While Microsoft Office is still the ubiquitous choice for word processing, slideshow presentations, spreadsheet calculations, and many more digital tasks, there are still plenty of free alternatives. Avoid freeware full of ads and check out these free productivity suites. + Familiar interface + Touchscreen compatibility + For Windows, Mac, and Linux + Free to use. If you are looking for a free and easy alternative to Microsoft Office, then FreeOffice is the suite. For Microsoft Word and Office aficionados, the best possible free online alternative for their document editing needs is definitely Word online, which comes as part of the Office Online suite. Although free MS Word web app is not a full-fledged version of its paid counterpart, it allows you to open, create and edit Word documents online.
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Microsoft Office is one of the most frequently used application suites across the globe. It has been a business staple for decades and is also frequently used in homes and schools. Many Windows users who consider switching to the Mac often cite the need for Office among their biggest hesitations or concerns about making the switch.
While a Mac version of Office has been around as long as Office itself, it’s a costly prospect for many consumers, and the Mac version often lags behind the release cycle of the Windows version. Add to that the fact that an Intel-native version of Office has yet to be released, and it becomes clear why alternative products are something worth exploring for any Mac user—especially when there are some great alternatives available.
iWork
One of the first alternatives that spring to mind for many people is Apple’s iWork, perhaps because a trial version is included with every Mac (along with a demo version of Microsoft Office). iWork consists of a word processing tool called Pages and a presentation tool called Keynote (Apple is rumored to be developing a spreadsheet tool to be included with the next release of iWork).
While Pages can technically be called a word processing application, it’s actually a combination word processor and layout tool. For consumers and small organizations, it can function as both an alternative to Word and as a low-cost alternative to the basic features of InDesign or Quark.
Pages, which features an interface that’s similar to iWeb’s interface, lets users easily add pictures via the iLife Media Browser, develop charts, create pages of text or text boxes, insert tables and columns, and make use of a variety of formatting tools. Like iWeb, it features an Inspector palette that can be used to apply all manner of effects to included text, shapes, charts, tables, and images—making it easy to create visually stunning documents quickly and easily.
Pages supports importing from and exporting to Word format, although it cannot directly open or save Word documents. Imported documents do maintain Word formatting and styles and if a document is created from a Word template, all style information will be retained. Pages does have a user interface that is a complete departure from that of any office suite. Combined with the fact that it works much like a layout tool, this can make transitioning between Pages and Word a bit of a challenge. Also, it doesn’t offer support for many of Word’s advanced features.
Keynote is, in some ways, more impressive than PowerPoint. It offers a wide variety of templates and transitions that are visually stunning. Like Pages, it offers access to photos and other digital media via the iLife Media Browser and offers a wide range of effects that can be easily rendered to any slide elements. Keynote’s user interface includes many elements similar to iWeb and Pages (including the Inspector). However, its interface remains more standard than that of Pages. Unfortunately, while Keynote is an amazing tool, it offers no compatibility with PowerPoint or other Office file formats—meaning that to play a presentation requires Keynote (although presentations can be exported as QuickTime video files).
Which Microsoft Word alternative is right you, depends almost entirely on what you want to use the program for. If it’s important for you to have a lot of options regarding text design, you need a different program compared to those who just concentrating solely on writing. Also, the alternatives to Microsoft Word all take up different amounts of memory – or you could also choose an online program that doesn’t require any space on your hard drive. An important prerequisite is that the program is compatible with your operating system.
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Word alternatives in comparison
Suitable for | Mobile version | DOCX files | Features | Languages | |
OpenOffice Writer | Windows, Linux, Mac, Solars, FreeBSD | Yes, for Android | Only opens | Similar to Word | Many languages are available through the language packets |
LibreOffice Writer | Windows, Linux, Mac | Viewer for Android | Opens and saves | Many updates | Many languages are available through the language packets |
AbiWord | Linux | No | Opens and saves | Many languages are available through plugins | |
WPS Office Writer | Windows, Linux | Yes, for Android and iOS | Opens and saves | Encryption and cloud | Many languages can be installed afterwards |
SoftMaker FreeOffice | Windows, Linux, Mac | Yes, for Android | Opens and saves | Additional dictionaries are available | |
Writemonkey | Windows | No | Opens and saves | Writing without distractions | In addition to English, 14 other languages are available |
Google Docs | Everything, due to being online | Yes, for Android and iOS | Opens and saves | Work together in realtime | Many languages available |
Apache OpenOffice Writer: similar to Word
Deool band marathi movie free download utorrent. Apache OpenOffice was operated under the name OpenOffice.org until 2012 and now is simply called 'OpenOffice'. The OpenOffice Writer is the most popular among the Microsoft Word alternatives, and together with LibreOffice, it’s most similar to the original. Just like Microsoft Office packet, OpenOffice (as well as being a word processing program) also provides an alternative to Excel, a database tool, a drawing program, a tool for mathematical formulas, and a presentation tool. OpenOffice doesn’t, however, provide an alternative for the Outlook e-mail program.
OpenOffice Writer has all the functions that you need in everyday office life. It is important that OpenOffice can open all Microsoft Word formats. When saving work, OpenOffice Writer only supports the older file formats (.doc, .xml). Most of the details are in the layout, however subtleties such as the placement of footnotes could shift content around. It is therefore recommendable to convert documents to pdf documents before you print them. OpenOffice Writer is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
✔ Similar to Microsoft Word | ✘ Doesn’t save docx files |
✔ Can open Microsoft Word formats |
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LibreOffice Writer: alternative to OpenOffice
An alternative to the alternative: LibreOffice split off from OpenOffice in 2010 after disagreements with Oracle, who was the main sponsor at the time. The layout and functions of the program are largely the same, but there are some important differences. The LibreOffice Writer can edit and save the docx file format, whereas OpenOffice can only open it. If you often swap documents with other Microsoft Office users, it’s recommended you use LibreOffice.
LibreOffice also provides significantly more updates than OpenOffice, which can be both advantageous and disadvantageous. The advantage is that developers eliminate errors, close security gaps, and implement new features. However, they sometimes also create immature functions and not all users have the patience to keep installing new updates every two months.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
✔ Also saves docx files | ✘ Immature functions |
✔ More updates | ✘ Updates can interfere |
AbiWord: simple program with many functions
The name AbiWord comes from the Spanish word 'abierto', meaning 'open'. This Microsoft Word alternative provides similar functions to the original and the layout is similar to earlier versions of Word (up until Word 2003). AbiWord takes up little space on the hard drive: only 20 megabytes. With AbiWord, you can create tables, embed graphics, and automatically fill in fields in e-mails with the Mail Merge tool.
With a long list of plugins, the features can be expanded by installing AbiWord. The import filters, for example, are used to read and save most file formats, including docx files. In practice, however, the layout has to be reworked in some formats. AbiWord also offers a platform with AbiCollab.net where you can work on documents with other people in real time. AbiWord doesn’t have a function for exporting documents as a pdf. The program works alongside Windows and Linux on the operating system QNX, FreeBSD, and Solaris.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
✔ Lean program | ✘ No export of pdf documents |
✔ Also saves docx files | ✘ Extra plugin required for many features |
✔ Collaboration platform |
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WPS Office Writer: Alternative for frequent writers
The company, Kingsoft, has been distributing its Office package WPS Office since the 1980s. In addition to various paid versions, the manufacturer also offers the extensive Office Free Edition. The structure of the text processing program looks very similar to that of Microsoft, comes however with a few changes. For example, it is possible to open several documents within the program and switch between them with the help of tabs. Another special feature is the two display formats “Eye Protection Mode” and “Night Mode”, which makes the writing area very easy on the eye.
Files can be saved in different file formats. Therefore, not only the WPS format is available, but also other common file types, including DOCX. If you log in, you can also access a personal cloud and save the files online. Users also have the simple option of securing the file with a password and establishing encryption.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Well-designed structure | Costs extra for the full scope |
Free cloud | |
Many file formats | |
File encryption |
SoftMaker FreeOffice: Word processing from Germany
The German software manufacturer, SoftMaker, also offers a free version of FreeOffice in addition to its fee-based offer. All users need to do is enter a valid e-mail address. You have the choice between a classic menu structure and the modern ribbon view. No matter which one you choose, the window is very tidy.
When saving the documents, you can choose either between Microsoft Office file formats or the in-house SoftMaker formats. Additionally, you have the possibility to export documents as pdf or epub. The free office suite also includes a spreadsheet program and presentation software. FreeOffice receives regular updates and is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac. You can also download a version for Android smartphones.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
User-friendly design | E-mail address must be entered |
Also works with Microsoft formats | |
Complete Office suite |
WriteMonkey: writing without distraction
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WriteMonkey is the right choice for anyone who wants to write without being distracted by advanced layout features. The full-screen mode is most similar to the simple white (or depending on the settings, black, green, or another color) paper, where you can let your creativity run wild. Right-click to access the menu, which will then allow you to fade out certain parts of the text, or be able to jump between different paragraphs. You can set the timer for the amount of time you want to concentrate. The built-in word completion also saves a lot of time when typing.
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WriteMonkey is the smallest of the desktop programs mentioned here. It doesn’t need to be installed, which means that WriteMonkey can be used on a USB stick and then put onto other computers. To open WriteMonkey, simply download the application file folder, copy it to a random folder on your hard drive, and then open the WriteMonkey.exe file. Texts can be saved by WriteMonkey as a txt file, or exported to Word, also as a docx file. WriteMonkey only works on Windows.
Advantage | Disadvantage |
---|---|
✔ Fullscreen mode for full concentration | ✘ Only for Windows |
✔ Timer | ✘ Layout isn’t very elegant |
✔ Works without installation | |
✔ Also saves docx files |
Google Docs: online word processing
Google Docs is an online writing program. If you have a Gmail account, click on 'Documents' in the tool bar to go to Google Docs. You can also open your documents using Google Drive. In Google Docs, you can create new documents and work with multiple users on the same document at the same time. You can see straightaway what changes other users have made to the document. This is especially useful when you want to write a text together with others, or when working with editors. As with Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice, Google Docs also provides features for creating tables (sheets) and presentations (slides).
The disadvantages of Google Docs are that it’s slower and has fewer features than Microsoft Word alternatives that are stored on the computer. The layout options of Google Docs are much more limited. Also, many users have reservations about trusting the internet with confidential information. In addition, the functionality of Google Docs depends on the quality and security of the internet connection. Fortunately, there is also a Google Docs app that you can download to your computer or smartphone and then work in offline-mode.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
✔ Work from anywhere | ✘ Fewer functions that desktop programs |
✔ Simple to use | ✘ Slightly slower |
Of course, there are also Google Docs alternatives. Buzzword is the online editor from Adobe and requires a free account, just like Google Docs. Zoho offers the most features out of all the online word processing programs, such as an e-mail program and many layout options. Zoho also requires registration with an account and is therefore especially suitable for users who regularly edit texts online. For occasional group work, Etherpad which is accessible without an account. Etherpad has less text processing capabilities - but is the fastest tool when it comes to group work.
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