OpenOffice vs LibreOffice

When you’re searching for a free office suite, you’re likely to come across two names: OpenOffice and LibreOffice. Deciding between them isn’t always simple. What you need to know is that LibreOffice is the more stable, frequently updated version, while Apache OpenOffice is more of a legacy branch. The choice depends on your specific needs and usage.

OpenOffice vs LibreOffice: where the names came from

Apache OpenOffice announced version 4.1.16 on 10 November 2025 as a security release. Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16 was announced as available in 41 languages for Windows, macOS and Linux. Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16 included security fixes for CVE-2025-64401 through CVE-2025-64407.

In 2010, a group of developers decided to fork the existing OpenOffice code and continue development as a separate project. The new name, LibreOffice, represented their continued commitment to delivering a free, open-source office suite.

Which one is updated more often?

If you’re concerned about staying up-to-date with the latest bug fixes and security patches, this is where the two projects diverge significantly.

LibreOffice publishes two major releases a year, in February and August (24.2, 24.8, 25.2 and 25.8 in 2024 and 2025), with bug-fix updates in between.

On the other hand, in 2024 and 2025, the Apache OpenOffice project only managed to release 1 minor update. That’s an average of around 0.5 updates per year. This means that any potential security risks could be lingering in Apache OpenOffice for an extended period.

How they handle Word and Excel files

If you need to work with Microsoft Office files regularly, whether it’s Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoint presentations, compatibility is a crucial factor. Both LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice support popular Office formats like DOC, XLS, and PPT. However, when it comes to the more recent DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX formats which have been around since Microsoft Office 2007, there are some differences.

LibreOffice can open and save DOCX, XLSX and PPTX files without additional plugins or extensions. Apache OpenOffice can open these formats but cannot save to them. LibreOffice offers Windows 64-bit and Apple Silicon versions.

Which one should you install first?

Given the fact that LibreOffice receives far more frequent updates, supports the newer Microsoft Office formats out of the box, and is available on a wider range of platforms, it’s clear that for most users, LibreOffice should be the go-to choice. If you’re a new user looking to replace Microsoft Office with a free alternative, installing LibreOffice first is your safest bet. You’ll get the most up-to-date features, the best interoperability with other office suites, and the peace of mind knowing that you’re using a software package that’s actively maintained and improved.