Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Apache OpenOffice VS ONLYOFFICE

Compare Apache OpenOffice VS ONLYOFFICE and see what are their differences

Apache OpenOffice logo Apache OpenOffice

Apache OpenOffice is an open source, office document productivity suite.

ONLYOFFICE logo ONLYOFFICE

ONLYOFFICE is a complete office and productivity suite.
  • Apache OpenOffice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-13
  • ONLYOFFICE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20

Apache OpenOffice features and specs

  • Cost
    Apache OpenOffice is free to use, eliminating the need for purchasing licenses, which is particularly beneficial for individuals or businesses with limited budgets.
  • Compatibility
    OpenOffice supports a variety of file formats, including those from Microsoft Office (e.g., .docx, .xlsx), making it easier to work with files created in other office software.
  • Open-Source
    Being open-source, the software allows users to view, modify, and distribute the source code, promoting transparency and enabling community-driven improvements.
  • Cross-Platform
    It runs on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility and versatility for users across different platforms.
  • Functionality
    Offers a comprehensive suite of applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases, covering the majority of office needs.

Possible disadvantages of Apache OpenOffice

  • User Interface
    The user interface is considered outdated compared to more modern office software, which may affect user experience and ease of use.
  • Performance
    OpenOffice can be slower and less responsive than contemporary office suites, especially when handling large documents or complex tasks.
  • Limited Support
    While there is community support, professional or immediate customer service options are limited, which could be a disadvantage for users requiring timely assistance.
  • Development
    The pace of development and updates for OpenOffice has been slower compared to competitors, potentially missing out on new features and improvements.
  • Interoperability Issues
    Despite broad file support, there may still be occasional compatibility issues with certain Microsoft Office documents, leading to formatting or functionality discrepancies.

ONLYOFFICE features and specs

  • Compatibility
    ONLYOFFICE is highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX) and also supports other common document formats like PDF, ODF, and more.
  • Collaboration
    It provides real-time collaborative editing features, allowing multiple users to work on a document simultaneously with various co-editing and commenting functionalities.
  • Cross-Platform
    ONLYOFFICE is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, enabling users to work seamlessly across different operating systems.
  • Integrations
    It integrates well with third-party services and platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Nextcloud for enhanced functionality and ease of access to files.
  • Open Source
    ONLYOFFICE offers an open-source version, giving users the ability to review, modify, and improve the source code according to their needs.
  • Interface
    The user interface is clean and modern, designed to be intuitive for users coming from other popular office suites like Microsoft Office.

Possible disadvantages of ONLYOFFICE

  • Resource Usage
    ONLYOFFICE can be resource-intensive, particularly when handling large or complex documents, which might slow down older or less powerful computers.
  • Features
    While feature-rich, it may lack some advanced functionalities available in other established office suites, particularly those tailored for very specific or advanced use cases.
  • Learning Curve
    New users, especially those accustomed to other office suites, might face a slight learning curve initially due to differences in the user interface and feature set.
  • Dependence on Internet
    Some collaboration features are dependent on internet connectivity, which can be a limitation in environments with unreliable internet access.
  • Support and Documentation
    While there is a community and some official documentation, the level of support and abundance of tutorials might not be as comprehensive as those available for more mainstream office suites.
  • Security Concerns
    As with any software that handles sensitive data, there can be concerns over data security and privacy, particularly with the cloud components of ONLYOFFICE.

Analysis of Apache OpenOffice

Overall verdict

  • While Apache OpenOffice remains a viable option for many users due to its no-cost advantage and solid basic features, it has been overshadowed by competitors like LibreOffice, which often offer more frequent updates, better support for modern file formats, and improved performance. Recent concerns have also been raised regarding the infrequency of its updates and the potential security risks associated with that.

Why this product is good

  • Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office software suite that provides users with word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and database management applications. Its accessibility and cost-free nature make it an attractive option for individuals or organizations looking for basic office suite functionality without incurring licensing fees. It also supports a wide array of file formats, including Microsoft Office formats, making it a flexible tool for document sharing and collaboration.

Recommended for

    Apache OpenOffice is recommended for users who need a straightforward, cost-free office software suite and do not require the most cutting-edge features or high-level collaboration tools. Additionally, it may be suitable for users who prioritize stability over frequent updates and those operating on older systems where lightweight software is preferred.

Analysis of ONLYOFFICE

Overall verdict

  • ONLYOFFICE is a solid choice for users looking for an affordable, versatile office suite that offers strong collaboration capabilities and extensive format support. Whether you need basic document handling or advanced office productivity, it can serve as a reliable alternative to pricier office solutions.

Why this product is good

  • ONLYOFFICE offers a comprehensive suite of office applications that are compatible with Microsoft Office, making it easy to use for individuals and businesses familiar with traditional office software.
  • It provides a collaborative platform which is beneficial for teams, allowing real-time co-editing and file sharing within the cloud.
  • The software supports multiple formats and offers robust functionality including document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools.
  • It has both cloud-based and on-premises deployment options, which offer flexibility depending on user needs and privacy concerns.
  • ONLYOFFICE has a clean, intuitive user interface, making it easy to navigate even for those less tech-savvy.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a cost-effective, collaborative office suite.
  • Educational institutions that need versatile, easy-to-use software for staff and students.
  • Individuals and teams that require compatibility with Microsoft Office formats but prefer lower cost alternatives.
  • Organizations that prioritize data privacy and flexibility in deployment, allowing optional on-premises hosting.

Apache OpenOffice videos

Apache OpenOffice Review

ONLYOFFICE videos

OnlyOffice - Key Feature Goodness

More videos:

  • Review - OnlyOffice - This may be the Office you're looking for
  • Review - OnlyOffice, a free, self hosted,, open source office suite that can replace Microsoft Office easily!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache OpenOffice and ONLYOFFICE)
Project Management
42 42%
58% 58
Office Suites
51 51%
49% 49
Office & Productivity
61 61%
39% 39
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Apache OpenOffice and ONLYOFFICE. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Apache OpenOffice and ONLYOFFICE

Apache OpenOffice Reviews

We have no reviews of Apache OpenOffice yet.
Be the first one to post

ONLYOFFICE Reviews

25 Best Asana Alternatives & Competitors for Project Management in 2024
The next Asana alternative is ONLYOFFICE, a feature-rich project tool complete with collaborative online document editors for all types of teams and industries. In addition, ONLYOFFICEโ€™s project hierarchy is easy to customize using milestones, tasks, and subtasks for optimal organization.
Source: clickup.com
Top Alternatives to Microsoft Office Suite
ONLYOFFICE combines document editing, project management, and CRM capabilities in a single platform. Its versatility and integration options make it suitable for businesses looking to centralize their operations.
Source: saaszeal.com
The Best 21 Sharepoint Alternatives in 2019
ONLYOFFICE will let you doubt the necessity of a physical office by offering hosting services with many additional features. Hosting companies are experts at securing online information. Because theyโ€™re knowledgeable about hosting, they can help you keep your companyโ€™s documents safe. They have expert encryption procedures and portal access features. This means you can store...
7 SharePoint Alternatives that Actually Get the Job Done
ONLYOFFICE is a cloud office solution to help teams share documents. Its primary selling point is that itรขย€ย™s compatible with Microsoft Suite. While itรขย€ย™s not that sophisticated, ONLYOFFICE is certainly cheaper than some other SharePoint alternative options.
Source: www.process.st

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Apache OpenOffice seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 13 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apache OpenOffice mentions (13)

  • "Why people pirate Microsoft Word" and the problems with everyday software like Microsoft Office being ridiculously expensive.
    These people need openoffice.org lol. Most of the tools that micro$oft makes are easily found in open source elsewhere, if one just looks around a bit. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What software is so good you canโ€™t believe itโ€™s free?
    Apache Open Office - it does everything Microsoft Office does but it's free. Just go to openoffice.org. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Anyone else have this issue?
    For those who want to write it, read it, and delete it at any time, there is an easy, free alternative: OpenOffice. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Ex Muslim needs a helping hand
    You can try to use canva.com to help design pieces or work or projects for clients. Try using openoffice.org or libreoffice.org create documents, slide presentations, or posters. You can learn basic programming and coding through https://www.freecodecamp.org/ and khanacademy.org with other sites listed at https://skillcrush.com/blog/64-online-resources-to-learn-to-code-for-free/, learn digital marketing and... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • I am so burned out from any โ€œAdminโ€ position
    Lets roll back 20 years to 2002. We looked after PC's running 2000 and XP. A couple of servers, Exchange 5.5/2000, maybe venturing onto a server for File storage and a few app servers. Nothing really broke all that often (even though back then we thought it did). We would upgrade some PC's, deal with printer driver issues, Installed Roxio countless number of times and if we had time looked at implementing a... Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

ONLYOFFICE mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ONLYOFFICE yet. Tracking of ONLYOFFICE recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache OpenOffice and ONLYOFFICE, you can also consider the following products

Microsoft 365 - Boost your productivity with reliable access anywhere with services like email, calendar, file sharing, meetings, instant messaging, and Office Online

LibreOffice - Free office suite, open source, and compatible with .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx files. Updated regularly โ€“ download for free. Originally based on OpenOffice.org.

WPS Office - Would you need Office Word, Excel or PowerPoint for Home, business or School? WPS.com would give you right version for you.

SoftMaker Office - SoftMaker Office is one of the most powerful and reliable office suite that is fully compatible with the MS Office Suite.

Asana - Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

Zoho Docs - Zoho Docs is an online document management software that lets you manage and store all your files on the cloud. Share, collaborate and access all your files on multiple devices.