Office
You do not need a subscription to edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations. The three suites below cover the job for free. The honest differences are in Microsoft-format compatibility, interface style and how much of your data goes to the cloud.
Find your next favourite
The Three Freeware Office Suites
| Suite | Best at | Cloud dependency | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| LibreOffice | Offline work, privacy | None | Open source |
| OnlyOffice | MS format compatibility | Optional | Open source |
| WPS Office | Familiar ribbon look | Optional | Freeware |
Freeware Word Processor and Spreadsheet
All three suites bundle a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation app. For pure document work, LibreOffice Writer is the most dependable freeware word processor: stable, offline, and it exports to PDF and DOCX without a subscription. LibreOffice Calc covers spreadsheet work including pivot tables and charts; power users who live inside Excel macros will notice the gaps, everyone else will not.
If Microsoft-format fidelity is the priority, OnlyOffice renders DOCX and XLSX closest to the originals, which is relevant when you exchange files with Office users daily. WPS Office wins on looks: its ribbon mirrors Microsoft's layout, but the free tier shows occasional ads and pushes the premium version.
Freeware PDF to Word
Converting PDF to Word is the most common "office" request this catalog receives. PDF24 Creator does it locally on Windows for free, with no upload and no page limit. For macOS and Linux, LibreOffice Draw opens PDFs and exports editable documents, and PDF24's online tool covers simple jobs from any browser. Remember that online converters see your document, so keep sensitive files offline.
Good to know
What is the best freeware office suite?
LibreOffice overall: offline, private, open source and complete. OnlyOffice when Microsoft-format fidelity matters most.
Is LibreOffice compatible with Microsoft Office?
Yes for practical purposes: DOCX, XLSX and PPTX open and save correctly in the vast majority of documents; complex Excel macros may not translate.
How do I convert PDF to Word for free?
PDF24 Creator on Windows converts locally with no limits; LibreOffice Draw covers other platforms; online converters are fine for non-sensitive files.
Can I use a free office suite in a business?
Yes. Both LibreOffice and OnlyOffice are explicitly licensed for commercial use. WPS Office free tier is licensed for business use with limitations; read its terms for large deployments.