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Comparison · Office suites

Pages, Numbers and Keynote vs Google Docs: which is better in 2026?

Pages, Numbers and Keynote83.0#6 in best office suitesGoogle Docs91.0#2 in best office suites

Google Docs ranks higher in our list of office suites (#2 against #6, score 91.0 against 83.0).

How we rank Share

  • 83.0
    Editorial score
    91.0
  • 4
    Platforms
    3
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Pages, Numbers and Keynote if you want

Apple-only households and teams.

Pages, Numbers and Keynote are free on iPhone, iPad and Mac, and creating documents in Pages needs no subscription. There is no Windows app, so PC users work through iCloud.com, which makes this a fit for Apple-only teams.

Choose Google Docs if you want

Shared documents edited in a browser.

Shared editing in the browser with comments and Drive storage, free with a personal Google Account. Its layout tools are simpler than Word's, and it has no desktop app.

The main differences

  • Only Pages, Numbers and Keynote runs on macOS.
  • Only Google Docs runs on Android.

Side by side

Pages, Numbers and KeynoteGoogle Docs
Score83.091.0
Rank in list#6 of 10#2 of 10
PriceFree plan, paid upgradesFree to download on Apple devices; Creator Studio adds premium contentFree plan, paid upgradesFree with a personal Google Account; Google Workspace is paid
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsmacOSiOS, iPadOSWebmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, WebWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, Android
Made byAppleGoogle
Desktop appsMac app; no Windows appNone, browser only
Works in a browserYesYes
Pricing modelFree apps; Creator Studio subscriptionFree with a personal account
Best forApple-only households and teamsShared documents edited in a browser
Strengths
  • Free to download on iPhone, iPad and Mac
  • Imports Microsoft Word files and adds LaTeX equations
  • Real-time collaboration in Pages needs no subscription
  • Shared editing with comments
  • Free with a personal Google Account
Limits
  • No Windows app; PCs use iCloud.com
  • Premium content and AI features need a paid subscription
  • Fewer advanced layout tools than Word
  • Documents are stored on Google's servers
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Pages, Numbers and Keynote vs Google Docs

Is Google Docs better than Pages, Numbers and Keynote?
Google Docs ranks higher in our list of office suites (#2 against #6, score 91.0 against 83.0). Pages, Numbers and Keynote is best for: Apple-only households and teams. Google Docs is best for: shared documents edited in a browser.
Which is cheaper, Pages, Numbers and Keynote or Google Docs?
Pages, Numbers and Keynote: Free to download on Apple devices; Creator Studio adds premium content. Google Docs: Free with a personal Google Account; Google Workspace is paid.
Do Pages, Numbers and Keynote and Google Docs run on the same platforms?
Pages, Numbers and Keynote supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Web. Google Docs supports Web, iOS, Android.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.

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