Question Alternatives to MS Office?

[Squids4daddy]

I really love MS Office...but I just won't stomach $220 for a seat and "subscription" is a hard nyet for me.

Are there any off brand "office" suites that won't leave me frustrated and wishing I'd just spent the big money? Special emphasis on the data analysis tools in Excel. While we're at it: alternatives to MS Project (same issue).

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

You can try Libre Office. It's pretty decent, and doesn't come with much bloat or invasive adverts.

 

[USAFRet]

The only reason I have MS Office on some of my systems is that I get it really cheap from work.
All the others, LibreOffice.

It is mostly compatible, but the differences are very minor for a typical home user.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

It is mostly compatible, but the differences are very minor for a typical home user.

Yeah, that's what I liked most about it. Very little difference and practically the same functionality.

 

[Squids4daddy]

The only reason I have MS Office on some of my systems is that I get it really cheap from work.
All the others, LibreOffice.

It is mostly compatible, but the differences are very minor for a typical home user.

Thanks!

 

[punkncat]

Open Office, Libre, Google Docs are all three pretty good. Most of them are a straight up copy of older Office version that they call things something a little bit different and commands are slightly different.

Another point here. For years Office was a buy/install rather than a service like Office 365. It is not uncommon to be able to find people with the key card for older versions such as 10, 12, and so on. Those keys typically allow up to 3 reinstalls (technically to the same machine) before they become invalid. 2010 I think support dropped for so not really sure you can still find the installer, but the one for 12 still works. I am not personally vetted in anything newer for my particular situation.

 

[Squids4daddy]

Hey there,

You can try Libre Office. It's pretty decent, and doesn't come with much bloat or invasive adverts.

Thanks!

 

[NedSmelly]

MS Project is harder to replace with free apps, but Trello has a free-tier web app with limited features.

Also check out OpenProject.

 

[USAFRet]

Project is harder to replace with free apps, but Trello has a free-tier web app with limited features.

Regarding Trello:
https://www.tomsguide.com/computing...onal-information-might-be-on-sale-for-pennies

 

[USAFRet]

MS Project is harder to replace with free apps, but Trello has a free-tier web app with limited features.

Also check out OpenProject.

I'd wager if you need the capabilities of Project, you, or your employer, need to buy it.

 

[NedSmelly]

I'd wager if you need the capabilities of Project, you, or your employer, need to buy it.

Yep if it’s for collab you’re pretty much stuck with what everyone else is using.

 

[Squids4daddy]

Regarding Trello:
https://www.tomsguide.com/computing...onal-information-might-be-on-sale-for-pennies

Lol...I will DEFINITELY be using this. If for no other reason than..."Interestingly, the perpetrator of the attack has delivered a Bond-villain-style monologue explaining how they pulled it off, meaning there is no mystery about this alleged cyber attack."

 

[lantis3]

The problem with LibreOffice is that doesn't run Visual Basic for Applications

If you have to deal with Access/Excel/Word with embedded VBA, you have no choice.

 

[ThomasKinsley]

I really love MS Office...but I just won't stomach $220 for a seat and "subscription" is a hard nyet for me.

Are there any off brand "office" suites that won't leave me frustrated and wishing I'd just spent the big money? Special emphasis on the data analysis tools in Excel. While we're at it: alternatives to MS Project (same issue).

Not sure which one is the best for data analysis, but here are the big (and medium-sized) names in the business:

LibreOffice - free
Open Office - free
Only Office - free
FreeOffice/SoftMaker Office - free/paid
Zoho Office - free/paid?
Google Office Suite - cloud only, free
WPS Office Suite - free
MyOffice - free/paid?
Polaris Office Suite - One time payment/subscription