An alternative to the Microsoft Office suite of office applications. Free replacement for Microsoft Office download
Office programs are needed on any computer, home or work. Write essays, prepare presentations, calculate the family budget in a table - whatever one may say, you can’t do without standard software. The most popular package is Microsoft Office, but you have to pay for it. But there are other options, absolutely free.
Microsoft Office Online
Platform: web
In fact, Microsoft provides free access to its office suite online through a browser. But not everything: only Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote are available. To work with the web version of MS Office you need Account Microsoft (if you have Skype, you probably have it).
The online version of MS Office, of course, natively supports all formats Microsoft documents- docx, xlsx, pptx and more early versions(doc, xls, ppt), as well as open formats odt, ods, odp. You can use it purely intuitively, since its interface is similar to new versions of desktop Office. Created documents are saved in the OneDrive cloud. This means that you can work together with them - just give access to the right people link.
Documents, however, can be downloaded to a computer in MS Office formats or open formats for offline editing, as well as exported to PDF. Minus - the online version does not support all the functions of the offline editor (for example, a pivot table or an HTML document from Word file you can’t create in it). But overall, Microsoft's offer is quite generous.
Google Docs
Platforms: web, Android
Microsoft would never have brought Office online if Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets didn't exist. The world's most popular office collaboration product, integrated with Google Drive, Android operating system and Chrome browser.
To work, you need a Google account (if you have an Android smartphone, you have one). Google Docs Excellent support for all Microsoft office formats, as well as open document formats. The created files are saved in Google Drive, but they can also be exported to your computer - including in HTML, RTF, TXT and EPUB formats. Or edit offline in a browser: to do this you need to install the Chrome browser extension.
The office product has a minimalistic interface, but is simply packed with various hidden chips- we even . And most importantly, the product is aimed at working together, and provides a lot of opportunities for collective editing of documents, and in real time.
Apple iWork
Platforms: web, Mac OS, iOS
For fans of Apple devices and software, there is a free alternative to “office”. Apple Pages, Numbers, and Keynote let you work with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, respectively.
To work with the package, you need MacOS, where it is preinstalled, or an Apple ID to access iCloud cloud. If you have an iPhone, you have an Apple ID - just go to the iCloud website and enter it. Apple iWork is compatible with Microsoft Office formats and reads them easily. The software package also offers the ability to collaborate with documents, including with PC users (although they will also have to register an Apple ID).
A distinctive feature of this package is the use of branded “chips” Apple technology, like Apple Pencil on iPad. In addition, the interface of the Apple office suite is very different from Microsoft Office - for example, in spreadsheets you will see not a table, but a blank sheet. You'll have to get used to this.
LibreOffice
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS
The most famous Linux editor office documents, developed by volunteers from Open Document Foundation and pre-installed in popular distribution Ubuntu is, in fact, available for almost all platforms - both desktop and mobile. But it does not have a web version, as well as joint editing capabilities - this is a product for individual work with documents.
But it provides analogues of almost all popular elements of the MS Office package: Writer (Word), Calc (Excel), Impress (PowerPoint), Base (Access), Draw (Visio), as well as the Libre Office Math formula editor, which is equivalent in MS Office No. By default, LibreOffice works with the free OpenDocument formats, but can read MS Office documents and export your work to them.
What's not to like to the modern user, it's an old-fashioned editor interface that brings back memories of Office 2003. The lack of collaboration capabilities is also not very encouraging in 2019. And the saddest thing is the LibreOffice mobile applications, which are only capable of viewing files: they cannot be edited. This can be attributed to development on a voluntary basis, but it is already difficult to compete with such opportunities.
OnlyOffice
Platforms: web, Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android
Most interesting OnlyOffice project, it seems, has set himself the goal of embracing the immensity. This is what we think, and OnlyOffice simply decided to create a free office suite that is 100% compatible with official formats Microsoft: docx, xlsx and pptx. Any file (for example, ODF) that gets into OnlyOffice editors is converted into one of them. At the same time, the software itself is open source; it can even be “forked” on GitHub.
The project is interesting because it is cross-platform. First, documents, presentations, and spreadsheets can be shared through a browser. Secondly, desktop versions are different modern interface, similar to the new MS Office. Thirdly, mobile applications are full-featured editors - not like the previous package.
Both a plus and a minus at the same time: the online version of the office suite, in turn, is simple system electronic document management is a business solution. You need to register as a representative of the company, and in the future, pay for space in the cloud. The same applies to mobile applications. Only desktop editors are completely open and free.
WPS Office
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Android, iOS
This office suite is familiar to many users inexpensive phones Chinese assembly. The fact is that this is really a Chinese copy of Microsoft Office, and quite close to the original. The rule “if there is something good in the West,” works 100% here.
The package includes an editor for documents, tables and presentations, as well as programs for working with PDF, including a converter. Collaboration is not provided - this is also an exclusively individual decision. But synchronization of changes on the desktop and mobile devices, as in Google Docs.
But at the same time it is closed - whether to take it on your computer or mobile Chinese program With closed code, depends on your level of paranoia. Although, looking at the list of supported formats, you can close your eyes to this.
OpenOffice
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac OS
Let's write about this editor out of respect, because it is the first competitor to MS Office on the Linux platform. Now he “lives” under the wing of the Apache Foundation, although how to say he lives - the key developers left the project a long time ago, and its condition has changed little since the late 2000s, when it just “took off”.
The package is intended for installation exclusively on the desktop; collaboration capabilities are not provided. But the set of editors is the same as Libre Office, that is, databases, diagrams, presentations, and mathematics.
OpenOffice works great with ODF formats - that's what it's designed for. Support Microsoft formats Office is average, the older the format, the better it is supported. But the interface - welcome to 2003. Moreover, the project is over twenty years old, it is extremely respected, and many continue to use it. Perhaps you are among them?
It is important for every user to have a good text editor.
If you are a student or often face the need to edit text documents, presentations or spreadsheets, you simply need this program.
Of course, Microsoft Office is the best application for working with office files, but sometimes it happens that it is not possible to install it.
That's why today I want to present to your attention a few alternative programs. We hope you choose the app that's right for you.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a free open-source office suite source code. The program is available for operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Also available portable version applications.
LibreOffice includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and database tools. Plus, there are tools for drawing diagrams and editing mathematical equations.
The package supports most existing office file formats. LibreOffice is free product With user-friendly interface and Russian language support.
SoftMaker Office
SoftMaker Office can also replace Microsoft Office. This office suite is available for Windows, Linux, Windows Mobile and Windows CE.
With SoftMaker Office you can process text, scripts, spreadsheets and presentations. The program also offers opportunities to automate routine tasks.
The extended version of SoftMaker Office has the ability to work with by email, contacts. There is also a set of Berlitz dictionaries.
Unlike LibreOffice, this office suite is paid. There is also a free version with some limitations, namely the lack of support for docx, xlsx, pptx formats.
Calligra Suite
Calligra Suite is another office suite. The program consists of six modules: Words word processor, focused on styles and frames, Sheets spreadsheet processor, diagram and flowchart editor, editor for e-books, as well as programs for creating presentations and managing databases.
Plus you get two graphic editor: Krita - oriented towards drawing with tablet device and Karbon - for creating vector graphics.
Calligra Suite is designed for the operating room Linux systems, there is also a version for Windows. By default, Calligra Suite uses the OpenDocument format.
Lotus Symphony
Lotus Symphony is free set office applications. The program includes a text editor, applications for working with spreadsheets and creating presentations.
The package supports Lotus Symphony all popular office document formats: doc, OOXML (MS Office format) and ODF (Open Document Format). One of the interesting features of Lotus Symphony is the integrated browser, which is capable of opening web pages in the main window. Lotus Symphony is an easy-to-use, free program.
Ashampoo Office 2012
The package consists of the TextMaker word processor, the PlanMaker spreadsheet application, and the Presentations presentation tool. Supports all major MS Office formats.
By the way, GUI The application is very similar to the Microsoft Office shell. The application package includes special program allowing you to install Ashampoo Office 2012 not only on your hard drive, but also on a flash drive. This office package is not free and costs RUB 1,959.49.
Google Docs
Online version of the office suite for the lazy and greedy. Google Docs lets you import and create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, then edit them in your web browser.
The service includes the Writely word processor, tools for working with spreadsheets and presentations Spreadsheets and Presentations, respectively. Google Docs supports most popular formats such as DOC, RTF, ODT, ODS, CSV, PPT, XLS and others.
You can create bulleted lists, categorize by column, work with tables, images, and formulas. It is also possible to change fonts, styles, cell background colors and much more.
OpenOffice
Great free analogue of Microsoft Office. OpenOffice supports working with tables and images, text documents of varying complexity, presentations and databases. You can work with a variety of Microsoft Office documents and save them in any format convenient for you.
The package includes six “office” applications - the Writer text editor and Calc, an application for working with spreadsheets. The Impress utility is designed for working with presentations.
To work with vector graphics There is a Draw application. In addition, the set includes Base and Math applications, designed to work with databases and mathematical formulas. You can also note the presence good set templates
Bottom line
So, what would you prefer to use Microsoft Office? Indeed, the task is not easy. The choice is quite large, but there are not so many functional and easy-to-use editors. Personally, I prefer OpenOffice for its simplicity, freeness, stability and high speed.
Today, the Microsoft Office office suite is the de facto standard for Russian-speaking people. Nevertheless, more and more often there are amateurs who do not want to pay money (and not small ones) for use or purchase of Microsoft Office. It is these citizens who will benefit from this article, which examines the most popular analogues of Microsoft office applications.
Today, the Microsoft Office office suite is the de facto standard for Russian-speaking people. Nevertheless, more and more often there are hobbyists who do not want to pay money (and not little) to use or purchase Microsoft Office. It is these citizens who will benefit from this article, which examines the most popular analogues of Microsoft office applications.
Office suite- a set of programs that solve daily tasks users, such as typing, working with tables and databases, creating presentations and others.
In fact, there are quite a lot of office applications (free office) and you can download them for free, although they are little known to the general public. There are both paid and free options and even free ones.
It is clear that it will not be possible to talk about everyone in this article. Therefore, we will only talk about those office packages that meet two criteria: 1) the package runs on the Windows operating system 2) the package is Russified.
1. OpenOffice— The OpenOffice office suite today belongs to the Apache Software Foundation and is distributed freely under the name Apache OpenOffice under the Apache License v2.0. This package includes the following programs.
Writer is a word processor designed both for working with text and being a full-fledged visual HTML editor code. Calc- table processor working with spreadsheets. Base is a DBMS that allows both independent work with databases and connection to external DBMSs. Impress is a program that allows you to create presentations. Draw is a vector editor. Math is a special program that allows you to create various mathematical formulas and embed them in OpenOffice documents. You can download OpenOffice.
2. LibreOffice
— www.libreoffice.org
The LibreOffice office suite is an independent fork OpenOffice package. The package is promoted and developed by the non-profit The Document Foundation. LibreOffice is a free office suite licensed under the Mozilla Public License v2.0. Source code for this software open.
The software composition is similar to OpenOffice. But thanks to great openness and active involvement of the user community, LibreOffice is growing at a tremendous pace. Although for the average user there is no difference between OpenOffice and LibreOffice, for future work it is reasonable to work with LibreOffice.
3. FreeOffice
— www.freeoffice.com/ru
FreeOffice is a very simple office suite from SoftMaker Software GmbH. FreeOffice is free for both home users and commercial organizations. In order to use this office suite, you need to register on the company's website.
The SoftMarker FreeOffice office suite includes only 3 applications: TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations. TextMaker is a word processor that allows you to fully work with text. PlanMaker is a spreadsheet processor that allows you to work with tabular data. Presentations is a program for developing presentations.
In general, this office suite visually resembles Microsoft Office 2003. Despite the small set of programs, this software product is suitable for the everyday work of ordinary users. The product is made with high quality.
4. WPS Office
— www.wps.com
The WPS Office package is produced by Kingsoft and has both paid and free version. WPS Office was previously released under the name Kingsoft Office.
The WPS Office software product is a clone of Microsoft Office. It includes three applications: Writer (working with text), Spreadsheets (working with tables) and Presentation (working with presentations). The interface is designed in the familiar form of Microsoft products.
All of the above packages can open Microsoft Office document formats, providing full or partial compatibility. All of them are distributed free of charge to end user and have a Russian interface, which is an important factor when choosing free analogue such a familiar package as Microsoft Office.
The choice is always yours: either choose a package that suits your immediate needs: typing and creating presentations, or install an office package with a wider range of functions that you need. currently not needed, but will come in handy later.
The first thing that comes to the mind of a young systems engineer is to download Word and download Exel and install it on the computer. Some users have different priorities: download Word first, and only then download Excel. Everything else is not important if not for one BUT!
How to download Word to your computer for free?
Microsoft Word is sold for money separately from the operating system Windows systems. Still, Microsoft Word can be downloaded for free from the official website as part of a free 30-day trial of Office 365 using this link. There is another one legally free option. This is an advanced text editor, an analogue of Word from the LibreOffice (Writer) package, which is fully compatible with Microsoft program Word. Read below about Libre Office and download its fully functional version legally and for free.
How to download Excel for free to your computer?
Like Word, Microsoft Excel is sold separately from the Windows operating system. Just like Word, you can download Microsoft Excel for free from the official website as part of a free 30-day trial of Office 365 using this link. There is also another free version of legal Excel. These are spreadsheets, an analogue of Excel from the Libre Office (Calc) package. This real option free excel download for free, while maintaining full compatibility with Microsoft Excel. Read below about Libra Office and download its fully functional version absolutely free and legally.
Office suite LibreOffice
LibreOffice - freely distributed office programs, similar Microsoft package Office, which is being developed by The Document Foundation as a separate direction from the Open Office. Liber Office shows excellent compatibility with its older brothers from Microsoft and OpenOffice.org in terms of document formats and interface.
Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint documents can be opened, edited and saved in MS-Office formats (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint), and in LibreOffice formats of the corresponding programs.
LibreOffice has high scores in the following parameters:
- functionality,
- format compatibility,
- flexibility of settings,
- and of course, safety.
When you think of office software, Microsoft Office is likely the first thing that comes to mind. This is not surprising, since many computers come with pre-installed Windows and MS Office package. But in most cases it is trial version and to continue using “office” you need to fork out for an Office 365 subscription. Illegal ways to get full version We will not consider MS Office in this article.
Few people can do without a text editor, applications for working with spreadsheets and presentations. Luckily, there is now an excellent selection of free office software available. We found best free alternatives to Microsoft Office, the quality of which is no worse than the “original”.
1. WPS Office
Well designed, powerful and flexible WPS Office – best free office software. WPS Office is not a very well-known office suite, but having reviewed its capabilities and functionality, we can say that it is best alternative MS Office.
In terms of appearance, WPS Office is second to none. If you have used any recent Microsoft version Office, you will immediately feel at home.
WPS Office includes three main applications for working with text, presentations and spreadsheets. The package also offers several additional useful utilities, for example for working with . Not only can you create PDF documents, but also convert PDF to Word and vice versa.
The developers have placed great emphasis on compatibility with MS Office. Each application can also save files to own formats. This free office suite supported on Windows, Linux and even Android.
2. LibreOffice
Complex free office suite with support for cloud data storage services. If you have used Apache OpenOffice, which is described below, you will immediately notice the identity of its retro design. In many ways, this is the same OpenOffice with some differences. LibreOffice uses the same source code, but benefits in speed of development and frequency of updates. Due to active development, you can meet new ones useful features, and also encounter unpleasant bugs.
This office suite comes pre-installed on some distributions and contains many more programs than its competitors: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math and Base.
Those who actively use cloud storage services will appreciate the support Google Drive and the function “ Deleted files" There are also many extensions available to add new features to the package.
3. Apache OpenOffice
Like LibreOffice, Current Package does not stop at 3 applications, but offers as many as 6, including a program for drawing, presentations, creating formulas, working with databases, calculations and text editing. The impressive thing is that it covers almost all the needs of an office worker.
Open source office suite Apache code OpenOffice receives frequent updates and is superior to MS Office. The free license allows you to use it for personal or business purposes. The interface looks a little dated and lags far behind other packages, reminiscent of programs from the 90s.
4. SoftMaker FreeOffice
Gorgeous alternative to Microsoft Office with the ability to create e-books
Although SoftMaker FreeOffice is available completely free of charge, you need to go through an activation process to complete the installation and unlock all the software's features.
You'll immediately find that SoftMaker FreeOffice includes three familiar office programs - PlanMaker - a spreadsheet, TextMaker - a text editor, and Presentations - a tool for working with slideshows and presentations.
You can save documents not only in familiar formats, but also as PDF or ePub books. Free office suite available for Windows users, Linux and Android devices. There is also a portable version that works from a USB flash drive. We recommend.
5. SSuite Office Premium HD+
Free cross-platform package with a well-chosen set of tools. Even though this package has been optimized for high-resolution displays, its design is a little unattractive. But if you can close your eyes to the imperfect appearance, consider that you have a high-quality office suite.
If you have to work with different operating systems, this package works seamlessly and looks the same on , Linux and Windows.
The developer of this free alternative to MS Office admitted that most people are interested in word processors and email tables, and eliminated the presentation tool you never use. Many others have been deployed to fill the gap useful tools, including an image editor, video conferencing application, calendar and personal manager, a web browser, and even an envelope printing utility. All the tools are quite simple and reliable.
6. Google Docs
Our review wouldn't be complete if we skipped Google Docs. Google Docs is online version office applications. This service allows you to edit text, create tables or slide shows directly in your browser.
Files that the user creates are saved in cloud service Google. You can download them at any time and continue working on any device, wherever you are. Supports collaboration on files, viewing changes and exporting in all popular formats. This best online service for office work.
Bottom line
In this review we looked at the main MS Office alternatives. As you can see, you have enough big choice among free office packages. Pay attention to the application interface. It is important that it does not take you long to get used to the new design. Choose programs that are as compatible as possible with common formats. Good luck.
