The battle between office software is an ongoing task, which can never come to an end. Microsoft Office might be ruling the market, but there are professional alternatives to give Microsoft Office a run for its money.

If open-source productivity suites are your need of the hour, then turn to the ongoing competition between LibreOffice and OpenOffice. This comparison guide will help decipher the functionalities of the two productivity suites and help you decide which is the best option.

A Brief About the Two Software

Both LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice have stemmed from a common platform—OpenOffice.org. Both the software still exist, and they individually release new versions of these functional office suites.

The Apache Software Foundation maintains Apache's OpenOffice version. It's operated and held under the Apache umbrella and trademarked with its license.

LibreOffice, on the other hand, has been developing quickly and releasing new versions frequently. Apache released its OpenOffice 4.1 in March 2014.

Updates and New Releases

One of the most significant differences between the two platforms is based on their new releases. LibreOffice is relatively recent, as its releases are pretty frequent. This means better bug fixes and new features. Whereas, OpenOffice being a dead software, continues to wallow in its existing, pre-installed updates. This means more bugs, higher security issues, and a stagnated set of features.

Winner: LibreOffice, with its advanced and frequent updates and bug fixes.

Platform Availability and Price

Let's talk about the cost of the two software. Ironically, both applications are open-source and free to download and install, despite their series of features. Unlike their counterpart MS Office suite, these don't have a single penny cost associated with them.

Both office suites are also compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

OpenOffice has the edge over its competition in this regard. Its website shares additional third-party distributions, not maintained or endorsed by the Apache Software Foundation (one such notable port is AndrOpen Office).

However, it's best to download any of these third-party distributions at your own risk.

Winner: Apache OpenOffice, but only by a slight margin.

Installation and Program Availability

Both suites are portable, which means that you can install the portable LibreOffice version on a flash drive. OpenOffice works in pretty much the same way.

The differentiating factor is the program availability. In OpenOffice, you can install only Writer or Calc without bothering about installing the entire suite. LibreOffice, on the contrary, does not offer an option to install in parts. You would need to download and install the whole suite even when you don't want to use every program.

If you have a hard disk problem, it is best to avoid installing LibreOffice since the whole installation process takes up more space than the OpenOffice programs.

Winner: OpenOffice, due to its part program installation feature

Related: What's the Best Word Processor for Linux?

Mobile Functionality

Let's talk about mobile functionality and compatibility. Mobile functionality is an essential aspect for a lot of users. Even though the actual functionality of both suites is realized via the desktop version, there is no denying that the mobile versions are equally efficient.

AndrOpen Office is OpenOffice's Android app, which is free to download and use. The iOS version, Office 700, costs $5.99. Both app versions offer access to Calc, Writer, Impress, Math, and Draw.

Additionally, there is a Lite version, which has limited features, supporting its free download. You'll find advertisements in the free version and you might have to compromise on some features available within the paid version.

LibreOffice's offers two apps; each of these apps offers different uses. Collabora Office is Android's version, while Impress Remote works for Android and iOS both.

Features and Capabilities

The standard function between the two suites is that you can create six different documents type, which are:

  • Text documents
  • Spreadsheets
  • Presentations
  • Drawings
  • Formulas
  • Databases

Even though both office software offer document templates, LibreOffice offers a more robust, built-in, ready-to-use set of templates, which have the upper hand over its competitor. Within OpenOffice, you would need to search through the templates on the website and then download the templates you wish to use.

LibreOffice and OpenOffice include Wizards, which can help you create unique templates for drafting documents, letters, and much more. LibreOffice Wizards are easier to use, while OpenOffice requires you to download a Java runtime environment before using the Wizard full-fledged.

Winner: Given the list of features, functionalities, templates, and Wizards, LibreOffice emerges as the clear winner.

File Format Compatibility

Both office suites allow you to save files in a wide variety of formats. Between Apache OpenOffice vs. LibreOffice, the latter lets you use more modern formats, which include:

  • OF
  • Unified Office Format
  • Word 2007-365
  • Word 97-2003
  • Rich Text
  • PDF
  • EPUB
  • XHTML

Apache OpenOffice tends to deviate towards older file formats, which include the following:

  • OF
  • Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP
  • Microsoft Word 95
  • Rich Text
  • PDF/ XHTML for exporting your documents

Winner: LibreOffice, given its wide range of modern file formats.

Language Support

Apache OpenOffice offers a series of language supports, making the software multilingual. You can download additional language patches as plugins. Subsequently, LibreOffice will require you to select at least one language initially, which will continue throughout the time you are using the processor.

Winner: Apache OpenOffice with its flexible language approach

Related: LibreOffice Writer: The Ultimate Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet

Which One Is Better, LibreOffice or OpenOffice?

The choice between LibreOffice or OpenOffice is a close call, but there has to be a winner in the end.

LibreOffice emerges as a better option out of the two in the battle of LibreOffice vs. OpenOffice. The interface, templates, and Wizard make the former rank higher. You can import, save, and use modern file formats, making this productive office software an intuitive word processor.

While LibreOffice seems like an apparent winner to most users, many others might feel OpenOffice is a better option. You can figure out the best option based on your priorities and the need of the hour. If you are already used to working in MS Office, then LibreOffice is the closest you can get to replicating the services of its counterpart.

While you can use LibreOffice for various other things, as a PDF editor, for example, people who prefer working on Google Docs might find Apache OpenOffice better than LibreOffice.