Being able to create and modify various types of documents is one of the basic needs of students, staff, and others. The most common solution is the Microsoft Office suite, a powerful functional tool that is easy enough to use even by those with little computer knowledge. In many companies, this program is almost indispensable.
The only problem is that Microsoft programs like Office are paid. But don’t worry. There’re many free alternatives available today that are of an excellent standard and with which you can create and modify various types of documents without any problems.
In this article, we show you all the possible options (free and paid) where you can replace Microsoft’s programs and save money.
Best Free and Paid Alternatives to Microsoft Office Software
Computer buyers do this primarily for business, and the ability to create or edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations is essential. The Microsoft Office suite has a program dedicated to each of these needs, but it’s not the only one.
The packages we will see below are a choice with similar programs almost entirely interchangeable. It is easy to use with many advanced features and handy home, professional, and office tools. Here are the best suites with free (or paid) alternatives to Microsoft Office software:
LibreOffice
A truly complete package, very reminiscent of Microsoft, with the difference that it’s free. This is undoubtedly the best choice if you’re looking for an alternative at home.
Inside LibreOffice, you’ll find even more programs than the original Microsoft suite. The great thing is that although it’s free, it supports many languages. In our opinion, it’s the best choice for both personal and professional use.
SoftMaker Office
SoftMaker Office is a professional alternative to Microsoft, which has grown significantly lately. It’s available with a one or 12-month subscription and is very low priced. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, it provides a solution to handle text and documents of any size.
You can also download a free version from the site, which is only valid for 30 days. After this period for the full version, purchasing a product code to enter and activate all features will be necessary.
iWork
With this program, as soon as you turn on your computer, you will immediately find the tools with which you can create essential documents and write entire books. You will also find a very advanced and powerful spreadsheet that can tackle Excel on almost equal terms.
It has everything and more. Besides having a high-quality product, one of the main advantages is the ability to collaborate with your colleagues. This feature is excellent, and you can edit documents in real-time, thanks to iCloud.
When you need to have a Mac and forward a document to a colleague using Windows or Linux, you must remember to export it with an extension compatible with their program.
GSuite
If you’re always connected and have a stable internet network, you don’t need to install any software on your computer. Just use the browser for this. G Suite from Google for creating all kinds of documents is remarkable. It’s free, powerful, and available on any device.
Whether you need to write, create a CV or presentation, place an order, check your spending, and more, you can do it seamlessly with various Google products. All are free if you have a Gmail account and are always connected to the internet.
The main advantage is the convenience, and the documents are stored online on your GDrive, where you have up to 5 GB of free space. So you can access them instantly from any computer, smartphone, or tablet, share them with your friends by sending a simple link, and collaborate with your colleagues in real-time to see what and how they’re changing.
The downside is that there aren’t enough advanced features for those who need professional use, and the software, which is relatively new in general, isn’t as high-end as Microsoft’s.
Microsoft 365 Online
If you can’t do without Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you have a chance to use them for free (legally)! This is the online version of this suite called Microsoft 365 and is available to anyone with a Hotmail, Outlook, or Live account. For those familiar with these programs, there isn’t much to say about their features. On the other hand, there is more to talk about usability. First, keep in mind that everything is online, and, like Google, you must have the internet to access your documents.
The only exception is if you install Word, Excel, and similar applications on your smartphone or tablet. With them, you can create documents for free and save them in the device memory.
The apps are free but have limited functionality. To take advantage of all the advanced functionality, such as add-ins for Excel and the like, you must sign up for a Microsoft subscription and purchase the standard version for desktop.
