For macOS users, iWork often comes pre-installed on their systems. However, you might decide to give it a pass for various reasons. It could be because it doesn't quite meet industry standards, or maybe you're facing compatibility issues, need more features, or are simply finding it a bit challenging to adapt if you're transitioning from a different interface. In this article, we will explore free office suites for macOS to provide users with options that better align with their needs and preferences.
The compatibility of WPS Office is nothing short of remarkable. It seamlessly operates across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and even Linux. What's truly impressive is that it offers a consistent user experience on all these platforms, ensuring that productivity knows no bounds. Mac users, in particular, will find the template store a game-changer, simplifying document creation and enhancing productivity. Notably, WPS Office boasts a significant market share, second only to Microsoft, and it harmoniously integrates with Microsoft's suite of tools.
Main Features
Comprehensive office suite with Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation apps.
Modern, user-friendly interface for effortless navigation.
Capable of working with a variety of file formats, including those used in Microsoft Office.
Effortless integration with popular cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
Multi-platform support: Windows, MAC, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Price
Free version with basic features.
Premium version at $29.99 per year, offering advanced capabilities.
Rating
WPS Office has an overall 4.5-star rating on Software Advice.
Pros
Cost-effective alternative suitable for students and budget-conscious users.
Robust features for document, spreadsheet, and presentation creation.
Modern and intuitive user interface.
Enhanced collaboration through file format compatibility and cloud integration.
Cross-platform functionality for a consistent user experience.
Cons
Limited customization
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May not have efficient collaboration.
Microsoft Office Online is the web-based counterpart of Microsoft Office, offering users the convenience of accessing their files from any location with an internet connection. This cloud-based platform seamlessly accommodates a wide range of file types, ensuring compatibility with the same file formats supported by the Microsoft Office desktop applications. Whether you're working on documents, spreadsheets, or presentations, Microsoft Office Online provides the flexibility and accessibility you need to stay productive while on the move.
Main Features
Cloud-based version of Microsoft Office with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote applications.
Accessible via a web browser without the need for installation.
Real-time collaboration features, enabling simultaneous work on the same document.
Support for a range of file formats, including Microsoft Office.
Offers basic document, spreadsheet, and presentation creation and editing tools.
Price
Free for users with a Microsoft account.
Rating
Microsoft Office has an overall 4.7-star rating on Software Advice.
Pros
Cost-free, making it an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses on a budget.
Accessibility from any device with an internet connection, facilitating work from anywhere.
Real-time collaboration capabilities for concurrent document editing.
File format compatibility simplifies collaboration.
Provides fundamental features for document, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks.
Cons
Fewer features and customization options compared to the desktop Microsoft Office version.
Requires an internet connection, potentially limiting usage for users with unreliable connectivity.
May not be suitable for complex or advanced tasks that demand advanced features.
Google's Workspace office suite, while offering online apps, boasts impressive power and flexibility that nearly rivals Microsoft 365. Its browser-based design ensures universal accessibility and consistent performance across all platforms, making it a versatile choice for users seeking a seamless and reliable office suite experience.
Main Features
Cloud-based suite of productivity and collaboration tools developed by Google.
Includes applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Calendar, Google Meet, and more.
Real-time collaboration capabilities for concurrent document editing.
Accessibility from any internet-connected device, facilitating work from anywhere.
Compatibility with various file formats, including those of Microsoft Office.
Cloud storage and file-sharing features for easy online access and collaboration.
Price
It is generally a free to use suite, however, it also offers pricing plans starting at $6 per user per month for the Business Starter plan, up to $18 for every user per month if they are opting for the Business Plus plan.
Rating
Google suite has an overall 4.7-star rating on Software Advice.
Pros
Facilitates efficient collaboration and communication among team members.
Offers accessibility from various devices with an internet connection, enhancing flexibility and remote work capabilities.
Provides essential tools for small businesses to run and operate effectively.
Offers a wide range of useful tools for business owners.
Known for its ease of use, making it a valuable asset in the workplace.
Cons
Occasional glitches and bugs, particularly related to access permissions, may arise.
Importing files from external apps like Microsoft 365 can lead to formatting and data loss, which can be inconvenient.
LibreOffice is a versatile, free, and open-source document suite compatible with all major operating systems. However, it does come with some limitations. Unlike some of its competitors, LibreOffice lacks online access and real-time collaboration features, making it less suitable for collaborative work. Additionally, while it offers a comprehensive set of tools, some users find that it doesn't operate as smoothly as alternative office suites, potentially impacting their overall experience.
Main Features
LibreOffice includes Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math, and Base for all your office needs.
It's a free alternative to pricey office software like Microsoft Office.
Compatible with Microsoft Office formats, ensuring seamless collaboration.
Continuously developed by a dedicated team of volunteers.
LibreOffice competes as a robust and cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Office.
Price
LibreOffice is entirely cost-free and open-source software.
Rating
LibreOffice has an overall 4.3-star rating on Software Advice.
Pros
Offers a comprehensive set of office applications
Supports compatibility with all Microsoft Office document formats
Doesn't include advertisements or essential features that require additional payments
Cons
Additional templates need to be manually downloaded and installed
Apple took a unique approach when developing its Pages word processor and Numbers spreadsheet apps. These applications boast distinctive features not found in their competitors, setting them apart in the world of office software. However, it's worth noting that their native file formats are not compatible with other software, making them exclusive to Apple's ecosystem. These applications, along with Keynote for presentations, form what Apple refers to as "iWork" on its website, although this suite is not consistently labeled as such elsewhere.
Main Features
Pages: Effortlessly create visually stunning documents with powerful design tools.
Numbers: Build insightful spreadsheets with dynamic charts, tables, and pivot tables.
Keynote: Design captivating presentations with powerful graphics and cinematic transitions.
Price
iWork suite is completely for macOS users.
Rating
iWork Suite has an overall 4.6-star rating on G2.
Pros
Clean and stylish user interface
Distinct canvas-style layout for spreadsheets
Seamless compatibility with Apple's mobile devices
Robust graphic editing capabilities
Available at no cost
Cons
Files in proprietary formats cannot be accessed by other applications
Lack of mail-merge and multi-chapter support in Pages
ONLYOFFICE stands out as a lightning-fast and secure web-based office suite, offering a seamless blend of potent online document editors for text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Not stopping there, it also boasts an extensive range of collaborative features, including a CRM system, document and project management tools, contacts, mail server, chat, calendar, blogs, forums, polls, and more, all thoughtfully integrated into a unified platform.
Main Features
Office Suite: Create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations.
Collaboration & Communication: Real-time chat, email, sharing.
Document & Data Management: Storage, OCR, archiving, templates.
Project & Task Management: Tracking, scheduling, project templates.
Security & Integration Features: SSL, permissions, third-party integrations.
Price
ONLYOFFICE offers a 30-day free trial for cloud-based services with no credit card required.
Subscription plans are available for 1-month, 1-year, or 3-year durations.
Pricing is based on the number of active portal users, e.g., $40 per month for 6-10 active users, averaging $5 per user/month.
Annual and 3-year plans offer cost savings, reducing the average cost to $3 and $2 per user/month, respectively.
Rating
OnlyOffice has an overall 4.5-star rating on Software Advice.
Pros
Intuitive and user-friendly
Extensive support for various file formats
Offers a comprehensive range of features
Provides native applications for Windows, Linux, Mac, and mobile devices
Cons
Relatively higher cost
Challenging initial setup
Limited integration capabilities with third-party tools
Zoho provides an excellent suite of office tools that boast seamless cross-device compatibility and straightforward setup. It's a popular choice among business owners who appreciate the functionality offered by free Zoho programs. For larger teams and more extensive requirements, the paid versions of Zoho's tools can be a worthwhile investment, ensuring a smooth and productive workflow.
Main Features
Document Creation: You can create, edit, and format documents online using Zoho Writer, which is similar to word processing software. It is compatible with multiple document formats, including DOCX.
Spreadsheets: Zoho Sheet allows you to create and collaborate on spreadsheets. It supports functions, formulas, and data analysis.
Presentations: Zoho Show is a tool for creating and delivering presentations. You can design slides, add animations, and collaborate with others in real-time.
Cloud Storage: Zoho provides cloud storage for your documents, making them accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
File Sharing: You can share files and collaborate on documents with team members or external parties. Zoho offers various sharing and permission settings.
Price
Free: Zoho Office Suite offers complimentary usage with 5GB of cloud storage, support for up to 25 file versions, and the capacity to upload files up to 1GB at once.
Standard: For $5 per month per user, you can access enhanced features, including 100GB of storage, unlimited file versions, group sharing functionalities, and a 15GB upload limit.
Premium: At $8 per month per user, the Premium tier provides extensive benefits such as 1TB of cloud storage and a generous 256GB upload limit for individual files.
Rating：
Zoho Office Suite has an overall 4.5-star rating on Getapp.
Pros
Abundance of features
Offers a reasonable price point
Integrates various Zoho software applications
Cons
Fees apply for customer support on non-free tiers
Dropbox, once known for its simplicity as a cloud storage and file-sharing service, has evolved over time. Originally, it was as straightforward as dragging files into a designated Dropbox folder, and they would seamlessly sync across your devices and the cloud. While this classic functionality is still available, Dropbox has expanded its offerings considerably. Now, it provides a range of services, including backup solutions, screenshot capture, screen recording, e-signature tools, and even an online document editor. While these added features bring versatility, they have also contributed to making Dropbox a more intricate platform, with increased complexity in its overall functionality.
Main Features
Dropbox offers integration with Google Docs and Microsoft Word for fluid collaboration.
The integration of Office 365 and Google Workspace provides versatility for users.
Creating and sharing documents is seamless, with real-time collaboration across Dropbox accounts.
Price
Free Plan: Includes 2GB of storage for a single user at no cost.
Dropbox Plus Plan: Offers 2TB of storage for one user, priced at $11.99 per month or $9.99 per month billed annually.
Dropbox Family Plan: Provides 2TB of storage for one user at $19.99 per month or $16.99 per month billed annually.
Dropbox Professional Plan: Comes with 3TB of storage for one user, priced at $19.99 per month or $16.58 per month billed annually.
Rating
DropBox Paper has an overall 4.4-star rating on Software Advice.
Pros
Offers a seamless user experience
Abundance of file-sharing features
Advanced selective sync options
Well-crafted mobile applications
Provides 2GB of free cloud storage
Cons
Lacks full device backup functionality
Falls short in terms of affordability
Restricts free storage capacity
Absence of end-to-end encryption
Calligra Suite is a versatile office and graphics suite for desktops, tablets, and smartphones, offering word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database editing tools. Calligra Words, a user-friendly word processor with desktop publishing features, simplifies document creation by enabling easy addition of images, charts, and more. Calligra Sheets serves as a robust spreadsheet program for data organization and calculation with formulas and charts.
Main Features
Vector Drawing: Calligra Suite offers powerful vector drawing capabilities, allowing users to create precise and visually appealing graphics and illustrations.
Project Management: With built-in project management tools, Calligra Suite enables efficient project planning, task tracking, and team collaboration, streamlining your workflow.
Presentation Maker: Create engaging presentations with ease using Calligra Suite's presentation maker, complete with dynamic slide transitions and multimedia integration.
Rich Document Creator: Craft visually stunning and informative documents effortlessly, thanks to Calligra Suite's rich document creation features, including advanced formatting and layout options.
Microsoft Office File Import: Seamlessly work with Microsoft Office files by importing them into Calligra Suite, ensuring compatibility and smooth collaboration with users of different office suites.
Price
Calligra Suite is accessible at no cost.
Rating
Calligra Office has an 83% score on Compare Camp.
Pros
Comprehensive suite with diverse tools.
Uses open document format (ODF).
Customizable dockers for efficient workflow.
Tight application integration saves time.
Project management component enhances productivity.
Cons
Limited integration information available.
Customer support details are unclear.
Platform compatibility not fully specified.
Incomplete technical specification information.
FreeOffice
FreeOffice stands out as a remarkable and highly versatile Office alternative. Developed by SoftMaker Office, it offers a cost-free solution that rivals Microsoft Office in terms of functionality and performance. FreeOffice includes its counterparts to Microsoft's trio of productivity applications: TextMaker (Word), PlanMaker ( Excel), and Presentations (PowerPoint).
Main Features
Microsoft Office Alternative: FreeOffice offers a full-featured alternative to Microsoft Office, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
Compatibility: It seamlessly works with Microsoft Office file formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), facilitating easy collaboration with Microsoft Office users.
Flexible Interface: Users can choose between modern ribbons or classic menus and toolbars, ensuring a comfortable working environment.
Touchscreen Optimization: FreeOffice includes a touchscreen mode with larger icons and enhanced spacing for touchscreen devices.
Open Source and Free: It's an open-source suite, completely free for personal and commercial use, making it a cost-effective solution for everyone.
Price
FreeOffice is the complementary edition of SoftMaker's premium product.
Rating
FreeOffice has an overall 4-star rating on PC Magazine.
Pros
Impressive, sophisticated substitute for Microsoft 365
Swift and dependable performance across various tasks
Extensively customizable ribbon or menu-driven interface
Capable of opening legacy documents beyond the reach of Microsoft Office applications
Offers the choice of version backup
Cons
No web applications and collaborative functionalities
Restricted document-viewing alternatives
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Slow performance when handling large worksheets
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FAQs
Q1. Does Mac have a free word program?
Yes, Mac provides a free word processing program called Pages. It's a robust tool for making impressive documents and is included with most Apple devices. Plus, Pages supports real-time collaboration, allowing your team to work together from anywhere, whether they're using a Mac, iPad, iPhone, or even a PC. This feature makes it easy for everyone to contribute and modify documents simultaneously, enhancing teamwork and flexibility.
Q2. How much does Microsoft Word cost?
Microsoft Word offers multiple pricing options. Firstly, you can start with a one-month free trial. Secondly, you have the choice to buy Microsoft Word for a one-time payment of $80 after the trial comes to an end. Thirdly, you can choose the entire Microsoft Suite, which incorporates Word, at an annual subscription cost of $70. Lastly, if you have multiple users, a family of up to six people can get the Microsoft Suite for $100 per year.
Q3. Is Google Suite compatible with Mac, and is it entirely free?
Yes, Google Suite is compatible with Mac, and the basic version costs nothing. It provides online tools for collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. You can view and work on your files from anywhere without paying a cent for the basic features. Hence, Google Suite is an ideal and free-of-charge solution for your document needs, whether you are on a Mac or any other device.
Elevate Your Mac Productivity with the Perfect Office Suite
MacOS offers an exceptional operating environment with a seamless ecosystem. Enhancing your productivity on your Mac necessitates the right office suite. Our guide on free office suites for macOS thoroughly explores your options to help you make an informed choice. Among these options, WPS Office stands out as an outstanding choice, boasting cross-platform compatibility and effortless performance. WPS Office is free, offers a user-friendly interface, live collaboration, and even includes free PDF tools. Why not download WPS Office and boost your Mac productivity today?
