ONLYOFFICE Desktop EditorsLinux
vs
Microsoft Office 365Windows
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Office 365
Updated
Our verdict
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a solid, free replacement for the core productivity components of Microsoft 365, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It handles standard document creation and editing well, with strong .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx compatibility. However, it is not a complete 1:1 swap for the full 365 suite because it lacks a built-in email client and native calendar/contacts management. If you need Outlook functionality, you must pair this with a separate client like Thunderbird. For users who primarily work with documents and spreadsheets and can use third-party tools for email, this is a capable, open-source alternative that runs natively on Linux.
- License
- AGPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 10.0.0 (October 13, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports standard Office Open XML formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Provides a familiar desktop interface with ribbons and toolbars similar to modern Microsoft Office.
- Allows offline editing with the option to sync files to cloud storage services.
- Includes PDF export and import capabilities for both documents and forms.
What is different
- Lacks a built-in email client, calendar, and contacts manager, which are core parts of Microsoft 365.
- Does not include Microsoft-specific add-ins like Power Query or advanced Power BI integration.
- Cloud collaboration requires connecting to third-party servers like Nextcloud or ownCloud, rather than a proprietary Microsoft service.
- AI features are experimental and require connecting external models, whereas Microsoft 365 Copilot is deeply integrated into the subscription.
Opening your Microsoft Office 365 files
ONLYOFFICE has full support for Office Open XML formats, meaning it opens and saves .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files without issues. It also handles PDFs and PDF forms. While minor formatting discrepancies can occasionally occur with complex layouts or legacy .doc/.xls files, the suite is designed to maintain high fidelity with Microsoft Office files, making it suitable for daily professional use where cross-platform compatibility is essential.
Switching from Microsoft Office 365 to ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, step by step
- Install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors via Flatpak or your distribution's package manager.
- Transfer existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files to your Linux home directory or network drive.
- Set up a separate email client like Thunderbird and configure your IMAP/POP3 accounts.
- Configure cloud sync by connecting ONLYOFFICE to your preferred server such as Nextcloud or ownCloud.
- Test open a few complex files to verify formatting and adjust settings if necessary.
Key features of ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
- Full Office Open XML support (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)
- Tab‑based UI for multiple documents
- AI chat and AI agents for translation, OCR, form auto‑fill
- Plugin system for image editing, code highlighting, Markdown conversion
- Password protection and digital signatures
- Offline editing with optional cloud sync (Nextcloud, ownCloud, etc.)
- Cross‑platform (Linux, Windows, macOS)
How to install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.onlyoffice.desktopeditorsFrequently asked questions
Does ONLYOFFICE replace Outlook?
No, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors does not include an email client. You will need to use a separate application like Thunderbird or Evolution for email, calendar, and contacts.
Is ONLYOFFICE completely free?
Yes, the desktop editors are free and open-source under the AGPL-3.0 license. There are no subscription fees for the core productivity tools, though cloud services you connect to may have their own costs.
Can I collaborate with people using Microsoft 365?
Yes, you can exchange files via email or shared cloud storage. Real-time co-authoring within the same session is possible if both parties use compatible cloud connectors, but direct integration with Microsoft 365 shared workspaces is not native.
3 other alternatives to Microsoft Office 365
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