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

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 ONLYOFFICE if

• Fits if you want to host your own office suite or use free desktop editors
• Works for teams on Nextcloud, Box, Moodle or Odoo that need document editing there

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you're staying on the free cloud plan, which stops at 3 admins, 12 rooms and 2 GB
• Skip it if you need SAML SSO, LDAP, branding, a custom domain or an audit trail for free, as the free cloud plan has none
• Watch out: the free cloud plan is labeled a limited-time offer, and every admin seat on Business is billed at $20 a month
• Pricey if you self-host with support, as Docs Enterprise is $33 a connection a year with at least 50, so $1,650 for a 1-year license
• Watch out: a 1-year Docs Enterprise license stops working when it ends, and a lifetime one loses free updates after three years

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.

ONLYOFFICE

• The free DocSpace Startup plan stops at 3 admins, 12 rooms and 2 GB, and lacks SAML SSO, LDAP, branding, a custom domain and the audit trail.
• DocSpace Business is paid per admin at $20 a month; users and guests are free, but each admin seat is billed.
• Docs Enterprise is licensed by connections, from $33 per connection a year with at least 50, so the smallest 1-year license is $1,650.
• A 1-year Docs Enterprise license stops working when it ends; a lifetime license keeps running but loses free updates after its support period.

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.

ONLYOFFICE

Document, sheet and slide editors

Online editors for text documents, spreadsheets and presentations, which the vendor describes as highly compatible with Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats.

PDF editor and fillable forms

Build fillable PDF forms and have them filled in online, read and edit PDFs, and convert documents to Markdown, HTML or e-books.

Real-time co-editing

Co-edit in character-level or paragraph-level mode, track changes, compare documents, leave comments and mentions, and chat or call from inside the editor.

DocSpace rooms

DocSpace sorts files into rooms with their own access rights: collaboration, public, form-filling and custom rooms, and virtual data rooms.

AI assistants and agents

AI tools generate documents, slides and forms, fill in forms, rewrite and translate text, and take voice input. Any AI model can be connected, including a fully local one.

Connectors and self-hosting

More than 40 ready-made connectors add the editors to platforms such as Nextcloud, Box, Moodle, Odoo and WordPress, and the server can run on your own infrastructure.

Apache OpenOffice

• Apache OpenOffice$0

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

ONLYOFFICE

• Community and free appsFree

  Docs Community and DocSpace Community builds for self-hosting, desktop editors for Windows, Linux and macOS, and iOS and Android apps.

• DocSpace Startup$0

  Cloud plan with up to 3 admins, 12 rooms and 2 GB of storage, and unlimited users and guests. The page labels it a limited-time offer.

• DocSpace Business$20

  per admin / month

  Cloud plan with unlimited rooms, 250 GB per admin, SSO, branding, automatic backups and audit trail. Users and guests join free.

• Docs Home$149

  per server / year for 10 users

  Self-hosted Docs for an individual or household working across devices, with 10 editing users.

• Docs Enterprise$33

  per connection / year; from 50 connections, self-hosted

  Self-hosted editors to connect to another platform, licensed by connections for 1 year or for life, with a choice of support levels.

• DocSpace EnterpriseCustom

  On-premises DocSpace paid per connection, with unlimited admins and rooms, multi-space management and support under an SLA.

Apache OpenOffice

No public discounts listed.

ONLYOFFICE

• Nonprofit

  Free DocSpace cloud for nonprofits and schools

  Nonprofits and schools can request a free DocSpace cloud with 2 GB of storage and up to 20 admins. It requires an ONLYOFFICE banner on their website or a post about the partnership.

• Education

  Discounted rate for educational institutions

  The pricing FAQ says educational institutions can get a discount by contacting ONLYOFFICE sales. No figure is published.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime license for Docs Enterprise

  Docs Enterprise can be bought with a lifetime license instead of a 1-year one. The version bought keeps working forever, and free updates run for three years.