editors, reviewers, guests, etc. to ensure only authorized users can modify or view parts of your documents.
Version history and revisions: Track changes, restore older versions, and keep a full audit trail.
AI-powered content generation: Speeds up editing and ensures document quality.
Seamless integration with ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors: Edit locally or in-browser while syncing with DocSpace.
Typical Use-Cases: teams and businesses that need secure, controlled document management. It works on private servers or in the cloud, making it easy to collaborate while keeping sensitive files safe and fully tracked.
Learning curve: Non-technical users may need time to adjust to rooms, permissions, and workflows.
Initial setup needed: For self-hosted deployments or private servers, setup may require IT involvement.
Dependence on underlying infrastructure: Performance and reliability depend on server/storage configuration.
Pricing includes three tiers: a free cloud plan for small teams, a paid Business plan billed per admin with unlimited users and extra features, and a custom Enterprise plan for self-hosted setups with full security and support.
A cloud-based collaboration and file storage platform combining word processing, spreadsheets, and team workflows. It is part of the larger Zoho ecosystem.
File versioning and history: Easily recover old versions or track changes over time.
Team roles and permissions: Define who can view, edit, comment, or share files.
Workflow automation: Set up approval flows, document reviews, and automated triggers (e.g., notify team when document is updated).
Integration with other Zoho apps: If you use Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, or Zoho Mail, WorkDrive fits naturally into that stack.
Cloud-based access from anywhere: No installation required, accessible from any device with internet.
Typical Use-Cases: An excellent choice for small to mid-sized businesses already using or considering the Zoho suite. Zoho WorkDrive lets teams manage documents in one consistent, unified way, without switching between tools or workflows.
Complex for small teams: Its extensive tools can seem overwhelming if you only need basic sharing.
Works best online: Offline use and editing are limited compared to desktop apps.
Subscription-based pricing: Some features or storage levels may require paid plans.
Pricing: Freemium model with affordable tiered plans based on storage and user count.
A flexible, all-in-one workspace combining documents, databases, wikis, and task management with real-time collaboration and co-editing. It’s less like a traditional office suite and more like a customizable digital notebook that your whole team can build and edit together in real time.
Unified workspace: Mix documents, notes, tasks, tables, and databases in one interface.
Real-time collaborative editing: Multiple users can edit simultaneously; perfect for brainstorming and co-authoring.
Templates and workflows: Use built-in templates for docs, project plans, or knowledge bases.
Cross-platform support: Access and edit on web, desktop, or mobile.
Flexible structure: Organize content hierarchically or in dashboards, easily link documents and data.
Typical Use-Cases: An excellent choice for individuals, teams, and businesses looking for a flexible all-in-one workspace. It provides a unified platform for notes, project management, and team collaboration.
Less “office-like” formatting: Not ideal for formal reports or print-ready layouts.
Limited advanced document features: No complex footnotes, advanced styling, or traditional formatting controls offered by word processors.
Not optimized for heavy document design or printing workflows.
Pricing: Freemium model with Free, Plus, and Business plans; advanced collaboration and admin tools available in paid tiers.
| Tool | Advantage | Best For |
| ONLYOFFICE DocSpace | Secure collaboration hubs, granular sharing, seamless document co-editing | Teams, client workspaces, partner portals, project collaboration |
| Zoho WorkDrive | Centralized file management with team workflows and organization tools | Small–mid teams, structured content libraries, distributed teams |
| Notion | Flexible docs, databases, wikis in a single workspace | Knowledge bases, project documentation, collaborative notes |
To help you choose wisely, we’ve put together a set of practical recommendations. If you need to change file formats often, use a dedicated converter, for example, AVS Document Converter to swap formats easily without opening an editor.
When you work with complex layouts and formatting, pick a full-featured editor (ONLYOFFICE or LibreOffice) that gives you control over every margin and style.
In case collaboration is your daily routine, it is recommended using a platform built specially for teamwork which includes real-time co-editing, version history, and shared space (ONLYOFFICE DocSpace or Notion).
For those who prioritize privacy and offline work, the best solution would be desktop or self-hosted software (ONLYOFFICE Desktop + DocSpace) that keep your files under full control.
On a tight budget? Open-source tools such as ONLYOFFICE and LibreOffice offer powerful free options.
If you frequently switch between your phone, tablet, and computer, cloud-based or mobile-friendly solutions with reliable syncing, such as WPS Office, are a great fit.
There is no single “best” document software for everyone. The ideal tool depends on your needs: conversion, editing, collaboration, security, mobility, or cost.
For 2026, the combination of converter, editor, and collaboration platform provides a comprehensive ecosystem. Converters help you change file formats without losing layout or fidelity whereas editors let you create, refine, and style documents professionally. Ultimately, collaboration platforms keep teams organized thanks to shared access, version history, and real-time updates.
If you aim for reliability, flexibility, and long-term usefulness, consider combining tools across these categories, for example, using AVS Document Converter, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, and ONLYOFFICE DocSpacefor a secure, fully controlled workflow.
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