LibreOffice, OnlyOffice: has free office software caught up?
Format compatibility was the real obstacle ten years ago. Where LibreOffice and OnlyOffice actually stand today on real .docx/.xlsx compatibility, not on paper.
The question that still holds many companies back from free office software isn't license cost, it's: "will the document open correctly for my client who uses Office?"
Two different philosophies
LibreOffice natively uses the OpenDocument Format (ODF) with robust — if occasionally imperfect on very complex layouts — .docx/.xlsx/.pptx import/export. OnlyOffice, by contrast, prioritizes binary compatibility with Microsoft formats — a choice that reduces friction for organizations constantly exchanging Office files externally.
What's actually improved
On standard text documents and spreadsheets — the vast majority of real professional use — compatibility is reliable on both sides today. The real friction points remain complex VBA macros and layouts heavy with floating objects, minority cases we identify during the audit before any migration.
Our approach
In Trustcollab, we test compatibility on a real sample of your documents before any switch — not a demo file — to know precisely whether LibreOffice or OnlyOffice (or both, split by team) is the right call for you.
A question about your situation?
Request a free audit, we'll look at your specific case.