If you're looking for a Microsoft Office alternative that costs nothing, this is that suite, and it's worth knowing upfront that it's related to, but not the same project as, LibreOffice. Both trace back to the original OpenOffice.org codebase, but this is the Apache Foundation's own continuation of it. It handles documents, spreadsheets and presentations with solid Word/Excel/PowerPoint compatibility for everyday files.
OpenOffice vs LibreOffice: which fork you're actually downloading
Both suites descend from the original OpenOffice.org project. Apache OpenOffice kept the original name and license after Oracle handed it to the Apache Foundation, while LibreOffice forked away in 2010 and has since updated more frequently.
Neither one costs anything to use. For everyday .docx, .xlsx and .pptx files, Apache OpenOffice's compatibility is solid, though very complex formatting can occasionally shift slightly on import.
Who ends up using Apache OpenOffice
Budget-conscious home users and small organizations wanting a Microsoft Office alternative without any licensing cost use it.
- Writing documents, letters and reports without paying for a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Small offices or nonprofits standardizing on a free suite instead of per-seat licenses
- Opening old .doc or .xls files on a machine without Microsoft Office installed
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Apache OpenOffice before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, Apache OpenOffice is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by Apache Software Foundation.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
It's a lightweight tool, so there's no serious CPU/RAM/storage requirement beyond what its OS already needs to run comfortably.
Quick steps
- Download the full office suite installer for your platform
- Run the setup — it installs Writer, Calc, Impress and the rest together
- Open any of the included apps and start a new document, no registration needed
Apache OpenOffice: the honest trade-offs
- Complete suite of Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw and Base at no cost, ever
- Reasonable compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint file formats
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux from the same familiar interface
- Updated far less frequently than its sibling fork LibreOffice
- Very complex Word or Excel formatting can shift slightly when opened
This download tracks the Apache Software Foundation's own release, not an old or repackaged mirror copy.
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Keeping Apache OpenOffice up to date
Since Apache OpenOffice is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Apache OpenOffice page.
Frequently asked questions
Can Apache OpenOffice open .docx and .xlsx files?
Yes, it can open and save Microsoft Office formats, though very complex formatting may shift slightly compared to Word or Excel.
Is there a portable version that doesn't need installing?
The official Apache build requires installation; portable repackaged versions exist from third parties but aren't distributed by the Apache project itself.
