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Microsoft 365 vs LibreOffice
Microsoft 365 vs LibreOffice
A side-by-side look at Microsoft 365 (the paid SaaS) and LibreOffice (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Microsoft 365 | LibreOffice | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Office suite in the cloud — Word, Excel, PowerPoint. | The classic open source office suite for desktop. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | MPL-2.0 |
| Pricing | Personal from $6.99/month. | Free to self-host |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 1/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | No |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | Android |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Free desktop office suite with no subscription.
LibreOffice strengths
- Mature, trusted suite for desktop.
- No subscription — free forever.
- Strong ODF support and decent MS Office compatibility.
LibreOffice weaknesses
- UI feels dated to some users.
- Collaboration requires Collabora/ONLYOFFICE server.
- Mobile version is read-focused.
What's the catch with Microsoft 365?
- Subscription-only model for full features.
- Heavy client, frequent updates.
- Cloud storage quota included but limited.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Microsoft 365: see Microsoft 365 alternatives, or learn more about LibreOffice on its project page.