You Don't Need Microsoft Office on Linux
One of the first questions people ask when switching to Linux is: "What do I use instead of Microsoft Office?" The good news is that the open source world offers several capable, mature, and completely free alternatives. Here's a thorough look at your best options.
1. LibreOffice — The Gold Standard
LibreOffice is the most widely used open source office suite in the world, and for good reason. It covers all the bases:
- Writer — Word processing (equivalent to Microsoft Word)
- Calc — Spreadsheets (equivalent to Excel)
- Impress — Presentations (equivalent to PowerPoint)
- Base — Database management (equivalent to Access)
- Draw — Vector graphics and diagrams
- Math — Formula editor
LibreOffice reads and writes Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) with good compatibility. It's installed by default on many Ubuntu systems and is actively maintained by The Document Foundation.
Best for: General users, students, professionals who need broad Office format compatibility.
2. OnlyOffice Desktop Editors
OnlyOffice takes a different approach — it's designed from the ground up to be highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats. The interface is intentionally familiar to Office users, which reduces the learning curve significantly.
- Excellent .docx/.xlsx/.pptx compatibility
- Clean, ribbon-style interface
- Available as both a desktop app and a self-hosted server suite
- Collaborative editing features when used with a server
Best for: Users who frequently exchange files with Microsoft Office users and need high format fidelity.
3. Calligra Suite
Calligra is the KDE project's office suite and is a solid option especially for KDE Plasma desktop users. It includes:
- Words — Word processor
- Sheets — Spreadsheet application
- Stage — Presentation tool
- Karbon — Vector drawing
Best for: KDE Plasma users who want deep desktop integration.
4. WPS Office for Linux
While not fully open source, WPS Office for Linux is free and deserves a mention. It has arguably the closest visual resemblance to Microsoft Office and very strong file format compatibility. The free version includes ads, and some features require a subscription.
Best for: Users who prioritize a familiar Microsoft Office look and feel.
5. Google Docs (Browser-Based)
Though not a native Linux application or open source, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are powerful browser-based tools that work perfectly on any Linux system. They're free for personal use and offer real-time collaboration.
Best for: Collaborative work and users comfortable with cloud-based tools.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Suite | Open Source | Office Format Compatibility | Offline Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LibreOffice | ✅ Yes | Good | ✅ Yes | Free |
| OnlyOffice | ✅ Yes | Excellent | ✅ Yes | Free |
| Calligra | ✅ Yes | Moderate | ✅ Yes | Free |
| WPS Office | ❌ No | Excellent | ✅ Yes | Free (ads) |
| Google Docs | ❌ No | Good | Limited | Free |
Our Recommendation
For most Linux and Ubuntu users, LibreOffice is the best starting point — it's fully open source, feature-rich, and handles the majority of everyday document tasks well. If you exchange files with Office users daily and need near-perfect format fidelity, give OnlyOffice Desktop Editors a try alongside it.