Why pay for expensive software like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel when you can access high-quality free office software?
With so many free alternatives to pricey office software, it can be hard to know which one is best for you. To make your decision easier, we've tested a variety of office suites and compiled a list of the Top 10 Free Office Software.
Based on our direct experience, we've outlined the strengths and weaknesses of each option, giving you the insights you need to choose the perfect fit.
1. WPS Office: Fullest Functionalities
WPS Office is one of the best free Office Suits, offering compatibility and strong features without the cost.
Upselling in WPS PDF: While most WPS PDF features are free, some advanced tools require payment, which can be frustrating if you’re looking for a fully free experience.
2. Google Docs: Online Collaboration
Google Docs is a popular office tool known for its cross-platform accessibility and Google Drive integration.
Google Docs offers a clean, simple interface and a smooth user experience. While it doesn’t have as many features as some offline office tools, it covers the basics well and meets most users’ needs.
However, there are a few downsides:
No Offline Access: Since Google Docs is web-based, you can’t use it without an internet connection, which can be inconvenient for some.
Formatting Issues: Google Docs relies on web-based fonts, so documents created in other programs may not always display correctly, leading to occasional formatting issues.
3. Microsoft Office Online: Mini MS Office
Microsoft Office Online is a free, legal version of Microsoft Office, offering users access to the Microsoft Office ecosystem at no cost. Though it has fewer features than the desktop version, it still provides a solid user experience.
Compared with other office suites, Microsoft Office Online may have some advantages:
Drawbacks:
The most disappointed disadvantage of Microsoft Office Online is the limitation of its functions, compared with its app version. For example, only some basic typefaces could be employed and other typefaces should be paid for. Moreover, the function of quotation in essay writing is limited that you can not adjust different quotation formats.
Apart from it, some functions in the online version are not as good as in the app version. For example, adjusting the margin in the online version is harder than in the app version.
4. LibreOffice: Math & Base
Within a dozen free office softwares, LibreOffice could be a good choice because its excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office, and it is packed with identical features that you can find in MS Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
In addition, the unique and attractive feature of LibreOffice is its three professional tools that you couldn't find in most office softwares. These professional tools can satisfy users' special needs.
However, many shortcomings exist in LibreOffice:
Cumbersome user experience: The design of interface is old-fashioned. In the navigation, there are many icons that you can't recognize which functions they represent from their appearances. And in the toolbar, there are lots of different menus so that you have to find the function you want through many menus. These features leads to a relatively terrible user experience, especially for new comers.
Lack of real-time collaboration: You can not enjoy the seamless collaboration in real time in LibreOffice like in google docs. If you would like to collaborate with your colleagues, you have to export the document and send it to them.
5. Apache OpenOffice: Open-Source but Discontinued
Although Apache OpenOffice is a discontinued open-source office suite, it can still work. It helps you create detailed math equations, write clear documents, and design interesting presentations. Here are some of its best features:
However, OpenOffice does have a few downsides:
Not as Easy to Use: OpenOffice can feel a bit old-fashioned and more difficult to use compared to other office programs. Its setup is different from the newer software that most people are used to.
File Format Problems: Sometimes, files saved in OpenOffice don’t open well in other programs. This can make sharing files tricky, as you might need to convert them first.
6. SoftMaker FreeOffice: Similar to WPS and MS Office
FreeOffice by SoftMaker is a free office tool, similar to WPS Office, though WPS is more well-known. It has all the essential tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations: TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations. FreeOffice is a great free alternative to Microsoft Office for several reasons:
However, some features of FreeOffice may be annoying and need to be improved:
Absence of dictionary: FreeOffice does not provide an integrated spell-checking tool. Users may need to rely on external spell-checking tools or manually proofread their documents to ensure accurate spelling and grammar.
Lack of cloud support: FreeOffice does not offer native cloud storage or collaboration features, which makes users cannot collaborate on documents in real time or access their files from different devices without manually transferring or syncing them.
7. SSuite Office: Only in Linux & Windows
SSuite Office is intuitive software with a decent and easy-to-use interface. It provides all the necessary tools for office requirements like word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDF editing. There are some outstanding advantages of it:
And there are also some limitations of SSuite Office:
Lack of compatibility: The documents created or edited in SSuite Office may not be seamlessly compatible with files from Microsoft Office and google docs, the most used two office softwares.
Limitation of support system: SSuite Office could support Linux system and Windows system. However, iOS and Android, two systems many people use, are ignored. This shortcoming would limit the users of SSuite Office.
8. Etherpad: Online Cooperation
Etherpad is a free, open-source software that allows people to work together on documents in real time. It’s like playing a multiplayer game, but instead of playing a game, you're editing a document with others at the same time. Here are some great features of Etherpad:
However, there are a few downsides to Etherpad:
Old Design: The interface isn’t as modern or attractive as other office tools, which can make it harder to use at first.
Limited Features: Etherpad is mainly for collaboration, so it doesn’t have many advanced features. You can only do basic things like bold, italics, underline, and adjust text alignment. If you need more complex tools, Etherpad might not meet all your needs.
9. OnlyOffice: Plugins
OnlyOffice is a useful office tool that lets you create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and even read and convert PDFs, all while keeping your information safe. Here’s why I recommend OnlyOffice:
However, there is one issue that some users have faced: when adding images to documents, they sometimes appear flipped or mirrored. Also, OnlyOffice offers both free and paid versions. The free version has fewer features, so you may not have access to all the tools in the paid version.
10. Zoho OfficeSuite: Support Create Webs
Zoho Office is a popular tool that works like Microsoft Office but has its own unique features. Many big companies, like Nike, use Zoho Office instead of Microsoft Office because it offers great tools for editing and collaboration. Here’s why people like Zoho Office:
However, Zoho Office has a few downsides:
No Offline Version: Since Zoho Office is web-based, you can’t use it without an internet connection. If you’re in a place with no Wi-Fi, you won’t be able to work on your documents.
Different Interface Designs: Zoho Office has three main tools: Zoho Writer, Zoho Sheet, and Zoho Show. The problem is, each tool has a different design, which can make it confusing to use. For example, in Zoho Writer, the menu is on the left, but in Zoho Sheet and Zoho Show, the menu is at the top. This inconsistency can make it harder to switch between
FAQs
Are all free office softwares compatible with Microsoft Office Suite?
Unfortunately, not all free office softwares are compatible with MS Office as most of them will have formatting issues, and you can’t use documents interchangeably. Here we recommend WPS Office which is fully compatible with Microsoft Office.
Is it safe to get Microsoft Office for free?
You can download MS Office for free illegally, potentially harming your computer as you open your PC for malicious attacks.
Are there any limitations to using MS Office free version?
The free versions have many limitations, including fewer formatting options on the page, no access to citations, a bibliography, and more.
Summary
Many companies offer free office suites as alternatives to the expensive Microsoft Office. Some, like WPS Office, are highly compatible with MS Office, while others don’t focus on compatibility. The best part is that you don’t need to buy the premium versions—most free versions have enough features to meet your needs. These office suites are lightweight and available across multiple platforms, so you can use them on both desktops and smartphones.
However, when it comes to compatibility with Microsoft Office, WPS Office is the top choice. It has the same layout, shortcuts, and functions as MS Word, making it a great free alternative. Plus, it works seamlessly with MS Office, so you can easily switch between both without any issues.
