Best Free Office Suites: Microsoft Office Alternatives

Free office suites for download

You can download these free office suites to a wide range of devices. Some offer full-suite alternatives to Microsoft Office, while others offer core programs with their own versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Apache OpenOffice

The popular open-source Apache OpenOffice software provides everything a small business owner needs in an office suite. Its tools are similar to Office 365 components and other Microsoft products:

• Writer is OpenOffice’s word processor, similar to Microsoft Word.
• Calc is a full-featured spreadsheet editor, similar to Microsoft Excel.
• Impress is used to create slides and presentations, like Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Draw is a graphics and illustration tool, similar to Microsoft Visio.
• Math is for creating equations as separate objects within documents.
• Base is for modifying databases, tables, and forms, and sharing data, such as in a mail merge, like Microsoft Access.

OpenOffice is compatible with most Microsoft file extensions, including DOC, XML and PPT. It works on Windows and Linux devices but not iOS. (OpenOffice also works with some macOS versions, but not all of them.)

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is another free, open-source office suite. It runs with the same underlying source code as Apache OpenOffice and offers a full-featured office suite with Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math and Base. LibreOffice differs from OpenOffice in its more active community of dedicated volunteers worldwide who continue to develop and continuously update the software.

You can download LibreOffice for Windows, macOS and Android/GNU/Linux computers. The software also supports more obscure operating systems such as the BSDs.

LibreOffice is compatible with Microsoft Word processing, presentation, spreadsheet and publisher file extensions. It also uses the Open Document Format (ODF) for maximum compatibility. In addition to the desktop, you can use LibreOffice on mobile devices via a USB drive or cloud computing.

WPS Office

WPS Office is the closest you’ll get to Microsoft Office for free. Although it offers limited services — only four core products: Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheets and PDF — these products offer the familiar look and robust features of their Microsoft Office counterparts. WPS Office does offer a paid version to upgrade the four products for more accessibility if your business needs it.

Given the replicated layout and design, users already accustomed to Word, PowerPoint and Excel will find WPS Office easy to use. You can download WPS Office for Windows, Linux, Android, iOS and Mac devices. It has a built-in file converter, auto spell-check, multiple document tabs and document encryption.

SSuite Office

SSuite Office’s wide range of products includes the WordGraph Editor word processor, Accel Spreadsheet, the MonoBase database creator and FaceCom video conferencing.

You can download SSuite Office as an entire package (there are many options based on user needs and machines), individual programs or portable mobile apps. Although it’s only available for Windows, instructions are available on how to run the suite or its programs on Mac and Linux computers.

One of SSuite’s main selling points (other than being free) is that it is very light and consumes few system resources; these attributes make it a good choice for slow or limited RAM computers.

Free cloud-based office suites

Cloud-based office suites are accessible from any internet-connected device. You can run them on any web browser — eliminating the need to download and install programs on your computer. Files are stored in the cloud and accessible anytime, anywhere. You can also share files or invite others to collaborate.

Here are the most popular cloud-based office suites available.

Google’s productivity apps

Google’s productivity and cloud storage platform lets users create, edit and collaborate on all types of files. It includes the Google Docs word processor, Sheets spreadsheet editor, Slides presentation maker, Google Forms form maker, Google Calendar and other products.

All finished documents are stored in the user’s Google Drive account for easy collaboration and accessibility. Users can also connect other apps, such as the BeFunky photo editor, MovieStudio video editor, PDF Convert, RingCentral Fax and DocuSign.

Google Drive requires a Google account and comes with 15GB of free storage. You can also get a paid version of Google’s productivity tools, Google Workspace, which has more features. Pricing begins at $6 a month per user, depending on the amount of data storage and number of video conferences you need.

Microsoft Office Online

Microsoft offers free web-based versions of Office’s most widely used programs. Users can save, edit, and store files, and collaborate in real time via a web browser.

The service also has sharing capabilities; you can create unique links to files or directly insert documents, spreadsheets and presentations into your website or business blog.

The free version of Office Online comes with 5GB of free online storage and online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more.

While the functionality doesn’t match that of Microsoft’s desktop programs, these free versions are suitable if you only need the essentials. If you’re interested in checking out the free online versions of Microsoft Ofice’s programs:

1. Visit Microsoft online.
2. Select Sign up for free.
3. Enter your email address and select Next.
4. Confirm your email address.
5. Create and enter a password and select Next.

iWork for iCloud

Apple’s iWork for iCloud offers a suite of productivity apps that includes the Pages word processor, Numbers spreadsheet editor and Keynote presentation creator. It’s accessible to anyone with an Apple ID and can run on Macs, iOS devices and PCs.

Users can also share documents with noniCloud members via unique links for real-time collaboration and presentations — regardless of the device each person is using. You can even set up a presentation using your iPhone or iPad. You can open iWork documents on a computer offline, which is a plus; however, these documents are compatible only with Apple devices.

With iWork for iCloud, you get 5GB of free storage; you can purchase additional storage starting at 50GB for $.99 per month, 200GB for $2.99 per month or 2TB for $10.99 per month.

Zoho

The Zoho all-in-one solution offers an online productivity suite and file storage, sharing, and management platform.

First, you can create, manage, share and publish files using Zoho’s Writer, Sheet and Show programs. Then, you can invite other users to collaborate, as well as assign tasks to track progress. Although Zoho is limited to those three office programs, you can store documents and files in any format and share them with anyone using dedicated links.

Zoho is available on the web and on iOS and Android devices. Free plans come with 5GB of storage, while paid plans start at $3 per user a month; the latter comes with 30GB of storage and advanced features. Zoho is a good choice for a very small, geographically scattered business, as it’s free for up to five users.

What to consider when choosing free office suites for your business

The features you need in an office suite will depend on your business type. Consider the following factors and how important they are to your organization.

• Ease of use: If you’re running a small business and your team must access your productivity software, you’ll want intuitive, easy-to-use tools — not ones that require training to master. However, if your business and staff are more technically sophisticated, you may be willing to sacrifice ease of use for advanced capabilities.
• Remote collaboration capabilities: Some businesses have central locations where everyone works, while others have multiple locations, employees who travel or offsite independent contractors. If your business uses a more geographically distributed model, your team should be able to access your office suite from anywhere. In these cases, a cloud-based office suite may be an excellent solution.
• File compatibility: If you regularly send documents to others outside your organization, you must ensure your recipients can open and read the files. This means using the same software as the recipient, software with multiple file extensions or easily accessible cloud-based apps.
• Security capabilities: While every business should secure its network and data, some businesses are more likely to deal with sensitive data — e.g., customer payment information and proprietary intellectual property. If this is true for your business, it’s best to use an office suite with built-in defenses against spam, malware, phishing and other threats — along with existing measures for preventing network security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Data storage: The more documents your company produces and the larger their file sizes, the more data storage becomes an issue. Your cloud provider may impose storage limits on your account, or your local servers may have storage parameters.
• Breadth of programs: Depending on your business, you may or may not need a full range of programs. For example, a marketing firm will require robust presentation tools, while a wholesaler may never need this software.
• Platform compatibility: The office suite you choose must be compatible with the platforms — mobile and desktop — you and your employees use on a day-to-day basis. This could be iOS or macOS if you rely on Macs, iPads, and iPhones, or you might primarily utilize Windows, Android or Linux devices instead.

Making the right choice for your business

Choosing the right office suite for your small business can significantly impact productivity and cost efficiency. While Microsoft Office is a popular choice, free alternatives offer comprehensive tools compatible with many Microsoft file formats — ideal for businesses needing robust offline capabilities. Cloud-based solutions provide flexibility and real-time collaboration and are perfect for businesses with remote employees.

The best office suite for your business depends on factors like ease of use, collaboration capabilities, file compatibility, security features, storage, program breadth and compatibility. By considering these factors, you can find an office suite that enhances your operations while saving resources.

Amanda Clark contributed to this article.