AbiWord 2.4.6 / 2.5.2 (Open Source)

A native OS X version of the basic word processor. Can open WordPerfect files.

KWord 1.6.3 (the KOffice Project)

A frame-based word processor. May be a suitable replacement for FrameMaker for people comfortable with the frame approach. Important note: It is a Unix application, running in X11. From the site: "KWord is a frame-based word-processing and desktop publishing application. KWord is capable of creating demanding and professional looking documents. Whether you are a corporate or home user, production artist or student, KWord will prove a valuable and easy to use tool for all your word processing and layout needs. KWord is a word processor based on frames. This can be used to place components in precise locations, as with many professional DTP applications. KWord can also handle huge amounts of texts and allows you to do professional markup with ease."

Mariner Write 3.8 (Mariner Software)

Basic word processor. Elegant. Compact. Powerful word processor for its size. Mariner Write is Carbon, so if you still work on older systems as well as OS X, you won't have to worry about your files' format.

Mellel 2.5 (RedleX)

Mellel is an excellent, true-Cocoa word processor with an interesting set of features. Check also their comparative table (Mellel vs. Microsoft Word, Mariner Write and Nisus Writer Express). With version 1.5, we got tables. Version 1.6 brought the best multilingual support out there, a re-designed interface including well behaved magnetic palettes. Version 1.7 brings us auto-numbering, table of contents, bibliographies and strong RTF export and import. Mellel is the only word processor that offers the option to create multiple sequences of footnotes and endnotes concurrently. Version 1.7.5 adds too many new features to be listed here (see VersionTracker or Mellel's site for details), but the addition of bulleted/numbered lists and better Word-RTF handling will allow many of us to delete clunky Word from our hard disks. The interface is nice (brushed metallic, like Safari). If you need a simple, compact, elegant, fast word processor able to deal with multiple scripts (e.g., Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Cyrillic, etc.) and languages, you found the right one. Sure keep your eyes on this one! Oh! we were going to forget, most importantly, people at RedleX treat you respectfully and are prompt to address your questions and concerns. They are obviously proud of their product, and they have all the reasons to be. It is not Word, but it may well be all you need.

Nisus Writer Express 3.0.2 (Nisus Software)

Finally, the long awaited Nisus Writer is back, ready for OS X. Nisus Writer could become a serious competitor to Microsoft Word in a niche (ambitious word processors) that is getting busier than expected with the appearance of Mellel (see above) and Mariner Write for OS X. Five years ago, Nisus was one of the most solid word processors beside Microsoft Word, and to see it come to OS X is exciting news. Unfortunately, there is a long way to go before Nisus Writer Express catches-up in features with the Classic version (Writer 6.5) or even the simple but increasingly powerful Mellel. For now, Mellel, for a fraction of the price, has more features (tables, footnotes, endnotes, right to left writing, etc.) and very well implemented. Nisus promises these features and more to be implemented in subsequent versions, but for now, NWE is a disappointment. It used to be our favourite in OS9, when Word was avoidable, but Writer Express is far behind the impressive (and low cost!) Mellel!

Nisus Writer Pro 1.1 (Nisus Software)

From the site: “ Nisus Writer Pro brings new features such as Table of Contents, Indexing, Bookmarks, Widow and Orphan control, Cross References, Line Numbering, and Text Wrap around images. Familiar Classic features are also on board, like attribute sensitive Find and Replace, an upgraded Nisus Macro Language, and Glossaries. We have also improved a number of existing features. For example, we've added a variety of additional options to control the display of notes. Footnotes can now also span across pages.”

NeoOffice 2.2.4 (Planamesa Software; Patrick Luby & Edward Peterlin)

Based on OpenOffice 2.2. Now with an Aqua interface!

OpenOffice WRITER 2.4 (OpenOffice.org)

If you are looking for a Microsoft replacement, this may be your only option after NeoOffice if you do not mind working with X11.

Pages 3.0.2 (Apple)

Apple's word processor, sold under iWork ‘08. It is also a quasi-page design application. Pages 3 is a solid program with unique features in a Word processor.

Papyrus Office 12.5 (ROM Logicware)

Word processor with embedded spreadsheets.

Publicon 1.0.1 (Wolfram)

An application for XML technical publishing, a potential replacement for FrameMaker, sometimes compared to a Quark or InDesign for scientists.

RagTime X 6.0 (B & E Software / ComGrafix)

An office suite with a word processor (and 3D spreadsheet).

Scribus (Aqua Scribus) 1.3.3.11 (Open Source)

Scribus is an open-source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/Unix, Mac OS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with a combination of "press-ready" output and new approaches to page layout. Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.

Scrivener 1.11 / 1.12 beta 1 (Literature & Latte)

From the site: “Designed for use by writers of all kinds, Scrivener is a virtual writing studio that integrates the processes of outlining, story-boarding, research and writing. It's a notebook. It's an outliner. It's a cork notice-board. It's a ring-binder. It's a place to store and cross-reference your research. It's a basic word processor. From first idea to first draft: Edit. Outline. Storyboard. Write.”

ThinkFree Write 3.2 (ThinkFree)

Java-based office suite for Mac OS X, part of ThinkFree Office. Compatible with Microsoft Office. ThinkFree's performance will greatly depend on how well your computer and system version handle Java applications. Thinkfree is very much a "bare minimum" version of Word and compatibility is not 100%. Some more complex formatting is often lost in the translation of files. Still, the price is unbeatable.

Word 2008 12.0.1 (Microsoft)

The standard. If you need table of contents, indexes, and equations within your text (AppleWorks can handle equations as well), this is it. Keep an eye on Mellel (by RedleX; see above) and Writer Express (by Nisus; see above) for the implementation of these more advanced features.