The discussion around open-source productivity suites is usually dominated by one name — LibreOffice. I even got around to using it when I tried going fully open-source for a week. However, for someone like me, who isn’t a power user, there were aspects of LibreOffice that just didn’t click. Specifically, the need for modern conveniences, such as collaboration and mobility, made me switch to something else.
I
ended up settling for another open-source productivity suite called
OnlyOffice. While it lacks some of the advanced features of LibreOffice
and not everything is free, I discovered it meets my needs. I don’t
think I'll go back to LibreOffice anytime soon. Well, not unless it
includes some of the features that OnlyOffice provides in its generous
package.
OnlyOffice has a better interface
OnlyOffice mirrors Microsoft Office’s design philosophy
One
of the biggest reasons I was put off by LibreOffice was its interface.
It’s not ugly by any means, but I can’t get over how it looks like an
older version of Microsoft Office, before Microsoft transitioned it to
the popular Ribbon interface. The menus are dense, clunky, and
cluttered, making it harder to use, especially for new users.
LibreOffice feels like it's hanging on to an old and unwelcoming design
philosophy.
OnlyOffice, on the other hand, has fully embraced the
Ribbon UI, similar to modern versions of Microsoft Office. It’s
something Microsoft has perfected over the years to make it intuitive
and enjoyable to use. The Ribbon interface makes everything feel like a
cohesive, modern workspace rather than a collection of individual tools.
It’s
one of the things that makes the transition from Microsoft Office to
OnlyOffice effortless. There’s practically no learning curve because
everything is where it's expected to be. I also like how OnlyOffice has
tabs. Since I prefer a browser-based workflow, the tabs streamline my
workflow and make managing multiple documents easier while keeping my
desktop uncluttered.
Real-time collaboration is easier to set up in OnlyOffice
It’s free and, best of all, optional
LibreOffice
is primarily an offline solution with no cloud features baked into its
DNA. While a majority of LibreOffice’s users prefer it this way, it can
be a hindrance to modern workflows, especially when it comes to
collaboration.
There is LibreOffice Online, which runs the full
office suite in a browser through a self-hosting solution like Nextcloud
or OwnCloud. It lets you edit documents from anywhere and collaborate
with others in real time. However, setting this up isn't straightforward
for most users.
OnlyOffice offers its own native cloud solution,
DocSpace. It allows me to break my projects into rooms, where I can
invite others to co-edit documents in real-time. I also get the standard
suite of professional collaborative features—tracking changes, version
history, real-time comments, and mentions. Furthermore, I can use AI
agents in this collaborative space, provided I have the API keys and
credits for the models and prompts.
To use DocSpace, I just
signed up for an account, which made transitioning from a solitary
experience to a collaborative one effortless. Alternatively, I can
create my own hybrid cloud setup if I want total control over my data.
The best part is that it's optional — I don’t have to use DocSpace if I
don’t want to.
OnlyOffice has an office mobile app
LibreOffice only has one with viewing capabilities
LibreOffice
is also primarily a desktop app, which is a disadvantage for people
like me who sometimes need to finish working on the go. There have been
many times when I needed to make last-minute edits or review documents,
but I didn’t have a computer. One thing I did have at the time, though,
was my phone.
That’s why it helps that OnlyOffice has a free
Android and iOS app that translates the desktop experience to mobile
very well. Furthermore, it can connect to various cloud services,
including DocSpace. This gives me access to my documents wherever I go.
LibreOffice doesn’t have an official app like this, and it’s a major
sticking point for me.
There’s the LibreOffice Viewer app for
Android. However, it's mainly a viewer app (as the name suggests) with
experimental editing capabilities. Hopefully, LibreOffice gets an app
that works across platforms, has full editing, and built-in cloud
syncing capabilities in the future.
I'm not denying that LibreOffice is the gold standard
People
usually switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice when they’re
looking for a free alternative. That’s for a good reason, as LibreOffice
is the purest form of open-source there is — community-driven and
completely free and unrestricted. Furthermore, it offers a level of
depth that OnlyOffice doesn’t always match. This is especially true when
it comes to customization, database integrations, and macro support.
However,
a lot of this freedom comes with complexity that many average users,
myself included, don’t want to deal with. I have a mindset that
prioritizes usability over complexity, and I know I’m not alone. Sure,
OnlyOffice has some advanced features locked behind paid subscriptions,
but I prefer it over LibreOffice because it respects my time, especially
when it comes to creating a modern workflow.
Source: https://www.makeuseof.com/stopped-using-libreoffice-switched-to-this-open-source-office-suite/
