For authors, word processing software is essential. Whether you are writing a novel, screenplay, or just a school paper, the right software can make your job a lot easier. This post compares put two major formatting software head to head: Apple Pages Vs Word. My main objective here, is to help you find a word processing software that will be ideal for your writing tasks.
Both programs have their pros and cons, but which one is ultimately better for authors?
Let’s begin.
Cost
Initially, Apple was charging a fee for their word processing software which came under the 'iWork' package. That has since changed. You can now use Apple Pages free of charge as long as you have a Mac PC.
With Microsoft Word, the case is different. You will have to part with a few dollars each year to access this software. And if you fail to renew your subscription, you'll no longer enjoy Microsoft Word on your PC.
For the latest Microsoft Word Professional 2021, you can pay up to $160, while the standard version will cost you $140. Apple Pages is undoubtedly the better option if you are writing on a budget.
Accessibility
As a writer, you'll want to access and do your work conveniently from any device, anywhere. You'll, therefore, need highly accessible word processing software. Apple pages work predominantly on Mac PCs and Apple devices.
Microsoft Word, on the other hand, is accessible on different PCs and mobile devices. These include Mac computers and smartphones that run on various operating systems.
On accessibility, Word takes the lead. More so, if you work with other writers and editors, who you'll need to share documents with. Not everyone possesses an Apple device after all.
Features
Most of the time, as a writer, you’ll only use a word processor for typing. But what if you need more? For instance, you may want to use the unique fonts you downloaded from the internet. Apple Pages has a feature that allows you to add fonts from other sources.
With Microsoft Word, however, you are limited to what they offer.
While both support collaborations by sharing documents, Word goes a notch higher. You can add comments to a word document and share them with your colleagues or friends. This is an incredible feature for a writer because it allows you to share side notes without altering the document.
Microsoft Word also has an intuitive search bar feature to look for specific programs. You will not find this intelligent tool on Apple pages.
Apple Pages have some pretty exciting features too, but you will struggle to perform simple tasks. For instance, adding a page break on Pages isn't as effortless as in Word. With Pages, you will have to add an entire blank page and delete it.
Additionally, if you are an enthusiast for touchscreen computers, you can use a surface pen to draw images on a word document. Apple Pages has a similar feature, which it has reserved for iPad users only.
Microsoft Word wins this round. It undoubtedly has more practical features for a writer than Apple Pages. Some of its other notable features include Linkedin Resume Assistant and Microsoft Translate.
Ease of Work
Chances are that the first Word processing software you ever used was Microsoft Word. And over time, you have mastered this application such that you can use it effortlessly. Even with recent updates, you are likely to easily adapt to the new changes in the application.
On the other hand, if it is your first time using Apple Pages, you are likely to struggle with the learning curve at the beginning. Some of the essential skills you will need to acquire are formatting documents and creating text boxes. Mastering Apple pages may take some time and commitment, but it will feel natural after you get the hang of it.
In this case, you should ask yourself whether you find it fascinating to learn new applications. If the answer is no, Microsoft Word wins. Otherwise, acquainting yourself with Apple Pages should be easy.
The only downside is that creating docs with Apple Pages could be daunting. There is always a chance of distorting the format of your documents as you attempt to create a Docs file.
Back-U
When you are working on a document, anything can go wrong. The last thing you want to do as an author is to lose your work. Apple Pages will save your copy after every 2 seconds. If things go haywire, you are almost guaranteed of finding your document and picking from where you left off.
On the flip side though, Microsoft Word will save your work after every 2 minutes. So there is always a high chance that you will lose a section of your work if something goes wrong.
When it comes to storage, Word offers you one terabyte of space on OneDrive at no extra cost while Pages offers 5GB of free space with the option of buying more.
The advantage of Apple Pages is that you can link it with iCloud, which allows you to back up all your vital documents. If you delete them from your PC, you can always retrieve them from iCloud.
Apple Pages appears to be one step ahead when it comes to the speed of saving your documents. However, when you recover your work, it's hardly in its original version. And you do not have the 'undo' option to get it.
Note-Taking
As an author, you may need to write some notes to prepare for the main text. Sometimes you have an overflow of ideas that you don't want to forget. If this is information that you don't plan on incorporating into your work immediately, you will need to note it down somewhere.
Both Apple Pages and Microsoft Word have their respective note-taking applications. They have aligned these apps with their main word processing programs. Although you can use third-party options such as Evernote, having a note-taking app in line with the main program is an advantage.
Apple Pages comes with a practical note-taking application. Unfortunately, this app will not work on your Chromebook, PCs, and Android. It is predominantly for writers who are in Apple’s ecosystem. The Apple Notes app is only available on macOS and iOS.
The Notes app allows you to create a host of folders for organizational purposes. Additionally, you can link your notes to Apple’s Reminder App through sharing. When your reminders go off, your note will appear on the side as attachments. Using this strategy will ensure that you do not forget to incorporate vital ideas in your writing.
Microsoft, on the other hand, provides the OneNote. The good news is that it's the only free app on the Office Suite. You can therefore use it to capture some of your writing ideas as you work on renewing your Microsoft Office subscription.
OneNote is outstanding in many ways. For instance, you can use it to create folders and subfolders for better organization of your ideas. Moreover, it comes with as many apps as those you find in Ms.Word.
OneNote also supports handwritten drawings or notes, but you'll need a pen to enjoy this incredible feature. However, you can only copy and paste if you need to share your notes with Word because there is no other way around it. On the bright side though, it allows you to attach different files to your note.
With OneNote, you can format your work as you please. If you are a creative writer, OneNote beats Apples Notes hands down.
Publishing
When it comes to publishing your work, Microsoft word has a lot to offer. For instance, you can write your blog, articles, or white papers in MS Word, upload them to cloud drive, and share them as you wish with your editors or audience.
Most Content Management Systems(CMS) are also compatible with Microsoft Word. That makes exporting and publishing much more manageable than using Apple Pages.
If part of your job involves writing and publishing e-books, Microsoft Word is your ultimate word processing application. Reason? Most publishing platforms use Word as the writing standard.
On the flip side, Pages excels when you need to format and incorporate graphics into your work or even create templates. It's therefore advantageous when incorporating paperback covers during publishing.
You can also publish directly to Apple Books with Pages.
Final Verdict
Microsoft Word seems to be leading on many fronts from the look of things. Does this mean it is the right Word processing software for you? The answer is not as straightforward as you'd like because both Word and Pages have various distinct features you can benefit from as an author.
Think of it the same way you would think of cars. They perform the same function, but you might purchase a particular type of vehicle for specific reasons. These could be power, fuel consumption, and so on. The same applies to these word processors.
You will want software that will not be a stumbling block from a business or work perspective. If your primary concern is publishing, collaborations, or accessibility, Word is the better option. On the other hand, if you are on a budget, Pages still offers the basic functionalities of writing.
Ultimately, though, it is going to come down to your operating system - Windows or Mac. If you are invested in Apple’s ecosystem, then using Pages is a no-brainer despite the ability to use Word on OSX. Otherwise, Microsoft Word should serve you just as well.
