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Apache OpenOffice vs FreeOffice TextMaker (2026): which should you pick?

As of Nov 13, 2026, FreeOffice TextMaker grades higher than Apache OpenOffice: 3.4 against 3.2 out of 4.0.

Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA

FreeOffice TextMaker grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use.

Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.

Apache OpenOffice

Free open-source office suite with the Writer word processor

Free
Full detailsopenoffice.org

FreeOffice TextMaker

Free word processor that opens and saves Microsoft Word files

Free
Full detailsfreeoffice.com

Which one is for you

Pick Apache OpenOffice if

  • Fits if you want a desktop word processor for $0 and don't need online co-editing
  • Works for old PCs and offline work, where an installer is all you need

Look elsewhere if

  • Skip it if you want a web or phone version, since the download page lists neither
  • Not for you if you want a paid helpdesk, because support is volunteers
  • Too light for shared editing, with no cloud storage or live co-editing listed
  • Watch out: the Windows installer listed is 32-bit and Macs below 10.7 need a separate download

Pick FreeOffice TextMaker if

  • Fits if you want a free word processor that opens Word files
  • Works for a household or a small office on one or three computers

Look elsewhere if

  • Watch out: free products have no email support, only the user forum
  • Watch out: the license allows 3 computers in a household or 1 in an organization
  • Skip it if you want a browser-based editor, since none is listed
  • Watch out: SoftMaker Office, the paid version, has email support and prices we did not check

How we grade them

3.2GPAApache OpenOfficeVery good3.4GPAFreeOffice TextMakerVery good
Value for money
A$0 for the whole suite with no licence fee, commercial use included. Against a category with $9.75 in the middle, that's as cheap as it gets.
AFree for personal and business use. Writing tools charge $5.83 to $12.50 a month.
Free plan and trial
AFree to download and use on as many PCs as you like, with no caps listed.
AFree with no caps listed, for home or work use.
Features
BWriter with contents tables, references, AutoCorrect, margin comments, and PDF, HTML and MediaWiki export, plus Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core work.
BA word processor with Office file compatibility, ribbon or classic menus and a touch mode. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core job.
Ease of use
BNo store rating on record, but you download, install and start typing with nothing to set up.
BNo store rating on record, but it's a program you install and start typing in. Menus can look like Office's.
Platforms and integrations
CWindows, Mac and Linux installers only: a program for computers alone.
BWindows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, and it opens Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. No web editor is listed.
Best fora no-cost office suite on a desktopa free word processor for any system

The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Apache OpenOffice and FreeOffice TextMaker. How we grade

Price against what you get

Apache OpenOffice has no paid plan and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. FreeOffice TextMaker has no paid plan and scores 3.0.

FreeOffice TextMaker scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other writing tools on the chart, none scores higher than Apache OpenOffice for less, and none scores higher than FreeOffice TextMaker for less.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$0.5$1$2$5$10$20$50$100More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessApache OpenOfficeFreeOffice TextMaker

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of writing tools, and the best at every price

Where they differ

  • Apache OpenOffice is open source, according to its own site.
  • Apache OpenOffice also covers templates, spreadsheets and presentations.
  • FreeOffice TextMaker also covers long-form writing.
In commonFree planWindowsmacOSLinuxWorks offlineDocuments

At a glance

Apache OpenOfficeFreeOffice TextMaker
PricingFreeFree
Starts atFreeFree
Free planThe whole suite is free to download and use for any purpose, private or commercial, on as many PCs as you like.FreeOffice is free for personal and business use; there is no email support for free products.
Free trialNone listedNone listed
macOS
Windows
Linux
iOS
Android
Made byThe Apache Software FoundationSoftMaker Software GmbH
Price read fromopenoffice.orgfreeoffice.com
CheckedNov 13, 2026Nov 12, 2026

Worth knowing

Apache OpenOffice

  • The download page lists only Windows, Linux and macOS installers; no web version or mobile app is listed.
  • The Windows installer listed is 32-bit, and macOS versions below 10.7 have a separate download.
  • Support comes from a volunteer community rather than a paid helpdesk.

FreeOffice TextMaker

  • There is no email support for free products; help comes from the user forum.
  • The license allows 3 computers in one household or 1 computer in an organization.
  • SoftMaker also sells commercial SoftMaker Office editions with email support; their prices were not checked here.
  • There is no web or browser-based editor listed.

Key features

Apache OpenOffice

Writer word processor
Handles anything from a short memo to a book, with styles, text frames, mail-merge wizards and multi-page display while editing.
Tables of contents and references
Generates tables of contents, indexes, bibliographic references and lists of illustrations or tables for long documents.
AutoCorrect and AutoComplete
Corrects typing mistakes and checks spelling as you type, supports several languages in one document, and suggests common words and phrases.
PDF, HTML and MediaWiki export
Exports to PDF, HTML and MediaWiki format; the PDF export offers a large set of formatting and security settings.
Comments in the margin
Notes show beside the text, with different colors for different users and the date and time of each edit.
Extensions and templates
A public library of user-made extensions, dictionaries and templates adds functions and starting layouts.

FreeOffice TextMaker

Word processor
A full word processor, part of a suite with the PlanMaker spreadsheet and the Presentations program.
Microsoft Office compatibility
The vendor says the suite is compatible with Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Ribbon or classic menus
FreeOffice 2024 can switch between a ribbon interface and classic menus and toolbars.
Touch mode
A touch mode with larger icons and more spacing is available with both interface styles.
Mobile apps
The vendor offers TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations for iOS and Android free of charge.
Business use allowed
The site states the suite is free for business as well as personal use.

Plans

Apache OpenOffice

  • Apache OpenOffice$0

    Full suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math) with no license fee; the project accepts donations.

FreeOffice TextMaker

  • FreeOffice$0

    TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations; the license covers 3 household computers or 1 organization computer.

Common questions

Which is cheaper, Apache OpenOffice or FreeOffice TextMaker?

As of Nov 13, 2026, both Apache OpenOffice and FreeOffice TextMaker are free to use.

Which has a free plan, Apache OpenOffice or FreeOffice TextMaker?

As of Nov 13, 2026, both Apache OpenOffice and FreeOffice TextMaker have a free plan.

Which platforms do Apache OpenOffice and FreeOffice TextMaker run on?

As of Nov 13, 2026, only FreeOffice TextMaker lists iOS and Android apps. Both list macOS, Windows and Linux apps. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.

More comparisons

How this page was made

  • The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
  • The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
  • Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
  • The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.
How we review and grade