Apache OpenOffice review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source office suite with the Writer word processor
Apache OpenOffice report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a no-cost office suite on a desktop
Apache OpenOffice is a no-cost office suite whose Writer handles letters, reports and long documents on Windows, Mac and Linux. The download page lists no web or mobile version, the Windows installer is 32-bit, and support comes from volunteers.
Who Apache OpenOffice is for
- 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
Who Apache OpenOffice is not for
- 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
Why Apache OpenOffice gets a 3.2
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for money$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 plan and trialFree to download and use on as many PCs as you like, with no caps listed.
- BFeaturesWriter 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.
- BEase of useNo store rating on record, but you download, install and start typing with nothing to set up.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux installers only: a program for computers alone.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Apache OpenOffice's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make Apache OpenOffice? Put this grade on your site
Paste this where you want the badge. It links here and follows the grade if it changes. About badges
<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/apache-openoffice#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/apache-openoffice.svg" alt="Apache OpenOffice: 3.2 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Apache OpenOffice stands among writing tools
Apache OpenOffice's GPA of 3.2 is higher than 129 of the 136 other writing tools we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 108 of 136) and worst on platforms and integrations (C, above 7).
Apache OpenOffice has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 137 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Apache OpenOffice’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 89 of 136, level with 47
- AFree plan and trialAbove 108 of 136, level with 28
- BFeaturesAbove 94 of 136, level with 40
- BEase of useAbove 89 of 136, level with 45
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 7 of 136, level with 63
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 107 writing tools. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
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
Keep Apache OpenOffice, or make your own?
Keep it
Apache OpenOffice is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.2 is higher than 129 of the 136 other writing tools we grade.
What you could make
- Documents and templates: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A spreadsheet engine with its formulas.
- A slide editor.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Apache OpenOffice’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Apache OpenOffice?
Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office suite from the Apache Software Foundation. Writer, its word processor, covers letters, long documents with tables of contents and indexes, and simple page layout. The suite also includes Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math, and uses OpenDocument as its native file format.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
Apache OpenOffice pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache OpenOffice is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole suite is free to download and use for any purpose, private or commercial, on as many PCs as you like.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Apache OpenOffice | $0 | Full suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math) with no license fee; the project accepts donations. |
Read from openoffice.org on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Apache OpenOffice before you buy.
Apache OpenOffice alternatives
- Apache OpenOffice vs WPS Writer
Free plan · from $5.83/mo
- Apache OpenOffice vs ONLYOFFICE
Free plan · from $20/mo
- Apache OpenOffice vs Microsoft Word
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Common questions
Does Apache OpenOffice have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Apache OpenOffice is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Apache OpenOffice have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Apache OpenOffice is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Apache OpenOffice open source?
Yes. Apache OpenOffice is open source, according to its own site.
Does Apache OpenOffice work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.