After more than a decade of using Microsoft 365, the author decided to switch to LibreOffice, a free and open-source office suite. The primary motivation was cost savings, but the author found LibreOffice to be a robust alternative with all the necessary features. LibreOffice traces its roots back to 1985 with the release of Star-Writer I and was officially launched in 2010 by The Document Foundation. Governments worldwide have adopted LibreOffice to cut costs, making it a viable option for individuals and organizations alike.
LibreOffice includes six applications: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math, which are analogous to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Access, and a mathematics program, respectively. The suite is compatible with various devices, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux, and offers a portable app version that can be run from a flash drive. However, there is no mobile app available.
One of the standout benefits of LibreOffice is its privacy and security features. As open-source software, its code can be reviewed and audited by anyone, allowing for the identification and fixing of vulnerabilities. LibreOffice does not collect or send user data without consent, unlike Microsoft 365, which gathers hardware and software-related data. Additionally, LibreOffice saves documents locally, offering options to password-protect or encrypt files for enhanced security.
Despite its advantages, LibreOffice has some drawbacks. It lacks native cloud integration, which can be inconvenient for users who need to access documents from multiple devices. The interface may also feel more complex and cluttered compared to other office suites, potentially intimidating new users. However, the author found the initial overwhelming experience to be manageable with time.