The Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Office

Stop paying for Microsoft 365. These free productivity suites can handle all your document needs.

Microsoft Office remains the industry standard, but for the average home user, student, or small business owner, paying a yearly subscription for Word and Excel is entirely unnecessary. There are brilliant, 100% free alternatives that can open, edit, and save in standard Microsoft formats.

1. Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)

If you have a Gmail account, you already have access to the best cloud-based office suite in the world. Google Docs is incredibly fast, autosaves your work to Google Drive, and allows for real-time collaboration with other users. It completely removes the need to install heavy desktop software.

2. LibreOffice

If you prefer a traditional desktop program that works entirely offline, LibreOffice is the reigning champion of open-source software. It is completely free, frequently updated, and its "Writer" and "Calc" programs look and act remarkably similar to classic versions of Word and Excel. It also handles complex formatting much better than cloud editors.

3. FreeOffice by SoftMaker

For users who want a free interface that perfectly mimics the modern "Ribbon" design of Microsoft Office 2021, FreeOffice is the best choice. Its compatibility with complex Microsoft formatting (like advanced Excel formulas and PowerPoint transitions) is virtually flawless.