Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Office
4 programs compared
Microsoft 365 is the standard in many offices, but you do not need a subscription to write documents, work with spreadsheets or make presentations. These free office suites open and save Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, and each one has its own strengths.
Quick answer
- LibreOffice – the most complete free office suite, for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors – the closest look and feel to Microsoft Office.
- Google Docs – works in the browser and makes working together easy.
Comparison at a glance
| Software | Price | Runs on | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LibreOffice | Free · open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | A complete office suite for any computer |
| ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors | Free · open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | A familiar, Office-style interface |
| FreeOffice | Free (free registration) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Good compatibility in a light package |
| Google Docs | Free (Google account) | Web browser | Working together online |
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is the best-known free office suite, developed by The Document Foundation. Writer, Calc and Impress replace Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and it also includes a drawing tool, a database and a formula editor.
Good
- Complete suite, including database and drawing tools
- Opens and saves Word, Excel and PowerPoint files
- No account needed
Keep in mind
- The interface looks different from Microsoft 365
- Complex Word or PowerPoint files may not look exactly the same
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
ONLYOFFICE puts documents, spreadsheets, presentations and PDFs in one app with tabs, and its interface is close to Microsoft Office. It works offline and is built around the DOCX, XLSX and PPTX formats.
Good
- Looks and feels close to Microsoft Office
- Built around DOCX, XLSX and PPTX
- Includes a PDF editor and form filling
Keep in mind
- No database app, unlike LibreOffice
- Working together online needs a connected cloud service
FreeOffice
FreeOffice is the free edition of the German SoftMaker Office suite: TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations. You can choose between a ribbon interface and classic menus, and it is free for home and business use.
Good
- Choice of ribbon or classic menus
- Opens and saves DOCX, XLSX and PPTX
- Free for private and business use
Keep in mind
- Asks for a free registration (licence key by e-mail) after installing
- Some features are reserved for the paid SoftMaker Office
Google Docs
Google Docs, Sheets and Slides run in the browser and save everything to Google Drive. Several people can edit the same file at the same time, which makes them ideal for group work.
Good
- Edit together with other people in real time
- Nothing to install; files are saved automatically
- Imports and exports Word, Excel and PowerPoint files
Keep in mind
- Needs a Google account
- Made for working online (offline mode must be turned on first)