Uncovering the Best RoughDraft Alternatives for Modern Writers
RoughDraft, a classic freeware word processor designed for Windows 95 through XP, has served creative writers well with its specialized features for novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays. Its focus on simplicity and practicality, combined with features like instant backups, automatic cover page creation, and extensive formatting options, made it a go-to for many. However, with modern operating systems and evolving user needs, many are now seeking a robust RoughDraft alternative that offers similar functionality with contemporary compatibility and features. If you're looking to upgrade your writing toolkit without losing the essence of RoughDraft's efficiency, you're in the right place.
Top RoughDraft Alternatives
The good news is that the word processing landscape is rich with excellent alternatives that can not only replicate RoughDraft's core strengths but also introduce new capabilities to enhance your writing workflow. Whether you prioritize open-source flexibility, cross-platform compatibility, or advanced collaboration features, there's an option for you.
LibreOffice - Writer
LibreOffice Writer is a powerful and full-featured word processor, making it an excellent RoughDraft alternative. As a free and open-source application available across Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com, it offers extensive features like exporting to PDF, ePub, and HTML, rich writing tools, and even hybrid PDF creation. It provides the comprehensive text and paragraph formatting options that RoughDraft users appreciate, alongside modern capabilities like LibreOffice integration and support for themes.
Microsoft Office Word
Microsoft Word remains the industry standard for word processing and is a robust RoughDraft alternative for those seeking a commercial solution. Available on Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS, it provides unparalleled features such as custom styles, cross-references, real-time collaboration, a ribbon interface, and advanced spell-checking. Its ability to convert documents to PDF and its extensive formatting options easily replace RoughDraft's capabilities while offering far more modern functionality.
Apache OpenOffice Writer
Apache OpenOffice Writer, another strong contender in the open-source space, serves as a reliable RoughDraft alternative. Available for free on Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD, it supports the Open Document Format (ODF) and includes essential features like fractions, functions, and robust spell checking. It offers comprehensive writing tools and PDF export, similar to RoughDraft's printing system and HTML export for web publishing.
AbiWord
AbiWord is a free and open-source word processor that stands out as a lightweight RoughDraft alternative. Compatible with Linux, BSD, PortableApps.com, Haiku, and AmigaOS, AbiWord is known for its minimalistic interface and multiple language support. While simpler than some alternatives, its portable nature and efficient spell checking make it a practical choice for users who value speed and essential word processing functionalities without the bloat.
Notepad
For those who loved RoughDraft's ultimate simplicity and just need a plain text editor, Notepad, bundled with all versions of Windows, is the most minimalistic RoughDraft alternative. It's free and perfect for quick notes or clean text without any formatting. While it lacks RoughDraft's advanced features like spell-checking or special modes for plays, its lightweight nature and support for Unicode make it ideal for pure text editing.
WPS Writer
WPS Writer, part of WPS Office, is a freemium and cross-platform RoughDraft alternative available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. It boasts high compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, offering an office-like experience with a tabbed interface and a built-in PDF converter. WPS Writer effectively covers RoughDraft's text and paragraph formatting while adding modern conveniences and cross-platform access for writers on the go.
WordPad
WordPad, included with most Windows versions, offers a simple word processing experience, serving as a straightforward RoughDraft alternative for basic needs. While not as feature-rich as RoughDraft for creative writing (lacking specialized modes or advanced backup), it provides essential text editing capabilities and can handle Rich Text Format (RTF) files, much like RoughDraft's output. It's a quick and convenient option for users who don't require extensive features.
Atlantis Word Processor
Atlantis Word Processor is a compact, fast-loading, and efficient freemium RoughDraft alternative for Windows. It excels in offering a distraction-free writing environment, a feature appealing to creative writers, similar to RoughDraft's focused design. It's lightweight, portable, and includes robust spell checking, along with the ability to export to ePub, making it a compelling option for authors looking for a powerful yet uncluttered writing tool.
Word Online
Word Online, part of Office Online, provides a free, web-based RoughDraft alternative for users who prefer cloud-based solutions. Accessible via any web browser on platforms like Chrome OS, it allows you to create and edit documents online, similar to RoughDraft's ability to create HTML files for web publishing. While it's a lighter version of desktop Word, its guest editing permissions and web accessibility make it great for collaborative projects or simple document creation from anywhere.
AbleWord
AbleWord is a free Windows-based word processing application that serves as a capable RoughDraft alternative, particularly for its document compatibility. It can read and write popular document formats, including PDFs, and offers a comprehensive set of features for writing. Its ability to convert PDFs to Word documents is a significant advantage, complementing RoughDraft's extensive formatting and saving capabilities in Rich Text Format (RTF).
Finding the right RoughDraft alternative depends entirely on your specific needs, whether that's maintaining a focus on creative writing, needing cross-platform compatibility, or desiring advanced collaboration features. Explore these excellent options to discover the best fit that will empower your writing for years to come.