Freeoffice 2021 Free Download for Windows

Unfamiliar with FreeOffice 2021, a versatile, open-source office suite that rivals its costly counterparts? In this article, you'll discover everything about FreeOffice 2021 - its introduction, historical versions, installation guide, comparison with LibreOffice, and alternatives such as WPS Office. Ready to explore this feature-rich and cost-effective office solution for your specific needs? Let's dive right in.

Part 1: FreeOffice 2021 Product Overview

What is FreeOffice 2021?

FreeOffice 2021, published by SoftMaker, is a cross-platform office suite available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. It's renowned for its user-friendly interface and compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.

Historical Versions of FreeOffice

FreeOffice is a suite of office software developed by SoftMaker and was initially released in 1994, with the latest stable release as of December 2021 being the 2021 rev 1042.

FreeOffice is available for free, while SoftMaker also offers a commercial version of the office suite, known as SoftMaker Office. There are multiple levels of SoftMaker Office available:

• SoftMaker Office NX Home, available for US$29.90 per year or US$2.99 per month.

• SoftMaker Office NX Universal, available for US$49.90 per year or US$4.99 per month.

• SoftMaker Office Standard, available for a one-time purchase of US$99.95.

• SoftMaker Office Professional, available for a one-time purchase of US$129.95.

The commercial version of SoftMaker Office provides additional functionality beyond what is available in FreeOffice. Some of these additional features include a customizable ribbon, a built-in file manager, advanced document creation and design features, and additional applications such as BasicMaker for creating VBA-like macros and an equation editor for mathematical formulas.

Historically, SoftMaker has released new versions of their office suite every few years. For example, SoftMaker Office 2021 was the latest version as of the time of my training cut-off in September 2021.  with previous versions including SoftMaker Office 2018 and SoftMaker Office 2016.  As with many software products, each new version typically includes new features, improvements to existing features, and bug fixes.

Part 2: How to Download and Use FreeOffice 2021?

Downloading and using FreeOffice 2021 is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to get you started:

Step 1: Download FreeOffice 2021

• Open your web browser and navigate to the official FreeOffice website.

• Once there, you should see a "Free Download" button. Click on it.

• You'll be taken to a new page. Select your preferred platform (Windows, Linux, or macOS) to start the download process.

• The download should begin automatically. If it doesn't, click on the 'Click here to start the download manually' link.

Step 2: Install FreeOffice 2021

• Navigate to your Downloads folder (or wherever your browser saves downloaded files) and locate the FreeOffice 2021 installer file.

• Double-click the installer file to start the installation process.

• Follow the prompts in the installation wizard. You will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions, choose an installation location, and customize your installation preferences.

• Click the "Install" button to start the installation. The process may take a few minutes.

Step 3: Using FreeOffice 2021

• Once the installation is complete, you can launch FreeOffice 2021 from your applications menu or using the desktop shortcut if one was created during installation.

• You'll see three primary applications in the FreeOffice suite: TextMaker (word processor), PlanMaker (spreadsheet tool), and Presentations (presentation software).

• Click on the application you wish to use, and a new window will open where you can start creating your documents, spreadsheets, or presentations.

Remember, FreeOffice 2021 is designed to be user-friendly and highly compatible with Microsoft Office, so if you're transitioning from that platform, you should find the interface quite familiar. Happy creating!

Part 3: FreeOffice 2021 vs. LibreOffice

Comparing FreeOffice 2021 and LibreOffice requires considering several aspects such as features, pricing, and user benefits. Here is a detailed comparison:

FreeOffice 2021

• Features: FreeOffice 2021 provides a set of three powerful applications: TextMaker (word processing), PlanMaker (spreadsheets), and Presentations. These applications are fully compatible with Microsoft Office file formats, ensuring seamless document interchange with MS Office users. Furthermore, FreeOffice 2021 offers a touch mode for usage on touchscreen devices and an interface design that mimics Microsoft Office, making it easy to navigate for those used to Microsoft's suite.

• Pricing: As the name implies, FreeOffice 2021 is a free office suite. While it does offer a paid version called SoftMaker Office, the free version provides a substantial range of features sufficient for many users.

• Advantages: The user-friendly interface and high compatibility with Microsoft Office formats make FreeOffice 2021 an excellent choice for users transitioning from MS Office. The touch mode also makes it an appealing choice for tablet users.

LibreOffice

• Features: LibreOffice offers a more comprehensive suite of applications than FreeOffice. It includes Writer (word processor), Calc (spreadsheet tool), Impress (presentation software), Base (database management), Draw (vector graphics editor), and Math (formula editor). LibreOffice supports a wide range of document formats, including those used by Microsoft Office.

• Pricing: LibreOffice is also free to use, making it an attractive choice for users seeking a full-featured office suite without the cost.

• Advantages: LibreOffice's broad range of applications and robust feature set make it a versatile tool for various tasks beyond word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Its open-source nature also means it has a large community behind it, constantly contributing to updates, fixes, and new features.

In conclusion, the choice between FreeOffice 2021 and LibreOffice largely depends on users' specific needs and preferences. While FreeOffice 2021 offers a straightforward, familiar interface for those used to Microsoft Office, LibreOffice provides a broader set of tools and features for those needing more comprehensive functionality.

Part 4: Alternatives to FreeOffice - WPS Office

If you're seeking an alternative to FreeOffice, consider WPS Office. WPS Office is free, includes a PDF function, and has introduced an AI feature to assist with writing articles and work reports.

WPS Office: Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

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When seeking an alternative to FreeOffice, one cannot ignore the impressive offering from Kingsoft's WPS Office. Released under the banner of productivity, this suite ticks several key boxes that make it a worthy competitor in the office software landscape.

• Cost-effectiveness: WPS Office is free. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals and businesses on a budget, yet needing a comprehensive suite of office applications.

• PDF Functionality: One of the standout features of WPS Office is its PDF capabilities. Once you download and install WPS Office for the first time, you automatically get a free membership. This membership offers a host of perks, including the ability to convert various documents to and from PDF format. Such functionality is immensely useful, given the wide use of PDFs in business and education sectors.

• Artificial Intelligence: In an age where AI is revolutionizing many aspects of our lives, WPS Office has seized the opportunity to incorporate this technology into its suite. The WPS Office client now offers an AI function that can assist users in writing articles and preparing work reports. This innovative feature can boost productivity, reduce the time spent on mundane tasks, and help users focus on more critical aspects of their work.

In short, if you're in search of an office suite that is free, offers extensive PDF capabilities, and is forward-thinking in terms of AI integration, WPS Office might just be the alternative to FreeOffice that you need.

FAQs About FreeOffice

Q1: What is SoftMaker FreeOffice?

SoftMaker FreeOffice is an office software suite developed by SoftMaker, offering a free alternative to Microsoft Office. It is well-known for its compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats and its user-friendly interface. The suite includes TextMaker (a word processor), PlanMaker (a spreadsheet tool), and Presentations (a presentation software).

Q2: Who makes FreeOffice?

FreeOffice is made by SoftMaker, a German software company established in 1987. They have been developing office software since 1989, and their products are known for their seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.

Q3: Which is better - OpenOffice, LibreOffice, or FreeOffice?

Choosing the best office suite depends on your specific needs, but here are some considerations:

• OpenOffice: Apache OpenOffice is an open-source office software suite. It is suitable for users who need a traditional set of office software, including a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software, and database software.

• LibreOffice: LibreOffice, a fork of OpenOffice, has a more active development community and thus often includes more up-to-date features. It is compatible with a wide range of document formats and offers several applications beyond those found in OpenOffice.

• FreeOffice: FreeOffice by SoftMaker offers arguably the best compatibility with Microsoft Office formats among the three. Its interface is also more similar to Microsoft Office, which might be more comfortable for users migrating from that platform. However, it offers fewer features in its free version than the other two.

Each suite has its strengths, and the best choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

Conclusion

FreeOffice 2021 is a powerful and cost-effective office suite suitable for multiple platforms. While it stands strong against competitors like LibreOffice, WPS Office offers additional features such as PDF functions and AI assistance. Choose WPS office as it is the best software because it is cost effective and offers multiple features.

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