What is Microsoft Office?
Microsoft Office, sometimes known as MS Office, is a series of software and tool bundles that offer a variety of office-related services, including spreadsheets, presentations, and documentation. Microsoft Office 365 is the most recent web-based version of the office suite that supports the cloud. Alternatively, you can download it to your computer. Any contemporary web browser can be used to view the cloud-based version. Specifically, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Outlook, and many more essential applications are included in almost the whole Microsoft office suite.One must either buy Microsoft Office or subscribe to its monthly service in order to use all of its features. Sometimes, users could think that paying for the entire office suite's capabilities is unnecessary because they might not use them all. Nevertheless, selecting the items you want and paying for them separately is not an option. However, a lot of free or inexpensive alternative office software currently provides comparable functions. To improve the user experience and save a significant amount of money, consider these options.
We examined the Microsoft Office substitutes in a variety of categories, such as pricing plans, platforms that are supported, usability and user experience, and the quantity of tools and features that each offered. Along with other contestants, we assessed their teamwork skills and file format handling abilities.
Best 10 Microsoft Office Alternatives Software:
The following list of top Microsoft Office substitutes covers a wide range of user demands.1. LibreOffice
One of the greatest office suites, LibreOffice is regarded as the greatest substitute for Microsoft Office. This office suite is lightweight and simple to use. LibreOffice was created by the Document Foundation and split off from OpenOffice in 2010. This software, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation package, supports about 110 languages. The fact that LibreOffice is an open-source project and is therefore free to use is one of its main benefits.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Open Document Format, or ODF, is the format that LibreOffice use by default. It does, however, also support a wide range of additional MS Office file types. Some Linux variants come pre-installed with LibreOffice, which is also accessible for Windows users. Additionally, there is a LibreOffice viewer made specifically for Android.
Unlike MS Office, LibreOffice provides every kind of capability. This office suite's easy file exporting to PDF format, like other well-known platforms, is one of its helpful features. Additionally, you may utilize LibreOffice extensions to provide LibreOffice new capabilities. From the LibreOffice website, you may download and install the needed add-ons, or extensions, for LibreOffice.
Benefits
- It is a robust, open-source platform that may be used for free.
Drawbacks:
- It is necessary to manually download and install additional templates.
2. FreeOffice
Another excellent substitute for Microsoft Office is FreeOffice, which has an identical layout and is a very practical platform. Since 1987, the software business SoftMaker has created a number of office-related products, with FreeOffice serving as its main offering. FreeOffice is a feature-rich, user-friendly, and cost-free office suite that can be used for both personal and professional needs. It is compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, and others. A mobile phone version is also offered.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
This office suite and applications are entirely compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats. This implies that in addition to being viewed, the files may be saved in DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX formats. It also supports older file types, like as XLS and PPT.
You may now select between the traditional and contemporary menus and toolbars in FreeOffice thanks to a recent upgrade. Switching is made easy by the interface's striking resemblance to Microsoft Office.
The touch screen mode is one advantage for PC users with touchscreens. This feature makes it simple for you to interact with your screen. Large icons are provided, which facilitates screen navigation and item selection.
Benefits
- improved user experience because of the recognizable UI.
- It is compatible with touchscreen devices.
- accessible on Linux, Mac, and Windows.
- You can use it for free.
Drawbacks:
- It can occasionally become sluggish, particularly when handling very big workbooks.
3. WPS Office
WPS Office was introduced in early 2016 by the Chinese software developer Kingsoft. It's a widely recognized office program. All of the widely used operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS, are supported. All of the widely used languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, and many more, are supported by the program.
There are two versions of WPS available: a free version and a subscription-based version. You may use Excel, the PPT tool, and the writer in the free version. Since Microsoft Office has access to all of them, WPS Office is seen to be the finest substitute. Nevertheless, WPS Office has extra features that include a highly useful PDF converter that can be used by everyone.
All Windows and iOS users may get one gigabyte of free cloud storage with WPS Office. However, there is a disadvantage in that mobile phone users cannot utilize this capability. The 'Premium' membership option facilitates simultaneous collaboration across up to nine devices. If needed, it can split-merge PDF files and provide bulk outputs.
WPS Office has one disadvantage for customers who utilize mobile devices. In certain situations, the papers take a while to load even when all the features function as intended.
Benefits
- a simple, free platform with a small number of features.
- It supports several languages.
4. Calligra
KDE, the company behind Calligra, initially introduced it as a component of KOffice at the beginning of 2020. It is accessible on all major platforms and is also used for graphic art and design work.
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Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Calligra is a completely new kind of office software that you may download from its website for free. It is an open-source, free alternative to Microsoft Office. Unlike MS Office and other office suites, Calligra places a number of useful features or tabs on the right side of the screen as opposed to the top. This means that the page you are currently viewing is not filling the entire screen.
You can read DOCX and DOX files with Calligra, but you cannot modify them. To prevent issues when using Calligra, you must ask for or make sure that your contacts provide you documents in an appropriate format, such ODT (Open Document Text). Calligra also offers several extra features, such project management tools and mind mapping capabilities. You will need to pay for these additional tools, though, if you wish to utilize them.
Benefits
- accessible on all platforms.
- It offers several features, including project management tools and mind mapping capabilities.
5. Office Suite
Mobisystems created OfficeSuite, a cross-platform office program that runs on all of the main operating systems, including Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. Devices like Amazon, Toshiba, Sony, and Alcatel often have OfficeSuite pre-installed. This office suite's Android app has been recognized as one of the top business applications.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
With an OfficeSuite account, switching between devices is simple, and you only need one license to use it across all of your devices.
OfficeSuite offers a number of choices that you may select based on your preferences. The usual capabilities in its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs let you view and modify documents with ease. These are included in the basic subscription.
The majority of formats, including ODT, RTF, CSV, DOC, and ZIP, are completely supported by the software package. Users who have a free OfficeSuite subscription can now read PDF files. Additionally, it offers cloud compatibility via Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Benefits
permits synchronization and switching between the devices.
only offers the most minimal features for a free membership.
6. Polaris Office
Infraware constructed Polaris Office, which debuted at the close of 2014. The user-friendly, free software is accessible on all platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Android. This program is used by most business people for their purposes. Polaris Office comes with a commercial version as well, albeit the free edition is still rather excellent. Whenever you need it, you may quickly move from the free plan to the corporate version. The Polaris Office Business version requires a purchase inquire form, which can be found on their website, to be sent in order to find out the price.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
This platform makes it simple for you to edit several file types, including PPT, XLS, and HWP. Your account syncs across devices, so you can edit and create from anywhere. All of your data is protected by Amazon Web Services, or AWS.
You can now quickly convert and edit PDF documents with the recently released, enhanced version of Polaris. One special feature of the updated version is that users may now convert speech to text when typing in documents. Additionally, photos may be instantaneously transformed into papers.
Additionally supported by the program are Korean, Russian, German, Spanish, and English. The one downside to Polaris's free edition is that it has a lot of functionality, but it also has annoying advertisements.
Benefits
- In its free edition, it offers a number of features.
- user-friendly and cross-platform.
- Several languages are supported.
It has some potentially annoying advertisements.
7. OnlyOffice
Developed by Ascensio Systems SIA, OnlyOffice is an open-source, user-friendly office program that is ideal for users that do not require a lot of documentation. It's accessible in over 22 languages.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
It offers a community edition that is completely free and ideal for organizations. It is the only office suite that enables up to 20 connections to be made simultaneously. Standard functionality like word processing and spreadsheets are included in this program. It is mostly advised for sales documentation and order fulfillment.
Using the calendar tool to create daily objectives and tasks is one of the greatest aspects of the office suite. Users may monitor deadlines and remain on top of both personal and professional responsibilities with the aid of the useful calendar tool. With OnlyOffice, third-party integration is also feasible. Your Mailboxes may be created using the 'Mail' tool.
Benefits
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
It offers a community edition that is completely free and ideal for organizations. It is the only office suite that enables up to 20 connections to be made simultaneously. Standard functionality like word processing and spreadsheets are included in this program. It is mostly advised for sales documentation and order fulfillment.
Using the calendar tool to create daily objectives and tasks is one of the greatest aspects of the office suite. Users may monitor deadlines and remain on top of both personal and professional responsibilities with the aid of the useful calendar tool. With OnlyOffice, third-party integration is also feasible. Your Mailboxes may be created using the 'Mail' tool.
Benefits
- Simple to use and free.
- platform that is open source.
- few concerns of assistance.
8. WordPerfect
WordPerfect, which has been owned by many firms since its introduction in the late 1970s, is the best platform for business-related paperwork. It was acquired by Corel in 1996 with the intention of creating a company that could rival Adobe and Microsoft at the time. During the 1980s, WordPerfect gained popularity mostly from its DOS and Microsoft Windows versions.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
WordPerfect is a single platform program, just like other office suites. It comes with a word processor, spreadsheet, and powerpoint creation tool. The updated version offers photo management and editing as well. Additionally, you may just download a free trial edition from its official page.
You may save papers in many various formats, including DOCX, PDF, and HTML, just as on the other platforms. However, WPD is the default file extension for WP files in WordPerfect. It also offers options for managing macros and publishing eBooks.
Benefits
- It offers a free trial version.
- Compatible with Microsoft Office.
- Quite pricey when compared to Microsoft Office.
9. Zoho Workplace
The greatest and most appropriate platform for small teams' business office needs is Zoho Workplace. It is outstanding on its own. It's more akin to a desktop office suite and strong enough to draw major firms like Nike and the BBC.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Zoho offers a brand-new, contemporary word processor that allows you to style documents. It has a polished appearance and can generate documents with a polished appearance.
other helpful capabilities, including file management, creation, and other collaboration tools, are offered by Zoho Workplace. To sign up for the free version of Zoho Workplace, visit the price page and look for the "Forever Free" option. You have to go through a sign-up procedure that starts with submitting information about an existing company domain; there is no one-click setup or access, though.
Benefits
- ideal for small companies.
- offers a variety of tools, including tools for development and management.
- Certain instruments are too complicated for novices.
10. Google Workspace
Google Workspace is regarded as one of Microsoft Office's main rivals worldwide, while being one of our least desirable solutions. It was specifically designed for group and collaborative work by internet giant Google. When it comes to office requirements, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are the three most often utilized apps. These three tools are accessible as mobile apps for Apple and Android devices, and they function flawlessly in any contemporary online browser.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Despite being free to use, Google Office products lack sophisticated functionality in comparison to Microsoft Office. Still, the suite has a number of features. You don't have to worry about file transfers or backups of paperwork since Google Office products automatically store and sync your data online.
The main problem with Workspace is that it takes a long time to open files made with other office programs, and the formatting of the files isn't always transformed correctly. The reason for this is because online font styles, as opposed to ones locally stored on your device, are used by Google's office suite. Furthermore, Microsoft documents occasionally include functionality that the Google suite is unable to implement.
Additionally, Google Docs is less user-friendly than other office applications due to a few small flaws. When it comes to features and functionality, it falls short of Microsoft Office when purchased, yet it still performs admirably when used as free software.
Benefits
- It is a cross-platform office suite with several functions.
- There is also a mobile application available.
- problems with file formatting.
