Google Docs or Word? Freelance Writers Pros and Cons
By: Craig Britton
Tags: Freelance Writing, Freelancers, Writing, Freelancing Tips, Freelance

Freelance writers will sometimes have to choose between Word or Google Docs. But is one really any better than the other?

Well, not really, they both serve different purposes. When used together they can be a great combination.

Currently, Microsoft Word may be the dominant word processing programme, but Google Docs may one day take that spot.

Let’s compare the two and see which is better for freelance writers.

Word vs. Google Docs pros and cons

Microsoft Word

Let’s face it, most writers would have grown up learning to type with Word. It is the standard of which we have come to accept. But are its days coming to an end or will it continue to adapt?

Pros

Formatting options outrank all alternatives . There simply is no competition in this regard.

. There simply is no competition in this regard. Spell-checking features . Very up to date, focuses on conciseness as well as spelling and grammar.

. Very up to date, focuses on conciseness as well as spelling and grammar. Integration with LinkedIn and Wikipedia . Great for freelancers to update their CV and for referencing.

. Great for freelancers to update their CV and for referencing. Can easily be converted into Google Docs . Just has to be uploaded and in most cases, without formatting problems.

. Just has to be uploaded and in most cases, without formatting problems. Can be used alongside OneNote . OneNote is perhaps one of the most initiative note-keeping programmes.

. OneNote is perhaps one of the most initiative note-keeping programmes. Word files are the most used file type . .docx and, to a lesser extent, .doc are commonly used for creating and editing files.

. .docx and, to a lesser extent, .doc are commonly used for creating and editing files. Ability to autosave (but must turn it on) . Can prevent you from losing your work.

. Can prevent you from losing your work. Document security . Files can be secured in several ways.

. Files can be secured in several ways. Ability to compare two documents (can also be done side-by-side) . A very useful feature when performing or checking revisions.

. A very useful feature when performing or checking revisions. Translation feature . Useful for freelancers working with multiple languages.

. Useful for freelancers working with multiple languages. Copy formatting option. Perhaps one of the best formatting tools Word has. Allows writers to copy formatting from one place an implement it somewhere else without copying text. Can even be done from one file to another.

Cons

Not as easy to work on with a group of participants . Multiple people cannot work on the same file at the same time. Cannot view changes clearly without using track changes.

. Multiple people cannot work on the same file at the same time. Cannot view changes clearly without using track changes. Not easy to work with on multiple devices . While Word does have a mobile version, swapping between PC and mobile is a bit clunky.

. While Word does have a mobile version, swapping between PC and mobile is a bit clunky. Must pay a subscription fee . You must pay every year. Fee depends on the package you buy.

. You must pay every year. Fee depends on the package you buy. Fewer shortcuts in comparison to Google Docs . Which means you rely more on your mouse.

. Which means you rely more on your mouse. Integration with other Microsoft products could be easier. In comparison to Google, the integration between Microsoft products is a long way behind.

Google Docs

Google Docs has risen in popularity in the last few years and it’s easy to see why. It fits in well with our online lives but lacks some of the functionality of Word.

Pros

Collaboration is much easier than Word . Writers simply need to share a link or give access via email. Multiple individuals can edit the same file at the same time.

. Writers simply need to share a link or give access via email. Multiple individuals can edit the same file at the same time. Can be used on numerous devices . I started working on this in Google Docs from my phone

. I started working on this in Google Docs from my phone Easy shortcuts . Google Docs has many different shortcuts writers can learn which make writing quicker and easier.

. Google Docs has many different shortcuts writers can learn which make writing quicker and easier. Easier to navigate in comparison to Word . The design is much simpler and less distracting.

. The design is much simpler and less distracting. Can easily be converted into Word . As well as a variety of different file types.

. As well as a variety of different file types. Completely free to use . All you need is a Google account.

. All you need is a Google account. Can download add-ons . Such as Grammarly, though many of these add-ons can vary in terms of quality.

. Such as Grammarly, though many of these add-ons can vary in terms of quality. Autosaves without having to be turned on . You never have to worry about losing work.

. You never have to worry about losing work. Easily stored in Google Drive . Saving you space on your device(s).

. Saving you space on your device(s). Works alongside Google Keep, Calendar and Tasks . Which can help you manage your work.

. Which can help you manage your work. Translation feature . Useful for freelance writers who work with multiple languages.

. Useful for freelance writers who work with multiple languages. Integration with Slack and Trello . As well as other project management platforms.

. As well as other project management platforms. Contemporary dictionary. Google Docs recognise many modern phrases and words, many of which are very new.

Cons

Formatting options are not as good as Word . Google Docs’ options are very limited.

. Google Docs’ options are very limited. Formatting harder to view . While there are add-ons for formatting marks many don’t work that well and you cannot see the underlying formatting as you would on Word.

. While there are add-ons for formatting marks many don’t work that well and you cannot see the underlying formatting as you would on Word. Spell check function doesn’t work well . This is especially true with larger documents or when your computer is handling too many things. You can get around this by using Grammarly. That said, Grammarly also isn’t much of a fan of long documents.

. This is especially true with larger documents or when your computer is handling too many things. You can get around this by using Grammarly. That said, Grammarly also isn’t much of a fan of long documents. UK and US English variations not always picked up on . While you can change the language variation from US to UK, most of the time American spelling is not detected.

. While you can change the language variation from US to UK, most of the time American spelling is not detected. Only UK and US English variations . No Australian, Canadian, New Zealander, etc.

. No Australian, Canadian, New Zealander, etc. Document security. If someone gets hold of the edit link to your document, it will be at risk.

Alternative option: Libre Office

LibreOffice is a great open-source option for those who are not interested in either two options.

Pros

Completely free to download and use . LibreOffice is open source, a good option if you want something similar to Word, but without the price tag.

. LibreOffice is open source, a good option if you want something similar to Word, but without the price tag. Can be saved in a variety of file types. More recent versions of Word can even open LibreOffice files (.ODT) without needing to change the file type.

Cons

Formatting can be problematic . Particularly when converting a LibreOffice file into a Word file. You may have to do a good amount of formatting after converting. Make sure you check out the file!

. Particularly when converting a LibreOffice file into a Word file. You may have to do a good amount of formatting after converting. Make sure you check out the file! Not as popular as Google Docs or Word. This can make collaboration a problem, which is not good for clients.

You should definitely be working with both Google Docs and Word. This opens you up to more clients.

Google Docs may overtake Word in the years to come, that said, Word still has an edge over the competition and is a much more excepted brand.

Google Docs tends to be more popular among start-ups run by young individuals with a strong focus on marketing. Where you are more likely to collaborate with someone online.

Don’t underestimate Word though. For a long time, my opinion of Word wasn’t that great. Admittedly, this was probably due to poor experiences with it while in school (back then no one really knew how to use it to properly — students and teachers!).

It wasn’t until I started working in translation that I really started to appreciate its many features in regards to editing and formatting.

Since then, Word’s ability to check spelling, grammar, clarity and conciseness have developed a lot.

I feel that Google docs is more likely to get better as time goes on. It seems like it may be easier for Google to implement changes and Word is piling on the features in order to compete.

But, instead of being more appealing, the additional features of Word make it feel more intimidating and as if it’s desperately trying to stay relevant in a world it has dominated for decades.

Away to get around this is by learning all the different tools and features available to Word.

Though it is important to remember, as a freelance writer, formatting features aren’t so important. What’s more important are features that make the actual writing easier.

Which do I use?

The project type also matters.

I once started a project where I was editing a Word file very frequently and presenting new drafts to a client.

Eventually, we swapped to Google Docs because it was easier for them to keep track of what has been changed.

They could also make any small changes they wanted as well, and I could keep track of them by looking through the document’s history.

Word is better for more established companies and can look more professional when delivering your work.

It is also exceptionally good if you need good formatting options.

I started my freelance writing career with LibreOffice. It’s great if you’re looking for something simple. When I was a student it was perfect for university for essays and assignments.

However, there were plenty of occasions where I would have a panic attack when viewing it in Word and the formatting would be all over the place.

To be honest, today I mostly use Google Docs and my opinion may be more skewed towards it because I like Google products and I like how it’s integrated.

Many of my past clients and previous employers prefer using it and I like how I can use it from different devices and continue working. A lot of the time I jump from using one laptop to another or to my phone or a tablet.

Use both to review your work

Here’s what I do:

Finish the file in Google Docs and check for errors Download the file as .docx Open the file in Word and proofread the file and use spell check. Looking for the following: spelling; grammar; clarity and conciseness. The last step depends on what the client is expecting. If they want a Word file, I deliver what I have. If they are expecting a Google Doc, I make the changes suggested by Word in the Google Doc file and then deliver.

This way I can take advantage of the flexibility Google Docs allows me when writing and then utilise the formatting and spell-checking features of Word in the end.

Quick note: If you plan to do this, make sure you change the document’s language in Word! A lot of the time it will not be in English! If you do not change it, Word will not be able to do a proper spell check

Google Docs is better for collaborating and using multiple devices . If you need to work closely with a client or with a group of collaborators, Google Docs is a better option.

. If you need to work closely with a client or with a group of collaborators, Google Docs is a better option. Word is better for formatting and spell checking . The formatting options are nonpareil. Use Word if you need to make a more complex file.

. The formatting options are nonpareil. Use Word if you need to make a more complex file. By using the two together, you can improve the quality of your document . Take advantage of both of their advantages for the best results.

. Take advantage of both of their advantages for the best results. LibreOffice is a good alternative to Google Docs and Word . If you want something free but with many of the benefits of Word, look into LibreOffice.

. If you want something free but with many of the benefits of Word, look into LibreOffice. You can also check out these spell checking tools as well.

Your turn

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