It works great on Windows, Mac, Linux, and any other computer with a modern web browser. You can easily collaborate and share without downloading anything, add missing features with plugin integrations, and work with files from a variety of formats including Microsoft Office files. The biggest downside is offline use. While Google offers offline versions through plugins with the Chrome browser, they are not always consistent or reliable. But if you do have a connection, you’ll be happy to know it works well on Android devices as well with native apps for Google’s mobile operating system. For business users, Google Workspace starts at $6 per user per month. For non-business users, you can do everything with a free Google account. You don’t have to pay unless you need more storage space in your online Google Drive. While it doesn’t quite do everything power users look for in programs like Excel, and there is no alternative for the database program Microsoft Access, there is a lot more to like than dislike and the price is right. Apple also offers a web-based version compatible with the latest versions of Safari, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge that integrates fully with iCloud. Like others on this list, it works with its own file formats and easily imports and exports files in the popular Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. Mac users don’t have to pay; the only cost is for additional iCloud storage space if you run out of room and want to store your files there. The only really big downside is that it is not widely used, so support and online tutorials are far fewer. You may also run into angry colleagues if you send over a Keynote file when they were expecting PowerPowerpoint, as compatibility isn’t always great between formats, particularly when it comes to things like fonts, layouts, and image sizing. But if you want something that “just works” and you are a dedicated Mac user, you should find everything you need with iWork. As an open source software suite, new features generally come from volunteer developers interested in enhancing the program for the broad community’s use. But with Google’s apps acting as an enticing alternative at the same price, it struggles to keep up with the competition from the legions of professional developers at Microsoft and Google. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth considering, however. Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math are excellent tools that get regular support. This suite comes from Kingsoft, a China-based developer. Applications include WPS Writer, WPS Spreadsheet, and WPS Presentation. WPS Office is generally well reviewed. It has customizable interfaces so you can decide on the menu style you like most. It also supports tabbed document editing, just like you get with a web browser. It also has an integrated cloud with 1 GB of storage included. It is a lightweight and fast app to use. It’s great that you can give it a test run for free and then decide later if it’s worth the money to go advertisement free. Dropbox Paper allows multiple simultaneous collaborators, and allows you to export files in the popular .docx and .pdf file formats. Adding a file is as simple as dragging it into your Dropbox folder or dropping it into an active Dropbox Paper window. Dropbox Paper gives you a simple user interface that is easy-to-use, but not familiar to Word veterans. It is free if you have a Dropbox account. Dropbox accounts are free for individuals up to 2 GB of storage. Business users and those with bigger storage needs will have to pay a monthly or annual subscription starting at $15 per month for individual users. Core apps in FreeOffice 2021 include TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations, which replace Word, Excel, and PowerPoint respectively. You can choose classic Windows-style menus or the more modern ribbon view. FreeOffice is also available for Android, if you have an Android tablet. If you use this suite and are a Windows user, you may also enjoy FreePDF, a good companion that gives you many of the features of Adobe’s PDF editor. LibreOffice is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers and offers a mobile version for Android. It is actively supported with minor versions and updates coming out on a roughly monthly basis. While it doesn’t get blowout reviews, it does have a very strong and dedicated user base who rave about the Writer, Calc, and Impress applications. It has a flexible interface that can feel a lot like Office, but it doesn’t have any integrated cloud storage or collaboration tools. Microsoft 365 gives you a browser-based version of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The subscription also gives you mobile versions of the same apps on Android, iOS, and Windows phones. The $6 per user per month Microsoft 365 Business Basic subscription includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well the cloud services Teams, Exchange, and SharePoint. It also includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage. The $12.50 per user per month Business Standard subscription includes the desktop versions you are trying to avoid, as well as Access and Publisher apps for PC. Bigger businesses may want the full security features included in the $22 per user per month Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription.
