Microsoft Office 365 is undoubtedly a popular and powerful suite of productivity tools. However, its subscription-based model may not always be feasible for everyone. Fortunately, there are several excellent free alternatives available that offer comparable features and functionality. Choosing the right email service is essential, and in this article, we explore the best alternatives to Microsoft Office 365 and explore their features as well as limitations.
#1. LibreOffice
LibreOffice is an open-source project that features several applications, including Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), and more. Moreover, users can also create vector graphics using LibreOffice. It also supports over 100 languages which makes it feasible for several users across the globe.
Notable features of LibreOffice:
- The user interface is intuitive and quite easy to use.
- It supports all popular Microsoft 365 formats such as .pptx, .docx, .xlsx, and more.
- You can explore tons of templates and extensions to help improve the functionality.
- It’s built on free and open-source software, so you can use it, share it, and modify it.
Limitations of LibreOffice:
- LibreOffice has a document viewer on Android but has minimal editing capabilities. That too, doesn’t work as fluidly as it should.
- No technical support is available for the free version.
- Also, as cloud storage is not available, it does not stand as a great option.
Web: libreoffice.org/discover/libreoffice/
#2. Google Workspace
Google Workspace includes Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. These tools allow real-time collaboration, cloud storage, and seamless integration with other Google services. Google Workspace is an excellent free alternative for those looking to work in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
Notable features of Google Workspace:
- Multiple users can work on a document simultaneously.
- Documents get saved automatically to Google Drive.
- Documents are stored in the cloud. This allows easy access from any device with the Internet.
- You also get customer support 24*7.
Limitations of Google Workspace:
- Google Workspace allows offline access but limited functionality is available.
- There are privacy concerns with cloud-based storage.
Web: workspace.google.com/intl/en_in/
#3. WPS Office
WPS Office has become quite popular ever since its launch in 2016 as it combines performance and a user-friendly interface. It comes with Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation applications. WPS Office offers compatibility with Microsoft Office formats and provides additional features like tabbed document editing.
Notable features of WPS Office:
- It gives users up to 1 GB of cloud storage to store all documents.
- It is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and more.
- It features a resume builder to create a professional resume in a few seconds.
- You can also convert PDFs to other formats without formatting issues.
Limitations of WPS Office:
- Not all PDF editing tools and features are available in the free version.
- The free version comes with a lot of advertisements that may hinder user experience.
- WPS Office may not be as collaborative as Google Workspace.
Web: wps.com/office
#4. OnlyOffice
With applications for document editing, spreadsheet analysis, and presentation creation, OnlyOffice offers a cloud-based solution for users seeking a comprehensive and free office suite. While it may not be as well-known as a few other alternatives, OnlyOffice stands out for its focus on teamwork and collaboration.
Notable features of OnlyOffice:
- It is a cloud-based solution so you can access it from any device with an internet connection.
- It supports popular formats like .docx, .xlsx, .pptx., and more.
- With OnlyOffice, you can download various plugins that allow you to download YouTube Videos and even a text-to-speech converter to your presentations.
Limitations of OnlyOffice:
- The steeper learning curve for advanced features.
- It lacks robust cloud integration and collaboration features.
Web: onlyoffice.com/download-docs.aspx
#5. Apache OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice is another open-source alternative that provides a suite of productivity applications that closely resemble Microsoft Office. With Writer, Calc, Impress, and others, OpenOffice supports a wide range of file formats, fostering compatibility with various systems.
Notable features of Apache OpenOffice:
- It offers a wide range of formatting and styling options.
- It has support for multiple languages.
- You can incorporate various extensions to enhance functionalities.
Limitations of Apache OpenOffice:
- Updates and new features may not be as frequent as with other alternatives.
- The user interface design is outdated.
Web: openoffice.org/download/
Conclusion
While Microsoft Office 365 is undoubtedly a powerful productivity suite, its subscription-based model may not be suitable for everyone. Thankfully, there are several free alternatives available that can meet the needs of professionals without breaking the bank. You can also try your hands on Net2Secure’s Microsoft 365 email hosting. This is a web-based, user-friendly platform for efficient team collaboration. So, contact the team today!