What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Office in 2026?+
LibreOffice is the best free desktop alternative with full support for Microsoft file formats. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are the best free cloud-based alternatives, especially for collaboration. Both are completely free for personal and commercial use.
Can I buy Microsoft Office without a subscription?+
Yes. Microsoft Office is available as a one-time purchase (perpetual license) that never expires. Distivo offers genuine perpetual licenses for Office 2024 Professional Plus, Office 2021 Professional Plus, and other editions at wholesale prices — saving you 60-80% compared to retail.
Is LibreOffice compatible with Microsoft Office files?+
LibreOffice can open and save .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files. Basic to moderately complex documents convert well. However, advanced features like VBA macros, complex conditional formatting, and some SmartArt may not transfer perfectly between the two suites.
What is the cheapest way to get Microsoft Office?+
The cheapest legitimate way is to purchase a perpetual license from an authorized reseller like Distivo. You pay once and own the software forever, with no recurring fees. This typically costs 60-80% less than buying directly from Microsoft or paying for a multi-year subscription.
Is Google Docs good enough to replace Microsoft Word?+
For basic document creation, letters, and simple reports, Google Docs is an excellent free replacement. However, it lacks advanced features like mail merge, complex table formatting, extensive macro support, and offline reliability that Microsoft Word provides. Professionals and power users generally prefer Word.
Do Microsoft Office alternatives work offline?+
LibreOffice, WPS Office, and OnlyOffice all work fully offline as desktop applications. Google Docs has limited offline support through Chrome. Apple iWork works offline on Mac and iPad. Perpetual Microsoft Office licenses from Distivo also work completely offline.
