Best Office Suite- Our Top Picks for Office Software

An office suite remains a foundational tool for productivity in 2025. Whether you’re drafting letters, building spreadsheets, crafting presentations, or collaborating with a team, a reliable suite ties it all together—far beyond what browser apps or mobile tools alone can handle. While Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are the dominant players, there are compelling free and open-source alternatives such as LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, and WPS Office. Understanding how each handles compatibility, usability, cloud integration, and privacy is essential.

In this guide, we prioritize these practical concerns: textbook compatibility with widely used file formats; seamless collaboration without sacrificing offline ability; transparent data privacy; and fair pricing—whether subscription-based, one-time purchase, or entirely free.

How to evaluate an office suite

Choosing the right office suite depends on curation of features that support your workflow—without introducing headaches. Here’s how to assess them systematically:

Compatibility and file format support

You’ll need strong support for DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX formats—the de facto standards in most settings. Faulty imports or exports may lead to broken layouts or unusable documents.

Alternatives vary: LibreOffice supports excellent range of formats but can struggle with complex formatting; OnlyOffice, on the other hand, is praised for high fidelity in DOCX/XLSX editing.

Cross-platform availability

A winning suite works across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile (iOS/Android), or via web access.

Google Workspace thrives purely online, whereas LibreOffice excels offline on desktops. OnlyOffice supports both models, including private self-hosted setups.

Collaboration features

Look for real-time co-editing, comments, version history, and permissions management. Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are leaders here; OnlyOffice and Collabora Online (LibreOffice-based) also deliver strong collaborative tools, especially when paired with platforms like Nextcloud.

Performance and usability

A cluttered interface or sluggish performance can derail productivity, especially on older machines. Lightweight tools like LibreOffice and OnlyOffice tend to be faster on low-powered systems; suites like Microsoft 365, though feature-rich, can be heavier—especially desktop versions. Consider your team’s average hardware and user comfort.

Pricing and licensing

Subscription plans (e.g., Microsoft 365 from ~$69.99/year, Google Workspace from ~$6/user/month) can add up, while one-time licenses or free/open-source suites offer long-term savings. Explore freemium models: WPS Office provides a free tier with ads, with paid upgrades for full features.

Privacy and data handling

With cloud-based suites, data storage, encryption, and vendor privacy policy matter. Open-source tools like LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, and Collabora allow self-hosting without reliance on third-party servers—a plus for privacy-conscious users.

Our top picks for the best office suite

Office Suite	Platforms & Access	Collaboration & Cloud Features	Strengths	Drawbacks
Microsoft 365	Desktop (Win/mac), mobile, web	Real-time co-authoring, OneDrive, Teams, Copilot AI	Feature-rich, enterprise-grade security	Subscription-only, resource-heavy, data sovereignty concerns
Google Workspace	Web-based + mobile, offline support	Real-time multi-user editing, intuitive integration (Gmail, Meet…)	Affordable, seamless collaboration	Less robust offline/advanced features than desktop suites
LibreOffice	Desktop (Win/mac/Linux), some mobile	Limited native collaboration; optional via Collabora Online	Free, private, fully offline	Less sleek modern UI, setup needed for collaboration
WPS Office	Desktop (all major OS), mobile	Cloud sync, but free version has ads	Familiar interface, free tier with AI support	Ads in free version; privacy concerns due to developer location
OnlyOffice	Desktop, mobile, browser, self-hostable	Collaboration, change-tracking; self-hosting available	Great format fidelity, privacy/self-hosting friendly	Smaller ecosystem, fewer templates
Apple iWork	macOS, iOS, web via iCloud	Cloud collaboration integrated with Apple ecosystem	Clean design, great for Apple users	Formatting issues, less powerful than MS or Google in analytics

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a subscription-based productivity suite that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and OneDrive. It integrates deeply with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and other Microsoft services, making it a strong choice for both individuals and businesses. The suite offers native desktop apps for Windows and macOS, mobile apps for Android and iOS, and browser-based versions for quick access anywhere.

Its compatibility with DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX formats is unmatched, and it supports advanced features like VBA macros, pivot tables, and professional templates. Collaboration is streamlined through OneDrive, with real-time co-authoring, auto-save, and version history. Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, adds drafting, summarization, and data analysis features across the suite.

However, Microsoft 365 is entirely subscription-driven, which can become expensive over time. The desktop apps can also be resource-intensive, especially on older systems, and frequent updates sometimes change the interface unexpectedly. Since it’s cloud-integrated, organizations with strict data sovereignty or privacy rules may have concerns about where data is stored.

Best for: Users or organizations seeking a fully featured, deeply integrated productivity ecosystem with top-tier compatibility and collaboration tools.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a cloud-first productivity platform that includes Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, Meet, Chat, Calendar, and more. It is entirely browser-based, with mobile apps available for Android and iOS, and it allows seamless access to files from any device without installation.

Workspace excels at real-time collaboration, letting multiple people edit the same document with live cursors, comments, and instant sync. The integration between apps—such as inserting Drive files into Gmail or scheduling a Meet session from Calendar—is smooth and intuitive. Recent updates have made AI features like smart compose, meeting summaries, and data analysis tools standard for most plans.

While Workspace is excellent for collaborative and remote workflows, it lacks some of the advanced features found in desktop-based suites like Microsoft 365, particularly in Sheets compared to Excel. Being cloud-based also means trusting Google with sensitive data, which can be a concern for organizations in regulated industries. Pricing ranges from entry-level plans for small teams to enterprise-level packages with more storage and admin controls.

Best for: Teams, schools, and individuals who prioritize real-time collaboration, remote access, and integrated cloud workflows over desktop-level feature depth.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite maintained by The Document Foundation. It includes Writer (word processor), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics), Base (databases), and Math (formula editing). It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with community-supported ports for other platforms.

One of its biggest strengths is its wide file format compatibility, including legacy Microsoft Office formats and open standards like ODF. It works entirely offline, making it a good choice for privacy-conscious users or those with unreliable internet access. The interface is straightforward but can be customized with different toolbar styles.

However, LibreOffice’s collaboration features are limited compared to cloud-first tools. While it integrates with platforms like Nextcloud or Collabora Online for web-based editing, the setup is more technical than plug-and-play solutions. It can also have minor formatting issues when importing complex Microsoft Office documents with advanced macros or intricate layouts.

Best for: Users who want a free, privacy-respecting, offline-capable suite with broad format support and no recurring costs.

WPS Office

WPS Office, developed by Kingsoft, offers a modern, Microsoft Office-like interface with Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation modules. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The free version is feature-rich, with strong Microsoft Office format compatibility and cloud sync between devices.

Its interface closely mirrors Microsoft Office, making it easy for new users to transition without a steep learning curve. It also includes PDF editing in the free tier, along with templates and some AI-assisted functions in newer builds.

The main drawbacks are the ads in the free version, which can be intrusive, and the fact that the company is based in China—leading to occasional privacy concerns in sensitive environments. Some advanced features, like higher cloud storage limits or more PDF tools, are locked behind the paid Premium tier.

Best for: Users who want a visually familiar, cross-platform office suite with excellent Microsoft file compatibility at little or no cost.

OnlyOffice

OnlyOffice is an open-source office suite developed by Ascensio System SIA, designed for both individual and enterprise use. It offers three core modules—Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations—available as desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps and browser-based editing.

OnlyOffice is particularly strong in Microsoft Office format compatibility, often outperforming LibreOffice in preserving DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX layouts without corruption. It also supports collaborative editing with change tracking, comments, and version history, making it a viable alternative to cloud suites like Google Workspace.

Its flexibility is another selling point—users can choose the free desktop version, the free community server for self-hosted collaboration, or paid enterprise editions with advanced admin controls and integrated CRM, mail, and project management tools. The main drawbacks are its smaller ecosystem and less extensive template library compared to Microsoft 365 or WPS Office. Some users also find the interface less polished.

Best for: Small teams or privacy-conscious users who want a high-fidelity Microsoft Office alternative with self-hosting and collaboration features.

Apple iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)

Apple’s iWork suite—comprising Pages (word processor), Numbers (spreadsheets), and Keynote (presentations)—is free for macOS and iOS users, with a browser-based version available through iCloud for Windows and other platforms.

The suite is known for its clean, modern design and attractive templates, making it ideal for visually appealing documents and presentations. Integration with macOS and iOS features like Handoff, iCloud Drive, and collaboration in Messages or FaceTime enhances its workflow for Apple ecosystem users.

However, iWork has limitations in professional compatibility. While it can export to DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX, complex documents may lose formatting or features. Numbers is less capable than Excel for advanced analytics, and Pages lacks some of Word’s niche formatting tools. Cross-platform editing via iCloud is functional but not as seamless as Google Workspace or OnlyOffice.

Best for: Individuals or teams fully invested in Apple’s hardware and software ecosystem who prioritize design and simplicity over deep cross-platform feature parity.

Office suites you might avoid

While many office suites can get the job done, a few have major drawbacks that make them less appealing compared to modern alternatives. Issues like abandoned development, poor compatibility, limited features, or questionable privacy practices can quickly outweigh any benefits.

Apache OpenOffice

Once a leading free alternative to Microsoft Office, Apache OpenOffice has fallen behind. Development slowed significantly after many of its contributors moved to LibreOffice, leaving it with outdated features and security vulnerabilities. While it still runs on most major operating systems, it struggles with modern DOCX/XLSX/PPTX compatibility, often breaking layouts or losing elements. The lack of active development also means it’s missing newer collaboration tools and cloud integration that most users expect.

Why avoid: Slow development, weak compatibility with modern file formats, and better-maintained free alternatives like LibreOffice.

SoftMaker FreeOffice

SoftMaker FreeOffice is a lightweight suite that mimics the look of Microsoft Office and offers solid compatibility in its paid versions. However, the free edition is heavily restricted—it disables certain advanced features, offers fewer export options, and pushes users toward upgrading to SoftMaker Office. For those wanting a no-cost solution, LibreOffice, WPS Office, or OnlyOffice provide a more complete experience without as many feature paywalls.

Why avoid: Limited free tier, strong upsell pressure, and better free options available.

What should you do next?

After reviewing the top contenders, three stand out depending on your priorities. Microsoft 365 offers the deepest feature set, unmatched file compatibility, and strong collaboration—ideal if you want an all-in-one package and don’t mind the subscription. Google Workspace excels at real-time, cross-device collaboration with minimal setup, making it a go-to for remote teams and education. LibreOffice delivers a capable, offline-first experience with broad format support for those who value privacy and want a free, open-source option.

If you’re not sure which way to go, think about your workflow: Do you need advanced features like macros, pivot tables, or enterprise-level administration? Or is seamless, anywhere-access collaboration your top priority? For a hybrid approach, it’s even possible to pair an offline suite like LibreOffice with cloud tools like Google Workspace for the best of both worlds.