OpenOffice
Office suites software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if OpenOffice and its alternatives fit your requirements.
Completely free
Free Trial unavailable
Free version
Small
Medium
Large
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture, fishing, and forestry
What is OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice is an open-source desktop office suite used to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, and databases. It targets individuals, schools, and organizations that need a locally installed productivity suite with no licensing fees. The suite includes Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math, and it supports the OpenDocument Format (ODF) along with limited compatibility with some Microsoft Office file formats. It is maintained as a community project under the Apache Software Foundation.
No-cost open-source licensing
OpenOffice is available under an Apache open-source license, which can simplify procurement for cost-sensitive deployments. It supports use without per-user subscriptions and can be redistributed under the license terms. This model can be useful for education, nonprofits, and small organizations that need basic office functionality without recurring fees.
Offline desktop productivity suite
OpenOffice runs as a locally installed application on supported desktop operating systems, enabling work without an internet connection. It provides core modules for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector drawing, and a database front end. This fits environments with limited connectivity or policies that restrict cloud services.
ODF standards-based support
OpenOffice uses OpenDocument Format (ODF) as its native file format, which is an open standard used across multiple office suites. This can help with long-term document accessibility and reduce dependence on proprietary formats. It also supports exporting to PDF, which is commonly required for document distribution.
Slower release and updates
OpenOffice has historically had a slower cadence for major feature delivery compared with many actively developed office suites. Organizations that require frequent enhancements, rapid bug fixes, or fast security response may find this limiting. This can increase the need for internal testing and compensating controls.
Limited cloud collaboration features
OpenOffice is primarily a single-user desktop suite and does not provide built-in real-time coauthoring or tightly integrated cloud storage and collaboration services. Teams that rely on simultaneous editing, commenting workflows, and browser-based access typically need additional tools. This can add complexity when compared with suites designed around cloud collaboration.
Compatibility gaps with OOXML
While OpenOffice can open and save some Microsoft Office formats, complex OOXML documents (e.g., advanced layouts, macros, and certain spreadsheet features) may not round-trip reliably. Formatting differences can appear when exchanging files with users of other office suites. This is a practical risk in organizations that frequently collaborate with external parties using Microsoft Office formats.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Open Source | $0 (free to download and use) | Full office suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math); Apache 2.0 License; install on unlimited PCs; no license fees; available to download from the official Apache OpenOffice site. |
Seller details
Apache Software Foundation
Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA
1999
Non-profit
https://www.apache.org/
https://x.com/TheASF
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-apache-software-foundation/
