ONLYOFFICE Desktop EditorsLinux
vs
OpenOffice.org WriterWindows
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors as a Linux alternative to OpenOffice.org Writer
Updated
Our verdict
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a solid replacement for OpenOffice.org Writer, especially for users who work with .docx files and want modern formatting, collaboration, and PDF tools. It handles standard word processing tasks well, with strong style support, mail merge, and table editing. The tabbed interface and plugin system add efficiency. However, long-time OpenOffice users focused on lightweight, simple text editing may find it heavier than needed. It’s best for those already using or moving toward cloud integration or needing frequent .docx compatibility.
- License
- AGPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 10.0.0 (October 13, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports .odt and .docx file formats natively
- Offers standard text formatting, styles, headers/footers, and table editing
- Includes basic mail merge functionality
- Integrates with Linux desktop environments (via native packages and Flatpak)
- Provides offline document editing without requiring internet access
What is different
- ONLYOFFICE has a tab-based interface; OpenOffice uses separate windows
- AI features and plugin ecosystem (e.g., OCR, code highlighting) are not in OpenOffice.org Writer
- Digital signatures and password protection are more advanced in ONLYOFFICE
- Cloud sync options (Nextcloud, ownCloud) are built-in, unlike in OpenOffice.org
- OpenOffice.org has broader macro compatibility with legacy .doc files
Opening your OpenOffice.org Writer files
ONLYOFFICE opens .odt and .docx files reliably, including those created in OpenOffice.org Writer. It preserves most formatting, styles, and tables. Export to modern PDF standards (including tagged PDFs) works well. Older .doc files from legacy OpenOffice versions may lose some complex layout, but conversion is generally accurate. If you regularly share .odt files with LibreOffice users, ONLYOFFICE handles them without issues.
Switching from OpenOffice.org Writer to ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, step by step
- Download ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors from the official site or install via Flathub
- Import your existing documents — no conversion needed for .odt or .docx
- Use the Settings menu to adjust interface theme and default save format
- Install useful plugins like Markdown converter or image editor if needed
- Optionally connect to Nextcloud or another supported cloud for sync
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
Can ONLYOFFICE open old OpenOffice .sxw files?
No, .sxw (StarWriter) files are not supported. Convert them to .odt or .docx using OpenOffice.org or LibreOffice first.
Is ONLYOFFICE faster than OpenOffice.org Writer?
Generally yes — startup and document rendering are faster, especially with .docx files, due to a more modern codebase.
Does it support LibreOffice-style extensions or macros?
No, it doesn’t support LibreOffice/OpenOffice .oxt extensions. Macros are handled differently and are less compatible with legacy OpenOffice setups.
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