Microsoft Office: alternatives are real
04.02.11, 15:51, Msk
Microsoft Office is the dominating office application in the market, but it does not mean that there is no choice in this segment of software. Alternative packets, mostly free, are issued with a sight both on private, and on corporate users.
In this article five most competitive alternative office suites for editing texts, creation of tables and the presentations are considered. Three of them are free. Two packets which are paid stand much less, than Microsoft Office for which according to the private license it is necessary to pay $280, and on corporate - $500.
What of these packets as much as possible will suit your business? It depends on what functions you need and at the same time do not need (for example, opportunities for joint work).
Price: free of charge
Platforms: Windows, Linux and Mac OS X
License: Proprietary
The packet was released in 2007, the text editor, editors of tables and the presentations enter it. A set of plug-ins are also available. The third version of a packet appeared in October, 2010. Software is based on the OpenOffice.org code and is free. One of features of a packet is that it allows to open files of different formats in one window in different tabs. In the third version also big selection of a clipart, the application perfectly cope with opening of the OpenOffice and Microsoft Office files. Besides, applications have the built-in browser so at clique on a hyperlink the page opens in the same window without transition to other application. Besides, Symphony is strong support of standards and is available in 20 languages.
The supported standards:
- Microsoft Office 97 - 2003
- Open Document Format (ODF) 1.2
- PDF (Export)
- Office Open XML (Import)
Unique features:
- Web browser
- Opening of files of different formats in one window
- Strictly supported standards of interaction
Omissions:
- Mobile support
- Work in a cloud
- Joint work
- E-mail, drawing
Price: Free
Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
License: LGPL public license
The packet is created as a result of recent split between Oracle and community of OpenOffice.org, LibreOffice represents the rebranded version of OpenOffice.org quite recently released Document Foundation. Software includes the text editor, tables, the presentations, drawing, sketches and charts, Base there is a frontend the database and a simple equation editor.
Version 3.3 is available in 30 languages and strictly observes standards of compatibility with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office Open XML, Open Document Format and PDF. The portable version of the program was released for removable mediums, USB and work in a cloud recently that allows to use software on the run. Software is provided with support of extensive community. In comparison with OpenOffice.org, LibreOffice is more intuitive in terms of the interface usual to the user of Microsoft and also it is more made, including in comparison with IBM of Lotus Symphony.
Price: Free of charge or $50 for the user in a year as a part of Google Apps for business
Platform: Online
License: Proprietary
Google Docs, probably, the most known brand in the market of cloud software for office. The free service allows to import the documents created on the computer, tables and the presentations and also to create new. Besides, it is possible to add shared access and the rights to editing for any net surfer to them. Therefore it also the great platform for joint work. Besides, there is mobile version of a packet in English for some platforms. In the Google Docs business option is a part of a Google service of Apps which also enter Gmail, Google Calendar.
The supported standards:
- Open Document Format
- Microsoft Office
- Office Open XML
- PDF (Import and export)
Unique features:
- Joint work and file sharing
- Wide use
- Integration with other products of Google
- Mobile version
Omissions:
- Opportunities for work offline (should appear this year)
Price: Free of charge for private users, for business of users the price varies from 1 GB of space and one workplace for $5 a month for 20 jobs.
Platform: Online
License: proprietary
As well as Google Docs, Zoho is the cloud office suite with which it is possible to work by means of the web browser. Contains all standard means of Microsoft Office and it is available in a set of languages. The packet easily interacts with Microsoft and Google Apps and also has very useful opportunity for work offline. Has excellent functionality for the price.
Price: $80 include three licenses for house and use business
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Windows Mobile and Windows CE
License: proprietary
The packet of SoftMaker is issued with 1989 and is quite strong contender for Microsoft with support of Windows, Linux, Windows Mobile and Windows CE. The latest version of 2010 includes modules for editing texts, tables, the presentations and also language of creation of scripts like Visual Basic for Applications. Support of formats of Microsoft, Open Document Format and PDF is included in the free demonstration version of a packet. The packet has the closest inerfeys in comparison with Microsoft Office and powerful functionality.
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