Security capabilities: While every business should secure its network and data, some businesses are more likely to deal with sensitive data, such as customer payment information and proprietary intellectual property.

This means using the same software as the recipient, using software with multiple file extensions, or using easily accessible cloud-based apps.

File compatibility: If you regularly send documents to others outside your organization, you need to ensure your recipients can open and read the files.

In these cases, a cloud-based office suite may be an excellent solution. If your business uses a more geographically distributed model, your team should be able to access your office suite from anywhere.

Remote collaboration capabilities: Some businesses are structured so that everyone works at a central location, while others have multiple locations, employees who travel, or offsite independent contractors.

However, if your business and staff are more technically sophisticated, you may be willing to sacrifice ease of use for advanced capabilities.

Ease of use: If you run a small business, such as a restaurant or retail store, and your team needs to access your productivity software, you’ll want tools that are intuitive and easy to use, not ones that require training to master.

Consider the following factors and how important they are to your organization. The features you need in an office suite will depend on your business type.

How to choose a free office suite for your business The Microsoft Office desktop version costs around $250, while the Microsoft Office 365 software as a service (SaaS) subscription model costs $6 to $23 a month per user, which adds up quickly.īefore you pay for new software, consider these free Microsoft Office alternatives that might be excellent money-saving solutions for your business. There’s no doubt that Microsoft Office is the most widely used office productivity suite, but if you’re purchasing new computers or replacing old software, new copies can be costly. Sometimes, that means getting creative with your tech decisions.

This article is for small business owners seeking a free alternative to Microsoft Office.įor small businesses, every cent counts.

Popular alternatives include Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice and cloud-based office tools like Google’s apps.

The features your business needs – such as ease of use, security and remote collaboration tools – determine the best free Office alternative.

While Microsoft Office is widely used and comprehensive, small businesses may balk at its costs.

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