- The most effective options to Microsoft Workplace supply related options, and most are free.
- We tried ten completely different Workplace options to separate the most effective from the worst.
- Google Workspace is an easy, free, and acquainted different.
Microsoft Office is a sophisticated and feature-rich office suite, but it isn’t without flaws. Office 365 is available for $99.95 a year. On top of your other several memberships, that’s a big fee.
It’s also complicated, with a vast range of options and advanced functions that go far beyond what most individuals require on a daily basis. These Microsoft Office alternatives are low-cost, simple to use, and handle Microsoft Office file types.
Google Workspace
Google Workspace has established itself as the highest different to Microsoft Workplace. It is free and intuitive, and it bundles 15GB of free area for storing your information.
- Value: Free
- Cloud-based: Sure
- Free cloud storage: 15GB
- Desktop OS Help: Any
- Cellular apps: Android, iOS
Workspace is a collection of Google apps. Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides are the most popular. Alternatives to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint are available.
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that also serves as a connector between various programs.
Apps work with any modern web browser and have a simple, traditional UI. With only a few clicks, you may share a document or spreadsheet. Each user in the page is readily visible, allowing for real-time collaboration.
Google Workspace can handle Office files, however intricate formatting may result in issues. Large papers can cause problems for Google’s online apps. Most capabilities require an Internet connection, though document editing can be done without one.
iWork
The newest updates to iWork make it a wise selection throughout Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
- Value: Free
- Cloud-based: No
- Free cloud storage: None
- Desktop OS Help: MacOS
- Cellular apps: iOS
You’ll appreciate iWork’s user-friendly UI. It’s more sleek than Google Workspace and less cluttered than Office. The iWork interface has been tweaked to perform well on any screen size, so it doesn’t overwhelm the smaller screens of an iPhone or iPad. Apple Pencil, iCloud sync, and Handoff are all supported by iWork.
Apple’s iWork program can read and write Microsoft Office files. Compatibility is extensive and consistent. Because iWork’s file formats are not supported by other office software, you may find yourself working in Office file types regularly.
iWork is capable, yet its capabilities are limited. Word, Excel, and Powerpoint have replacements in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, but that’s it. The iWork online app from Apple is likewise lacking. Apple makes it obvious that you should use iWork on an Apple device. However, if you’re already an Apple lover, iWork could be ideal for you.
Zoho Docs
Zoho Docs debuted over a decade in the past and made a reputation of itself as an underdog to Google Docs. It is a cloud-based productiveness service that is free to use and afford perks much like Google’s.
- Value: Free
- Cloud-based: Sure
- Free cloud storage: 5GBÂ
- Desktop OS Help: Any
- Cellular apps: Android, iOS
Zoho cranks up the simplicity. The Writer app starts with a blank white page and a cursor that is ready to accept content. The Sheet and Show apps are more complicated than Microsoft Office’s counterparts, yet they are still less frightening.
The compatibility with Office file formats is great, with no visible issues in any of the documents or spreadsheets that we opened. However, formatting can vary. For example, bullet lists contain significantly smaller bullets and much more spacing.
Documents can be edited in any web browser and readily shared via e-mail. Collaboration is straightforward and rapid. Individuals and businesses with less than six members can use Zoho Docs for free, with each user receiving 5GB of storage.
WPS Workplace
WPS Workplace mirrors the appearance and feel of Microsoft Workplace, together with the ribbon-style interface. It affords options to Phrase, Excel, and Powerpoint and features a PDF reader.
- Value: FreeÂ
- Cloud-based: No
- Free cloud storage: 1GB
- Desktop OS Help: Home windows, Mac, Linux
- Cellular apps: Android, iOS
WPS Office documents look just like Office documents, right down to the bullet list style and page break spacing. If you want the look and feel of Microsoft Office without the cost, this is great news.
WPS Office is a standalone program. WPS Cloud provides web access, but the company’s cloud-based solution is clumsy.
WPS Office is available for free, however there are certain restrictions, such as a limited version history. You can purchase a lifetime license for $79.99 or upgrade to a subscription for $29.99 per year. Those who don’t want to be tied to a subscription may appreciate the final alternative, which is nearly half the price of Microsoft Office 2019.
LibreOffice
Wish to kick it old style with a workplace suite that does not embrace cloud-based nonsense? LibreOffice is for you.
- Value: Free
- Cloud-based: No
- Free cloud storage: No
- Desktop OS Help: Home windows, Mac, Linux
- Cellular apps: None
This open-source suite evolved from StarOffice, a Microsoft Office competitor that was first released in 1985. StarOffice branched into open source as OpenOffice, which evolved into LibreOffice as Office grew in popularity.
Opening LibreOffice is like stepping into a 2006 time machine. Apps resemble Microsoft Office 2003, the last edition before the ribbon interface was introduced. LibreOffice, on the other hand, is up to date when it comes to Office file support and display. The file compatibility is extensive, and the formatting is frequently similar to that of Microsoft’s suite.
Cloud storage, real-time collaboration, and mobile apps are all missing from LibreOffice. Because there are no online features, you will never need an Internet connection, making LibreOffice ideal if you do not have consistent Internet access.
What else we thought-about
- FreeOffice (Free): FreeOffice is a free workplace suite that intently mirrors Microsoft Workplace. We want WPS Workplace, however FreeOffice is price a glance.
- Dropbox Paper (Free): Paper is an easy doc editor from Dropbox. It focuses closely on collaboration and it is not a real different to Microsoft Workplace.
- OfficeSuite ($29.99/year): One other Workplace clone, OfficeSuite consists of a substitute for Outlook and supplies 50GB of storage. There is no free model or lifetime license.
- OpenOffice (Free): OpenOffice is an open-source workplace suite like LibreOffice. It is not as regularly up to date, so LibreOffice is often the higher selection.
- Polaris Office ($39.99/year): Polaris Workplace makes an attempt to rival Microsoft Workplace, however its pricing and lack of a free trial make it robust to suggest.
- WordPerfect ($249.99): A strong Microsoft Workplace different, WordPerfect’s excessive pricing places it out of attain of residence customers and college students.
- Calligra (Free): One other open-source suite, Calligra is engaging however primarily targets Linux customers.
