Google Docs vs Microsoft Word vs WPS Office: which document app should you choose?

Docs is the clearest choice for shared writing: people can edit a document in real time, and changes save automatically. Its integration with Google services and access across internet-connected devices make it convenient for work that moves between screens.

Compared with Word, it offers a simpler set of formatting tools; compared with WPS Office, it is less of an all-in-one suite for PDFs, sheets, and presentations. Offline functionality is limited, and access requires a Google account.

Word has the edge for detailed document work, with advanced editing tools and a wide range of templates. Its cross-platform support and cloud integration also make it a strong fit for people who work with Word documents across devices, while real-time collaboration keeps it in contention with Docs.

The fuller feature set comes with a more complex interface, especially for beginners, and some features require a subscription. The app can also have sync issues, and its large size may be a drawback on a phone with limited storage.

WPS Office covers more file types in one place, including PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Its PDF tools and offline document access make it a flexible alternative to Docs and Word, especially if your work goes beyond text documents.

Its free version contains ads, and some features are limited without a subscription. It can lag on older devices, and large-file conversions may produce errors, so it is less appealing if you mainly want a straightforward writing app.