I'm considering alternatives to Microsoft Office for our workplace, where we have about 140 shop floor workstations. These machines are primarily used for basic tasks like viewing and editing Word and Excel documents, but the employees using them don't have email accounts. After receiving some steep quotes for Microsoft ProPlus, I'm looking into solutions like LibreOffice, OpenOffice, and WPS Office. I've heard WPS Office might be a good fit due to its modern interface and compatibility with Microsoft formats. Has anyone successfully used it for similar setups? I'm also curious about the performance, security aspects, and if there are any major drawbacks I should be aware of.
5 Answers
Don’t forget that there are free online options too, like Google Docs or even Office365 for personal use. Just note that using them in a business setting could violate licensing terms.
If you're open to alternatives, I personally think OnlyOffice is worth considering. It's user-friendly and strikes a balance between functionality and ease of use. Plus, it has a more modern design than some other options available.
I would stay away from WPS Office if I were you. I've heard that it can behave like malware by messing with file associations, and getting rid of it can be a hassle. I think LibreOffice is more stable overall for business use.
I've used LibreOffice on similar setups, and it works surprisingly well! Many people underestimate its compatibility; it handles most tasks without issues. However, I do agree that the interface can feel outdated for users who are more acquainted with newer versions of Microsoft Office.
Exactly! A lot of users today are familiar with more modern UIs. Libre's look is pretty reminiscent of Office 2003, so there might be a learning curve for some.
We use SoftMaker Office here, and it's been solid for our needs. The fact that it's from a German company gives us some peace of mind in terms of privacy, too! You might want to check it out.
But keep in mind that OnlyOffice has its own origin concerns, so be cautious.