LibreOffice Reviews & Pricing

by The Document Foundation | Founded 2016, Hamburg, Germany

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What is LibreOffice?

Industry Specialties: Automotive, Construction, Education, Energy.

LibreOffice is a comprehensive office suite that offers a range of applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. It is particularly well-suited for individuals and organizations seeking a cost-effective, open-source alternative to proprietary office software. Industries such as education, non-profits, and small businesses often find it appealing due to its robust functionality and zero licensing fees. Unique benefits include its compatibility with a wide array of file formats and its active community support. Noteworthy features include the Writer for document creation, Calc for spreadsheets, and Impress for presentations, each offering powerful tools for professional productivity. Users appreciate its flexibility and the ability to customize the interface to suit personal preferences. While it may lack some advanced features of its competitors, its no-cost model and strong performance make it a compelling choice. For specific pricing information, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for tailored quotes.

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User Sentiment

Based on 2983 reviews:

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LibreOffice Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, LibreOffice pricing starts at $0 (Free, Open-Source).

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Starting From: $0
Pricing Model: Free, Open-Source
Free Trial: No

Training Resources

LibreOffice is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for LibreOffice:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

LibreOffice Benefits and Insights

Why use LibreOffice?

Key differentiators & advantages of LibreOffice

Cost Efficiency: LibreOffice is completely free to use, eliminating the need for costly software licenses and subscriptions, which can significantly reduce overhead for businesses and individuals alike.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, LibreOffice ensures seamless document access and editing across different operating systems, enhancing flexibility for users who switch between devices.
Open Document Format (ODF): By using ODF, LibreOffice promotes data longevity and interoperability, allowing users to access their documents with other compliant software without compatibility issues.
Community Support: With a robust community of developers and users, LibreOffice benefits from continuous improvements and quick resolutions to issues, ensuring a reliable and evolving software experience.
Customizability: Users can tailor LibreOffice to their specific needs through extensions and templates, allowing for a personalized and efficient workflow that can adapt to various professional requirements.
Privacy and Security: LibreOffice respects user privacy by not collecting personal data, and its open-source nature allows for transparent security practices, giving users peace of mind regarding data protection.
Comprehensive Suite: Offering a full range of applications including Writer, Calc, Impress, and more, LibreOffice provides all the tools necessary for document creation, data analysis, and presentations without needing additional software.
Regular Updates: Frequent updates ensure that LibreOffice remains current with the latest features and security patches, maintaining its competitiveness and reliability in a fast-evolving tech landscape.
Multilingual Support: With support for numerous languages, LibreOffice caters to a global audience, making it accessible and useful for users worldwide, regardless of their native language.
Document Recovery: Built-in recovery tools help safeguard against data loss by allowing users to recover documents after unexpected shutdowns, minimizing disruptions and preserving work.

Industry Expertise

LibreOffice is particularly well-suited for individuals and small businesses who need a comprehensive office suite without the cost of commercial software. Its compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats makes it a good choice for those who need to collaborate with users of Microsoft Office, and its open-source nature means that it is constantly being improved by a dedicated community of developers.

LibreOffice Reviews

Average customer reviews & user sentiment summary for LibreOffice:

2983 reviews

86%

of users would recommend this product

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of LibreOffice reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

Cost-Effective: LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite, making it a budget-friendly choice for businesses.
Feature-Rich: It offers a comprehensive set of applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases, comparable to paid office suites.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: LibreOffice is available for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, enabling seamless collaboration across different platforms.
File Format Compatibility: It boasts compatibility with various file formats, including those used by Microsoft Office, ensuring smooth document sharing and collaboration with users of other office suites.

Cons

Performance Issues: Users have reported slowness, particularly when working with large or complex documents, which can hinder productivity.
Outdated Interface: Some users find the interface outdated compared to modern office suites, which can make it less intuitive to use.

Researcher's Summary:

Is LibreOffice truly a "suite" spot for productivity, or does it leave users feeling "office-less"? User reviews from the past year reveal a mixed bag. On the upside, LibreOffice consistently receives praise for its cost-effectiveness, being a breath of fresh air for budget-conscious users. Its compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats is another major win, ensuring seamless transitions and collaboration. For instance, a research technician highlighted the ease of opening and editing .docx files without needing a Microsoft license. However, this compatibility isn't without its hiccups, as some users report formatting inconsistencies when importing complex documents. One user lamented that "many features do not open correctly when importing from Microsoft," particularly highlighting issues with special conditioning and formulas in spreadsheets.

A key differentiator for LibreOffice is its open-source nature, fostering a vibrant community that contributes to its development. This translates to continuous updates and a plethora of extensions, allowing users to tailor the suite to their liking. However, this strength also reveals a weakness: the user interface. While some appreciate its familiarity to older versions of Microsoft Office, others find it outdated and less polished compared to modern, paid alternatives. This dichotomy in user experience extends to the learning curve, with some finding it intuitive while others stumble upon a steeper climb, especially those accustomed to the slicker interfaces of commercial suites.

Overall, LibreOffice proves to be a solid choice for individuals and organizations prioritizing cost-effectiveness and seeking a robust alternative to paid office suites. Its compatibility with various file formats and active community support make it a strong contender. However, those who demand a polished user experience and seamless compatibility for complex documents might find themselves yearning for the premium features of paid options.

Key Features

Notable LibreOffice features include:

Open Source: LibreOffice is developed by a community of volunteers and is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility across different operating systems.
Comprehensive Suite: Includes Writer (word processor), Calc (spreadsheet), Impress (presentation), Draw (vector graphics), Base (database), and Math (formula editor).
File Format Support: Supports a wide range of file formats, including Microsoft Office formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX, as well as its native OpenDocument Format (ODF).
Customizable Interface: Users can personalize toolbars and menus to suit their workflow, enhancing productivity and ease of use.
Advanced Styles and Formatting: Offers robust style management, allowing users to apply consistent formatting across documents with ease.
Extensive Template Library: Provides a variety of templates for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, helping users start projects quickly.
Macros and Scripting: Supports macros written in multiple languages, including Python and JavaScript, for automating repetitive tasks.
Data Analysis Tools: Calc includes features like pivot tables, scenario managers, and advanced charting options for in-depth data analysis.
Collaboration Features: Track changes, comments, and version control are available, facilitating collaborative work on documents.
Language Support: Offers extensive language support with dictionaries, thesauri, and hyphenation patterns for numerous languages.
Accessibility Options: Includes features like high contrast mode and screen reader support to accommodate users with disabilities.
Regular Updates: The community-driven development ensures frequent updates with new features, security patches, and bug fixes.
Integration with External Tools: Can be integrated with other software and services, such as content management systems and cloud storage solutions.
Portable Version: A portable version is available, allowing users to run LibreOffice from a USB drive without installation.
Extensive Documentation: Comprehensive user guides and community support forums are available to assist users in troubleshooting and learning.
Digital Signatures and Encryption: Supports digital signatures and document encryption to enhance document security and authenticity.
Mail Merge Capabilities: Facilitates the creation of personalized documents like letters and labels by merging data from external sources.
Image and Media Handling: Offers tools for inserting and editing images, charts, and multimedia elements within documents.
Formula Editor: Math component allows users to create complex mathematical formulas and equations with ease.