Verdict
Is LibreOffice worth using in 2026?
Yes for most users. Free, full-featured, open source. Handles .docx, .xlsx, .pptx well. Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. The best free Microsoft Office alternative available.
Pros
What LibreOffice does well
- Completely free — no subscription, no paid tiers, no ads
- Microsoft Office compatibility — opens and saves .docx, .xlsx, .pptx
- Cross-platform — same files work on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Feature-rich — Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math all included
- No internet required — works fully offline
- Privacy — no account required, no data sent to the cloud
Cons
Limitations of LibreOffice
- No real-time collaboration — cannot co-edit documents like Google Docs or Microsoft 365
- No mobile app — no official iOS or Android version
- UI feels dated — less polished than Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
- Complex formatting differences — heavily formatted Word documents may look slightly different
- VBA macros partial — complex Excel VBA needs rewriting
FAQ
Review questions
Is LibreOffice safe to use?
Yes. LibreOffice is open source software maintained by The Document Foundation, a non-profit organisation. The code is publicly audited. It does not contain ads, telemetry or spyware. Download only from libreoffice.org or this guide to ensure you get the genuine version.
LibreOffice review 2026 — is it better than before?
Yes. LibreOffice 26.x significantly improved Microsoft Office compatibility, the dark mode support and performance on Windows 11. The 2024–2026 releases have been the most polished in the project's history. It is a mature, stable office suite.