No matter what we’re trying to accomplish online, there are some basic tools that we have to use to get work done. Things like email, phone calls, accounting, security, project management and document/spreadsheet creation and editing are part of what being an Internet Marketer or Blogger are all about.
Short of pirating the major software packages you need to run your blog, business, online ventures, etc. (which is a REALLY bad idea BTW), most of us don’t think about the options available to us. Usually when we think email, documents, spreadsheets, etc, we automatically think Microsoft. Unfortunately that represents cost…and a significant one at that.
That train of thought has held me captive for many years…until now. I’m finally sick of spending money constantly staying up with the bloatware that Microsoft produces. This has led me to hunt down alternatives to the giant’s seeming stranglehold on the business software world. Over the coming weeks, we’re going to look at other options for running every facet of your business you previously had to spend money on software to maintain.
Today’s alternative starts off with the biggie: Microsoft Office. This is probably one of the easiest, yet at the same time toughest ones to bite off. How do we go against the grain of what 95% of businesses, and likely our colleagues, are using to manage their daily document flow? Well, it’s actually pretty dang easy.
Here are 4 options to Microsoft Office. By the way, 3 of them are FREE!
1. Google Docs
This is probably my favorite of the group. I have to admit, I’m a Google fan. I love how they integrate their products into a single sign-on system and make it easy to get back and forth between docs, email, analytics, adwords, adsense, etc. Sure there are lots of conspiracy theorists that believe Google is trying to take over the world, but even they have to admit Google’s offerings are by and large well thought out and offer a heck of a lot of benefit for zero cash outlay.
Your Google docs account offers you the ability to create Documents, Presentations, Spreadsheets and Forms. A complete Microsoft Office replacement. As for compatibility, I have yet to see any problems over the last year and a half of using Google docs. The online interface is easy to manage, very quick, and I love the ability to share documents with other users without giving them full access to my account. It also supports the blogger vagabond lifestyle being web based. For times when you don’t have an Internet connection, there’s an option for taking your docs offline through the use of Gears.
See more at Google docs.
2. Zoho
I’ve only used Zoho a bit in the past. Over the last 6 months or so, they’ve really started to beef up their offering. They are a worthy contender for document, spreadsheet, presentation and even email replacement. Things get interesting when you start considering other applications they bring to the table.
Applications such as a wiki, document repository, planning system and meeting options really separate Zoho out as a major player. You can potentially manage all of your business needs from one system with access to everything from one screen. THAT is very enticing. One of the things I’ve always liked about Zoho is the line of Apps on the left hand side of the screen. You have ready access to the entire system with an Outlook style menu.
Included in the free account is access to just about every application Zoho offers along with 1GB of storage. If you manage things right, that’s more than enough to keep you running for a while. A lot to offer for free.
See more at Zoho.com.
3. OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org has long been a potential replacement for Microsoft’s Office applications. Of the free bunch, it’s probably the closest to Microsoft Office in functionality as well as look and feel. That’s definitely a benefit. It offers replacements for word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, graphics and database applications. A well rounded application suite, all for free.
I’ll let you read more about OpenOffice.org on their site, but I do want to give you my take. I personally like OpenOffice.org as a replacement of the Microsoft Office applications in the form we’re used to thinking about them in…installed on the local desktop/laptop. However, the big drawback, in my opinion, is the missing online component you get with the other free apps. I like the idea of applications that take my normal workflow online giving me a hybrid of what I’m used to seeing along with the flexibility of everything being available no matter where I am. That allows me to transcend the boundaries of the physcial system producing a more virtual work environment I can fire up anywhere at any time.
That said, if you’re looking for a free replacement for Microsoft Office, and want it to function basically like Office does on your local PC, OpenOffice.org is tough to beat. You likely won’t be disappointed with it.
See more at OpenOffice.org.
4. ThinkFree Office
The final software package in our Microsoft Office replacement is a paid application suite by ThinkFree called Office. Priced at $49.95, it offers a VERY cost effective alternative to MS Office. Three applications make up the core product which are Write (word processing), Calc (spreadsheet), and Show (presentation). The suite is a download to install on your local PC with 1GB of online document storage included.
The included document storage is managed by an application called Manager. Manager offers easy file synchronization providing both online and offline access to files you create in ThinkFree Office.
ThinkFree Office was designed with the power user in mind providing performance benefits over Microsoft Office as well as maximum compatibility with Office users. In a business world, this application suite will probably provide the highest level of compatibility for users living in a Microsoft world. From my experience, it also acts the most like Office requiring you to learn less.
See more at ThinkFree Office.
All in all, any of the above Microsoft Office replacements would be worthy companions in your day to day business. Of course the million dollar question is always compatibility when it comes to something other than Office. All of the packages are more than compatible with other Office users, and let’s face it, we just don’t need uber formatting compatibility or crazy formula spreadsheet calculations all that often (if ever). We may think we do, but most of us could easily get by with any of the above packages and not even miss a beat.
So next time you’re in the market for some fresh productivity software, consider giving one of the above a try for 30 days or so. I bet you’ll find yourself saving as much as $500 or $600 on Microsoft Office. Then you can use that cash you saved to fire up a PPC campaign driving some traffic to an affiliate offer or two and double or even triple your money!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
This may seem strange but I couldn’t see the image above, I am using FireFox 2. anyways, what I read was very good and I enjoyed it. I was thinking about print it out, do I have permission to do that?
August 26th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
You should also try SSuite Office for a free office suite. They have a whole range of office suites that are free for download.
Their software also don’t need to run on Java or .NET, like so many open source office suites, so it makes their software very small and efficient.
You may try these links:
http://www.ssuitesoft.com/index.htm
or
http://ssuite5element.webs.com/thefifthelement.htm
August 26th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Google Docs is amazing. Seriously Im a google fanboy as well. They just make quality everything.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:32 am
No kidding! That’s something, ain’t it…
August 27th, 2009 at 6:38 am
I use openoffice and it's so annoying application… The possibilities of potential use of this thing are great, much bigger than Ms Office, but sometimes strange things are going on, especially with calc, which is supposed to replace excel. Writing in one line is sometimes a problem and removing links is so much trouble. I didn't know that Google has its own Docs app. I think I'm gonna try that one because looks really promising.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Great post. I recently found openoffice.org when I needed to do a PP presentation and realized that powerpoint was on my old laptop and my new laptop only had word and excel. Since I couldn't find the office install disc and didn't feel like paying 100+ for a software that I already bought, I did a google search and found open office. It did everything I needed it to do and then some. I couldn't believe it was free. Talk about saving hundreds of dollars to the full MS office alternative. It was great. In fact I did the movie on my website with open office.
August 27th, 2009 at 10:14 am
google is a good option to store all the documents like presentation,word documents
August 27th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Ive slowly started to shift all my office tasks over to google docs, So much easier knowing google always have them, I dont need to backup, and can get them whereever I am…
August 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
It is scary to even think of migrating from MS Office, but as you say, why not give it a try? Instead of upgrading to 7, perhaps, one of these alternatives?
August 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Looking forward to see Microsoft's own free version of Office.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I use Open Office for 3 years. In my opinion this application is better than MS Office.
August 27th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Office is crazy expensive if you don't use Excel and/or Powerpoint……another example of why Google is most likely taking over the world very soon
August 28th, 2009 at 4:15 am
OpenOffice is my favorite… I have been using it for years and never had any problem…. Whenever I try to use google docs … is says the site is blocked by my firewall
.. I don't why
August 28th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I also using Open office. it really a safe and easy to work. I like it.
August 28th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Open office is the best choice but there are many free tools which are available to manage your projects. Above mentioned are some of the locations where you can find the real tools for your business.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:36 am
I love Open Office and I am just not getting used to Google Docs. Keep spreading the word about open office!
August 31st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
[...] a little weekly series about tools you could use to run literally every facet of your business (see 4 Free Microsoft Office Replacements). Our focus is on the free or very low cost [...]
September 1st, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I recently changed some hardware on my comp (motherboard and processor). I got a message from Microsoft that I had to re-register my software. I tried to do this but keep getting error message 25003 (installation source corrupted).
September 1st, 2009 at 2:56 pm
My laptop got stolen recently, and I had a copy of Microsoft Office 2007 Student edition that I would like to get back, but I don't want to buy another one because they are amazingly expensive. I don't have my registration code.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
OpenOffice is pretty much the same! I prefer to use the real Microsoft Office though ;D
September 4th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I just started using OpenOffice at my new job. I am surprised at how similar it is to the paid version of MS Office. It's great for consumers to get free software like this. Likely it was a move to compete with Google, especially when they get a new O/S released in the future.
September 5th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Good to know about replacement, i have used Google Doc's only. all other are new for me. i shall surly try them soon.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:54 am
I really like the Open Office software, it's a great replacement for Microsoft Word =D, I've never used Google Doc's though… but I know alot of friends who swear by it.
Till then,
Jean
September 9th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Good alternative of Microsoft office but i familiar with it.
September 15th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
OpenOffice is my favorite of the 4. It's just like Microsoft word, is easy to use, and gets the job done.
I also like its large selection of filetypes it's compatible with.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:16 am
Are all free or licensed version? I think these are great replacement of MS.
September 27th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Google docs was introduced to me by a client so that she could view the progress on the commissioned article whenever she wanted instead of me continually emailing it to her. It really is a good traveler’s version of Microsoft office word because its stored at the site so you can access it in whichever computer you have that has internet connection plus has similar features
October 8th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Micro soft office is an ideal for the users but i am familiar already.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:07 am
I will try each one to see which one is better than the microsoft office. Personally i dont think that anyone can be better.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I have heard about google doc a lot but god knows how well it works can anyone let me have some convincing points?
November 9th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Out of the four replacement, the Google doc can be more powerful and competitve to Microsoft office, other are not as much powerful than Google docs! I like to use google docs!!
November 24th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
That list of domains is very cool, there are a lots of useful online tool for us to work.
Thank you very much.
December 12th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I once installed Microsoft Office 2007 & it really slowed down my computer. Since then i use Zoho to share my spreadsheets with my business partner. I have installed OpenOffice & its working fine. OpenOffice & Zoho are the best replacement for Microsoft Office. As both are free to use.
December 26th, 2009 at 5:09 am
I use open office at office when they refuse to pay more for microsoft office. For administration work open office is enough but open office don't have all spesific feature micorsoft have like summary and etc