#OFFICE ONLINE VS SOFTMAKER FREEOFFICE FREE#

However, problems or requests for features on the paid version flow to the free version as we do updates.” “We also have a robust support team that’s available for the paid version. “We have a forum where people can log in to report a problem or see what others have reported,” said Popov. Users can enter a description of their question or problem, along with screenshots of the issues they encounter, and can expect a prompt response.įor FreeOffice users, SoftMaker provides an in-depth knowledge base through its support forum, a monthly newsletter, tips and tricks section, and the automated feedback mechanism on the website. For those who choose the commercial version of SoftMaker Office, free customer support is available via email.

#OFFICE ONLINE VS SOFTMAKER FREEOFFICE SOFTWARE#

One significant area of concern for users of alternative software is the level of product support they can expect. The company’s full-featured spreadsheet program PlanMaker is similar to Excel, and Presentations, which is comparable to PowerPoint, allows for a variety of design and presentation functions. TextMaker is similar to Microsoft Word and can open and save any document created in that program.

#OFFICE ONLINE VS SOFTMAKER FREEOFFICE PROFESSIONAL#

Whichever version they choose, users can create professional word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in file formats compatible with other products, including Microsoft’s. Both versions are complete, not subscription based, and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. SoftMaker Office Standard 2018 costs just $69.95, and Office Professional is just $99.95. The cost of the commercial version is far less than what others charge for their office suites. Functionality between the paid and free versions is nearly identical, with some slightly more robust features - including free customer phone support - in the paid version. SoftMaker also makes a commercial version of its office productivity software, called SoftMaker Office 2018. The company has been developing and perfecting office productivity software on par with the most popular offerings on the market ever since. It‘s called FreeOffice and is made by SoftMaker, a German software company that was founded in 1987. However, we recently had the opportunity to review an alternative to the more expensive office suites. I knew there were alternatives, but I assumed they wouldn’t perform as well, so, reluctantly, I purchased the high-priced product. Still, that seemed high for a product that was first developed nearly three decades ago. But when it came time to buy the latest version for my new laptop, it shocked me how much it cost.Ī full, professional version of the suite can run as much as $400, while a subscription version is an only slightly more manageable $50 a year. It’s what I’m used to, and it’s always worked for me. I’ve used a well-known office suite - with programs for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations - for decades, just like more than a billion people worldwide. Still, the cost of the computer was only the start of my expenses. It cost more than I’d expected, but I needed a capable, reliable tool for my work.

#OFFICE ONLINE VS SOFTMAKER FREEOFFICE DOWNLOAD#

Users can download a free version for a variety of operating systems and create, open, and save documents and spreadsheets just as they would with more expensive programs - and in a layout that feels familiar.Ībout a year ago, I upgraded my laptop to a more powerful model with a faster processor, more memory, and a hard drive I’d be unlikely to fill up in a lifetime. German developer SoftMaker’s FreeOffice is an alternative to the high-cost office productivity software. The latest suite of office tools for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations can run as much as $400, or $50 a year for a cloud version. In a Nutshell: While the cost of a new computer may seem high, the real sticker shock often comes when you buy the software programs you need.

Office online vs softmaker freeoffice