Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LibreOffice VS Apache OpenOffice

Compare LibreOffice VS Apache OpenOffice and see what are their differences

LibreOffice logo LibreOffice

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

Apache OpenOffice logo Apache OpenOffice

Apache OpenOffice is an open source, office document productivity suite.
  • LibreOffice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-15
  • Apache OpenOffice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-13

LibreOffice features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    LibreOffice is completely free to download and use, and as an open-source project, its source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and distribute.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    LibreOffice can be used on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broad availability and support.
  • Strong Community Support
    The LibreOffice community offers extensive support through forums, documentation, and regular updates, ensuring continued improvements and user assistance.
  • Compatibility with Multiple File Formats
    LibreOffice supports a wide range of file formats, including Microsoft Office documents, making it easy to work with files created in other office suites.
  • Feature-Rich Suite
    LibreOffice includes powerful tools like Writer (word processor), Calc (spreadsheet), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics), Base (database), and Math (formula editor).

Possible disadvantages of LibreOffice

  • Compatibility Issues
    Although LibreOffice supports many file formats, there might be occasional compatibility issues with complex Microsoft Office documents, leading to formatting problems.
  • User Interface
    Some users find LibreOffice's user interface to be less polished and more dated compared to more modern office suites like Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
  • Learning Curve
    Switching from another office suite to LibreOffice can involve a learning curve, as users may need to familiarize themselves with different tools and features.
  • Limited Cloud Integration
    LibreOffice offers limited cloud storage and collaboration features compared to other cloud-based office suites like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
  • Performance
    For very large or complex documents, LibreOffice may sometimes lag or perform slower compared to other proprietary office software.

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.

LibreOffice videos

Microsoft Office vs LibreOffice | How to Make the Change

More videos:

  • Review - LibreOffice Overview

Apache OpenOffice videos

Apache OpenOffice Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice)
Office Suites
59 59%
41% 41
Project Management
62 62%
38% 38
Office & Productivity
56 56%
44% 44
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

LibreOffice Reviews

Top Alternatives to Microsoft Office Suite
LibreOffice is a powerful open-source office suite that includes Writer, Calc, Impress, and more. With a user-friendly interface and compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, LibreOffice is an excellent alternative for businesses looking to save costs without compromising on functionality.
Source: saaszeal.com
10 Best Visio Alternatives for Cost Effective Diagramming [2022]
LibreOffice is a free and open-source office productivity software suite, a project of The Document Foundation. It was forked in 2010 from OpenOffice.org, an open-sourced version of the earlier StarOffice.

Apache OpenOffice Reviews

We have no reviews of Apache OpenOffice yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

LibreOffice might be a bit more popular than Apache OpenOffice. We know about 15 links to it since March 2021 and only 13 links to Apache OpenOffice. 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.

LibreOffice mentions (15)

  • If I can add a PDF as an object to a Word file without Acrobat?
    Install LibreOffice (https://libreoffice.org) – free. Then open it in Draw and save as PNG or SVG. The latter will give you a vectorial file. Import those files in Word. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Is libre office free?
    Libre office is open source and free. Ignore the MS store , download it from libreoffice.org. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • What comes to your mind when you hear the words ‘tech abuse’?
    Microsoft Office -- Libreoffice. A customizable free and open source office suite. Source: about 2 years ago
  • An explanation of what we're talking about over here
    First, what is a distro? Distro, is short for distribution. A Linux distribution is basically an operating system, with added software (for example LibreOffice. In Linux there are a lot of distributions. This is because each distribution has a different idea on how things should be done. For example: one distribution uses the GNOME desktop, while the other uses KDE/Plasma, for example. There are a lot of ways in... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Windows Defender problem
    You either buy a license or resort to solutions like this: Https://libreoffice.org. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

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: about 2 years ago
  • What software is so good you can’t believe it’s free?
    Apache Open Office - it does everything Microsoft Office does but it's free. Just go to openoffice.org. Source: about 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: over 2 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: over 2 years ago
  • I am so burned out from any “Admin” 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: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice, 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

ONLYOFFICE - ONLYOFFICE is a complete office and productivity suite.

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

Polaris Office - Polaris Office is the most compatible all-in-one office suite that lets you create and edit documents for free.

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

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.