7 Best Microsoft Office Alternatives for Mac Free Download

Looking for a free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac in 2026? Microsoft 365 subscriptions can get expensive, and not every Mac user needs the full paid suite. Below we compare seven strong Mac office alternatives, covering free options, Apple-native tools, and cloud suites, so you can pick the right fit for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Quick pick: If you want a free desktop suite with Word/Excel/PPT-style apps plus PDF tools, start with WPS Office for Mac.

7 Best Microsoft Office Alternatives for Mac

We ranked these Microsoft Office alternatives for Mac on four practical criteria: Microsoft file compatibility (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx), free or low-cost access, Mac usability, and everyday features (templates, PDF, collaboration).

Bottom line: Choose WPS Office for the closest free Microsoft-like experience on Mac, LibreOffice for fully open-source control, iWork if you stay inside Apple apps, and Google Workspace when your team lives in the browser.

1. WPS Office

WPS Office is one of the strongest free Microsoft Office alternatives for Mac. It includes Writer, Spreadsheets, Presentation, and a built-in PDF toolkit, with a familiar Microsoft-style interface and solid support for .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, and .pptx files.

Students, freelancers, and small teams can open existing Microsoft files, edit them locally, and export without buying a Microsoft 365 subscription. You can get the WPS Office suite for Mac free from the official site.

Features

• Complete office suite: Writer, Spreadsheets, Presentation, plus PDF reader and editor for creating and formatting files in one place.

• Templates and resources: Ready-made templates for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and resumes.

• Cloud support: Works with Dropbox and Google Drive so files stay available across devices.

• Collaboration tools: Shared editing on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for team projects.

• Cross-platform availability: Available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Pros

• Easy to learn: Microsoft-like layout helps beginners switch quickly.

• Free core features: The free plan covers most day-to-day writing, sheet, and slide work.

• Cloud storage integration: Connect popular cloud drives for access and sharing.

Cons

• Some advanced tools are paid: Features such as OCR may require a Pro subscription.

Pricing and plans

WPS Office offers plans for different needs:

WPS Standard: Free plan with Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and core tools.

WPS Pro: Adds premium PDF tools, cloud collaboration, and other advanced options on top of Standard.

WPS Business: Custom plan for organizations that need premium features and team management.

Free Office Download

   

• Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

• Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

• Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

• Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

Free Download

100% secure

Algirdas Jasaitis

2. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free, open-source Microsoft Office alternative for Mac. It includes Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math, and opens common Microsoft formats such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. A large volunteer community keeps it updated, and you can extend it with templates and add-ons.

Features

• Advanced tools: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math in one free package.

• Cross-platform compatibility: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• Extensibility: Extensions and templates help customize workflows.

• Open source: Community-driven development with transparent code and frequent updates.

Pros

• Completely free for personal and commercial use

• Open-source, customizable, and community-supported

Cons

• Interface can feel less polished than commercial suites

• No dedicated commercial support desk for most users

Pricing and plans

LibreOffice is free and open source for Mac users. Donations support the Document Foundation, but the software itself has no license fee.

3. iWork Suite

Apple iWork (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) is a strong built-in option for Mac users who stay inside the Apple ecosystem. It offers real-time collaboration, iCloud sync, and Microsoft format import/export, and it is free from the Mac App Store.

iWork feels native on macOS and iOS, with Handoff, Messages, Mail, and iCloud Drive integration. Feature depth is narrower than Microsoft Office in some advanced spreadsheet and mail-merge cases, but day-to-day writing and presentations are polished.

Features

• Core office apps: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote cover documents, sheets, and slides.

• Apple ecosystem: Works with iCloud Drive, Messages, Mail, and Continuity features.

• Templates and themes: Clean starter designs for common document types.

• Collaboration: Shared folders and live co-editing through iCloud.

Pros

• Designed for Apple devices with strong iCloud integration

• Clean, modern interface on macOS and iOS

Cons

• Complex Microsoft files may show formatting differences

• Fewer advanced enterprise features than Microsoft Office

Pricing and plans

iWork is free for Mac and iOS users via the App Store. An Apple ID and iCloud account are enough to get started.

4. Google Workspace

Google Workspace is Google's cloud office suite with Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, Meet, and more. It is built for browser-based teamwork, live editing, and access from any Mac with an internet connection.

For Mac users who need a Microsoft Office alternative focused on collaboration, Google Workspace is a practical choice. It handles many Microsoft formats and keeps files in Drive by default.

Features

• Productivity and collaboration apps: Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Calendar, Forms, Sites, Chat, and Keep.

• Real-time collaboration: Multiple people can edit the same file at once and see changes instantly.

• Cloud storage and sharing: Drive permissions make sharing and access control straightforward.

• Apps Script and APIs: Automate tasks and connect external systems.

• Security controls: Encryption, multi-factor authentication, and admin policies for organizations.

Pros

• Excellent live collaboration for distributed teams

• Files stay in the cloud and open from any browser

• Free consumer tools plus paid business plans

Cons

• Needs a stable internet connection for the best experience

• New users may need time to learn Drive and sharing settings

Pricing and plans

Google Workspace business pricing (flexible monthly billing, approximate list prices):

• Business Starter: about $7 per user/month

• Business Standard: about $14 per user/month

• Business Plus: about $22 per user/month

• Enterprise: custom pricing via Google sales

Personal Google accounts still get free Docs, Sheets, and Slides with Drive storage limits.

5. Polaris Office

Polaris Office is a cross-platform office suite for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It supports Microsoft formats and runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with cloud storage and collaboration features for users who switch devices often.

Features

• Full office suite: Document, spreadsheet, and presentation editing in one product.

• Compatibility: Opens and saves common Microsoft Office file types.

• Cross-platform availability: Desktop and mobile apps for major OS platforms.

• Cloud storage integration: Works with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

• Collaboration: Comments, track changes, and shared editing.

Pros

• Useful for people who edit the same files on phone and desktop

• Cloud connectors reduce local file juggling

Cons

• Advanced power-user features can be thinner than Microsoft Office

Pricing and plans

Polaris Office typically offers a free tier plus paid plans. Business and education pricing vary by region and seat count, so check the official site for the latest Mac plan details.

6. ONLYOFFICE

ONLYOFFICE is a Microsoft Office alternative for Mac that focuses on format fidelity and team editing. You can use it in the cloud or self-host it, which helps teams that need tighter data control.

It supports collaborative editing, comments, version history, and mobile apps, with optional on-premises deployment for privacy-sensitive teams.

Features

• Co-authoring: Live editing with track changes, comments, and version history.

• Document management: Folders, tags, search, and permission controls.

• Mobile apps: iOS and Android clients for editing on the go.

• Self-hosted deployment: Run Docs on your own servers for full data control.

Pros

• Flexible UI and language options

• Strong self-hosting path for security-minded teams

• Mobile apps for iOS and Android

Cons

• UI polish varies by product package

• Fewer third-party integrations than Google Workspace

Pricing and plans

ONLYOFFICE pricing depends on product (DocSpace, Docs, Workspace) and whether you choose cloud or on-premises. Free community options exist; paid plans scale by users and servers. Confirm current Mac desktop and cloud pricing on onlyoffice.com.

7. FreeOffice

SoftMaker FreeOffice is a free, lightweight Microsoft Office alternative for Mac. It includes TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations, with a familiar desktop layout and support for major Microsoft file types.

It is a good pick when you want a fast desktop suite without a subscription, though integrations and update cadence are more limited than larger suites.

Features

• Core tools: Word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations in one free package.

• Email client links: Easier sharing of finished files from common mail apps.

• Document protection: Password options for sensitive files.

• Customization: Themes and UI adjustments.

• Language support: Spell check and hyphenation for multiple languages.

Pros

• Free for personal and commercial use

• Light on system resources

• Straightforward interface for everyday tasks

Cons

• Fewer third-party integrations

• Updates arrive less often than larger platforms

Pricing and plans

FreeOffice is free to download for Mac. SoftMaker also sells SoftMaker Office if you need more advanced paid features.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

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Why WPS Office Is the Best Free Microsoft Office Alternative for Mac

WPS Office for Mac stands out when you want a free Microsoft Office alternative that still feels familiar. You can create and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files without paying upfront, and it opens common Microsoft formats such as .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, and .pptx.

The interface mirrors Microsoft Office closely, which shortens the learning curve. A large template library helps you produce resumes, reports, slides, and sheets faster.

It also supports cross-device file work on iPhone, iPad, and Android, and uses modern macOS features such as widgets, Sidecar, and Split View for a smoother Mac workflow.

Free Office Download

• Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

• Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

• Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

• Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

Free Download

100% secure

Algirdas Jasaitis

FAQs: Microsoft Office Alternative for Mac

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac?

Yes. WPS Office, LibreOffice, FreeOffice, and Apple iWork are free Microsoft Office alternatives for Mac. WPS Office is a strong starting point because it includes Writer, Spreadsheets, Presentation, and PDF tools with Microsoft file compatibility.

Can I use Google Docs instead of Microsoft Office on Mac?

Yes. Google Docs (and Sheets/Slides) can replace Microsoft Office for many browser-based tasks. It works well for real-time collaboration, though heavy offline desktop work may still favor WPS Office or LibreOffice.

Is Google Docs free on a MacBook?

Yes. Google Docs is free on a MacBook through any modern browser with a Google account. Paid Google Workspace plans add more storage and admin controls for businesses.

What is the best free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac in 2026?

For most people, WPS Office is the best free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac because it combines a Microsoft-like interface, offline desktop apps, and PDF editing. Choose LibreOffice if you prefer open source, or iWork if you only work inside Apple apps.

Do these Mac office alternatives open Word and Excel files?

Yes. WPS Office, LibreOffice, iWork, Google Workspace, Polaris Office, ONLYOFFICE, and FreeOffice can open common Word and Excel formats. Always keep a backup of complex files with macros or advanced charts before converting.

Find Your Ideal Mac Office Alternative

Mac users have several affordable Microsoft Office alternatives in 2026. Match the suite to your workflow: free offline editing, Apple-native apps, or cloud collaboration. Among free desktop options, WPS Office is the most practical all-rounder for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF work.

Download WPS Office for Mac free and start editing Microsoft-compatible files without a paid Microsoft 365 plan.