When it comes to free and open-source office suites, two names that often come up are LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice. Both have roots in the same original project—OpenOffice.org—and offer similar sets of tools designed to compete with Microsoft Office. Yet, despite their shared history and similar looks, there are several differences between them in terms of features, performance, and community support that can influence which one is better for your needs.
TL;DR
LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice may seem alike at first glance, but LibreOffice has emerged as the stronger, more actively developed contender. LibreOffice offers better compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, faster updates, and more frequent feature additions. Apache OpenOffice, while stable, is updated less frequently and lacks many of the modern improvements LibreOffice users enjoy. If you’re choosing between the two for current use, LibreOffice is typically the better choice for most users.
Shared Origins, Diverging Paths
To understand the differences, it’s important to briefly look at the history. In 2010, Oracle Corporation owned OpenOffice.org but decided to discontinue its commercial involvement. This led to The Document Foundation forming LibreOffice as a fork of OpenOffice.org. Eventually, OpenOffice was handed over to the Apache Software Foundation and rebranded as Apache OpenOffice. Since then, the two have evolved on separate paths.
Core Applications
Both LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice include the core suite of office tools:
- Writer – A word processor comparable to Microsoft Word.
- Calc – A spreadsheet application similar to Excel.
- Impress – Presentation software akin to PowerPoint.
- Draw – A vector graphics editor.
- Base – A database management tool similar to Access.
- Math – A tool for creating mathematical formulas.
These core tools exist in both suites and work similarly on the surface. But the real difference lies in how these tools are maintained and improved over time.
Development and Update Frequency
One of the most significant differences is the pace of development. LibreOffice has a robust and very active developer community. It receives regular updates, bug fixes, and feature improvements. Updates occur multiple times per year, ensuring compatibility and modern capabilities.
Apache OpenOffice, on the other hand, suffers from slower development. New versions are rare, and it didn’t have a major update for over a year at one point. This stagnation can be problematic for users who require up-to-date features and security patches.
Compatibility and File Support
File compatibility is a critical factor for many users. LibreOffice has a clear advantage in this area. It supports modern Microsoft Office file formats (like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX) better than Apache OpenOffice. While both can open and save in these formats, LibreOffice handles more complex formatting and embedded objects more accurately.
In addition, LibreOffice also offers support for a wider range of file types, including modern open document formats and even legacy Microsoft formats that OpenOffice sometimes struggles with.
User Interface and Customization
The user interfaces of both suites may remind you of older versions of Microsoft Office. They’re generally traditional, with menus and toolbars instead of ribbons. However, LibreOffice has started offering optional interface layouts to mimic more modern alternatives, such as the “Tabbed” UI that emulates Microsoft’s ribbon-style layout.
Customization in LibreOffice is also more flexible. Users can tweak menus, toolbars, and even install extensions from a broader ecosystem. OpenOffice, while customizable, has fewer available extensions and interface options by comparison.
Performance and Stability
In terms of stability, both LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice perform well for general tasks. However, larger documents or those with heavy formatting tend to open and render more reliably in LibreOffice. It’s also better at tracking and resolving memory-related issues thanks to its continuous updates.
Speed-wise, LibreOffice often feels faster and more responsive, particularly with complex spreadsheets and documents with rich multimedia elements.
Community and Support
LibreOffice boasts an incredibly active community. It’s supported by The Document Foundation and benefits from commercial sponsors, volunteers, and enterprises who contribute to its growth. This network contributes to forums, FAQs, bug tracking, and extensive online documentation.
Apache OpenOffice’s community, by contrast, is notably smaller and quieter. While it does have official documentation and support forums, they are less populated, which can hinder your ability to find solutions when problems arise.
Security Updates
Security is often overlooked, but it’s vital in any software used to handle sensitive documents or open external files. LibreOffice’s regular updates mean vulnerabilities are patched quickly. Apache OpenOffice’s infrequent updates, on the other hand, could leave users exposed to known threats for longer periods of time.
For businesses and schools, this alone might be a strong reason to favor LibreOffice.
Installation and System Requirements
Both LibreOffice and OpenOffice are compatible with major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions. Installation processes are fairly straightforward. However, LibreOffice has better support for newer operating system versions and architectures (including ARM support on certain platforms).
Moreover, LibreOffice provides portable versions for Windows, which is convenient for use from USB drives or temporary installation environments.
Extensibility and Integration
LibreOffice continues to gain third-party tools, extensions, and enterprise-level integrations. Its open API also makes it more appealing for developers looking to integrate custom features. Tools like Collabora (a cloud version of LibreOffice) make it even more comparable to Microsoft 365 for collaborative work scenarios.
Apache OpenOffice supports extensions too but lacks the modern ecosystem and commercial backing to keep up with integration trends. As a result, LibreOffice is a better fit if you’re looking for an extendable and forward-looking office suite.
Licensing and Accessibility
Both software suites are completely free and open-source. LibreOffice uses the Mozilla Public License v2.0, whereas Apache OpenOffice is licensed under the Apache License 2.0. For everyday users, these licenses make no meaningful functional difference, but developers and enterprise users may prefer one over the other depending on their redistribution needs.
Which One Should You Choose?
Let’s summarize some strengths of each option:
Choose LibreOffice if:
- You want better Microsoft Office compatibility
- You value frequent updates and new features
- You prefer an active support community and extensive documentation
- You are concerned about security and want regular patches
Choose Apache OpenOffice if:
- You prefer a slower-paced software environment with few changes
- You’re already entrenched in OpenOffice and have legacy files
- You want something ultra-stable and don’t require new features
Conclusion
While both LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice offer powerful, free office tools, LibreOffice generally comes out on top thanks to its active development, superior file compatibility, modern features, and stronger community support. Unless you have a specific need for Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice is more likely to meet the demands of modern users and evolving work environments.
