Are you a Mac user seeking budget-friendly alternatives to Microsoft Office? We understand the importance of having reliable office software that meets our needs and preferences. However, the cost and compatibility of Microsoft Office can sometimes pose challenges. In this guide, we'll introduce you to the best MS Office alternatives for Mac, offering cost-effective solutions without compromising on functionality. Say goodbye to costly subscriptions and explore the world of feature-rich alternatives tailored for Mac users. Let's dive in and find your perfect Microsoft Office alternative for Mac!
7 Best Microsoft Office Alternatives for Mac
1. WPS Office
WPS Office is a remarkable option among Microsoft Office alternatives for Mac that gained significant popularity. WPS Office, with its entire suite of office applications, offers Mac users a sophisticated and feature-rich alternative to Microsoft Office.
WPS Office is designed to fulfill the demands of individuals, students, and companies equally, and it provides a smooth transition for anyone looking for a familiar office experience on their Mac. WPS Office provides a user-friendly interface and compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats for everything from writing and editing documents to making compelling presentations and managing spreadsheets. To access WPS Office Suite for Mac free download simply visit their official website.
Features
Complete Office Suite: WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of office tools for document creation, editing, and formatting, including WPS Writer, WPS Spreadsheets, WPS Presentation, PDF reader, and editor, ensuring seamless collaboration and sharing.
Templates and Resources: WPS Office offers professionally designed templates for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, boosting productivity.
Cloud Support: WPS Office integrates with Dropbox and Google Drive for seamless document access and sync across devices.
Collaboration Tools: Real-time collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations simplifies teamwork and communication among users.
Cross-Platform Availability: WPS Office supports multiple platforms for seamless work across devices.
Pros
User-friendly interface: The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing users to navigate and utilize the software efficiently, even for beginners.
Free to use: WPS Office provides a free version that includes most essential features.
Cloud storage integration: Easily integrates with cloud storage services for document access and sharing.
Cons
Limited advanced features: Some advanced feature, such as OCR, may require paid subscription
Pricing and plans
Discover the variety of pricing plans available for WPS Office, catering to different user needs and preferences:
WPS Standard: WPS Office offers a free plan. Users can access the Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation and other features.
WPS Pro: Along with all the features included in the WPS Standard plan, this plan offer cloud collaboration and other PDF premium features to enhance user experience while working with office tools
WPS Business: WPS Office offers a custom plan for its business users, with all the premium features, the pricing, however, varies from business to business.
2. LibreOffice
LibreOffice is an open-source and free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac It provides similar functionality to Microsoft Office and offers a comprehensive suite of applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. LibreOffice is compatible with files written in other office suites as it supports a broad range of file types, including those used by Microsoft Office (such as.docx,.xlsx, and.pptx). It also has numerous customization possibilities, such as the ability to add extensions and templates to improve its usefulness. As an open-source software, LibreOffice is developed by a community of volunteers and is constantly updated and improved.
Features
Advanced Tools: LibreOffice provides a wide variety of free advanced tools such as Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math for its users.
Cross-platform Compatibility: LibreOffice is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring compatibility across different operating systems.
Extensibility: LibreOffice offers customizable extensions, allowing users to enhance workflow and expand capabilities.
Open Source: LibreOffice is an open-source software developed by a global community, promoting transparency, innovation, and accessibility.
Pros
Free to use
LibreOffice is open-source, community-driven, and customizable.
Cons
LibreOffice's user interface may be less intuitive compared to other office suites.
Lacks professional technical support
Pricing and plans
LibreOffice is an open source and free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac.
3. iWork Suite
If you're looking for a powerful and seamlessly integrated productivity suite for your Mac, iWork is an excellent choice. With applications like Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, iWork offers real-time collaboration features, and compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, making it a compelling alternative to Microsoft Office.
iWork applications offer a user-friendly, intuitive interface optimized for Apple devices, integrating seamlessly with Apple software and services like iCloud Drive, collaboration, and Handoff. iWork is available for free download from the Mac App Store and iOS App Store. Although not as extensive as some other office suites, it provides a streamlined experience for users within the Apple ecosystem.
Features
Powerful OfficeTools: iWork offers powerful office tools like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and iCloud for seamless productivity and compatibility for your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
Apple Ecosystem: iWork seamlessly integrates with the Apple ecosystem, enabling seamless access, sharing, and productivity across apps and services, including iCloud Drive, Messages, and Mail.
Templates and Themes: Offers professionally designed templates, themes for visually appealing documents, spreadsheets, presentations.
Collaboration and iCloud Integration: iWork enhances collaboration through real-time document sharing, iCloud integration, and shared folders for efficient teamwork.
Pros
iWork is designed specifically for Apple devices, offering seamless integration with Apple devices, iCloud, Messages, Mail.
iWork offers an intuitive, visually appealing interface for macOS and iOS.
Cons
iWork supports Microsoft Office formatting, but here can be occasional formatting inconsistencies
iWork may lack advanced features compared to Microsoft Office
Pricing and plans
iWork is a free productivity suite for Mac and iOS devices, offering Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for download from the App Store or iOS App Store.
4. Google Workplace
Google Workspace is Google's cloud-based office suite. It offers a set of productivity tools for collaboration and communication, making it appropriate for both personal and business usage. Google Workspace integrates its many products seamlessly, making it simple to work, communicate, and manage assignments. It emphasizes real-time collaboration, cloud storage, and accessibility from any internet-enabled device.
For Mac users looking for an Microsoft Office alternative, Google Workplace can be a good option to explore. It provides a robust set of productivity tools that are compatible with various file formats, including Microsoft Office formats.
Features
Office Tools for productivity and collaboration: Google Workspace offers a suite of tools to improve user experience and productivity. Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Calendar, Forms, Sites, Chat, and Keep are all powerful tools for collaboration, communication, and workflows.
Real-time Collaboration: Google Workspace tools enable simultaneous document collaboration, real-time changes, and easy visibility of edits.
Cloud Storage and File Sharing: Google Drive offers secure cloud storage, file sharing, access control, and collaboration for various documents.
App Scripting and APIs: Google Workspace enables advanced users to automate tasks, create custom workflows, and integrate with external systems.
Security and Privacy: Google Workspace offers secure, privacy-conscious data management through encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure data centers.
Pros
Excels in facilitating collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on documents simultaneously and see changes in real-time.
Google Drive stores files in the cloud, accessible from any device.
Google Workspace offers affordable plans with free basic features.
Cons
Relies on internet connection, unstable internet can under user experience
Google Workspace is user-friendly, but new users may need time to familiarize themselves with the interface and features.
Pricing and plans
Google Workspace offers several pricing plans for businesses, including flexible and annual/fixed-term payment options. The available plans are:
Business Starter: $6 USD per user/month on the flexible plan or $72 USD per user/year on the annual/fixed-term plan
Business Standard: $12 USD per user/month on the flexible plan or $144 USD per user/year on the annual/fixed-term plan
Business Plus: $18 USD per user/month on the flexible plan or $216 USD per user/year on the annual/fixed-term plan
Enterprise: Google offers a solution for enterprise needs, tailored according to their needs. Users need to contact sales for pricing information
5. Polaris Office
Polaris Office is a full-featured office suite that includes tools for generating, editing, and organizing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It is compatible with Microsoft Office formats, allowing users to work with files on many devices at the same time. Polaris Office is accessible on a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, allowing users to view and edit documents while on the move. It also has cloud storage integration, collaboration tools, and an easy-to-use interface, making it a flexible choice for people and organizations in need of an office suite.
Features
Powerful Office Suite: Polaris Office is a versatile office suite with powerful features for document editing, spreadsheet management, and presentation creation, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Compatibility: Polaris Office supports Microsoft Office file formats for seamless compatibility and easy collaboration with other office suites.
Cross-Platform Availability: The suite is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices, allowing users to access and edit their files across different platforms.
Cloud Storage Integration: Integrates with cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive for direct file access and storage.
Collaboration Features: Real-time collaboration, enables multiple individuals to work on a document, with comment and track changes features.
Pros
Real-time collaboration enables simultaneous document editing and efficient project management.
Cloud storage integration simplifies file management and remote access.
Cons
Polaris Office may lack advanced features, limiting functionality for power users.
Pricing and plans
Polaris Office offers 3 different plans for its users:
Free plan: Get access to Polaris Office suite at no cost
Business Plan: The pricing is $84/year per person, and it is paid regularly every month or annually. The editing limit is unlimited, and each user gets 10GB of Polaris Drive storage. The document history version is preserved
Education Plan: The pricing of the Education plan is only available on call.
6. OnlyOffice
OnlyOffice is next on our list of best MS Office alternative for Mac, with its advanced features empowering users to handle their task with utmost precision and efficiency. It has an easy-to-use interface, compatibility with major file formats, and a number of features to boost productivity and collaboration. OnlyOffice is accessible as a cloud-based solution as well as a self-hosted alternative, making it adaptable to various user preferences and needs.
OnlyOffice is a flexible office suite appropriate for both people and organizations, thanks to its collaborative editing features, numerous formatting choices, and seamless interaction with cloud storage providers.
Features
Collaboration and Co-authoring: Real-time collaborative editing that enables multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously, with track changes, comments, and version history.
Document Management: Efficient file organization with folders, tags, search functionality, and the ability to manage access permissions and sharing settings.
Mobile Apps: Mobile applications for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access, edit, and collaborate on documents on the go.
Self-Hosted Deployment: Option to deploy OnlyOffice on-premises or on private servers, providing full control over data storage and enhanced security.
Pros
Customize interface, toolbar settings, language support for personalized user experience.
Self-hosted deployment provides enhanced data control and security.
OnlyOffice offers mobile apps for iOS and Android users.
Cons
OnlyOffice's user interface may lack visual polish and intuitiveness.
Restricted third-party integrations compared to other office suites.
Pricing and plans
OnlyOffice offers a variety of pricing plans for its different products. Here is a summary of the pricing plans for each product:
OnlyOffice DocSpace Cloud: Users can avail the free plan and the Business Plan. using the free plans, users can experience the benefits of efficient file management. The Business plan starts at $15/power user, the plan is tailored according to the needs of the business.
OnlyOffice Docs Enterprise: ONLYOFFICE offers Docs and Workspace products with varying pricing based on cloud or on-premises options, user count, and features. Docs starts at $8 per user per month, while Workspace starts at $65 per user per month. On-premises solutions start at $149 for home and $1500 for enterprise use. Discounts are available for non-profit organizations and schools.
OnlyOffice Workspace Enterprise: Offers Lifetime license for $2200-$4450 per server, depending on the number of users
7. FreeOffice
SoftMaker's FreeOffice is a free and lightweight office suite that includes a variety of productivity tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. It offers users a familiar and straightforward interface, making the transfer from other office suites simple. Despite its low cost, FreeOffice has a wide range of capabilities, such as document formatting tools, spreadsheet operations, and presentation design tools. It supports major file types, assuring compatibility with Microsoft Office documents, and offers a quick and easy user interface.
FreeOffice is an excellent solution for customers looking for a free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac users to commercial office suites that does not sacrifice vital features and functionality.
Features
Variety of tools: FreeOffice offers versatile features in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation, including TextMaker, PlanMaker, and PowerPoint integration.
Integration of Email Clients: Integration with various email clients makes document sharing a breeze.
Document Protection: Ability to password-protect documents for enhanced security.
Customization Options: Adjustable user interface with various themes and color schemes.
Language Support: Multi-language support, including spell checking and hyphenation for different languages.
Pros
FreeOffice offers cost-effective, free office software for individuals and businesses.
Lightweight office suites efficiently use minimal resources.
User-friendly interface simplifies navigation and effective tool utilization.
Cons
FreeOffice may have limited integration with other software applications.
Less frequent updates and bug fixes.
Pricing and plans
FreeOffice is a free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac users. Users can download the office suite for both personal and commercial use for no cost.
WPS Office for Mac - Best Free Microsoft Office Alternatives
WPS Office for Mac is an exceptional free alternative to Microsoft Office, with a variety of sophisticated features and file format compatibility. WPS Office Free allows users to generate and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files for free. It is compatible with all macOS systems and supports Microsoft Office files such as.doc,.docx,.xls,.xlsx,.ppt, and others.
WPS Office's user interface is meant to mirror Microsoft Office, making it comfortable and simple to use for users who are familiar with the Microsoft Office suite. It also includes over 100,000 templates for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF documents, allowing users to easily generate professional-looking files.
WPS Office provides cross-device file management for users on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, enabling seamless collaboration and productivity. It also features the latest macOS features like widgets, sidecar, and split-screen view for a smoother user experience on Mac.
FAQs Microsoft office alternative for mac
Q1: Is there an alternative to Microsoft Office free?
Yes, WPS Office is a free alternative to Microsoft Office. WPS Office includes a full suite of office software for producing and editing Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF documents. It is a low-cost solution with seamless compatibility and easy-to-use features.
Q2: Can I use Google Docs instead of Microsoft Office?
Yes, you can use Google Docs instead of Microsoft Office. Google Docs is a free online word processor that lets you create, edit, and collaborate on documents.
Q3: Is Google Docs free on Macbook?
Yes, Google Docs is available for free on the Macbook. It can be accessed through a web browser without any additional cost.
Find Your Ideal Mac Office Alternative - Affordable and Full-Featured!
If you're a Mac user looking for a low-cost alternative to Microsoft Office, there are several amazing options. By choosing the right office suite for Mac, you can enjoy a feature-rich experience without the high costs and compatibility issues of Microsoft Office. Among the best Microsoft Office alternatives for Mac, WPS Office stands out as a top choice.
WPS Office provides a compelling solution for all of your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs thanks to its full suite of office apps, compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats, user-friendly interface, and cross-device file management. Download WPS Office suite for Mac free and unlock a world of possibilities.
