#Best office suites for mac for mac
#Best office suites for mac full
#Best office suites for mac free

#Best office suites for mac free

Listed here are free alternatives to MS Office in no particular order, by no means an exhaustive list but included are some of the most popular alternatives, based on repetitions of them on various “best of” websites. In addition, the MS online storage feature, One Drive, is very convenient for cloud storage. If a user is comfortable with these conditions, then the online version is a great cost free alternative. Also, the online versions are basic versions and do not offer all the bells and whistles of a full-fledged Office suite. is a users’ personal information, something to be aware of when using “free” offerings. A couple of observations about this: although these are listed as free (What is the Cost of a Free Product?), Microsoft (or any other business entity) is not being entirely altruistic the currency traded on online free accounts, apps, etc. To use these free versions, one must create a Free Microsoft Account. One can also tap into other apps, including Mail, People, and Calendar. Free Microsoft Office includes four core programs – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote (How to Use Microsoft's Free Office Online Software). Microsoft has been gradually expanding the number of apps one can use online for free, and now offers an impressive suite that can easily merge with downloaded apps, if necessary, and has plenty of online storage space.

Microsoft’s intentions are not entirely altruistic, however, for they realize the value of cultivating future consumers of their products.

#Best office suites for mac full

I know that when I was in charge of student technology at a community college, we negotiated a price of $20 for a full professional MS Office Suite. However, for students at community colleges and universities, most schools have negotiated deals with Microsoft to offer students deeply discounted versions of Office and other software. A personal version of Office for one user costs about $70. Thankfully, there are options for the VI consumer.

However, the cost, while not prohibitive, could present an obstacle for a person on a fixed income. Obviously, then, familiarity and adeptness with MS Office is important as a marketable job skill. Although Office itself is not without some flaws and quirks, it still has the most features and accessibility of any alternative and is also the most widely used, by far, office productivity suite in the world.

#Best office suites for mac for mac

Based on my experience with such Office Suites such as Google Docs and Office for Mac (a Microsoft product), I knew that all had limitations compared to MS Office. I researched open source and free MS Office equivalents and after inquiring about the blind/VI accessibility of the free alternatives with Eric Guillory and others at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, it became apparent that the best alternative was Microsoft Office itself. A student who is graduating received a laptop for a Christmas present and he asked me about obtaining Microsoft Office or an equivalent for the laptop, the stipulation being that he had limited funds to do so.