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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Is it worth paying for

Microsoft Word

65
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

Microsoft Word is a widely used and generally appreciated word processor, but its mobile versions on iPad and iPhone are frequently criticized for bugs, missing features, and a frustrating user experience, making the paid subscription questionable for mobile-first users.

Free to download seen up to $250 4.7★ lifetime (2,903,465) since 2014

Microsoft Word is a highly-rated, essential tool for many, especially for academic and professional writing, with users appreciating its reliability and comprehensive features on desktop R7R22. However, the mobile app experience, particularly on iPad and iPhone, is plagued by bugs, missing desktop features, and usability issues, leading to frustration and questions about the value of a paid subscription for mobile use R5R18. Many users also complain about persistent sign-in problems and forced subscriptions R10R30.

Free vs paid

The reviews indicate that basic functionality might be available for free, but many users encounter paywalls or are forced into subscriptions to access core features or save documents R29R30R45. Some users mention being locked out of apps or unable to save files after canceling a subscription R29R30. The paid version, often tied to Microsoft 365, is expected to offer full features and cross-device syncing, but reviews suggest these benefits are not consistently delivered on mobile, with complaints about features like SmartArt, developer tabs, and full editing capabilities being absent or difficult to use on iPad R5.

Value complaints

  • Many users complain about being forced into subscriptions or paying repeatedly for the program, expressing frustration with the subscription model.R30R56R71
  • Some users report being locked out of apps or unable to save files after canceling a subscription, indicating a 'high payment low reward' situation.R29R30
  • There are complaints about paying premiums for Microsoft 365 but experiencing issues like OneNote not syncing across devices or becoming read-only.R26
  • Users feel that the app tries to make them pay just to type or write essays, even for basic functionality.R45
  • Some users are asked to buy Microsoft 365 despite already having a subscription, leading to confusion and frustration.R39
  • The app is perceived as expensive, especially for older pensioners who were charged for a single letter.R422
  • The new features like voice-to-text are cool, but having to pay yearly for Microsoft Word is disappointing.R234

Where it delivers

  • Microsoft Word is considered the 'gold standard' and an essential component for successful projects and businesses, highly respected everywhere.R7R22R95
  • Many users find the app easy to use, friendly, and helpful for various tasks, including academic writing and creating stories.R2R4R13R28
  • The ability to use the app on the go for taking notes or jotting down ideas is appreciated by users.R62
  • The 'Read Aloud' function is highly praised, and the app's capability to handle documents over 1000 pages is seen as awesome for long-form writing.R75
  • Users prefer Word over Google's version, highlighting its versatility and mobile view for easy editing.R12R89
Worth paying if

It is worth paying for Microsoft Word if you primarily use it on a PC and rely on its comprehensive features for academic or professional writing, as many users consider it the 'gold standard' and essential for projects R7R22R95. It may also be worth paying if you need its specific advanced features like the read aloud function, which some users find very helpful, and if you are writing extremely long documents that exceed 1000 pages R75.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying for Microsoft Word if your primary use case is on an iPad or iPhone, as many reviews highlight significant bugs, missing features, and a poor user experience on these devices R3R5R9R18. Users who are frustrated by constant sign-in requests, data loss due to crashes, or rigid automatisms should also consider alternatives R10. Additionally, if you dislike subscription models and prefer a one-time purchase, the current subscription-heavy approach may not suit you R56R71.

Evidence note: The reviews strongly emphasize issues with the mobile app experience, particularly on iPad and iPhone, despite the overall high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are short and generic, while negative reviews provide specific details about bugs and usability problems. There is limited specific information about the free tier versus paid features, with most complaints revolving around forced subscriptions and perceived lack of value for the price.

Frequently asked

Is Microsoft Word for iPad and iPhone worth paying for?
Paying for Microsoft Word on iPad and iPhone is questionable due to numerous user complaints about bugs, missing desktop features, and a generally clunky experience R5R18. While some appreciate its on-the-go utility, many find it frustrating and not worth the subscription cost for mobile use R3R9R29R30.
What are the main problems with Microsoft Word on mobile devices?
The main problems with Microsoft Word on mobile devices include recurring bugs like the keyboard disappearing, documents not saving, and the app crashing R3R9. Users also report issues with scrolling, difficulty in selecting text, missing desktop features like SmartArt and developer tabs, and persistent sign-in problems R18R23.
Do I need a subscription to use Microsoft Word?
Yes, many users report being forced into subscriptions or encountering paywalls to access basic features like typing, editing, or saving documents, even after having previously purchased the software R29R30R45R56. Some users are asked to sign in repeatedly or purchase Microsoft 365 despite already being subscribers R10R23R39.
Is Microsoft Word still a good word processor overall?
Yes, Microsoft Word is still widely considered a good word processor, with many users calling it the 'gold standard' and essential for academic and professional work, appreciating its reliability and comprehensive features on desktop R7R22R95. It is praised for being easy to use and helpful for various writing tasks R2R4R13.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R30] 1/5 · US Basic to Personal: Why do I have 365 Basic? I’m locked out of my apps and being forced to pay again to move to 365 Personal? Is this a joke? How many subscriptions do I need to use your products???
  2. [R56] 1/5 · US Remember when you bought Microsoft NOT rent?: I hate the paying for the program over and over and over and over and over…, (get it?); I hate that I can’t buy a program, learn it and use it (LIKE I BOUGHT IT) but rather the format changes of moving buttons (features) around and making changes that are de minimis in function. LIKE JUST MOVING A FEATURE FROM ONE MENU TO ANOTHER OR CHANGING THE NAME!!
  3. [R71] 1/5 · US too much change and too expensive: i was happy with 2016 with out co pilot, a monthly fee, and someone ever 6 months thinking they need to change the ribbon
  4. [R29] 2/5 · US High payment low reward: Great if you’re extremely creative and have a ton of time. Also if you cancel because of how expensive it is. You can’t save the files you created.
  5. [R26] 1/5 · US Product not synching: I am annoyed that I am paying premiums and OneNote does not synch across devices and becomes read only. The system tells me things are broken and to copy into a new notebook. Why am I paying you when I can use another system? Very frustrating as this is the second time.
  6. [R45] 1/5 · US The app: This app was trying to make me pay just to type and I couldn’t even write my essay
  7. [R39] 1/5 · US Sucks: Why I am being asked to buy 365 when I already subscribe
  8. [R422] 3/5 · GB Charged for this for 1 letter: Not worth the money old age pensioner
  9. [R234] 3/5 · US New features but a subscription for Word?: New features, voice to text is cool. But having to pay yearly for MicrosoftWord is kind of disappointing
  10. [R7] 5/5 · US The Gold Standard: Respected everywhere
  11. [R22] 5/5 · US Essential component of any successful project or business should include a good wor: Essential component of any successful project or business should include a strong and effective word processing program like Microsoft Word and Microsoft has developed the backbone
  12. [R95] 5/5 · US Word!: Very easy program to use, Microsoft has made many advancements which has helped greatly with my professional career.
  13. [R2] 5/5 · US Friendly use: Great product
  14. [R4] 5/5 · US Love this: over everything
  15. [R13] 5/5 · US Good: This software has helped me a lot!
  16. [R28] 4/5 · US amazing app: i love making horror stories in word! its so amazing but i only dont like how the ai corrects my formality, please make that a setting!
  17. [R62] 4/5 · US Appreciation on the Go: I just like to say I can appreciate the ability to use this app while I’m on the go. It comes in handy to be able to take notes at meetings or jot down notes on a document that I can always come back to. Thank you.
  18. [R75] 5/5 · US Loving the Read Aloud!!! And Word is able to go past 1000 pages!: Thank you Microsoft! Absolutely loving the read aloud function! Also Word can go past 1000 pages, which is awesome for writing a speculative manuscript. A couple of suggestions: to make the read aloud function as a simple play button that is not as intrusive and doesn't go away, because it's hard to bring it up from the menu. Anothe
  19. [R12] 5/5 · US Heh: I like word WAY better than the google version
  20. [R89] 3/5 · US Great app, but…: I’m trying to move from Microsoft, but having used Word in the past, I cannot deny how versatile it is. Its mobile view makes editing documents on the go easy. One thing I can’t stand is that there is no Nextcloud integration; you can’t add an NC account. I don’t want to leave my data on OneDrive when I can self-host.
  21. [R3] 2/5 · US Buggy: On iPhone 14, the keyboard keeps disappearing and I have to reinstall every time to get it back. Annoying.
  22. [R5] 3/5 · US MS iPad apps need full attention: Microsoft Office Apps on iPad: Solid Potential, But Falls Short of Apple’s Native Alternatives (3/5 stars) I’ve been using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on my iPad for work and personal projects, hoping for a seamless experience that matches the desktop versions. While the apps have improved over the years and offer good cross-platform compatibility with O
  23. [R9] 3/5 · US What’s up with the keyboard: I have to reinstall the app anytime I want to be able to edit on my phone. The keyboard refuses to come up every time I open it after.
  24. [R18] 2/5 · US The scroll feature is terrible.: I love word so much. But using it on a phone or an iPad absolutely sucks. The scroll feature is absolutely awful, especially when you have documents that are extremely long. It jumps all over the places, takes you back to the beginning of the page. You can be 400 pages in and it’ll scroll up to the top. And it takes minutes to scroll all the way back down. Please f
  25. [R23] 4/5 · US On my second book: I am currently writing my second book using Word. I am a writer, not a computer expert. So, I’m not saying these issues can’t be fixed. What I’m saying is that I don’t want to take the time to learn a computer program when I should just be writing. Why do I type three words and then Word acts like I pressed the return button? Why do I have trouble scrolling to the bottom of my d
  26. [R10] 1/5 · US Why do i have to sign in every time: Your product sucks - a 40 year user

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store