Microsoft Office has been ruling the roost since it first came onto the scene back in 1990, but it’s not the only option. If you want the same or similar functionality, but without the high cost, consider these free Microsoft Office alternatives.
1. WPS Office
Price: Free with premium options
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
WPS Office has the look and feel of Microsoft Office, but the base version is free. It includes Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF. Naturally, it supports all the Office formats you’re used to, so compatibility isn’t an issue. Thanks to the intuitive dashboard, it’s easy to navigate between apps and files on your desktop.
One thing I love about WPS Office is the tabbed interface. Instead of opening each app separately, each file opens in a new tab, which looks cleaner, and frankly, it’s simpler to manage if you tend to open numerous files at a time. Premium versions are available that include cloud storage and AI functionality, but these aren’t required.
2. LibreOffice
Price: Free
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
LibreOffice is derived from OpenOffice and StarOffice, which started in 1985. Technically, the source code behind this Microsoft Office alternative is older than Office itself. It includes Writer, Calc (spreadsheet), Impress (presentation), Draw (Visio alternative), Base (database), and Math (formulas).
This open-source office suite doesn’t have a handy dashboard to access everything in one place, but that’s really the only downside. It has a familiar interface for Office users, and with just a few quick changes to the settings, it’ll save files in popular Office formats. Plus, getting a free database app is a nice perk for those of us who love using Access.
3. FreeOffice
Price: Free
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
One of the best free MS Office alternatives is FreeOffice. It’s simple, compatible with Office’s file formats, and even supports PDF and ePUB. It doesn’t have many extra features, focusing instead on just the three core apps: alternatives to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations give you all the tools you need. The best part is choosing between the ribbon and traditional menu/toolbar style. There’s even light and dark modes. For me, it loaded faster than most other alternatives, which is a major plus if you have an older system.
4. Google Workspace
Price: Free with premium options
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Google Workspace‘s holy trinity of Docs, Sheets and Slides serves as one of the top free Microsoft Office alternatives for those who love Office 365’s cloud convenience. Workspace also includes Google Drive, which is the cloud storage portion of the service.
While not quite as feature-rich, they’re still powerful alternatives and support Office’s file formats. There are some formatting issues when converting between Google and Office, but it’s usually minor. You get 15 GB of storage for free, but for more storage, you’ll need to upgrade. For even more features, upgrade to Google Workspace Business.
A common complaint in Google Docs is the lack of a word counter in the word processor. Learn how to check the word count with these tips. You can also track changes.
5. Zoho Office
Price: Free with premium options
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Not a fan of Google products? Try Zoho Office instead. It’s a dark horse among the Google and Microsoft cloud suite domination. The cloud-based platform works much like Office 365 and Google Workspace. The individual plan is free, unless you want to add more storage.
Writer, Sheet, and Show let you create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations via any browser. Unlike most free alternatives to Microsoft Office, toolbars are located on the left side versus on top. While it may take some getting used to, Zoho Office is worth trying. Plus, it even has its own AI assistant, Zia.
6. ONLYOFFICE DocSpace
Price: Free with premium options
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
ONLYOFFICE DocSpace is a great Office 365 alternative for those wanting access to the three core Office apps, along with collaboration features. It’s a simpler setup than Microsoft Office but easier to use. Create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with one click, and enjoy the classic toolbar style.
DocSpace gives you 2 GB of storage for free and is designed with small teams in mind. Of course, it works well for individuals, too. Create rooms to organize documents for different projects, share with others, and even download files for offline access. The major Office formats are supported, along with other common formats and PDF. Upgrade for more storage and features. Check out our review to see ONLYOFFICE DocSpace in action.
7. OpenOffice
Price: Free
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
OpenOffice is Apache’s open-source free Microsoft Office alternative. For several years, it wasn’t actively updated, which led to derivatives like LibreOffice taking off. But OpenOffice is now being actively maintained again and features Text Document, Spreadsheet, Presentation, Drawing, Database, and Formula.
The classic interface feels familiar to Office users who aren’t fans of the ribbon toolbar. An extra sidebar menu gives you even more editing options. With just a few changes to the settings, files save automatically to popular Office formats. Additionally, OpenOffice reads and edits Office file formats with ease. It does feel more dated than other options on this list but works well.
While Microsoft Office’s file formats might dominate, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck using Office. Save money and try some free Microsoft Office alternatives to see which one works best for you. Even many of the premium upgrades on these alternatives are significantly cheaper. If you just need to open DOCX and other Office files to view, try these tips.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
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