ONLYOFFICE Desktop EditorsLinux
vs
Microsoft Office WordWindows
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Office Word
Updated
Our verdict
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a strong, free alternative to Microsoft Word for Linux users who prioritize .docx compatibility and offline work. It handles standard formatting, tables, and images reliably without the subscription cost of Microsoft 365. The tabbed interface simplifies multitasking, while AI features offer optional productivity boosts. It is ideal for students, home users, and professionals who do not rely on complex VBA macros or deep SharePoint integration. If you need a native Linux solution that opens and saves Word files with high fidelity, this is a practical choice.
- License
- AGPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 10.0.0 (October 13, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Full support for Office Open XML (.docx) formats
- Rich text formatting including styles, headers, and footers
- Ability to insert and format tables and images
- Spell checking and grammar assistance tools
- PDF export capability for final documents
What is different
- Lacks full VBA macro support, limiting complex automation
- No native SharePoint or OneDrive deep integration, though cloud sync exists
- Mail merge functionality may be less intuitive than Word's wizard
- Includes additional suite components like spreadsheets and presentations in one package
- AI features are additive and not required for core editing tasks
Opening your Microsoft Office Word files
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is fully compatible with Office Open XML formats, meaning it can open and save .docx files with high fidelity. This ensures that documents created in Microsoft Word will retain their formatting, styles, and structure when opened in ONLYOFFICE. Users can also export to PDF, which is useful for sharing finalized documents. While minor layout shifts can occasionally occur with very complex documents, the general compatibility is robust for typical business and academic use cases.
Switching from Microsoft Office Word to ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, step by step
- Install ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors via Flatpak or your distribution's package manager
- Open existing .docx files to verify formatting and layout accuracy
- Review and adjust any complex styles or headers that may have shifted
- Test PDF export to ensure final output matches expectations
- Configure cloud sync if you need cross-device access, otherwise rely on local storage
- Set ONLYOFFICE as the default application for .docx files in your file manager
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 support VBA macros?
ONLYOFFICE has limited macro support. It can run some basic macros, but complex VBA scripts from Microsoft Word may not work correctly. If your workflow depends heavily on advanced VBA automation, this could be a significant limitation.
Can I use ONLYOFFICE without an internet connection?
Yes, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is designed for offline use. All core editing, formatting, and saving functions work without an internet connection. Cloud sync and AI features require connectivity but are optional.
Is there a cost to use ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors?
No, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is free and open-source software licensed under AGPL-3.0. You do not need a subscription to use its core features, making it a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft 365.
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