LibreOffice vs Microsoft 365

September 26, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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LibreOffice
LibreOffice is the power-packed free, libre and open source personal productivity suite for Windows, Macintosh and GNU/Linux, that gives you six feature-rich applications for all your document production and data processing needs: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math and Base. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers. The online and mobile version (for Android and iPad) are coming soon
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Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 (formerly Microsoft Office 365) is commercial software plus services offering a set of products from Microsoft. Designed to help you achieve more with innovative Office apps, intelligent cloud services, and world-class security. The free online MS Office document editors (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are available in OneDrive.
LibreOffice and Microsoft 365 are both powerful productivity suites that offer a range of applications for creating, editing, and managing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.

LibreOffice is an open-source suite that provides a free and feature-rich alternative to Microsoft 365. It includes applications such as Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheet), Impress (presentation), and Draw (drawing). LibreOffice is known for its compatibility with various file formats, including Microsoft Office formats, and its extensive customization options. It is a popular choice for individuals and organizations seeking a cost-effective solution with robust functionality.

On the other hand, Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a subscription-based suite offered by Microsoft. It includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, along with cloud-based services like OneDrive and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 provides seamless integration across devices, real-time collaboration features, and advanced functionality tailored for business users. It offers the advantage of constant updates and access to the latest features, along with cloud storage and productivity-enhancing tools.

See also: Top 10 Office suites
LibreOffice vs Microsoft 365 in our news:

2022. Microsoft Office is getting a new name - Microsoft 365



Microsoft 365 is the new name chosen by Microsoft to rebrand its 32-year-old software package. Over the next few months, Office.com, the Office mobile app, and the Office app for Windows will undergo a transformation and become the Microsoft 365 app, featuring a fresh icon, an updated appearance, and an expanded set of features. However, the names of the individual apps within the Microsoft Offi... I mean, the Microsoft 365 software suite, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and others, will remain unchanged. Rest assured, Office itself will not disappear immediately. Microsoft has confirmed that it will continue to offer one-time purchases of individual Office apps through Office 2021 and Office LTSC plans, and there will be no alterations to Office 365 subscription plans.


2022. LibreOffice begins charging Mac App Store users $8.99



The well-known open-source document processing suite, LibreOffice, has introduced a new approach by charging users a one-time fee of $8.99 when downloading the software through the Mac App Store. This move comes as a surprise from The Document Foundation (TDF), the organization responsible for LibreOffice, as all previous versions of the suite were freely available. Italo Vignoli, head of marketing and public relations at LibreOffice, stated that this change reflects a "new marketing strategy." TDF will primarily focus on releasing free community versions of LibreOffice, while "ecosystem companies" will develop "value-added" versions specifically aimed at enterprise customers. The LibreOffice client available on the Mac App Store falls into the latter category since it is not based on the same source code as the core LibreOffice project.


2022. Microsoft may discontinue selling software and services to Russia



The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has recently implemented new export control regulations concerning Russia, imposing limitations on the export of hardware and software to the country. There have been calls for Microsoft to refrain from exporting software to Russia, although the company has yet to provide any official response. Uncertainty remains regarding the differentiation between software usage for consumer and industrial purposes, as well as how U.S. companies will navigate these sanctions. The potential consequences of this ban are significant, as it could impede Russia's long-term economic growth by preventing companies from upgrading their Windows and Office software. In recent years, the Russian government has attempted to reduce reliance on Microsoft within the country, but achieved limited success.


2020. Microsoft brings transcriptions to Word



Microsoft launched Transcribe in Word, its new transcription service for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The service is currently available in the online version of Word, with plans to expand to other platforms in the future. Additionally, Word is introducing new dictation features that allow users to format and edit their text using their voice. This feature enables users to transcribe both live and pre-recorded speech and make edits directly within Word. By offering these capabilities, Microsoft enters the competition against startups like Otter and Google's Recorder app, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Currently, Transcribe in Word is limited to English and only accessible to paid Microsoft 365 accounts.


2020. Microsoft rebrands Office 365 to Microsoft 365


Microsoft marketers seemingly found themselves with spare time during the quarantine and decided to rebrand Office 365 as Microsoft 365. Effective from April 21, all Office subscriptions will be transitioned to Microsoft 365 subscriptions. However, the pricing and functionality will remain unchanged. The alterations to functionality will only impact personal plans, where the personal version of Microsoft Teams will be introduced. This presents a valuable opportunity for individual entrepreneurs utilizing the personal version to collaborate with employees or other entrepreneurs. In the future, Microsoft intends to justify the rebranding by incorporating non-Office services, including security systems, and potentially even integrating the Windows operating system.


2020. Microsoft launches unified Office app for iOS and Android


Microsoft has made a significant announcement regarding its Dynamics 365 product line, in response to the growing volume of enterprise data and the need to collect and analyze it effectively to enhance customer experiences. The company is introducing new features to its customer data platform (CDP), a concept that has gained traction among major vendors and a growing number of startups. The CDP consolidates customer data from various systems into a single location, simplifying the understanding of customer interactions. The ultimate objective is to leverage this knowledge to deliver enhanced customer experiences. Microsoft's CDP is known as Customer Insights. It is important to note that Microsoft is not the only player in this domain. Other prominent companies like Adobe, Salesforce, and SAP offer similar products for similar reasons, as part of their marketing toolsets.


2019. Microsoft merges mobile Word, Excel and PowerPoint into single Office app


Microsoft has unveiled the Office app, a revolutionary solution that delivers a streamlined and integrated experience by merging the existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint mobile applications. This groundbreaking development consolidates all your Office documents into a unified platform, eliminating the need to switch between multiple apps and significantly reducing the storage footprint on your phone compared to individual installations. With the new app, you gain convenient access to recent and recommended documents stored in the cloud or on your device. If you have a work account, you can even search for documents across your organization. Additionally, the app empowers you to capture a photo of a document and effortlessly convert it into an editable Word file with a single tap. It also enables you to transform images of tables into functional Excel spreadsheets, allowing seamless data manipulation. Moreover, integrated Office Lens features within the app enable you to create enhanced digital copies of whiteboards and documents, making collaboration and archiving more efficient.


2019. Microsoft added table OCR to mobile Excel



Microsoft has introduced a new functionality to the mobile Excel application, enabling users to capture an image of a printed table and convert it into an editable Excel spreadsheet. Currently, this feature is exclusively available for Android users, but it will soon be extended to iOS as well. It is important to note that this feature is limited to Office 365 users. However, it is primarily designed for simple tables, as more complex tables with merged cells may result in recognition errors.


2018. Microsoft launches Office 2019 for Windows, macOS



Office 2019 represents the latest version of Microsoft's suite of productivity tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio, Access, and Publisher, available for on-premises use. With PowerPoint 2019, users can create captivating presentations using new features such as Morph and Zoom, enabling cinematic effects. Across Windows applications, including the roaming pencil case, pressure sensitivity, and tilt effects, enhanced inking features provide a natural way to create documents. Excel 2019 introduces powerful data analysis capabilities, encompassing new formulas, charts, and enhancements to PowerPivot. Word 2019 and Outlook 2019 are designed to enhance productivity and focus. Learning Tools, such as Read Aloud and Text Spacing, facilitate content engagement, while Focus Mode eliminates distractions and prioritizes content visibility. Additionally, Focused Inbox streamlines email management by filtering less important messages.


2018. Microsoft removes device limits for consumer Office 365 subscribers



Microsoft has announced that it will soon eliminate the device limit on its consumer-grade Office 365 subscriptions and increase the number of users allowed within a single Office 365 Home plan. Effective from October 2, subscribers will be able to install Office on an unlimited number of devices. Presently, Office 365 Home, priced at $100 per year, permits installation of the suite's applications (such as Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.) on only 10 devices, or two devices per user for up to five users covered by a single subscription. On the other hand, Office 365 Personal, a $70 annual plan catering to individual users, currently limits the device count to a total of two.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com