Microsoft Office 365 offers powerful tools, but most of us only need some basic tools, like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For that, the subscription cost might feel a bit steep.
Maybe you've been wondering if there's a way to get similar tools without paying. Good news! There are many free alternatives.
But with so many options, how do you know which ones are worth your time? That’s where I come in. Keep reading to discover the top free alternatives to Microsoft Office 365!
Quick Summary
I searched for the highest-rated tools on every platform, checked user reviews, and spent hours testing them. Now, I’ve narrowed it down to the 5 best free alternatives.
Each one has its unique strengths, but what they all share is to meet your basic office needs. You can look at the quick summary first to know some key information about them.
Best for |
Standout Features |
Main Disadvantages |
|
|---|---|---|---|
WPS Office |
Best for a lightweight, Microsoft-like experience for professionals with strong compatibility and PDF tools. |
The most similar user experience to MS Office Multiple templates |
Advanced PDF features such as PDF editing require a subscription |
Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides |
Best for real-time collaboration and integration with Google Workspace. |
Seamless collaboration and sharing options Automatic saving and version history |
Limited offline functionality Privacy concerns with cloud-based storage Compatibility Issues |
OnlyOffice |
Best for professional teams needing robust collaboration and Microsoft Office compatibility. |
Similar user experience to MS Office Custom plugins |
Limited functionality in the free version Steeper learning curve for advanced features |
LibreOffice |
Best for open-source enthusiasts and offline users with limited internet access. |
Customizable user interface |
Some compatibility issues with complex MS Office documents The user interface may be confusing to beginners |
Apache OpenOffice |
Best for basic tasks on older systems, though less polished than LibreOffice. |
Completely free and community-driven |
Slower development compared to other alternatives Outdated user interface design |
Then you can explore these alternatives in detail.
1. WPS Office
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
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WPS Office, launched in 1989, is a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office, ideal for not only new but older devices. It includes Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets, plus a built-in PDF toolkit for editing, signing and converting PDFs.
The interface is similar to Microsoft Office, making it easy to use, and supports tabbed multitasking. WPS Office works on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers. WPS Office is available in multiple languages.
It supports multiple file formats including MS Office files for smooth compatibility. It also offers 1GB of free cloud storage for syncing and sharing files. The rich library of templates and tools like screen recording and OCR also make it stand out from other similar alternatives.
However, some advanced PDF features require a subscription. And it offers less robust collaboration tools compared to Google Docs.
2. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
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Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides, is a cloud-based office suite. It is characterized by real-time collaboration and auto-save to Google Drive for easy access and no data loss. It can track changes and allow restoring earlier versions, making it great for teamwork. Mobile apps are also available.
However, it lacks advanced features like detailed formatting, complex formulas, and animations compared to Microsoft Office. The browser-based interface can feel less robust, and offline mode has limitations.
While it supports Microsoft file imports/exports, formatting issues can arise with complex files. Storing files in the cloud may also raise privacy concerns.
3. OnlyOffice
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
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OnlyOffice is a comprehensive office suite with tools for editing, collaboration, and project management. It includes alternatives to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, offering excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX). Custom plugins like CRM and mail tools add flexibility.
Its cloud version supports real-time co-editing, comments, and change tracking, ideal for remote teams. However, setting up the cloud environment can be more complex than Google Docs. While the desktop version is free, advanced features like cloud collaboration require a subscription.
Compared to lightweight alternatives, OnlyOffice demands more system resources, making it slower on older devices. Additionally, its limited templates may not suit users needing quick design options.
4. LibreOffice
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
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LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite offering Writer, Calc, Impress, and more as alternatives to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It’s compatible with Microsoft Office formats and works on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. With offline functionality, and customization options, it’s a flexible choice for users with limited internet access.
However, complex formatting and macros may not transfer perfectly from MS Office, which can be a problem in collaborative settings. The interface feels less modern than MS Office or WPS Office, requiring some adjustment for new users. Additionally, it lacks built-in cloud services, making online collaboration less seamless.
5. Apache OpenOffice
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
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Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office suite with tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. It supports Microsoft Office file formats, making it easy to open and edit DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files. OpenOffice also supports additional extensions and templates for customization, such as Dictionary and PDF Import Extension.
Unlike cloud-based alternatives, OpenOffice works offline, which is great for users with limited internet access but requires third-party solutions for cloud storage and collaboration. It lacks advanced features like macros and data tools found in MS Office.
And its outdated interface may lead to a poor user experience. While it supports MS Office formats, complex formatting may not always transfer perfectly, causing compatibility issues in collaborative environments.
Which One is Better for You?
In this article, we have presented the top 5 free alternatives to Microsoft Office 365. These alternatives include WPS Office, LibreOffice, Google Docs, Apache OpenOffice, and OnlyOffice. All of them have their features.
While considering which one is more suitable for you, think about what your needs are. You can choose the WPS Office for its convenient user experience, or choose Google Workspace for its online collaborative functionality. Sometimes you may even find the paid subscription is more worthwhile for you because you want to use the advanced features. It depends on your personal needs.
And if you have no specific ideas, you can try WPS Office first. Because it’s 100% compatible with MS Office and has the most similar functionalities to Microsoft Office without cost. Just click the download button and try it!
