I attempted these 5 free apps to search out the very best Microsoft 365 various

Microsoft Workplace 365 units the productiveness software program normal with common apps like Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint that work on most telephones and laptops. Nevertheless, it has some drawbacks and requires a Microsoft account and a monthly subscription, which can be inconvenient for some customers.

Fortunately, many free software program suites supply performance much like Microsoft 365 with out requiring fee or accounts. On this article, I will checklist a few of the finest free Microsoft Workplace 365 options to see what they provide and which is finest for you.

1 LibreOffice

Able to go with out registration

LibreOffice/Pocket-lint

Your adjustments have been saved

LibreOffice is free and open-source software program made by a non-profit group referred to as The Doc Basis. Its six apps comprise Calc for spreadsheets, Author for phrase processing, Impress for shows, Math for method modifying, Draw for flowcharts, and Base for databases. The apps work as downloadable applications or extensions and are appropriate with normal Microsoft codecs, like .docx, .doc, .xlsx, and .ppt.

Switching to LibreOffice is simple as a result of its interface intently resembles Microsoft’s merchandise, with all of the icons and buttons in related positions. The apps acknowledge Phrase, Excel, and different recordsdata, so you’ll be able to entry and edit your preexisting work with out points.

Considered one of LibreOffice’s finest options is that the New icon permits you to open any app within the suite as a substitute of solely creating recordsdata inside a single program. That is helpful for multitasking as a result of you’ll be able to effortlessly entry any app within the suite with no need to exit what you are doing and click on on a brand new icon. I like that LibreOffice goes the additional mile in comparison with most free productiveness suites by together with drawing and database apps with out requiring registration.

2 FreeOffice

Get began with a free product key

FreeOffice/Pocket-lint

Your adjustments have been saved

FreeOffice is made by SoftMaker, which has been round since 1987. Its free Workplace 365 various consists of TextMaker for phrase processing, SoftMaker Displays for shows, DataMaker for databases, and PlanMaker for spreadsheets. These apps supply proprietary codecs, like.TMDX, .PMDX and .PRDX are additionally appropriate with Microsoft file methods.

To make use of FreeOffice, you may must register your electronic mail tackle to get a product key, which could possibly be a problem for some customers however is truthful contemplating the instruments on supply. I wasn’t blissful about FreeOffice mechanically including icons to my already-crowded taskbar, however they had been straightforward to take away in seconds.

Getting began is simple, and you’ll select between varied interface types to match your style. They intently resemble Microsoft’s new and basic interfaces with gentle and darkish designs and a touch-screen-friendly model with bigger icons obtainable. Whereas FreeOffice apps share many structure similarities with Workplace 365 merchandise, they’ve a cleaner and fewer cluttered structure, which might be extra user-friendly for some folks.

Associated

These are the best apps of 2024, according to Apple

Apple has revealed the finalists for the 2024 App Retailer Awards, highlighting the very best apps and video games of the 12 months.

3 OnlyOffice

A minimalist selection for customers on the lookout for user-friendliness and ease

OnlyOffice/Pocket-lint

Your adjustments have been saved

OnlyOffice is open-source software program created by Latvian-based Ascensio methods. The corporate gives varied tiers to enterprise and enterprise customers and offers a cloud-based model much like Google Docs for on-line collaborations. OnlyOffice’s free Desktop Editors package deal consists of the Doc, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF From modules. It’s obtainable on Home windows, Mac, and Linux methods.

In contrast to Workplace 365 and the opposite apps talked about to date, OnlyOffice incorporates all its options in a single program as a substitute of splitting them up between varied apps. I like this method of getting every thing beneath one roof as a result of you’ll be able to open a number of file varieties as completely different tabs inside a single program as a substitute of switching between them.

Talking of file varieties, OnlyOffice can open all Microsoft codecs and has interfaces much like Workplace 365 merchandise, making it straightforward to modify between them. The OnlyOffice free tier is nice for these on the lookout for simplicity as a result of it consists of three equivalents to Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint and provides a free PDF editor with out requiring registration.

4 WPS Workplace

Signal-in to entry sensible apps with a contemporary design

WPS Workplace/Pocket-lint

Your adjustments have been saved

WPS Office is made by KingSoft Workplace Software program, based in 1988. The usual model is free, and the corporate additionally gives Professional and AI variations for people, which have added options that require a month-to-month subscription. It’s also possible to get the Groups model with cloud sharing and administrative instruments for enterprise customers. Most individuals will handle with the free model, which incorporates Docs, Sheets, Slides, and PDF apps to deal with the most typical file varieties.

Getting began requires you to register along with your Google account and determine if you would like to present it entry to your Google Drive recordsdata. You may then be capable of entry all of the options in a single app as a substitute of individually. This method lets open a number of file varieties in several tabs for fast entry, with straightforward switching between them.

WPS Workplace apps have contemporary interfaces shut sufficient to Microsoft equivalents for straightforward use whereas including distinctive design components to look contemporary and stand out. I appreciated their clear interfaces and user-friendliness however did not benefit from the fixed prompts to improve to a paid package deal.

Associated

5 free productivity apps I always download when I get a new Android phone

You do not have to commerce money for workflow — these Android apps are fully free and can find yourself paying you in productiveness.

5 Google Workspace

One of the best cloud-based Workplace 356 various

Google Docs/Pocket-lint

Your adjustments have been saved

Google Workspace is the very best free cloud-based various to Workplace 365. Its integration with Google Chrome means you needn’t obtain an app, and every thing’s conveniently situated in your browser for straightforward entry. You possibly can entry your regionally saved Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint recordsdata with Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which is able to add them to Google Drive to be able to open them as browser tabs.

A bonus of Google Workspace over many Workplace 365 options is you could share your paperwork and spreadsheets along with your group and entry them out of your cellphone, pill, and different gadgets. It is also safer as a result of your knowledge shall be protected in case your laptop computer will get broken or stolen.

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides have intuitive interfaces that do not attempt to be Workplace 365 clones. Most individuals will discover them easy to make use of, they usually supply unbelievable practicality due to their integration with Calendar, Pictures, and different apps within the Google ecosystem.

Associated

5 third-party Android apps I insist on using instead of Google’s defaults

Google makes some wonderful Android apps — however they pale compared to these third-party variations.