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Google Docs vs ONLYOFFICE

A side-by-side look at Google Docs (the paid SaaS) and ONLYOFFICE (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.

	Google Docs	ONLYOFFICE
Tagline	Collaborative word processor.	Open source office suite with excellent MS Office compatibility.
License	Proprietary SaaS	AGPL-3.0
Pricing	Free with Google account.	Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan
Self-host option	No	Yes — difficulty 3/5
Hosted cloud available	Yes (only option)	Yes
Desktop apps	Varies by product	Windows, macOS, Linux
Mobile apps	Official apps typically available	iOS, Android

Best for

Best MS Office fidelity in a browser suite.

ONLYOFFICE strengths

High-fidelity Word/Excel/PowerPoint rendering — closest to MS Office of the OSS options.
Integrates with Nextcloud, Seafile, WordPress, and more.
Both desktop app and server editor available.

ONLYOFFICE weaknesses

Document Server install is heavier than Collabora Online.
Some advanced features require an enterprise license.
Concurrent edit conflicts still occur occasionally.

What's the catch with Google Docs?

Data mined by Google.
Offline support is limited.
No self-hosted version for sensitive documents.

Still unsure?

Check the full list of alternatives to Google Docs: see Google Docs alternatives, or learn more about ONLYOFFICE on its project page.

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