Best Microsoft Office Alternatives: Microsoft Office once had an unquestioned stranglehold on the world of productivity suites and programs. However, the subscription model and the high price of Office 2019 have given rise to a retinue of options that fall outside Microsoft’s banner. The best alternatives to Microsoft Office allow users the freedom to create and edit.
Many are even compatible with files made in Word, Excel, and other Microsoft programs. If you are loyal to Microsoft’s product, it is also worth trying out the Office web-based applications. Which emulate many of the primary features of Office right in your browser for free.
Also, there are capable office alternatives available for both Windows and macOS. Whether you are looking for a quick means to spell check the copy on your resume or string together complex formulas before an important business presentation. Below are a few of the best Microsoft Office alternatives that you may want to use.
Best Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Best Office alternative: FreeOffice
FreeOffice is also easy on the eyes and should be very familiar to Word users. The toolbars and document-creation options are similar to those in the Office suite. The latest software updates further ensure the program is quick and relatively void of loading times.
Even PlanMaker, which is the suite’s Excel alternative, offers features such as conditional formatting and pivot tables, which past Excel users will be able to jump into without the need for a tutorial.
Furthermore, FreeOffice is also an excellent choice for carrying out professional projects. Not only does it provide compatibility with password-protected files. But it can also help you create PDF files or ePUB files and track document changes. More common features like spell-check are also waiting in the wings, ensuring you do not miss anything Office-related.
Best Web-based Microsoft Office Alternative: G Suite
we are all familiar with Google’s online suite. The cloud-based software remains ideal if you need to work with others on a project, particularly if everyone is familiar with Google Drive, where files can be stored and shared.
The current iteration of Docs supports PDFs, DOC files, and even iWork files. So you do not need to worry about information being lost. It also integrates with most of Google’s other services, like Gmail and Calendar.
There is also the G Suite productivity solution for businesses, a strong competitor to Microsoft’s Office offerings in many enterprises.
It has a classic interface, minimalist, and oft-confusing. Certain tools or abilities may be hidden deep in menus or not made available for unknown reasons, making the software difficult to pick up without any previous experience. Still, if you are used to Chrome or Chrome OS.
You know what to expect and do not have much trouble navigating the menus. Plus, working on documents, editing work, and discussing changes with others who are also working on the same file, all in the same window, is advantageous and implemented well across different file types.
For some, this is a reason to choose Google’s offering over Microsoft’s paid or otherwise. This is a great choice for those with limited storage, such as Chromebook users, or for those who need to edit at a distance.
Best Microsoft Office Alternative: LibreOffice
The developer of LibreOffice took a look at Microsoft Office and said. “Let’s make sure we can do everything Office can’t.” By now, the differences are so numerous that someone has created a useful and lengthy graph that showcases the extra compatibility that LibreOffice offers compared to Microsoft’s suite.
This includes support for a vast number of document formats in both macOS and Windows. If you are using more distinctive software and are worried that Office won’t handle your industry-specific formats. Then LibreOffice is more than happy to step in.
The open-source community behind LibreOffice remains active and continues to create extensions that allow you to equip your apps with any features you may need. And given both “released” a little older, but still pretty recent and “pre-released.” The newest and has the latest features, but may not have been tested for very long yet, and the versions are currently available. You are also guaranteed to see regular improvements with LibreOffice.
If you like Office but are looking for a highly customizable alternative that can expand on Microsoft’s tools while offering solid compatibility, LibreOffice is for you. Of course, learning and building LibreOffice into the software you want may take a little work, so give yourself plenty of time to learn what’s at your disposal.
Best Microsoft Office Alternatives: WPS Office
The WPS’s Office alternative comes with Presentation, Writer, and Spreadsheet, all of which mimic programs in Microsoft’s iconic suit. All files you create with these apps will be fully compatible with their Microsoft counterparts.
There is an extra suite of PDF conversion tools in the event you need to export or import in a more ready-friendly format. Plus, the suite is available for free on both Android and iOS devices.
Moreso, WPS is ideal if you are used to a specific interface in Word programs. And want to mimic the experience as closely as possible.
No time to learn new tools? No worries. Even the template options are based on Microsoft’s traditional templates. Making it easy to find your favorite way to start and fill out a document. Plus, the interface more closely resembles newer versions of Microsoft Office than many of our other picks.
So jumping in immediately may be even easier than you expect. In addition, WPS is not content to copy Microsoft in all things, however. The software touts a few useful tools of its own, including organic ways to change paragraph layout with your mouse, and advanced section navigation.
And document tabs that allow you to manage multiple documents quickly. This makes WPS Office a great choice for laptops and/or schoolwork.
Best iMac Office Alternative: iWork
Apple did not set out to make iWork work with Office Docs, but they eventually changed their tune. In today’s world, you need to play nice with Microsoft Office.
Adding increased functionality between these competing software platforms was a necessary step in Apple maintaining and growing its user base. Freelancers and contractors can now easily import MS Office documents into Pages, Numbers, or Keynote and return them to their clients in the appropriate MS Office formats.
These days, even Windows PC users can use iWork if they do not mind doing so via iCloud. Some apps might feel more intuitive than others, depending on how familiar you are with iWork.
The result is comparable to Microsoft Office, but their interfaces don’t necessarily look the same. But once you adjust and master iWork’s layout, you might find navigating it more natural than Microsoft. It may take some time, but it’s well worth it.
It would be best if you kept in mind that using iWork and iCloud together will simplify sharing documents over the cloud and storing them in other locations.
As long as everyone in your team utilizes both, sharing will be seamless. Otherwise, it might be challenging. It is important to note that you will need to download three separate apps to use the iWork suite on your mobile device.
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