LibreOffice vs OpenOffice: Which Free Office Suite Should You Choose?
Choosing the right office suite can be challenging, especially with two leading open-source options: LibreOffice and OpenOffice. Both provide robust tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations & more but key differences in development, compatibility & features can impact your productivity and workflow.
This guide breaks down their strengths, weaknesses & unique features, so you can make an informed decision.
What is LibreOffice?
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LibreOffice is an open-source office suite managed by The Document Foundation. It includes:
Writer: A full-featured word processor for creating everything from simple letters to complex books, with support for a wide range of formats and advanced features like mail merge, change tracking & PDF export
Calc: A powerful spreadsheet tool for calculations, data analysis & charting, compatible with Microsoft Excel formats and offering advanced functions and scenario management
Impress: A presentation program for creating slideshows with multimedia, animation & transitions.
Draw: A vector graphics editor for diagrams, flowcharts & illustrations.
Base: A database management tool.
Math: An equation editor for mathematical formulas.
LibreOffice is renowned for its modern interface, frequent updates & excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.
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OpenOffice: free, open-source office power craft documents, crunch numbers & wow with presentations at zero cost!
What is OpenOffice?
OpenOffice (Apache OpenOffice) is the original open-source office suite from which LibreOffice was forked. It offers similar applications:
Writer: The word processor component, similar to Microsoft Word. Writer lets you create and edit text documents, from simple memos to complex books. It supports styles, tables of contents, indexes, bibliographies & can export directly to PDF. Writer can open and save documents in formats like ODT, DOC, DOCX, RTF & more
Calc: The spreadsheet component, similar to Microsoft Excel. Calc allows you to perform calculations, analyze data & create charts. It supports Excel file formats (XLS, XLSX), offers features like DataPilot for data analysis, scenario management & can export spreadsheets as PDF files
Impress: A presentation tool for creating slideshows.
Draw: For vector graphics and diagrams.
Base: For database management.
Math: For editing mathematical formulas.
OpenOffice is known for its stability and simplicity, but it receives fewer updates and has a slower development pace.
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Key Feature Comparison
|
Feature |
LibreOffice |
OpenOffice |
|
Development |
Active, Frequent updates, large community |
Infrequent updates, small community |
|
User Interface |
Modern, Customizable, MS Office-like |
Classic, Less Modern |
|
File Compatibility |
Excellent, supports latest MS office formats |
Limited, best with older MS Office formats |
|
Performance |
Fast, especially on modern hardware |
Stable, runs well on older PCs |
|
Security |
Regular security patches, strong encryption |
Basic password protection, fewer updates |
|
Customization |
Extensive extensions, scripting support |
Fewer extensions, basic customization |
|
Collaboration |
Some joint editing via add-ons |
No built-in collaboration tools |
|
Platform Support |
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Windows, macOS, Linux, some Unix |
|
Community Support |
Large, active forums and resources |
Smaller, less active community |
Performance, Security & Compatibility
- Performance: LibreOffice is generally faster and offers a 64-bit version, while OpenOffice is stable on older hardware but limited to 32-bit.
- Security: LibreOffice receives regular security updates; OpenOffice’s updates are rare, which may leave vulnerabilities unpatched.
- File Compatibility: LibreOffice supports over 100 file formats, including modern Microsoft Office files (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX). OpenOffice is best with older formats and has limited support for newer ones.
Usability and Customization
- LibreOffice provides a modern interface and more customization options, including advanced extensions and scripting.
- OpenOffice offers a straightforward, classic interface with fewer customization features, ideal for users who prefer simplicity.
Which Should You Choose?
LibreOffice or OpenOffice? Free, open-source office suites that let you craft docs, crunch spreadsheets & build presentations pick your powerhouse!
Choose LibreOffice if you:
- Need the latest features, better compatibility & frequent updates.
- Work with modern Microsoft Office files.
- Value security and active community support.
- Want advanced customization and scripting.
Choose OpenOffice if you:
- Prefer a simple, stable suite for basic office tasks.
- Use older hardware or operating systems.
- Don’t need the latest features or frequent updates.
LibreOffice is generally the better choice for most users, thanks to its active development, modern features & superior compatibility. OpenOffice remains a solid option for those prioritizing stability and simplicity on legacy systems.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Q1. What is OpenOffice Writer?
OpenOffice Writer is the word processor part of the OpenOffice suite. It allows you to create and edit text documents, supports a wide range of formats (ODT, DOC, DOCX, RTF) & includes features like styles, tables of contents, PDF export & mail merge
Q2. What is OpenOffice Calc?
OpenOffice Calc is the spreadsheet application in OpenOffice. It is similar to Microsoft Excel, supports Excel file formats (XLS, XLSX) & offers features like DataPilot for data analysis, scenario management & PDF export. Calc is suitable for calculations, data analysis & charting
Q3. Is LibreOffice really better than OpenOffice?
LibreOffice is generally considered superior due to its frequent updates, broader file compatibility & a larger, more active development community. OpenOffice is stable but lags behind in features and security updates.
Q4. Can LibreOffice and OpenOffice open Microsoft Office files?
Yes, both can open Microsoft Office files. However, LibreOffice offers better compatibility, especially with newer formats like DOCX, XLSX & PPTX.
Q5. Will my document formatting be preserved if I switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice or OpenOffice?
LibreOffice usually preserves formatting better than OpenOffice, but complex documents may still require adjustments. Always test with sample files before a full migration.
Conclusion
LibreOffice and OpenOffice are both powerful, free office suites, but LibreOffice stands out with its modern features, frequent updates & better Microsoft Office compatibility. OpenOffice is a reliable choice for users with older systems who value simplicity and stability. For most users, LibreOffice offers greater flexibility and long-term support. Choose based on your workflow needs, platform & feature preferences.
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Written By: Khurram Qureshi
Founder & consultant of DigiPix Inc.
Call or text: 416-900-5825
Email: info@digipixinc.com
About The Author
In 2005, Khurram Qureshi started DigiPix Inc. which started off as a design agency offering video editing to professional photography, video production & post production, website designs and 3D Animations and has now expanded towards online marketing and business consultancy. Khurram Qureshi also is a motivational figure and participates in local and international platforms. He also play a role in the local community development, helping local young minds get ready to enter the job market.