# Microsoft Word vs Google Docs

Microsoft Word and Google Docs both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 70% of Google Docs's written reviews are positive against 37% of Microsoft Word's. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Microsoft Word sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Google Docs sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $199.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Microsoft Word against 4.8 for Google Docs. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3M and 3.2M respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 37% of Microsoft Word's written reviews are positive against 70% of Google Docs's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Word | Google Docs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (3M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-word/id586447913/reviews) | **[4.8 (3.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-docs/id842842640/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3M | **3.2M** |
| Positive reviews | 36.9% of reviews | **69.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #15 | **#8** |
| Size | 527 MB | 348 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Word

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-word/id586447913)

**Currently charting:** #15 Top Free · Productivity, #15 Top Grossing · Productivity, #111 Top Free (US App Store)

Create, edit, and share documents on your mobile device. This powerful word processor offers templates, formatting tools, and collaborative features to help you write impactful text documents, resumes, and more. Your office moves with you, allowing for seamless editing and sharing from anywhere.

**Highlights:** Create and edit documents, Modern templates, Rich formatting and layout options, Reading view, Collaborate with comments, Version history, Simplified sharing

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Office 365 Personal | $5.99 | per month |
| Office 365 Personal | $6.99 | per month |
| Office 365 Home | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Personal Student | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Premium Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Microsoft Copilot Pro | $20.00 | per month |
| Office 365 Personal | $69.99 | per year |
| Office 365 Home | $99.99 | per year |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $99.99 | per year |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $129.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless sync between devices
- 📝 Great for writing and editing
- 🔒 Secure document storage
- 💡 Helpful for school and work

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and data loss
- ⏱️ Laggy and slow performance
- 💰 Expensive subscription required
- 🤔 Limited functionality compared to desktop

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent saving and syncing between devices
- Cursor positioning issues when editing text
- Formatting problems when importing documents
- Unreliable text selection and highlighting

**Requested features**

- Improved mouse/trackpad support
- Built-in citation and bibliography tools
- More customization options for formatting
- Ability to edit documents offline


### Google Docs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-docs/id842842640)

**Currently charting:** #8 Top Free · Productivity, #57 Top Free (US App Store)

Create, edit, and collaborate on documents online in real time. Work together seamlessly with your team, even offline, and access a variety of file types. AI-powered features can help draft and refine content.

**Highlights:** Real-time collaboration, Offline editing, Template library, Multiple file type support, AI-powered drafting, Commenting and action items

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Google AI Pro (5 TB) | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient and accessible
- 👍 Seamless collaboration
- 🔒 Automatic saving
- 💡 Offline functionality
- 👍 Versatile for various uses

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Laggy performance and input delays
- 👎 Limited formatting and customization options
- 🔍 Difficult to organize and navigate documents
- 👎 Compatibility issues with other platforms

**Reported bugs**

- Unexpected crashes and document loss
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps
- Issues with image insertion and manipulation

**Requested features**

- Improved document organization with folders
- Expanded font and formatting options
- Better integration with Microsoft Office
- Smoother scrolling and navigation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Microsoft Word free?

Microsoft Word is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Google Docs free?

Google Docs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Microsoft Word or Google Docs?

Google Docs is rated higher. Microsoft Word averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3M ratings, while Google Docs averages 4.8 from 3.2M ratings.

### Do Microsoft Word or Google Docs have ads?

Neither Microsoft Word nor Google Docs shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Microsoft Word or Google Docs?

Microsoft Word ships an update weekly, and Google Docs weekly. Most recently, Microsoft Word was updated on September 25, 2026 and Google Docs on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Microsoft Word or Google Docs?

Microsoft Word currently peaks at #15 in the App Store charts, and Google Docs at #8. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*