Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Microsoft Project VS Apache OpenOffice

Compare Microsoft Project VS Apache OpenOffice and see what are their differences

Microsoft Project logo Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office Project gives you robust project management tools with the right blend of...

Apache OpenOffice logo Apache OpenOffice

Apache OpenOffice is an open source, office document productivity suite.
  • Microsoft Project Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-18
  • Apache OpenOffice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-13

Microsoft Project features and specs

  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    Microsoft Project integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products like Office 365, Teams, and SharePoint, making it easier to manage projects within a familiar ecosystem.
  • Advanced Scheduling
    The software offers robust scheduling tools, including Gantt charts, which help in planning and tracking project timelines effectively.
  • Resource Management
    Microsoft Project provides detailed resource management features, allowing project managers to allocate resources and monitor workloads efficiently.
  • Customization
    The platform allows for extensive customization to fit various business needs, including custom fields, project templates, and visual reports.
  • Cloud-based Support
    With Microsoft Project Online, users can access project data from anywhere, facilitating better collaboration among distributed teams.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Project

  • Complexity
    The software has a steep learning curve, which can be challenging for new users or smaller teams without dedicated project management expertise.
  • Cost
    Microsoft Project can be expensive, especially for smaller organizations, as it requires a subscription to Microsoft 365 in addition to the software license.
  • Limited Agile Support
    While it excels in traditional project management methodologies, Microsoft Project offers limited support for Agile project management practices.
  • Lack of Real-time Collaboration
    While Microsoft Project Online improves on this, the desktop version lacks real-time collaborative features found in other modern project management tools.
  • Performance
    The software can become slow when dealing with very large projects, complex datasets, or numerous integrations.

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.

Analysis of Microsoft Project

Overall verdict

  • Microsoft Project is considered a good option for organizations and teams that require robust project management capabilities, especially those that are already using Microsoft products. However, it might have a steep learning curve for new users and may not be the best fit for smaller teams or simpler projects due to its complexity and cost.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft Project is a widely used project management software that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for planning, executing, and tracking projects. It provides features such as Gantt charts, project scheduling, resource management, and collaboration capabilities, which make it a strong choice for handling complex projects. Its integration with other Microsoft Office products also enhances its functionality, providing a seamless experience for users already within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Recommended for

    Microsoft Project is recommended for medium to large organizations, project managers, and teams managing complex projects that require detailed planning, scheduling, and resource management. It is particularly suitable for users who prefer a software that integrates well with other Microsoft tools and services.

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.

Microsoft Project videos

Microsoft Project Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Microsoft Project 2020: Project Management Overview
  • Review - Project Tools Review: Microsoft Project vs. Smartsheet

Apache OpenOffice videos

Apache OpenOffice Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft Project and Apache OpenOffice)
Project Management
69 69%
31% 31
Office Suites
0 0%
100% 100
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Office & Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

Microsoft Project Reviews

10 Best Software For Project Management in 2022
Let’s start the selection with one of the most popular project management programs: MS Project. This tool, developed by Microsoft, is often used in universities on practical assignments, as well as in large companies. It includes all the necessary functionality for working on a project: planning, resource allocation and analysis.
Source: medium.com
12 BEST Wrike Alternatives for Project Management in 2022
Microsoft project Integrated planning tools help you seamlessly keep track of your projects. The tool offers a powerful, visually enhanced way to manage a wide range of projects and programs efficiently.
Source: www.guru99.com
18 Valuable Wrike Alternatives To Crush Project Management In 2022
It depends on your needs and your team. As its name suggests, Microsoft Project includes features designed for experienced project managers handling complex work. Wrike’s templates make it a better choice for teams less experienced or less focused on project work.
Source: snacknation.com
29 Best Alternatives to Dapulse (Now Monday.com)
Microsoft Project is a project management software with a rich history of helping teams achieve their business goals. It is designed to help project managers and teams complete complex projects in just a few simple steps.
10 of the Best Microsoft Project Alternatives
Trying to find a happy median between the most basic project management tools and a high-end app like Microsoft Project, Workzone claims to have a solution that is “just right”. Their project dashboard offers a view of all projects currently active, allowing everyone on the team to stay caught up. Other features like their to-do lists, commenting system, and its reporting...

Apache OpenOffice Reviews

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

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.

Microsoft Project mentions (0)

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

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 Microsoft Project and Apache OpenOffice, you can also consider the following products

Basecamp - A simple and elegant project management system.

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.

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.

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

Wrike - Wrike is a flexible, scalable, and easy-to-use collaborative work management software that helps high-performance teams organize and accomplish their work. Try it now.

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