Apache OpenOffice vs WordPerfect (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache OpenOffice grades higher than WordPerfect: 3.2 against 2.0 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Apache OpenOffice grades higher on value for money, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
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
WordPerfect
Word processor with Reveal Codes, sold as the WordPerfect Office suite
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 WordPerfect if
- Fits if you draft contracts or long documents and like to see formatting codes
- Works for people who already have WordPerfect files to keep
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use a Mac, phone or browser, as it runs on Windows only
- Not for you if you want live co-editing or cloud storage, since none is described
- Pricey if you want the Standard edition: $173.99 on sale, $249.99 list
- Watch out: the pages describe the 2021 edition and show Black Friday sale prices, so list prices may return
How we grade them
| 3.2GPAApache OpenOfficeVery good | 2.0GPAWordPerfectFair | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | B$49.99 one-time for Home & Student on sale ($99.99 list); the Standard edition that has Reveal Codes and PDF forms is $173.99 on sale. Against the writing middle of $9.75 a month, that's under two years' cost. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree to download and use on as many PCs as you like, with no caps listed. | CA free trial download with no card, but no free plan. |
| 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. | CReveal Codes, 60+ formats, PDF tools, redaction and legal tools. Gaps: no cloud storage or real-time co-editing described. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating on record, but you download, install and start typing with nothing to set up. | CNo store rating on record. Reveal Codes and its own way of working mean a learning curve. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWindows, Mac and Linux installers only: a program for computers alone. | DWindows 10 and 11 only. No Mac, web or mobile version. |
| Best for | a no-cost office suite on a desktop | Reveal Codes and legal-style documents on Windows |
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 WordPerfect. How we grade
Where they differ
- Apache OpenOffice is open source, according to its own site.
- WordPerfect can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- WordPerfect also covers pDF editing.
At a glance
| Apache OpenOffice | WordPerfect | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free trial |
| Starts at | Free | $49.99 one-time (WordPerfect Office Home & Student) |
| Free plan | The whole suite is free to download and use for any purpose, private or commercial, on as many PCs as you like. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | Free trial download of WordPerfect Office Standard; the page says no credit card is required. |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | The Apache Software Foundation | Corel Corporation |
| Price read from | openoffice.org | wordperfect.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 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.
WordPerfect
- The listed system requirements are Windows 11 or Windows 10; there is no Mac, web or mobile version.
- The pages describe the 2021 edition of the suite; no newer release is named.
- Sold per license with no cloud storage or real-time co-editing described on the product pages.
- The Standard-edition page shows a banner about a limited-time Black Friday offer, so list prices may return.
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.
WordPerfect
- Reveal Codes
- A window shows the formatting codes behind the text, so you can see and edit how a document is formatted, including codes in table cells.
- Microsoft Office and 60+ formats
- Opens, edits and saves DOCX, XLSX and PPTX files, and handles over 60 file formats overall.
- Built-in PDF tools
- Creates fillable PDF forms, exports PDF with password protection and supports PDF/A archiving; the suite can also import PDFs.
- Redaction and metadata removal
- Blacks out sensitive text so it cannot be recovered, and strips hidden text, comments and reviewer notes from files.
- Legal tools
- A legal toolbar covers pleading papers, indexes, tables of contents and a Table of Authorities.
- Quattro Pro and Presentations
- The suite adds a spreadsheet and a slideshow program that work with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint files.
Plans
Apache OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice$0
Full suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math) with no license fee; the project accepts donations.
WordPerfect
Home & Student$49.99
one-time purchase, shown with $99.99 crossed out
Suite for home and school: documents, presentations and spreadsheets, with templates, photos and graphics. Price shown as a sale on the page today.
Standard$173.99
one-time purchase, shown with $249.99 crossed out
WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, Presentations and WordPerfect Lightning, with built-in PDF forms and Reveal Codes. Price shown as a sale today.
Professional$239.99
one-time purchase, shown with $399.99 crossed out
Everything in Standard plus the Paradox database; the page also lists legal tools. Price shown as a sale today.
Ways to pay less
Apache OpenOffice
No public discounts listed.
WordPerfect
- Education
Education license pricing
Corel sells separate education editions of the suite and of PDF Fusion for schools and students after eligibility checks.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Apache OpenOffice or WordPerfect?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache OpenOffice is free, and WordPerfect starts at $49.99 one-time (WordPerfect Office Home & Student).
Which has a free plan, Apache OpenOffice or WordPerfect?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Apache OpenOffice has a free plan. WordPerfect does not, though it has a free trial.
Which platforms do Apache OpenOffice and WordPerfect run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Apache OpenOffice lists macOS and Linux apps. Both list a Windows app. 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.