While Microsoft Office is one of the most reliable operating systems you can find, you unfortunately have to pay to use any of their software. Some new laptops come with a free trial of Microsoft Office, but that will soon expire and leave you in need of a replacement.
Lucky for you, there are other options you can download and use for free. Each of the options listed below include tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
LibreOffice:
LibreOffice is software that is completely maintained by a group of volunteers that work to improve stability and adding new features. Thanks to the community of volunteers, LibreOffice has a frequent update schedule. It’s also free for business and at-home users. It is compatible with all Microsoft document formats. In this program, you will find six tools: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math and Base. LibreOffice is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Google Docs:
If you are working as a team or you often switch between a Mac and a PC, then Google Docs is the way to go. Google Docs can easily run in any browser, and it is available as a mobile application for Apple and Android users. The best part about Google Docs is that is automatically syncs and saves your work. This prevents you from worrying about transfers and backups. Google Docs is easy to use and provides a simple layout for you to follow.
Microsoft Office Online:
Microsoft created free online applications in order to keep up with the free options provided by Google. If you are used to working on a PC, then this will be the most familiar to you. It easily allows you to share your projects through your Microsoft OneDrive account. All you have to do is log in using your Microsoft account and you are ready to go.
WPS Office Free:
WPS Office Free is a simpler version of the premium Microsoft Office, but you would barely notice. You have access to just as many features as the premium version. This free version allows you to save your work in the same way, so there’s no confusion. However, there is no database software, but you will have a free PDF reader that acts as a replacement for the built-in app. The only downfall of this option is that it is only available to users of Windows, Linux, and Android.
Open365:
If you choose to use Open365, you will get more than just a typical office suite. Open365 is a full cloud that pulls in a selection of open source software for you to use. It provides the best features from all the other free software options like Writer, Calc, and Impress from LibreOffice, with PHotoshop-esque from GIMP, and cloud storage from Seafile. Open365 has everything you need.
If you were worried about finding a free version of the Microsoft software, you no longer have to be! Each of the options listed above provides a free alternative based on what you need.
Written by: Megan Williams
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