Why you should switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice (and why you shouldn't)

LibreOffice's 5.ane update added back up for Windows ten. An unofficial version of LibreOffice was recently uploaded to the Microsoft Store, simply now doesn't show upward if searched directly in the store. It's still bachelor via LibreOffice'southward site, though.

While the version of LibreOffice that was available through the Microsoft Store isn't official, information technology's a quality software suite that begs the question, Is it worth switching from Microsoft Part?

I've used Microsoft Office since Windows 95. But I decided to take a look at LibreOffice after information technology arrived in the Microsoft Store. Information technology'southward impressed me, though information technology'southward viability every bit an office suite depends largely on your setup.

Here are some reasons why you should choose LibreOffice over Microsoft Office, and some reasons why you shouldn't.

LibreOffice is available for costless on Windows 10, Mac, and Linux through Libre Part's website.

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Reason to switch: Value

The commencement affair that catches the center most LibreOffice is the price tag, or more specifically the lack of one. LibreOffice originally forked off of OpenOffice and has been regularly maintained and developed over the years. It'southward i of the best gratuitous office suites of applications around and has programs for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. It is a versatile and powerful ready of programs, though it's worth noting that it emulates the older core set up of apps from Microsoft Office and doesn't take equivalents to newer programs like OneNote.

While there are many word processors and cheap or gratuitous programs that endeavour to deliver a full office setup, Libre Office is one of the almost comprehensive. Its wide range of apps tackles the vast majority of office-related workflows. And information technology does all of this for free.

It supports open formats that allow yous to use documents from other programs then you don't have to isolate yourself or your workflow into a Libre Office globe.

The value of LibreOffice is truly impressive. Information technology's practically an advertizing for the open source customs because of how great of an app you can legally get for free.

Reason to switch: Dedicated developers

While LibreOffice is free, it'southward not some one-half-hearted project. It'southward regularly maintained and updated to support the latest versions of Windows 10. The suite tin also be expanded with extensions to add together more ability and versatility.

While that might non seem similar a large deal, some apps that are congenital to replicate or directly compete with large names fall away and become abandonware. LibreOffice released updates in the final few months to both its "Even so" and "Fresh" branches. Because of this, you don't need to worry well-nigh LibreOffice falling away. All indicators bear witness that it is alive and well and won't become anywhere anytime soon. Even if it did, you wouldn't accept to worry considering your documents would be in open formats.

Reasons Non to switch: Cloud limitations

One of the biggest areas these two suites diverge is in how they approach online and cantankerous-platform workflows. Microsoft invests heavily in the cloud to let yous open and salve documents anywhere you'd like. It also focuses on having apps on a variety of hardware, ranging from computers to tablets and phones. LibreOffice is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, but iOS and Android are limited to viewing files only unless you plow on experimental features.

If you need to save something on 1 device and jump to some other and continue editing, you'll be better served by Microsoft Function. You tin can practise online editing with things such every bit Collabora and ownCloud, but that's more complicated to set up than just signing into your Microsoft account. Microsoft Office also handles collaboration from multiple editors better than LibreOffice.

Much like the rest of this comparison, how much this affects you will vary. I use a personal PC, work MacBook, work iPad, and personal Android phone. I use Office Online often and use 2 unlike OneDrive accounts for piece of work and personal apply. So, for me, these features are essential, and I could never switch away from Microsoft Role. Merely you lot could have a completely different workflow that would be swell for y'all centered on using LibreOffice on select devices and saving them onto a cloud like Dropbox.

So should you switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice?

Deciding to switch to LibreOffice over Microsoft Office is largely dependent on your specific workflow. While LibreOffice obviously is a ameliorate value considering you're getting something for free, that isn't a factor to someone who already is happy to pay for Function 365 for things like OneDrive storage or someone that gets Function 365 through their workplace or school.

Comparison the feature sets of the ii suites is more complicated. It isn't as unproblematic as maxim that one is better. If yous scroll through this folio comparison the feature sets yous'll see that the suites alternate in terms of which is meliorate from section to department. For example, LibreOffice lets y'all insert more items such as vector graphics and FLAC audio, but Microsoft Office has better affect support and better cross-platform collaboration features. My advice in terms of features information technology to browse through each suite and meet which fits your personal needs best.

LibreOffice is impressive, and because it's gratis you can try it out while still paying for Microsoft Office. My advice is that if yous're interested, requite it a try while keeping your Function 365 subscription and then brand a more permanent decision. Ultimately, LibreOffice could save you some significant greenbacks.

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/why-use-libre-office-over-microsoft-office

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