When it comes to office suite of applications, you can't help but remember Microsoft Office. However, in addition to the productivity application from the Redmond company being paid, it does not have support for the Linux platform, which also includes the Regata OS, which can alienate new users, although the software can be run with the help of the tool. Wine, however, this method is not for everyone.
Fortunately, the fact that Microsoft Office does not have support for the Regata OS may not be a big problem, as there are several alternatives that are free and cross-platform, from online solutions to programs that can be installed on the computer, many of which are compatible with Microsoft Office documents. Get to know some of these suite of office applications right now.
WPS Office, for those looking for familiarity with Microsoft Office
Among the office application suites we've separated here, the WPS Office is certainly the one offering the most similar experience to Microsoft Office. In it, you will find alternatives to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, which are Write, Spreadsheets and Presentation, respectively.
The software also has excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats and has a customizable interface that can be adapted to your preference.
LibreOffice, the most feature-rich alternative
Unlike many free alternatives available on the market to Microsoft productivity software, the powerful open source office suite is distributed in a single package, meaning all tools and features are included, without this version with less or more apps and features.
The tools offered by LibreOffice include Writer, for texts, Calc, for spreadsheets, Print, for presentations, Draw for drawings, Base for database and Math for editing mathematical equations and formulas.
ONLYOFFICE, excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office files
If you are looking for a suite of office applications that offers a modern, intuitive interface as well as excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office files, the ONLYOFFICE might be a good alternative. Furthermore, another advantage of ONLYOFFICE is its support for open document formats and its cloud services, which can be used free of charge by non-profit organizations and for education purposes.
SoftMaker FreeOffice calls itself the best free alternative to Microsoft Office
According to its own developers, "after using it you will agree that it is the best free alternative to Microsoft Office". This is FreeOffice, an office suite complete with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation application, promising to be perfectly compatible with Microsoft Office. With this software, you can not only open but also save documents in Microsoft file formats: DOCX, XLSX and PPTX. With this, you can share files directly with Microsoft Office users, without having to export them first.
For real-time collaboration, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
The Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
Google's online suite of office applications also features integration with other Google products, including, of course, search, giving you features you won't find in any other software on the market. Its relatively simple interface also makes life easier for new users.
After all, what to look for in an alternative to Microsoft Office?
When evaluating alternatives to Microsoft Office, don't try to replicate all the functionality, just the ones you really need and use the most. Depending on your situation, this could mean a robust application for creating spreadsheets, presentations, or the ability to access files from anywhere and share them with members of your remote team.
So, look for a suite that, in addition to offering alternatives to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, can open and edit Microsoft Office formats without too many problems. Also, how you access the features of an office suite matters as much as the features themselves. Make sure you're comfortable with the way a suite presents its tools and that you don't have to look far to find those features you'll use a lot.
You may need to collaboratively create files or share them with your team. If that's the case for you, look for an alternative that includes support for easy cloud file sharing, as well as the ability to let others collaborate on creating your document (ie, make edits and comments to a document) in real time.
Do you use any of these Microsoft Office alternatives? Let us know your thoughts on the matter with a message in the comments below.
