TrustRadius Insights for LibreOffice are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.
Pros
Clear and well-defined styles: Users have stated that Writer, the word processing software in LibreOffice, is very good at defining styles for paragraphs, characters, tables, pages, etc. This concept is clearer than in MS Office, making it easier to write documents with well-defined styles. This feature has been beneficial for future changes to the document.
High-quality typographical features: Many reviewers appreciate the typographical features of Writer when using supported OpenType fonts. They feel that these features make it easier to produce high-quality documents that are almost desktop publishing quality. Features such as kerning and ligatures enhance the overall appearance of the documents.
Convenient PDF export feature: A significant number of users have highlighted the embedded PDF export feature in Writer. They find it complemented by a lot of useful features and makes it convenient to export documents as PDFs without the need for additional tools. This simplifies sharing and ensures compatibility across different devices and platforms.
The moment we get a new laptop into our company out goes all the bloated Microsoft ware and on goes Libre Office. it is the smoothest way to get up and running for the least amount of cost.
Pros
Syncs perfectly with MS files
Works equally as well as MS
Love the intuitive interface
Cons
Updates should be more obvious and easier to implement
Some drop down menu choices are difficult to find, they're not identical to MS apps
It would be nice if it defaulted to current MS operating systems when choosing "Save As" for files.
Likelihood to Recommend
I only have experience with calc and writer. It's perfect for my own line of work, which is writing and project management. Where it is less appropriate is for people who need to collaborate heavily with others in the cloud. I'm pretty sure there isn't an online version of it right? But even if there was I love having some control over keeping LO on my desktop.
LibreOffice fills in the gaps where I need a spreadsheet and/or word processor which are fully compatible with other file formats current in the industry. Unlike Microsoft, I can easily just setup LibreOffice on a computer without paying a cent and get users going with this quickly and easily. I really appreciate the work that has gone into LibreOffice as a cohesive system.
Pros
spreadsheet
wordprocessor
presentation
Cons
Presentations format is not fully 100% MS compatible
Importing MS Word documents is very very close but not perfect
Likelihood to Recommend
LibreOffice works perfectly for the type of situation it was designed for: desktop, offline office tools. It should be noted that it does not specifically do things the way MS 365 or Google Docs does: it does not utilize the internet and make things available like that to others who are collaborating. I think the whole store-and-edit-on-the-internet ideology is overrated and more gimmicky than having a shared folder and users who can edit documents. I see GDocs and 365 as security breaches at best and nefarious at worst.
I used LibreOffice to write my dissertation. I also used it for years to write academic articles and to develop teaching materials for my students. One of the things that is important to me as an academic writer is to be able to use plug-ins that connect my word processor with my bibliography manager.
Pros
Word Processing.
Basic Styles.
Compiling chapters into a book-sized project.
Cons
More advanced Style options.
Consistent integration with bibliography management software.
Group authoring.
Likelihood to Recommend
LibreOffice is a great option if you don't have access to a free copy of Microsoft Office. It includes all of the basic functionality of MS Office for the price of free. But if you need some of the more advanced features and if the rest of your colleagues tend to use MS Office, then it's not worth struggling against the tide.
It is used by my whole organization. I use it as my primary source for office applications usage.
Pros
It's comparable to MS Office suites.
MS Office documents are compatible.
Better than Google Docs.
Cons
It doesn't provide all the functions it should with a paid subscription.
There are features that are only available with Premium and I have premium and they are still not available.
Paying for the premium version doesn't provide additional services than free version
Customer service is nonresponsive and has been nonresponsive for years even prior to COVID.
Likelihood to Recommend
LibreOffice is a good alternative to MS Office. I like it better than Google Docs. It's compatible with MS Office applications.
However, many of the features or functions are difficult to find even when utilizing the help menu. The website isn't too helpful either. My greatest disappointment is that I paid for the premium version a year ago but never received the features that were supposed to be available with a premium subscription. The upper right-hand corner of the app shows the subscription type and date of expiration of the subscription. I have premium yet every time I try to access a premium feature it requests me to pay. I have contacted LibreOffice several times over the year and they never responded or provided a refund. I can only recommend the free version because even with a premium subscription, which mine is supposed to expire on 10/22/21 (the date of this review is 08/04/21), I have yet to be able to utilize the premium features I paid for last year. I would not use this as my primary app for Word processing which is where I am experiencing the majority of the blocked features issues. Even with a paid premium subscription, I am unable to create labels. It's asking me to pay again. I think LibreOffice has greater potential but a user must get the features they paid for. I hesitate to call the company a scam but I can say I have contacted LibreOffice numerous times over the past year about the ongoing issues and have not received a response at least once. Along with the features and subscriptions issues that needed to be addressed, another area of improvement is their website. It is very difficult to locate information. Even when using the search field the instructions often do not match the app. I am not sure how often they update their online guides but I have never found it to be helpful. I have also found it very difficult to impossible to download templates. I usually get weird links with garbled codes and no template when trying to download a template. I'm not sure if it's an issue with their site or not but since they don't respond to inquiries I cannot determine a possible cause for the problem.
I am the only employee at a small nonprofit. I have been using LibreOffice back since it was OpenOffice. I need something that is affordable or ideally free so LibreOffice meets our price point. I mostly need a word processor and occasionally something to make presentations. I use Google Sheets primarily for spreadsheets mostly due to it's programmability and online integration with other tools.
Pros
It's free.
It's a full-featured office productivity suite.
The various applications are able to import and export documents in a variety of well-known formats.
Cons
Name brand office suites vendors such as Microsoft and Google have online portals where documents can be saved and shared for automation/integration. LibreOffice would do well to expand into this space.
Memory handling in large spreadsheets (i.e., 60k rows or more) seems a bit quirky on my Macbook Air. It might just be a memory issues, but scrolling with the trackpad behaves strangely (i.e., cell selection jumps around unexpectedly).
Likelihood to Recommend
The fact that it is free of charge for desktop use sets LibreOffice at the top of my list. Given our low software budget, and its feature set which is for all intents and purposes equivalent to big name brands, it is more than appropriate for our needs. I have noticed in some situations that exporting a spreadsheet in a particular format on my machine and then sharing it with someone who is using say Microsoft Excel results in unexpected behavior (i.e., formatting issues or unreadable data).
We use LibreOffice to fill in any holes left by the Microsoft Office Suite licenses we purchase. For example:
<ul><li>LibreOffice has a Draw program that allows you to make diagrams and flowcharts - a feature missing from the Microsoft Office Suite.</li><li>Also, for laptops that are used only occasionally, where office applications are seldom used, it's not worth purchasing a license, so we install LibreOffice.</li><li>Likewise, for hosting servers, where Remote App users do not need to use a word processor, but may need to occasionally open or view an attachment, LibreOffice meets this occasional usage.</li><li>It also provides an excellent and full office suite while working from home for staff that may not otherwise need to purchase Microsoft Office.</li></ul>
Pros
Full Featured - Just about everything you can get in a purchased office suite is available - word processor, spreadsheet, slides, drawing, database.
The Draw program provides features that you may not find elsewhere (at least not easily) - e.g. flowcharts with arrows that automatically connect to boxes, following smooth lines.
Follows industry standards - e.g. the spreadsheet uses the same formulas you'd be used to from Excel.
Compatible - Easily open and edit documents from Microsoft suite; save in all the usual file formats, with good formatting. (i.e. It won't look skewed when you send it to others. There are small issues with editing existing slides from PowerPoint, but these are minor.)
Editing PDFs - Word will not let you do this. For small-scale edits, LibreOffice Draw works great.
Maintained actively with frequent and useful updates.
Cons
The menus are outdated; while it's full featured, some tools are buried within dialogs that you'd have to find under sub-sub-menus, etc.
It's not online. The current way of collaboration is online apps like Google Docs. This makes collaboration less convenient.
It can give a poor impression if it becomes visible to clients or other stakeholders; this isn't a flaw with the suite itself, but often impression matters.
Likelihood to Recommend
For business usage, it is most appropriate to use as I've described - filling holes left by the main/purchased Office suite - e.g. on seldom used laptops, on servers, etc. This is not due to any flaws, but mostly impression.
It's also very useful for working at home if you need to edit documents on your own machine, but not often enough to merit purchasing an Office suite.
It would be less appropriate as a full-time Office suite used often each day in a professional environment, or where online collaboration is needed.
Here at GISMarxev I use LibreOffice every time I need to edit documents via PC. Those traditional industry documents such as text, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDF formats. Yes, you're right -- it's our substitute champion for the MS Office package, and not only for being completely costless, but also for two other important reasons:
1) It is functionally compatible with the Microsoft package for both opening and exporting files.
2) It maintains a simple and user-friendly interface that wisely hides the most sophisticated features from the average user.
Pros
It is available for installation on the three major PC platforms: Windows, Linux, and Mac (including official application stores for these systems).
It has always been able to open, edit and/or export files (even with specific formatting) in MS Office proprietary formats without piracy, as it is completely costless.
It is constantly updated (certainly much more than MS Office), which ensures more security, stability, and new features.
Cons
Paid, online, fast problem-solving technical support.
An online version that is really similar and compatible with LibreOffice for desktop, similar to MSOffice 365.
An updated service that works within the LibreOffice itself.
Likelihood to Recommend
LibreOffice is ideal for organizations and people who don't want and/or can't pay for MS Office. Even in environments where the use of the Microsoft tool is well established, the familiar interface and ease of importing/exporting files from all commonly used applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) efficiently helps a lot during the transition period.
Therefore, it is only in situations where the official MS Office license has already been purchased (purchased or donated) that exclusive use of LibreOffice would not be recommended, but as licenses do not last forever, this situation may change.
LIbreOffice is our default word processor/spreadsheet/presentation software. It has replaced MS Office and it is more resilient than Google Docs. It is a full-featured product that works.
Pros
It is free.
It works with all MS Office files.
It is a full-featured desktop solution. No internet connection required to use.
Cons
Excel macros are not supported.
You need to get used to it. While it operates like Office, some of the icons/locations of items are different.
It runs like Office 2003, not Office 365.
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited to someone who is looking for software to replace MS Office without a subscription or fee. As long as you are not a heavy user or someone who constantly interfaces with a large organization that uses Microsoft products, LibreOffice is a great product.
LibreOffice is being used as an alternative to MSOffice. Our whole organization uses it. It simplifies the word processing aspect of our firm.
Pros
Very user-friendly.
Compatible with other programs.
Cost of entry.
Cons
Easier help function.
Better PDF integration.
Likelihood to Recommend
LibreOffice is well suited for any firm/organization that has a background in MS office. It is less appropriate for those starting out in the word processing field.
We use LibreOffice through out the entire organization. It's mostly used for spreadsheets, data tracking, exporting and importing inventory via user-created .csv files and it's occasionally used for word processing and making signs in the retail store. The vast majority of users do very well with the minor differences from office, and not having to use the official licensing is a huge plus, especially when you have a front end that opens a document to merge with other data.
Pros
Basic spreadsheet functionality
Word processing
Creating CSVs for importing
Cons
Some Excel created spreadsheets have formatting issues.
Some of the more advanced Excel functions take some extra effort to achieve.
Likelihood to Recommend
Anyone who needs word processing and basic spreadsheet functionality is much better off with LibreOffice. If you need to create docs that are importable into a database like SQL, Tomcat, etc. there's no issue. If you are tired of the licensing with office 365, this is a great choice. Some areas where it might be less appropriate are with personnel that have used MS Office for a very long time and have difficulty with making that switch, or when you are collaborating with people using MS Office and working with some of the more advanced Excel features.
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Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology (51-200 employees)
