Free Software Suits Self-Employed Workers

New office software options are emerging as small businesses look to trim costs.

Make no mistake, Microsoft(MSFT Quote) and the small businesses that use its products are facing a tipping point. Between the flop that's Windows Vista and unprecedented competition for office software, the company is close to becoming a big brand in search of a market. Google(GOOG Quote) isn't the only company causing pain for Steve Ballmer and crew; now even small firms are threatening Microsoft's dominance.

Take scrappy Zoho, a unit of AdventNet. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based company recently introduced a new version of its word-processing tool, Zoho Writer 2.0. The Web-based product is free for individuals. The upgraded software organizes functions with user-friendly tabs. There are also idiot-proof invite features for document sharing and options for blog and wiki publishing. I have been testing the product in my office and it's worth considering if you're contemplating life after Microsoft.

What you get: With Zoho, you get a free word processor that's packed with features found in pricier computer-based tools.

Zoho offers 19 online business tools including Zoho Mail and Zoho Writer, which shouldn't be confused with Zoho Docs, which manages documents. There's software for managing projects, tracking sales, Web conferencing and more. With this level of ambition, it's not surprising that the products are thin. I haven't felt compelled to switch to Zoho products even though they compete with everything from Excel to NetSuite(N Quote).

But the new Zoho Writer is forcing me to reconsider the company. The software could be particularly useful to all the newly minted independent contractors out there trying to make ends meet in these hard times.