Quill vs Google Docs.
Google Docs is a word processor that runs in a web browser; Quill is a Mac word processor that costs $19 once. This page compares price and features.
| Feature | Quill | Google Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19 once | Free |
| Pay once | Yes | –Free |
| Opens and saves .docx directly | Yes | Yes |
| No account needed | Yes | No |
| Word-style ribbon tabs | Yes | No |
| Every command open to a local AI agent | Yes | PartlyRemote MCP preview |
| Real-time collaboration | No | Yes |
| Tracked changes | No | Yes |
| Works offline | Yes | Chrome or Edge, set up |
| Platforms | Mac | Web, Android, iOS |
| Requires | macOS 14 or later | A web browser |
| Built-in AI writing help | None; agents connect | Gemini, paid plans |
Yes Yes Partly Partly No No
Price
Docs is free with a personal Google Account. Google AI Pro, which adds Gemini in Docs for personal accounts, costs $19.99 a month. Quill costs $19 once, tax included. The trial is free for 7 days with no card, one licence covers up to 3 of your Macs, every future update is included, and refunds are available within 30 days.
Where it runs
Google Docs runs in a web browser, with apps for Android and iOS, and its product page names no Mac desktop app. You can use Docs offline, but only in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, after turning the setting on while connected and installing the Google Docs Offline extension. Quill is a native Mac app that works on the files on your Mac, and it needs no account.
Where Google Docs is ahead
- Docs co-edits in real time in the browser, with several people in the same document at once.
- Docs has suggested edits, which you accept or reject one at a time or all at once, plus comments.
- Docs edits Word files in their original format, with changes auto-saved in that format.
- Docs works in a web browser on any computer, and on Android and iOS.
- Docs is free with a Google Account, which includes up to 15 GB of cloud storage shared across Drive, Gmail and Google Photos.
Try Quill free for 7 days.
Then $19 once, for up to 3 of your Macs. No subscription and no account.
Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
More comparisons
Sources
Checked against Google Docs’s own website and documentation on 13 November 2026. If something here is out of date, tell us and we’ll correct it.
- Google Docs product page
- Compare Flexible and Annual/Fixed-Term payment plans (Google Workspace Help)
- Google Workspace pricing (served in GBP when fetched)
- Google AI plans (US)
- Buy more Google storage (Google Drive Help)
- Work on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline
- Work with Microsoft Office files
- Suggest edits in Google Docs
- Collaborate with Gemini in Google Docs
- Extending Google Docs with Apps Script
- Configure the Docs MCP server
Google Docs is a trademark of Google LLC. Quill is not affiliated with it.