8 Microsoft Office Alternatives
Microsoft's Office productivity suite may be the go-to choice for personal and enterprise use, but there are cheaper options available.
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When we think enterprise software, we think Microsoft. It's no secret that Redmond is a dominant force in digital productivity for the world's homes and businesses, and has been for years.
Its flagship Microsoft Office has gone through tremendous changes since Word for MS-DOS premiered in 1990. At that time, the suite was an addition to Windows 2.0, and the computer mouse was considered a luxury.
Twenty-five years later, technology has changed and so has Microsoft. Under the guidance of CEO Satya Nadella, the Office suite is becoming more mobile and cloud-friendly. It's also available to users of rival platforms iOS and Android, a major step forward for a company that has historically limited its software to its own devices.
[ What else is cooking in Redmond? Read: Microsoft Office Delve: Updates, Mobile App. ]
In February 2013, Microsoft released its next-generation Office 365 suite, its most comprehensive cloud-based Office platform yet. The paid service brought common business programs like Lync, Exchange, and Sharepoint on top of traditional Office applications.
The Internet-based service made productivity easier for customers in the cloud. However, it also opened the door for other businesses to compete. While Office may be the most popular brand of productivity software, it is no longer the only viable option.
The past few years have seen the development of programs that can substitute Microsoft's pricey suite with little trouble. Customers who need a word processor, for example, but don't want to pay for Microsoft Word, can now access programs that are easy to access and use.
Alternative productivity suites are available in the cloud or as desktop downloads, depending on personal needs and preferences. Most allow users to view and edit documents from a range of file types, including .doc and .docx. The best part? A chunk of them are free or come at little cost.
If you're in the market for new productivity software, or want to explore the option of using free programs, check out our collection of recommendations. If you're using a product that didn't make the list, feel free to tell us about it in the comments section below.
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The productivity offering from Apache has long been one of the most well-known open source software products on the market. OpenOffice contains six programs based on the same engine, so all are equally simple to navigate. Tools include Writer (for word processing), Impress (presentations), Base (database manipulations), Calc (spreadsheets), Math (equations), and Draw (graphics). While it may not possess the extensive capabilities of Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice is constantly receiving new features and fixes. Because it's open source, it has a user community that engages and works to add to the software. Through OpenOffice, users can also view and save documents from Microsoft Word.
Zoho is a cloud-based Office alternative that resembles Google Docs. Its tools include a word processor, a spreadsheet, and presentation builders, and the ability to add comments or input mathematical equations. Users have access to 5GB of free online storage, two-way desktop syncing, image uploading tools, and task management system. The service automatically saves documents and can export to DOCX, PDF, TXT, RTF, and HTML. Zoho also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android.
While customers can explore Zoho for personal use, the suite has additional functionality for businesses, and features tools for customer support, finance, and human resources.
LibreOffice, a free desktop-based service, split from Apache OpenOffice in 2010. Both continue to use the same source code and feature similar basic productivity tools.
That said, there are a few notable differences. LibreOffice, which works for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, has a close resemblance to Microsoft Office and some more advanced capabilities thanks to greater support from the Document Foundation. It comes with mathematical tools, drawing capabilities and database. The suite also enables users to edit Word documents, track edits and comment, and export documents with additional comments and edits to Microsoft Office. LibreOffice programs are small enough to be stored on hard drives or flash drives for easy transport.
The FreeOffice suite for Windows and Linux is a trimmed-down version of more popular Microsoft alternative SoftMaker Office, which runs for $80 on Windows/Linux and $30 for Android.
FreeOffice programs include TextMaker (word processor), PlanMaker (spreadsheet builder), and Presentations (slideshow creator), and are compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, respectively. The suite, which boasts a streamlined design and high speed, can be loaded onto a flash drive for on-the-go convenience. It's compatible on Windows and Linux devices.
Apple's iWork, also known as Apple Productivity Apps, allows iOS and Mac users to create and edit documents with a range of free tools on their devices. Applications include Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, which support word processing, spreadsheet creation, and presentation development, respectively. All documents are stored in the cloud so that users can access them via iWork on their iOS and Mac devices.
Apple customers can use the productivity suite to collaborate with up to 100 other users, and can edit documents as large as 1GB. New features for the suite include customizable toolbars across apps, page management, and keyboard shortcuts in Pages, multi-column and range sort in Numbers, and display improvements in Keynote. The apps are compatible with files from Microsoft Office. It's not the fastest platform, but it's free and convenient for people who already have Mac or iOS devices.
Google's free online productivity package has the critical functionality behind Microsoft Office without the price tag. The suite packs in Docs (word processor), Sheets (spreadsheet builder) and Slides (presentation creator), and supports a broad variety of file types.
In Google Docs, all documents are stored in Google Drive and centrally located for quick access. Added bonuses include standout collaboration capabilities, which let multiple users view changes to documents in real-time, as well as integration with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google+. The services and storage are both free, but customers can build on their 15GB of storage space for a minimum of $2 a month.
ThinkFree Online is an online program that enables users to open, create, save, and send documents from their browser at no charge. Registrants are given individual storage spaces where they can build documents that are compatible with the Microsoft Office suite. Files are stored to each account so that users can edit as needed. Those looking for on-the-go productivity can download Think Free Mobile so they can access their documents at any time.
Unlike many online productivity offerings, Live Documents displays a virtual desktop to users. Tools embedded in the free suite include a word processor, spreadsheet builder, and presentation creator. Users can import content from Google Docs, add footnotes, and share files with other users. Documents can also be imported from Microsoft Office and LibreOffice.
Unlike many online productivity offerings, Live Documents displays a virtual desktop to users. Tools embedded in the free suite include a word processor, spreadsheet builder, and presentation creator. Users can import content from Google Docs, add footnotes, and share files with other users. Documents can also be imported from Microsoft Office and LibreOffice.
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