Comparing Open Source Office Suites
Which Open Source Office is Best?
The open-source office suite LibreOffice evolved from the original OOo project. It’s a free Microsoft Office alternative that features word processing, spreadsheet and slideshow presentations tools.
Developed by SoftMaker, FreeOffice is a complete suite for home and workplace without the recurring subscription fees. It’s available for Windows, Mac and Linux and also offers a basic version for Android.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice offers a variety of applications for writing, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawing. It also supports multiple languages and has low system requirements. Its interface is reminiscent of Microsoft Office suite apps, making it easy for new users to get started.
Its word processing application, Writer, offers collaboration features and is one of the best in its class. Impress allows for multimedia-integrated slideshows, while Draw lets users create vector graphics and diagrams. The database creation application, Base, is capable of supporting Structured Query Language (SQL) for advanced data management.
However, it may not offer as many advanced features and specialized tools as some commercial office suites. It also lacks integration with certain services and platforms. For example, it does not support unified cloud storage systems like OneDrive or Microsoft Teams. In addition, it does not come with comprehensive customer support. Instead, it relies on community forums and online documentation for help. This can be frustrating for some users.
Apache OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice is a full-featured office productivity suite with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and vector graphics software. It also has a database management component. It is easy to use for beginners but powerful enough for experienced users.
It works with many existing file formats including Microsoft legacy Office files. Its open source code and broad compatibility make it an ideal choice for small businesses that need to share documents across multiple platforms.
Unlike some expensive rivals, it includes a rich set of features such as mail merge and an extended set of style options for tables. It can even be used to create PDF files. It’s also compatible with a range of plugins and add-ons for extra functionality.
Apache OpenOffice’s license allows it to be freely installed on as many computers as you like and distributed without restriction. It’s a good choice for schools that need to teach students computer literacy skills without tying them to commercial products.
OnlyOffice
OnlyOffice is a cloud-based office suite that allows multiple users to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Office, and offers a number of integrations and plugins. It also has a full set of collaboration features, including chat, commenting, user tagging, and two co-editing modes.
Its WYSIWYG autoshape editor enables you to edit text formatting, paragraph indentation, and line style directly from the document. It also has a built-in calendar app, and the CRM tool automatically synchronizes with the Mail app, allowing you to track emails and follow up on sales leads.
Self-hosted OnlyOffice is more cost-effective than a cloud solution, and it gives you complete control over your data. It also has a number of security features, including load balancing and a monitoring system to optimize email deliverability. It is also a great choice for large teams because of its scalability. It also supports a variety of different email protocols.
Google Docs
Google Docs is a cloud-based word processing software that is accessible anywhere with an internet connection. Its real-time collaboration features make it a perfect choice for teams working remotely. It also integrates seamlessly with other Google apps and offers a mobile app for easy access on the go. Documents are stored in a secure system, making it easier to recover data in the event of a disaster.
Unlike Microsoft Word, which requires a desktop application to install, Google Docs is available in any browser. Additionally, all of your files are backed up online, so they will be ready to work even when you switch computers or lose your laptop. The app comes with a free 15 GB storage allotment, which is more than enough for most users. You can also add more storage to your account if you need more space. In addition to standard word processing functions, Google Docs includes features to help with research and writing projects. These include basic search functionality and the ability to mark specific text in documents to get results based on that information.