Apache OpenOffice vs. Google Workspace Essentials

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apache OpenOffice
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
Apache OpenOffice is a free open source office suite that includes six applications: Writer (word processor), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (diagramming and graphics), Base (database), and Math (formulas).N/A
Google Workspace Essentials
Score 9.2 out of 10
N/A
Google now offers Google Workspace Essentials (formerly G Suite Essentials), providing a solution for users of Outlook or Office whose teams want to use Google Meet and Google Apps without needing to involve a personal gmail account. Google Workspace Essentails includes Google Slides, Sheets, and Docs, as well as Google Meet, Google Drive, Forms, Sites, and Keep, in a bundle minus a gmail account. Basic Essentials supports (via Meet) meetings with up to 150 participants, and Google Drive with…N/A
Pricing
Apache OpenOfficeGoogle Workspace Essentials
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apache OpenOfficeGoogle Workspace Essentials
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apache OpenOfficeGoogle Workspace Essentials
Considered Both Products
Apache OpenOffice
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Apache is the free alternative to MS Office and is enough for basic tasks. It doesn't have all the modern functionality that newer versions of MS Office have, like cloud connectivity and that kind of stuff but for a basic office suite it's really good and it costs nothing to own.
Chose Apache OpenOffice
They are very compatible and very similar overall. If you can use the one, you can use the other. Layouts are also not too dissimilar. So, transitioning from one or the other will not be a problem. Ultimately, pricing may be your deciding factor, not functionality, which is …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
MS Office file formats are native to OpenOffice
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Due to costs mainly, not having to use a ultra expensive app like Microsoft instead. On a big company cost saving is a main driver and apache can fulfill everything even with such a low cost. Initially the team was suspicious of it but now they cannot live without it
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Microsoft Office 2016 required licenses which incurred a cost. Upgrade to Office 2019 or higher is also costly. In terms of functionality, the products are both equally capable, with OpenOffice having a slightly less polished user interface.
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Like OpenOffice, LibreOffice is also an open open source software which ships as the default office suite on Linux operating systems. Libre office is more suited for users using Linux as their primary operating system. Plus it requires 2gb space, same as Microsoft office so …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
For some weird reason, a particular Excel template could not convert properly in QuattroPro so we chose OpenOffice.
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice is less intense on our computer systems and saves us a ton of financial resources. Since our document creation and editing needs are typical of a small business and not very complex, Apache OpenOffice is sufficient for us. We think that almost any smaller to …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
OpenOffice comes for free and with almost the same functionalities as Microsoft Office. Even if there may be some small incompatibilities, saving 500+ Microsoft Office licenses can be a real incentive for a small company. Together with moving to OpenOffice, as a part of the …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
OpenOffice is great, free, and easy to use. I enjoy some of this other software, and use Google Drive (and applications) frequently, yet I still find daily use for OpenOffice.
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice (OO) is less complicated than MS Office. This makes it easier for beginners to learn. On the other hand, it does not seem to have some of the more advanced features that power users like (but that can confuse and frustrate basic users). OO could profit by …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
I selected Apache because it provides the same tools and performance (as well as the Microsoft Office formats) for absolutely no price tag. It is produced by people who care about making a product that works— great updates are made periodically. The interface is very similar …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
The big benefits that OpenOffice gives us is the flexibility, the cost, and the ease of licensing. We do have some Office users, and we keep licenses for them. We looked at Office 365, and that was a good way to work for some people, but the requirement to be constantly …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
The products are certainly equivalent, with OOO having a much better price and better performance than the non-Microsoft offerings.

I've used Lotus Smartsuite (now deprecated), Coral Office, Star Office (a previous version of OOO), and Microsoft Office. Functionality across all …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice may not quite have all the bells and whistles of Microsoft Office, but I chose it for one major reason: it is absolutely free. It is also fully functional as a free software. There is no trial, need to upgrade, or subscription plan. As a small business owner, …
Chose Apache OpenOffice
Microsoft Office 365 and Prezi
Chose Apache OpenOffice
I like the look and feel that Apache open office has. The fact that it is Open Source and not costly is great. It has an easy learning curve for people that are used to using Microsoft Office.
Google Workspace Essentials
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
We use both in concert with each other, and they work well when setting up a device for hardened security.
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
Microsoft 365 has a better calendar at times, but its interface is clunky and outdated. Google offered better cloud access, more security features, and a better user experience for employees.
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
Google Workspace Essentials is easier to use in general, has faster access to attached files, and is easier to organize.
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
We have started to use Smokeball Legal Software as opposed to Google for many of our chat and calendar services. It's more functional, secure, and has less downtime. We had hoped for Google integration, but it does not appear that is coming, so unfrankly, we have to move on …
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
- Gmail is better treated by spam filters, and it is more seldom when our messages go to the spam folder in the recipients' mailbox
- ProtonMail did not have a dedicated meeting platform, and it was difficult to match the invites with the meeting room link
- The layout of Gmail …
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
Basically, it was easier to deploy and we were having some issues with the older Microsoft version, and we thought Gsuite had a friendlier environment.
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
Google Workspace is easier to use and access.
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
It's the beast of all beasts and the only platform we really considered when building the organization. A lot of that was due to Google Workspace Essentials' price point: as a nonprofit, we're always looking at ways to cut costs, and Google is extremely affordable and prices …
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
There is absolutely no comparison between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace Essentials. As I mentioned before, almost everyone uses Google either personally or with their business. Therefore, it is so very easy to adjust to Google Workspace Essentials. Google also makes it way …
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
Google Workspace Essentials allows for more features to be used and seems to break/branch things into a more organized way. Dropbox Business is decent, but the user interface isn't as friendly. We primarily rely on Google Workspace Essentials, as it seems to be more popular …
Chose Google Workspace Essentials
Google Workspace Essentials is more robust than Dropbox with the other features that are available. Google Workspace Essentials is very comparable to Microsoft 365, and we ultimately went with Google because at the time, it was free/priced better than MS, and now we have lots …
Best Alternatives
Apache OpenOfficeGoogle Workspace Essentials
Small Businesses
Google Workspace
Google Workspace
Score 9.1 out of 10
Google Workspace
Google Workspace
Score 9.1 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Google Workspace
Google Workspace
Score 9.1 out of 10
Google Workspace
Google Workspace
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Score 8.8 out of 10
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Score 8.8 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apache OpenOfficeGoogle Workspace Essentials
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
5.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apache OpenOfficeGoogle Workspace Essentials
Likelihood to Recommend
In my opinion, Apache OpenOffice is best suited for writing, editing and proofreading texts in any language. You can also download additional language packages that really take up little space in your PC's storage. Of course, Apache OpenOffice is comprehensive of spreadsheet-/drawing-/database-related softwares and so on, but I primarily use it for writing and editing my own texts. I don't see any scenarios where it is less appropriate, at least so far.
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I will state this with 2 basic examples, When I require documentation to be edited by many editors then Google workspace is the way to go. It provides the best synching capabilities and also sharing capabilities. In case of meeting conduction through google meet a notes section would be awesome for personal notes and the capability to record the meetings would also help a ton to improve the productivity of all users
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Pros
  • OpenOffice is ideal to have as an application on your PC versus utilizing an online word archive application like Google Docs.
  • OpenOffice can deal with an assortment of document types like [.doc, .rtf, .xml] , making it a fundamental apparatus for the individuals who don't approach Microsoft Word.
  • OpenOffice is a more profound programming than Word and is more open. I know, openness for a record composing programming, I know. In any case, OpenOffice takes into account rapidly evolving edges, typeface, size, and so forth, and I think shows improvement over Word, and in a simpler arrangement.
  • OpenOffice can deal with bookkeeping pages, essential information bases, introductions, and fundamental drawings. It handles the entirety of the typical Microsoft Office instruments inside one application.
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  • Google Docs & Google Slides are essential to our company as we are remote. Multiple people can work on the documents at one time.
  • Easy to share and store files in Google Drive.
  • Google Calendar is amazing, it integrates seamlessly with other Google products and it's our company's primary calendar tool.
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Cons
  • Some people used to Microsoft products can feel it's a little bit old in its style
  • I saves documents in its native format, which is incompatible with MS Word or Excel, unless you change that in the preferences tab
  • The UI is not very pretty
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  • Record option to be there in Google meet
  • ability to share documents outside google accounts need to be looked at
  • Improvement in conversion to MS office based documents and converting those documents to googles format needs a little work.
  • Will be good to have a pdf to word converter and vice versa
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Likelihood to Renew
It is a cheap alternative; however, with Microsoft 365 licenses also dropping significantly, we might opt to go in that direction to maintain uniformity.
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Now that our department has used G Suite Essentials for close to 2 years, I can't imagine not using it. It has proven to be a very practical tool for sharing files / folders on a shared drive. It also makes it easy to modify and update content. It is user friendly and the interface is simple.
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Usability
It's good overall, just the UI it's not the prettiest, feels like an older version of MS office, but gets the job done. Once get the hang of it it's easy to use, besides it has great documentation on how to use it and there are many forums that discuss many related topics.
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Google Workspace is very easy to use. Even the advanced features are also rendered with an intuitive user interface. Opting into new features is easy, with a clear indication of whether they cost extra or free. Communications about new features as well as security threats are easy to understand and follow up on.
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Support Rating
Is there really support? There is a user forum but I do not see much developer input. Support options are limited. The most recent (Sept 2019) version of the product seems to have issues operating under Windows 10, yet there are few recent comments in the community forum, most comments are regarding older versions.
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No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
We found that it is possible to use Open Office to accomplish everything we need. Some tasks required searching for steps on Google.
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
The big benefits that OpenOffice gives us is the flexibility, the cost, and the ease of licensing. We do have some Office users, and we keep licenses for them. We looked at Office 365, and that was a good way to work for some people, but the requirement to be constantly connected to the internet was difficult for some of our field staff. Same with Google Drive, though that was more popular than Office 365. We don't do a ton of collaborative work, so the lack of online collaboration wasn't a dealbreaker for us, though I can see how 365 or Google Drive would be much more helpful for a team of people working on a single document.
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Google Workspace Essentials is more robust than Dropbox with the other features that are available. Google Workspace Essentials is very comparable to Microsoft 365, and we ultimately went with Google because at the time, it was free/priced better than MS, and now we have lots of legacy files already stored on Google servers, so a switch would be too time-consuming. We went with Google Workspace Essentials over OpenOffice because of the email features of using Google.
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Return on Investment
  • Moving to OpenOffice will save the company the cost of 500+ of Microsoft Office licenses in our company.
  • Because it is cross-platform, we could also save 500+ of Microsoft Windows licenses if we move everyone to Linux.
  • On the negative side, the lack of online collaboration and browser support may be an issue when you use clouds like Box, Workboard etc.
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  • Our fundraising and development efforts nearly doubled 2020-2022, largely in part to the organizational tools within Google Workspace Essentials.
  • We've opened up the capacity to work more closely with contractors in a more collaborative nature because of GWE's capabilities.
  • It was integral to our brand overhaul.
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ScreenShots