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Calligra Suite Review: Features, Comparison, Alternative

September 4, 2023 1.7K views

As you search for the perfect office suite, you'll often stumble upon the Calligra Office Suite, previously known as KOffice. This article delves into the details of Calligra Suite, providing insights to help you make an informed choice for your next essential office suite.

What is the Calligra suite?

Calligra Suite is a distinguished office and graphic art suite meticulously crafted by the KDE team, and stands as the successor to the renowned KOffice. Seamlessly adaptable across desktop PCs, tablet devices, and smartphones, Calligra unfolds a plethora of applications encompassing word processing, spreadsheet manipulation, presentation design, database management, vector graphics creation, and the realm of digital painting.

This exceptional suite, known as the Calligra Suite, proudly dons the mantle of being a free and open-source offering, delivering a harmonious amalgamation of integrated applications catered to an array of productive endeavors.

Its versatility shines through as it seamlessly bridges the gaps between different platforms, accommodating the needs of professionals and creatives alike. Calligra Suite has effectively carved its niche in the software landscape by striking a harmonious balance between intuitive design and powerful functionalities. Whether crafting engaging presentations, managing complex spreadsheets, drafting documents, or exploring the world of vector graphics, Calligra empowers users to achieve their goals with finesse.

Moreover, being open-source, Calligra Suite embodies the collaborative spirit that has become synonymous with KDE. This translates to a community-driven effort that ensures regular updates, improvements, and a dedicated support network. As technology rapidly evolves, Calligra Suite remains agile, adapting to new requirements while retaining its core commitment to enhancing productivity and unleashing creativity.

How to get Calligra Office Suite?

Let’s learn how we can Download Calligra Office suite for Windows:

Step 1: Visit the official Calligra website using your web browser.

Step 2: In the website menu, click on the "Download" tab.

Step 3: Choose the Calligra Office suite for your operating system; for this example, we'll download it for Windows.

Step 4: Make sure to select the correct version - 64-bit or 32-bit - based on your system.

Step 5: You'll be directed to a mirror list. Scroll down to find mirror names and URLs. Click on a URL to start the download.

Step 6: Once the download is done, locate the downloaded file on your computer and open it to start the installation wizard.

Step 7: Follow the installation wizard, accepting terms and agreements as necessary.

Step 8: After installation is complete, click "Finish".

Step 9: Launch Calligra Office suite on your system and start enjoying the benefits of a free and open-source office suite.

Calligra suite works best on Linux and FreeBSD, as it is well integrated with the KDE Plasma desktop environment and other Linux applications. You can also download the source code and build it yourself if you want.

On Windows and Mac OS X, the Calligra suite is not very stable or reliable, as it is only available with preliminary support.. You can still download and install it from the Calligra website, but you may face some problems or errors. You may prefer other office suites that are more compatible with your system, such as WPS Office

The Features of Calligra suite

Calligra is known to be an all-encompassing Office Suite offering multitude of features to its users. Some of the Calligra Office functions are as below:

  • Writing Made Easy: Use Calligra Words for creating documents that look great.

  • Simple Data Handling: Manage your data seamlessly with Calligra Sheets.

  • Present with Style: Craft engaging presentations with Calligra Stage.

  • Artistic Vector Designs: Get creative with Calligra Karbon for making cool graphics.

  • Tame Your Data: Keep your data in check using Calligra Kexi's tools.

  • Digital Art Zone: Try Calligra Krita for artistic digital painting.

  • Fits Your Devices: Use it on your PC, tablet, or smartphone without a hitch.

  • Open and Free: Calligra is available for everyone to use at no cost.

Pros:

  • Open for All: Calligra's open-source nature means it's free for everyone.

  • All-in-One Suite: With Calligra, you get all the tools you need for writing, data handling, presenting, graphics, data, and art.

  • Works Everywhere: Whether you're on a PC, tablet, or smartphone, you can trust Calligra with your progress at work.

Cons:

  • File Compatibility: Sometimes Calligra files might not collaborate with Microsoft Office formats.

  • Bugs and Crashes: A few users have mentioned encountering bugs or crashes

Pricing:

Available at no cost, making Calligra a free Office Suite and open-source office suite option for users.

Calligra Suite VS Other Office Apps

Calligra Vs Microsoft Office Vs Hancom Office Vs iWork Comparison

Features

Calligra

Hancom Office

iWork

Microsoft Office

Applications

Word, Sheets, Stage, Karbon, Kexi, Krita

Word, Cell, Show,ThinkFree Write,Cell, Show, Sheet, Hcell, Hshow, Hsheet

Pages, Numbers, Keynote

Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Platforms

Linux, Unix-like OS, Windows

Windows, Android, iOS

macOS, iOS, iCloud

Windows, macOS

Usability

Functional and feature-rich

Intuitive interface with familiar tools

User-friendly and creatively versatile

Feature-rich and intuitive

Cost

Free and open-source

Paid subscription

Included with Apple devices

Paid subscription

Collaboration

Limited real-time collaboration features

Collaboration tools available

Collaboration tools available

Rich collaboration features

File Formats

Good support for open formats and Microsoft Office files

Good compatibility with Microsoft Office files

Native formats and import/export options

Strong compatibility with Microsoft Office

Online Access

Limited online collaboration options

Cloud integration available

iCloud-based access for remote work

Online collaboration features

Customer Support

Community-based support

Customer support and online resources

Apple customer support and resources

Comprehensive support

Mobile Support

Limited mobile support

Android version

iOS and macOS support

Mobile apps available

Best Free Alternative - WPS Office

Although Calligra serves as a noteworthy and budget-friendly alternative among office suites, it falls short in comparison to the exceptional capabilities offered by WPS Office. WPS Office, on the other hand, takes the lead among free office suites due to its remarkable compatibility with Microsoft Office and various file formats, ensuring a smooth formatting experience. Furthermore, its impressive PDF capabilities and advanced integrated AI features position it as a frontrunner in the competitive landscape of office suites.

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WPS Office- Free All-in-One Office Suite
  • Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

  • Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

  • Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

  • Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

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Algirdas Jasaitis
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What is WPS Office

WPS Office is a complete office suite that covers all your essential productivity needs. From the versatile Writer to the dynamic Presentation and Spreadsheets, it offers a comprehensive solution. What's more, it seamlessly integrates PDF capabilities, enhancing its versatility. The icing on the cake is the integrated AI, which provides valuable assistance to users, making their experience even better.

Its user-friendly interface is a standout feature, making it accessible to everyone. Beyond its simplicity, WPS Office is packed with advanced editing and creation tools, empowering users to unlock their full potential.

FAQs

Q1. Does WPS Office work on Mac?

Yes, WPS Office is compatible with Mac devices and offers flawless functionality, offering a wide range of features at no cost, making it a convenient option for Mac users. You can easily download it using the Mac App Store.

Q2. Can I use Calligra Suite for collaborative work?

Yes, you can. The Calligra Suite has collaborative capabilities that let many users work on documents at the same time, improving teamwork and project efficiency. Calligra Suite is appropriate for group projects, remote teams, and any situation where real-time communication is necessary because of its collaborative feature.

Q3. Can I change Calligra Suite's user interface?

Calligra Suite provides various customization options to personalize the user interface to your preferences. It includes the freedom to modify themes, layouts, and toolbars to generate an interface that suits your taste and working methods.

Q4. Is Calligra Suite free to use?

You can use the Calligra suite without any charge. It gives users access to numerous applications, making it an ideal option for students and professionals. It allows you to check out and utilize its rich toolbox for various tasks without spending money.

Q5. Does Calligra Suite provide templates for various document types?

Calligra Suite enhances the creative process with pre-designed templates. You can utilize these ready-made templates for document, presentation, and spreadsheet construction, thereby saving you time and letting you concentrate on the content.

Navigating the Office Suite Landscape

In this article, we've thoroughly covered the essentials of the Calligra Suite. This journey allows you to explore its diverse features and compare them with other office suites. Amid these choices, WPS Office shines as a top-notch free option, boasting a multitude of features. Don't miss out – download now to experience the power of WPS Office firsthand.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.