You receive a Word document or Excel spreadsheet on your phone and need to open, read, or edit it on the go. The right app makes this effortless. Here are the best options for each file type in 2026.
Short Answer: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps are free on Android for basic use and are the most compatible options for their respective formats. For an all-in-one solution, WPS Office handles all formats including PDF in one free app. For PDF-only, Adobe Acrobat Reader is the standard.
Best Apps for Word Documents (.docx)
1. Microsoft Word (Free for Basic Use)
The official Microsoft Word app on Android is free for phones with screens under 10.1 inches. You can open, read, and do basic editing for free. Advanced editing features (track changes, complex formatting) require a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Best for: Anyone who needs to open and edit .docx files with maximum compatibility.
2. Google Docs
Google Docs can open .docx files and even edit them (it converts to Docs format). Completely free, no subscription. Perfect for basic document reading and editing, though complex formatting sometimes shifts during conversion.
Best Apps for Excel Spreadsheets (.xlsx)
3. Microsoft Excel (Free for Basic Use)
Same as Word — free for basic use on phones. Opens .xlsx files with full fidelity, handles formulas, and supports most Excel functions. Editing complex formulas and pivot tables requires Microsoft 365.
4. Google Sheets
Opens Excel files for free and handles most formulas correctly. Good for viewing and basic editing. Complex Excel features (Power Query, some advanced formulas) may not work.
Best Apps for PDFs
5. Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free)
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the standard for PDF viewing on Android. Free features include reading, annotating, highlighting, and basic form filling. PDF editing and conversion require Acrobat Pro subscription.
6. Xodo PDF Reader
Xodo is an excellent free alternative to Adobe Acrobat. It handles annotations, form filling, PDF merging, and split — all for free without a subscription. Faster and less resource-intensive than Acrobat.
All-in-One Solution
7. WPS Office — Best All-in-One Free Option
WPS Office handles Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs all in one app — for free. It’s the best choice if you regularly work with multiple file types and don’t want to install separate apps for each.
Free features: Full viewing and editing of all major Office formats, PDF reader, file manager. The free version has ads; WPS Premium removes them and adds cloud storage.
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: WPS Office app showing file browser with Word, Excel, and PDF files, and toolbar with editing options
Quick recommendation:
If you’re only occasionally opening files → WPS Office (one app covers everything). If you’re regularly editing documents for work → install the Microsoft apps (Word + Excel) for best format compatibility.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ WPS Office: best single app for all Office formats (free, with ads)
- ✅ Microsoft Word/Excel apps: best compatibility for frequent editing
- ✅ Google Docs/Sheets: free, good for basic editing, no Microsoft account needed
- ✅ Adobe Acrobat Reader: best for PDF annotation and form filling
- ✅ Xodo: best free PDF tool if you need merging, splitting, or heavy annotation
FAQ
Is Microsoft Office free on Android?
The Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps are free to download and free for basic viewing and editing on phones with screens under 10.1 inches. Full desktop-equivalent features require a Microsoft 365 subscription ($6.99/month personal).
Can I edit a Word document on Android and maintain formatting?
Yes, with the Microsoft Word app — it maintains formatting better than any alternative because it’s the native app. Google Docs generally preserves most formatting but may shift complex elements like headers, columns, or tables.
What’s the best app for filling PDF forms on Android?
Adobe Acrobat Reader and Xodo both handle PDF form filling well, for free. For signing PDFs, Xodo’s free signature feature is very capable without requiring a subscription.
Best Productivity Apps for Android ↗Google Workspace Tips
WPS Office is the most practical choice for most Android users — one app, all major file formats, free. Install the Microsoft apps only if you regularly edit complex documents and need the highest formatting fidelity.