Microsoft Office 365—or, as it’s more recently known, Microsoft 365—has essentially become synonymous with productivity software. It’s hard to imagine working on spreadsheets, word documents, or slide decks without thinking of Excel, Word, or PowerPoint. But let’s face it—shelling out for a subscription, needing a Microsoft account, and recurring costs can leave a bitter taste for everyday users, especially when the free alternatives out there are now better than ever. Enter the challengers: free productivity suites that are vying to replicate—or even surpass—Microsoft 365’s functionality.
If you’re hunting for ways to ditch that Microsoft subscription fee without sacrificing ease of use or versatility, you’re in luck. Here’s a detailed look at five free Microsoft 365 alternatives reviewed and ranked.
If you’re paranoid about learning new software, rest assured: LibreOffice is as close to Office-like functionality as you can get—without paying a cent. Even better, the suite throws in extras for creativity, such as a lightweight tool for drawing!
FreeOffice caters well to highly customized workflows and even allows touch-friendly interaction—making it convenient for hybrid workers shuffling between devices. The trade-off? While the app suite works and feels functionally equivalent to Office, you could be frustrated by cluttered default taskbar shortcuts.
The beauty of OnlyOffice? There are no messy toggles between standalone apps. Every type of file opens as a new tab within the same program. Do you need to flip between an expense sheet and detailed quarterly reports? Easy. Unlike its rivals, OnlyOffice supports seamless multitasking without separate apps dragging down your operating system's performance.
Featuring a free PDF editor to boot, OnlyOffice’s desktop editors are cross-platform, working on Linux, Mac, and Windows. And yes, swapping between .docx, .pptx, and .xlsx files is as smooth as you’d hope. The downside? OnlyOffice feels minimal but doesn’t extend into extras like flowchart tools or advanced templates that its competitors offer.
On the plus side, WPS scores major usability points with its fluid, modern interface. Quick tabs let you open multiple projects within the same app—even Google Drive integration works easily for imported projects. Although clean and user-friendly, the constant pay-to-unlock marketing tactic might not sit well with those seeking uninterrupted workflow.
Tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides sync across all devices—and that's a game-changer. Draft a resume on your laptop, tweak it on your phone, and finalize things on a team meeting’s tablet. But Workspace does more than mimic Office. Integration with Calendar and Photos gives you flexible access and seamless collaboration on time-sensitive projects.
Security is another key selling point—your files are stored remotely, not locally, meaning lost laptops won’t result in data losses. However, Google Workspace doesn’t try too hard to “clone” Microsoft, so users unfamiliar with cloud-enabled editing may find the change daunting.
Let us know which one fit your needs best! Engage with others in the forum below and exchange tips. What’s your favorite Office 365 free alternative? Share your thoughts!
Source: Pocket-lint I tried these 5 free apps to find the best Microsoft 365 alternative
If you’re hunting for ways to ditch that Microsoft subscription fee without sacrificing ease of use or versatility, you’re in luck. Here’s a detailed look at five free Microsoft 365 alternatives reviewed and ranked.
1. LibreOffice: Open Source, No Strings Attached
Developed by the non-profit arm The Document Foundation, LibreOffice is a standout contender for Microsoft Office’s throne. The complete suite features six applications that replicate Office’s ecosystem, such as:- Writer (Word),
- Calc (Excel),
- Impress (PowerPoint),
- Base (Access for databases), and
- Math & Draw (specialized for formulas and flowcharts).
If you’re paranoid about learning new software, rest assured: LibreOffice is as close to Office-like functionality as you can get—without paying a cent. Even better, the suite throws in extras for creativity, such as a lightweight tool for drawing!
2. FreeOffice: Old-School Simplicity (with a Modern Twist)
Crafted by SoftMaker, a veteran in productivity software since 1987, FreeOffice channels the spirit of Microsoft with its refreshingly clean interface. It includes:- TextMaker (Word alternative),
- PlanMaker (Excel counterpart),
- SoftMaker Presentations (PowerPoint twin), and
- DataMaker (access to databases).
FreeOffice caters well to highly customized workflows and even allows touch-friendly interaction—making it convenient for hybrid workers shuffling between devices. The trade-off? While the app suite works and feels functionally equivalent to Office, you could be frustrated by cluttered default taskbar shortcuts.
3. OnlyOffice: When Minimalism Meets Multitasking
Minimalists, gather around! Latvia-based Ascensio Systems carved out OnlyOffice with you in mind. Everything you need—from Documents to Spreadsheets and Presentations—is wrapped into a unified dashboard.The beauty of OnlyOffice? There are no messy toggles between standalone apps. Every type of file opens as a new tab within the same program. Do you need to flip between an expense sheet and detailed quarterly reports? Easy. Unlike its rivals, OnlyOffice supports seamless multitasking without separate apps dragging down your operating system's performance.
Featuring a free PDF editor to boot, OnlyOffice’s desktop editors are cross-platform, working on Linux, Mac, and Windows. And yes, swapping between .docx, .pptx, and .xlsx files is as smooth as you’d hope. The downside? OnlyOffice feels minimal but doesn’t extend into extras like flowchart tools or advanced templates that its competitors offer.
4. WPS Office: Lightweight and Feature Packed
Love free stuff but hate constant paywall nudges? Well, WPS Office has you somewhere in the middle. Developed by China-based Kingsoft, WPS Office is a compact, all-in-one suite with impressive cloud integration. It comes free with:- Docs (akin to Word),
- Sheets (your Excel analog),
- Slides (a PowerPoint alternative), and
- PDF tools that handle more than just “view” functionality.
On the plus side, WPS scores major usability points with its fluid, modern interface. Quick tabs let you open multiple projects within the same app—even Google Drive integration works easily for imported projects. Although clean and user-friendly, the constant pay-to-unlock marketing tactic might not sit well with those seeking uninterrupted workflow.
5. Google Workspace: The 'Always Connected' Cloud Alternative
If LibreOffice dominates offline functionality, Google Workspace wins the cloud-office battle. Formerly known as Google Drive Apps, this ecosystem lets you edit .docx, .pptx, or .xlsx files directly in your browser. No downloads. No installations.Tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides sync across all devices—and that's a game-changer. Draft a resume on your laptop, tweak it on your phone, and finalize things on a team meeting’s tablet. But Workspace does more than mimic Office. Integration with Calendar and Photos gives you flexible access and seamless collaboration on time-sensitive projects.
Security is another key selling point—your files are stored remotely, not locally, meaning lost laptops won’t result in data losses. However, Google Workspace doesn’t try too hard to “clone” Microsoft, so users unfamiliar with cloud-enabled editing may find the change daunting.
Which Free Option Should You Choose?
Choosing your tool boils down to one simple question: What matters most to you? Let’s break it down:- Need offline usability and familiarity? LibreOffice aces the ranking with open-source software structured closely to Microsoft Office.
- Prefer lightweight, aesthetic design? Sit tight with FreeOffice for custom workspace configurations.
- Multitasking or simplicity? OnlyOffice nails those streamlined workflows.
- Cloud-centric thinkers? Google Workspace is unrivaled for file accessibility and collaboration.
- Love fresh design? WPS Office gives a revamped spin to scaled-down versions of Microsoft tools.
Let us know which one fit your needs best! Engage with others in the forum below and exchange tips. What’s your favorite Office 365 free alternative? Share your thoughts!
Source: Pocket-lint I tried these 5 free apps to find the best Microsoft 365 alternative