Description
LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite developed by The Document Foundation, offering a comprehensive set of applications for word processing (Writer), spreadsheets (Calc), presentations (Impress), vector graphics (Draw), database management (Base), and formula editing (Math). It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and other platforms, making it a versatile alternative to proprietary office suites like Microsoft 365 and Google Docs.
Please note, that LibreOffice by itself does not allow for online collaboration. If you need this feature, go with an alternative like Collabora, which is based on LibreOffice but enhanced to allow online collaboration.
LibreOffice stands out for its commitment to privacy and digital sovereignty. Unlike many commercial alternatives, it does not collect personal data, usage metrics, or diagnostic information, and it complies with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR. The software is also highly customisable, with multiple icon themes and integration with various desktop environments.
The project is sustained by a global community of volunteers and commercial partners, with The Document Foundation encouraging enterprises to use commercially supported versions to help fund ongoing development. This model ensures that LibreOffice remains independent and not beholden to any single corporate entity.
LibreOffice is increasingly adopted by European public authorities seeking digital sovereignty and reduced dependence on proprietary software. Notably, Denmark’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is transitioning its public offices to LibreOffice and other open-source solutions. The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is also piloting LibreOffice Technology, and Austria’s military has fully switched from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice as of September 2025. These moves reflect a broader trend among European governments to reclaim control over their digital infrastructure and protect citizen data.