LibreOffice Writer vs Microsoft Word

Not sure which of these tools fits your work? Compare LibreOffice Writer and Microsoft Word to see what you can do with each, what you'll pay and what to check before you choose.

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Check if these tools match how you work. Confirm the plans, limits and renewal prices with each provider before you choose.

Compare features and pricing for LibreOffice Writer, Microsoft Word
What matters to youLibreOffice WriterMicrosoft Word
Best suited to
  • Developers & SMB
  • Businesses
Starting priceFreeFrom $6.99 / free plan available
CategoryOffice SoftwareOffice Software
Ratings shown4.6 / 5 (1 reviews shown)4.8 / 5 (1 reviews shown)
Features to compare
  • OpenDocument and Word file support
  • Styles and long-document structure
  • Templates and mail merge
  • Comments and change tracking
  • Local editing and PDF export
  • Document styles and templates
  • Comments and tracked changes
  • Tables and page-layout tools
  • References and document navigation
  • Co-authoring through OneDrive or SharePoint
Strengths
  • No required subscription
  • Works with local files offline
  • Broad document-editing toolkit
  • Suitable for structured business documents
  • Detailed review and formatting controls
  • Widely used document file format
Considerations
  • Cloud collaboration needs another solution
  • Complex imported formatting needs checking
  • Web and desktop capabilities differ
  • Advanced tools take time to learn

Before you decide

  1. Which tool fits the way you work?
  2. What will it cost you now and when you renew?
  3. Can you try it on a real task before you choose?

Questions you may have when comparing LibreOffice Writer and Microsoft Word

What's different about LibreOffice Writer and Microsoft Word?

LibreOffice Writer lists OpenDocument and Word file support, Styles and long-document structure and Templates and mail merge. Microsoft Word lists Document styles and templates, Comments and tracked changes and Tables and page-layout tools. Start with the features you would actually use, then check which plan includes them. A shorter feature list doesn't necessarily mean a tool can't do something you need.

Which one will cost me less?

Compare the total for your team, not just the starting price. Check the billing period, currency, number of users, usage limits and renewal rate, then add any extras you need. If you try a free plan or trial, check what happens when you reach its limits.

How do I choose between LibreOffice Writer and Microsoft Word?

Pick a task you do often and try it in both tools. If you need Document Creation Software, start there. See which feels easier to use and works with the tools you already rely on. Before you pay, check the plan limits and whether you can get the support you need.