Microsoft Office and LibreOffice are two of the most popular office suites available today. Both offer a wide range of tools for creating documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, we will talk about the differences between the two.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is an open-source suite of productivity software that is similar to Microsoft Office. It includes applications such as Writer, Calc, Impress, and Draw. It is a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office and is available for multiple operating systems.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a closed-source software suite of productivity software developed and published by Microsoft. It includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It is widely used in businesses and organizations around the world.
Differences
In terms of features and functionality, Microsoft Office is generally considered to be the more robust of the two. It offers a wide range of tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more, and it is widely used in businesses and organizations around the world.
LibreOffice, on the other hand, is a free and open-source alternative. LibreOffice supports a wider variety of file formats than Microsoft Office. LibreOffice is even equipped with a built-in option to export documents to an eBook. LibreOffice may not have all the features of Microsoft Office, but it still offers a solid set of tools for creating and editing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
In terms of compatibility, Microsoft Office is generally more compatible with other Microsoft products, such as Windows and SharePoint. Microsoft Office is available on android and IOS, it also has a cloud-based version called Microsoft 365.
LibreOffice is also compatible with a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux and there is CollaboraOffice which is a LibreOffice-based application available on Android and IOS.
In terms of user interface and ease of use, both Microsoft Office and LibreOffice are relatively easy to use, but Microsoft Office has a better polished and professional look. LibreOffice, on the other hand, has a more basic and minimalistic look.
For a more detailed comparison check out this Feature Comparison by wiki Document Foundation.
Personal Experience
Microsoft Office and LibreOffice Both have their own pros and cons. Microsoft Office offers more features with a good-looking user interface, but it comes with a price. Microsoft does offer a discounted and a free version of Office 365 Education but available in some selected regions. LibreOffice may not have all the features and a good-looking UI but it’s totally free, open-source, and has all the powerful features. Both Microsoft Office and LibreOffice have their own strengths and weaknesses, and which one you choose will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
