OnlyOffice
BeginnerOnlyOffice is a solid Google Docs alternative. Online office suite compatible with Microsoft Office. Self-hostable or cloud-based.
Information verified on July 7, 2026
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This topic is chapter 7 of the book
Leaving Google Docs, Sheets & Slides
Here, the big picture. In the book: the full method and the detailed walkthrough.
Description
OnlyOffice is an online office suite that natively opens and saves in Microsoft Office formats. Compatibility surpasses LibreOffice for complex Word/Excel/PowerPoint documents. Available as cloud or self-hosted. Real-time collaboration works well. Open source for the community edition.
My take
The collaborative option I recommend: built into kDrive, compatible with Office formats. Only useful if you genuinely share documents with others. Details in chapter 7.
Key features
- Native .docx/.xlsx compatibility
- Real-time collaboration
- Nextcloud integration
- Self-hostable
- Desktop + cloud
- Open source
Strengths
- + Excellent Microsoft Office compatibility
- + Integrates with Nextcloud
- + Modern interface
Weaknesses
- − Open-core model (some paid features)
- − Fewer offline features than LibreOffice
Recommended for
- Nextcloud users
- Need for perfect Office compatibility
OnlyOffice vs Google Docs: the comparison
| Criterion | OnlyOffice | Google Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free desktop editors. Paid cloud and server. | Free (Google account required) |
| Targeted ads on your data | No | Yes (Google ad profile) |
| Source code | Open (auditable) | Proprietary |
| Migration difficulty | Easy (1/5) | — |
Comparison
OnlyOffice stands out for its very faithful Microsoft Office compatibility. LibreOffice is more feature-complete. CryptPad encrypts everything but is more limited.
Frequently asked questions
How much does OnlyOffice cost?
Free desktop editors. Paid cloud and server.
How do you switch from Google Docs to OnlyOffice?
Estimated difficulty: Easy (1/5). Simple installation. Excellent Office compatibility. Nextcloud integration available.
Who is OnlyOffice for?
Users and organizations seeking an Office-compatible office suite with cloud option.