LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE are two of the most important office suites available for Linux.
Both can be used on Fedora, Ubuntu, Linux Mint and other Linux distributions, and both provide applications for working with documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
LibreOffice is the more established open-source office suite and has a particularly strong advantage for developers who want to automate or extend an office suite through an API.
ONLYOFFICE, on the other hand, has a more modern interface that is familiar to Microsoft Office users and places considerable emphasis on Microsoft Office file-format compatibility, collaborative editing and document-automation/integration capabilities.
For many ordinary desktop users, I would currently choose ONLYOFFICE because of its interface and compatibility-oriented workflow.
For developers who specifically need a freely available office automation API and maximum control over the software stack, LibreOffice remains particularly attractive.
The choice therefore depends on what you intend to do with the office suite.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite developed by The Document Foundation.
It is available for:
- Linux
- Windows
- macOS
LibreOffice includes:
Writer — word processing, broadly comparable to Microsoft Word.
Calc — spreadsheets, comparable to Microsoft Excel.
Impress — presentations, comparable to Microsoft PowerPoint.
Draw — diagrams and graphics.
Base — database functionality.
Math — formula editing.
LibreOffice supports widely used formats including OpenDocument formats and Microsoft Office formats.
Because it is open source, the complete source code is available and the software can be modified and redistributed under its applicable open-source licensing terms.
LibreOffice’s Tabbed or Ribbon-Style Interface
One of LibreOffice’s longstanding advantages was its traditional menu-and-toolbar interface.
However, LibreOffice now provides several alternative interface layouts, including the Tabbed interface, which is designed to resemble the Ribbon-style interface used by Microsoft Office.
The current LibreOffice documentation calls this part of the Notebookbar/User Interface system. (libreoffice.org)
The Tabbed interface groups commands into contextual tabs rather than placing all functions into traditional menus and toolbars.
This makes LibreOffice considerably more familiar to users who have spent years using Microsoft Office.
The interface is available in Writer, Calc, Impress and other LibreOffice modules. (libreoffice.org)
How to Enable the Tabbed Interface
Open LibreOffice Writer, Calc or another LibreOffice application.
Then select:
View → User Interface → Tabbed
In current versions, the same setting can also be accessed from the top-right menu when using a notebook-style interface. (libreoffice.org)
After selecting Tabbed, LibreOffice changes the workspace to a Ribbon-like interface.
Older LibreOffice versions, including the LibreOffice 6.2 series referred to in the original article, used essentially the same menu path:
View → User Interface → Tabbed
The terminology and available layouts have evolved over subsequent releases.
LibreOffice Interface Variants
The current LibreOffice implementation provides several layouts, including:
Standard Toolbar
The traditional LibreOffice interface.
Tabbed
The interface most similar to Microsoft Office’s Ribbon.
Tabbed Compact
A more compact version of the Tabbed interface, useful on smaller displays.
Groupedbar Compact
Commands are organized into compact groups.
Contextual Single
A single-line contextual toolbar.
Single Toolbar
A compact version of the traditional toolbar interface.
Sidebar
An interface optimized for users who prefer the properties/sidebar workflow. (libreoffice.org)
This gives LibreOffice considerably more UI flexibility than the older versions of the software.
LibreOffice and Microsoft Office Compatibility
LibreOffice can open and save Microsoft Office files such as:
.docx
.xlsx
.pptx
It also uses OpenDocument formats:
.odt
.ods
.odp
However, Microsoft Office compatibility is not always perfect.
Documents containing advanced formatting, embedded objects, macros, unusual fonts or complex layouts may render differently.
This is particularly important when exchanging sophisticated business documents with Microsoft Office users.
Therefore, if your primary requirement is maximum compatibility with Microsoft Office documents, it is sensible to test your own documents rather than assuming that every feature will transfer perfectly.
LibreOffice for Developers
This is where LibreOffice has a major advantage.
LibreOffice provides the UNO API, or Universal Network Objects API, which allows applications and scripts to communicate with LibreOffice and automate office tasks.
Developers can use UNO for tasks such as:
- Creating documents
- Modifying documents
- Reading spreadsheets
- Writing spreadsheet data
- Generating PDFs
- Automating Writer
- Automating Calc
- Running macros
- Integrating LibreOffice into other applications
The LibreOffice project also provides an SDK and developer documentation.
For organizations that need to automate document processing and want an open-source office suite without paying a separate commercial API licensing fee, this is a significant advantage.
That does not mean LibreOffice is automatically easier to program against. UNO has a substantial object model and can have a learning curve.
Nevertheless, the capability is there and is available as part of the open-source LibreOffice ecosystem.
ONLYOFFICE
ONLYOFFICE is another major office-suite ecosystem available on Linux.
Its Desktop Editors provide editors for:
- Text documents
- Spreadsheets
- Presentations
- PDFs
- Fillable forms
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors are available for Linux, Windows and macOS. The official documentation describes the application as open source and capable of working with common document formats such as DOCX, XLSX, ODS, PPTX and ODP. (onlyoffice.com)
Why I Prefer ONLYOFFICE for General Desktop Use
For an ordinary desktop user, ONLYOFFICE has several characteristics that can make it more appealing than LibreOffice.
The interface is strongly influenced by modern Microsoft Office.
The application is designed around contemporary document-editing workflows.
Its native focus on Microsoft Office formats makes it particularly attractive when you regularly exchange:
DOCX
XLSX
PPTX
with Microsoft Office users.
It also provides modern features for online collaboration and integration with cloud/document-management systems.
The result is an office suite that can feel more familiar to a user moving from Microsoft Office.
ONLYOFFICE and Microsoft Office Compatibility
One of the biggest reasons to consider ONLYOFFICE is its emphasis on Microsoft Office formats.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors supports widely used formats including:
DOCX
XLSX
PPTX
as well as OpenDocument and other formats. (onlyoffice.com)
This does not mean that compatibility is perfect.
No third-party office suite can guarantee pixel-perfect rendering of every complex Microsoft Office document.
However, for users whose work revolves around modern Microsoft Office file formats, ONLYOFFICE is often an attractive alternative.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors Are Free
There is an important distinction between ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and the commercial ONLYOFFICE server products.
The Desktop Editors are available as a free/open-source desktop application. (onlyoffice.com)
You can install them on Linux and use them without buying an enterprise server license.
However, ONLYOFFICE has several other products:
ONLYOFFICE Docs Community
A free server-side edition distributed under the AGPLv3 license.
ONLYOFFICE Docs Enterprise
A commercial server product intended for organizations requiring enterprise functionality, support and licensing.
ONLYOFFICE Docs Developer
A commercial product intended specifically for integrating ONLYOFFICE editors into proprietary applications and SaaS products. (onlyoffice.com)
This distinction becomes extremely important for developers.
ONLYOFFICE for Developers
ONLYOFFICE provides extensive APIs for integration.
Its developer platform includes:
- Docs API
- Office JavaScript API
- Plugins
- Macros
- Document Builder
- Automation API
- Integration with document-management platforms (api.onlyoffice.com)
This is one reason ONLYOFFICE can be extremely attractive if you are building a web application where users need to edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations inside the application.
For example:
Your Web Application
↓
ONLYOFFICE Docs
↓
Document / Spreadsheet / Presentation
The user can edit documents inside the application without necessarily leaving the application’s workflow.
ONLYOFFICE provides integrations and documentation for platforms such as Nextcloud, ownCloud, Moodle, WordPress and many other systems. (onlyoffice.com)
But ONLYOFFICE API Integration Can Cost Money
This is where the distinction from LibreOffice becomes important.
ONLYOFFICE’s Community Edition is free and distributed under the AGPLv3 license. However, the company states that organizations integrating ONLYOFFICE into proprietary applications or SaaS products may need a commercial license if they do not want their derivative work subject to the AGPLv3 requirements. (onlyoffice.com)
ONLYOFFICE’s Developer Edition is explicitly a commercial product intended for integrating ONLYOFFICE editors into your own application and providing them to end users under your own brand. (onlyoffice.com)
The current ONLYOFFICE pricing pages describe Developer licensing as commercial and provide pricing based on the chosen configuration and usage. (onlyoffice.com)
This is therefore a major consideration when selecting an office suite for software development.
In simple terms
Using ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors: Free.
Using ONLYOFFICE Docs Community: Free under AGPLv3, subject to its license requirements.
Commercially integrating ONLYOFFICE into proprietary software: A commercial license may be required.
LibreOffice automation through its open-source APIs: No separate commercial office-suite API license is required.
This does not mean LibreOffice integration has zero cost in engineering terms. Development, deployment, maintenance, infrastructure and support still cost money.
It simply means there is no comparable commercial API license required merely to use the open-source LibreOffice software and its APIs under their applicable licenses.
LibreOffice vs. ONLYOFFICE
| Feature | LibreOffice | ONLYOFFICE |
|---|---|---|
| Linux support | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Free desktop application | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Office formats | Yes | Yes |
| OpenDocument formats | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Office-style interface | Yes, Tabbed UI | Yes |
| Modern UI | Good | Excellent |
| Offline desktop editing | Yes | Yes |
| PDF support | Yes | Yes |
| Spreadsheet | Calc | Spreadsheet Editor |
| Presentation | Impress | Presentation Editor |
| Word processor | Writer | Document Editor |
| Developer API | UNO/SDK | Docs API/Office JavaScript API |
| Server integration | Possible | Major focus |
| Proprietary SaaS integration | Open-source licensing applies | Commercial Developer license may be required |
| Community server edition | N/A | Yes |
| Enterprise server edition | N/A | Yes |
| Best for traditional Linux office use | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best for Microsoft Office-style workflow | Good | Excellent |
| Best for open-source automation | Excellent | Good |
| Best for embedded online document editing | Good | Excellent |
Which One Is Better?
There is no universal winner.
But for practical purposes, my recommendation is:
Choose ONLYOFFICE if…
You primarily want a desktop office suite and value:
- A modern interface
- Familiar Microsoft Office-style workflows
- Strong Microsoft Office format support
- Modern document editing
- Collaboration and cloud integration
- PDF and form functionality
For these users, ONLYOFFICE is arguably the better alternative to Microsoft Office.
Choose LibreOffice if…
You prioritize:
- Completely open-source software
- Long-established Linux integration
- OpenDocument support
- Advanced customization
- Macro development
- LibreOffice UNO automation
- Open-source document-processing infrastructure
LibreOffice is particularly compelling for developers and organizations that want maximum control over their office software stack.
What About API Development?
This deserves a separate answer because the difference can become significant.
Suppose you are building software that automatically creates documents.
For example:
Application
↓
Generate DOCX
↓
Modify spreadsheet
↓
Create PDF
↓
Send document to user
Both LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE can participate in such workflows, but they approach the problem differently.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice provides UNO and related developer tooling as part of its open-source ecosystem.
You can automate Writer, Calc and other components.
This makes it attractive when you want a free/open-source office automation engine.
ONLYOFFICE
ONLYOFFICE provides modern APIs designed around document editors and integration.
Its API ecosystem includes:
Docs API
for integrating document editors into web applications.
Office JavaScript API
for plugins, macros and scripts.
Document Builder
for programmatically generating documents.
Automation API
for programmatic interaction with documents.
This can make ONLYOFFICE particularly attractive for SaaS products.
The problem is licensing.
If your application is proprietary and commercially integrated with ONLYOFFICE Docs, you may need a commercial Developer license rather than relying on the free Community edition. (onlyoffice.com)
Therefore:
For free/open-source API automation → LibreOffice has a major advantage.
For a polished commercial document-editing SaaS integration → ONLYOFFICE can be extremely attractive, but budget for licensing.
Installing LibreOffice on Fedora
Fedora provides LibreOffice packages through its normal software repositories.
You can install the suite with:
sudo dnf install libreoffice
Alternatively, install the required applications individually if you do not want the entire suite.
For example:
sudo dnf install libreoffice-writer
You can also install LibreOffice through Fedora’s graphical software tools.
Installing LibreOffice on Ubuntu and Linux Mint
On Ubuntu and Linux Mint:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libreoffice
Ubuntu and Mint normally provide LibreOffice through their package repositories.
You can also use the official LibreOffice packages if you specifically need a newer version than the distribution currently provides.
Installing ONLYOFFICE on Linux
ONLYOFFICE provides Linux packages through its official download page.
Download ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
The project provides packages suitable for major Linux distributions and also documents alternative installation methods.
Depending on the distribution, you can install via:
- DEB
- RPM
- AppImage
- Flatpak
- Other supported distribution mechanisms
The official documentation should be preferred because package availability and installation methods can change between releases.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors for Linux
Which One Would I Install on Fedora or Ubuntu?
For a normal desktop user:
ONLYOFFICE
would be my first choice if compatibility with Microsoft Office documents and a modern interface are important.
For a Linux enthusiast who wants maximum control:
LibreOffice
remains an excellent choice.
For a developer building an application that programmatically manipulates office documents:
LibreOffice
is particularly attractive when keeping the solution entirely within an open-source stack is important.
For a company building a commercial SaaS product where users need a polished embedded document editor:
ONLYOFFICE
may be the stronger technical fit, provided its licensing and infrastructure costs are acceptable.
Conclusion
LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE have both evolved considerably from the traditional image of Linux office software.
LibreOffice remains the classic open-source Linux office suite. It is mature, feature-rich, highly customizable and particularly attractive for users who value open formats and developer control.
Its Tabbed interface also means that users who prefer the Microsoft Office Ribbon no longer have to remain with the traditional LibreOffice toolbar layout. The current LibreOffice documentation provides multiple Notebookbar layouts, including Tabbed and Tabbed Compact. (libreoffice.org)
ONLYOFFICE takes a more Microsoft Office-like approach and has become a compelling choice for users who prioritize a modern interface, Microsoft Office document compatibility and cloud/collaboration workflows.
For general desktop productivity, I would currently give ONLYOFFICE the edge.
For open-source development and office automation, particularly where you want to avoid a separate commercial API license, LibreOffice remains difficult to beat.
There is also an important licensing distinction on the ONLYOFFICE side: its Desktop Editors are free and open source, and its Docs Community edition is available under AGPLv3. However, integrating ONLYOFFICE into a proprietary commercial product can require a commercial Developer license. (onlyoffice.com)
Thus, the choice can be summarized quite simply:
For using an office suite → ONLYOFFICE.
For an open-source office automation platform → LibreOffice.
For proprietary SaaS document editing → ONLYOFFICE, subject to licensing and cost.
Both are excellent Linux applications, and there is no reason a Linux user cannot have both installed. You can use ONLYOFFICE as your primary office suite while keeping LibreOffice available for documents or automation tasks where its particular features, file handling or APIs are advantageous.
Useful Links
LibreOffice
https://www.libreoffice.org/
LibreOffice Download
https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download-libreoffice/
LibreOffice User Interface / Notebookbar
https://help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/shared/01/notebook_bar.html
LibreOffice Developer Resources
https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/DevGuide
ONLYOFFICE
https://www.onlyoffice.com/
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
https://www.onlyoffice.com/desktop
ONLYOFFICE Linux Documentation
https://api.onlyoffice.com/docs/desktop-editors/get-started/overview/
ONLYOFFICE API
https://api.onlyoffice.com/
ONLYOFFICE Docs Community
https://www.onlyoffice.com/download-community
ONLYOFFICE Edition Comparison
https://www.onlyoffice.com/compare-editions
ONLYOFFICE Developer Edition
https://www.onlyoffice.com/developer-edition-prices