How to Ditch Microsoft Office: The Complete Guide to Alternatives

Microsoft Office has ruled the office suite market for over 30 years. But in 2026, the alternatives have never been so numerous and capable. Whether you\'re looking to cut costs, protect your data, or simply explore new tools, this guide reviews all the solutions for replacing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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Why Look for an Alternative to Microsoft Office?

Before diving into the solutions, let\'s understand the motivations driving more and more users to leave the Microsoft suite:

Rising Costs

Microsoft 365 now costs between 7€ and 22€ per user per month. For an SMB with 20 people, that amounts to between 1,680€ and 5,280€ per year. And prices keep rising.

The Data Question

Microsoft stores your documents on servers subject to the American Cloud Act. Your files can be accessed by US authorities without your knowledge. For sensitive or confidential data, this is problematic.

Ecosystem Lock-In

The more you use Microsoft, the more locked into its ecosystem you become. Proprietary formats, exclusive features, integrations limited to Microsoft products... Migration becomes increasingly costly over time.

Underused Features

Let\'s be honest: 90% of users only use 10% of Office\'s features. Why pay for a bloated suite when a simpler tool would suffice?

Free Alternatives

LibreOffice: The Open Source Standard

LibreOffice is the most complete and mature free office suite. Developed by a global community for over 10 years, it offers:

• Writer – Word processor equivalent to Word
• Calc – Spreadsheet compatible with Excel including macros
• Impress – PowerPoint-style presentations
• Draw – Drawings and diagrams
• Base – Database management

Ideal for: Individuals, nonprofits, companies concerned about software independence, Linux users.

OnlyOffice: The Modern Challenger

OnlyOffice is a newer office suite that focuses on Microsoft compatibility and a modern interface:

• Ribbon interface similar to Microsoft Office 2016+
• Excellent DOCX, XLSX, PPTX compatibility
• Free and complete desktop version
• Real-time collaborative editing (server version)
• Integration with Nextcloud, kDrive, ownCloud

Ideal for: Users coming from Microsoft Office who want familiar surroundings, collaborative teams.

Google Docs/Sheets/Slides: Cloud First

Google\'s suite is free (with a Google account) and entirely web-based:

• Native real-time collaboration
• Accessible from any device
• Integration with the Google ecosystem
• Automatic version history
• 15 GB of free storage

Ideal for: Non-sensitive personal use, occasional collaboration with external parties, users already in the Google ecosystem.

Paid Sovereign Alternatives

Infomaniak kSuite: The Complete European Alternative

kSuite is the solution we recommend for companies concerned about their digital sovereignty:

• Complete office suite – Documents, spreadsheets, presentations via OnlyOffice
• kDrive – Cloud storage with desktop and mobile sync
• kMail – Professional email with calendar
• kMeet – Secure video conferencing
• kChat – Team messaging

All hosted in Switzerland, with GDPR guarantees and protection from the American Cloud Act.

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Collabora Online: LibreOffice in the Cloud

Collabora Online is the cloud version of LibreOffice, ideal for companies that want to self-host their office suite:

• LibreOffice interface accessible via browser
• Real-time collaboration
• Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile integration
• Enterprise version with professional support

Ideal for: Companies with Nextcloud infrastructure, organizations requiring full control over their data.

CryptPad: Encrypted Office Suite

CryptPad is a collaborative suite with end-to-end encryption:

• Documents, spreadsheets, presentations, kanban
• Client-side encryption (zero-knowledge)
• No account required for basic use
• French hosting (Xwiki)

Ideal for: Confidential exchanges, journalists, lawyers, ultra-sensitive data.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Word Processor: Word vs Alternatives

Spreadsheet: Excel vs Alternatives

Presentations: PowerPoint vs Alternatives

Step-by-Step Migration Guide

Step 1: Assess Your Actual Needs

Before migrating, ask yourself the right questions:

• Which features do you actually use on a daily basis?
• Do you have files with critical Excel macros?
• Do you regularly collaborate in real time?
• Do your partners require specific formats?

Step 2: Test Before Switching

Install the chosen alternative alongside Microsoft Office. Test for 2-4 weeks on your real files. Identify any compatibility issues.

Step 3: Convert Your Files

Modern alternatives open Microsoft files without conversion. But for long-term storage, prefer open formats:

• .docx → .odt (documents)
• .xlsx → .ods (spreadsheets)
• .pptx → .odp (presentations)

Step 4: Train Users

The learning curve is generally short (a few days), but plan for:

• A guide of equivalent keyboard shortcuts
• An internal FAQ for common questions
• A technical point of contact available during the first week

Step 5: Uninstall Microsoft Office

Once the transition is validated, cancel your Microsoft 365 licenses and uninstall the software. You immediately recover the budget and system resources.

Special Cases and Solutions

I Have Complex Excel Macros

This is often the main barrier to migration. Solutions:

• LibreOffice supports a large portion of VBA macros
• Some macros can be rewritten in Python (LibreOffice) or Apps Script (Google)
• For critical macros, keep an Excel installation alongside for those specific files

I Receive Office Files from My Clients

All alternatives open .docx, .xlsx, .pptx files. Compatibility is excellent for 95% of files. For problematic cases, you can:

• Request a PDF export for viewing
• Use Microsoft Office Online (free) occasionally

My Company Requires Microsoft Office

You can still use alternatives for your personal projects or prepare for a future migration. Also raise awareness with your management about sovereignty and cost issues.

Our Recommendation

Conclusion

Leaving Microsoft Office behind is no longer a sacrifice—it\'s a strategic choice. Today\'s alternatives cover 99% of needs, often at lower cost and with better guarantees for your data.

Whether you choose LibreOffice for its freedom, kSuite for its sovereignty, or OnlyOffice for its compatibility, you\'ll find a solution tailored to your needs. The important thing is to take the first step.

Dependence on Microsoft is not inevitable. Take back control of your work tools.

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