Every Mac comes with Apple's iWork suite, but it isn't the right fit for everyone. Some users need better Microsoft Office compatibility, stronger PDF tools, real-time collaboration, or a more familiar workspace across Mac and Windows. Fortunately, there are several free office suites that meet different needs. In this guide, we compare the best free office software for Mac to help you choose the right option for your workflow. If you also use a PC, check out our roundup of free office software for Windows.

1. WPS Office
Best for: Users who want one Mac app for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, and everyday productivity.
Free: Yes, with optional paid upgrades
Mac app: Yes
Offline work: Yes for core desktop editing
Microsoft Office formats: Strong support for DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, PPT/PPTX and PDF

WPS Office is a strong choice if you want a familiar alternative to Microsoft Office without installing separate apps for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs. The Mac version is optimized for Apple Silicon and combines Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools in one workspace.
Key features
Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools in one application
Strong compatibility with common Microsoft Office formats
Real-time collaboration and cross-device syncing
Templates for resumes, reports, presentations, and other common tasks
AI-assisted writing, summarization, translation, and presentation creation
PDF reading and editing capabilities, with advanced PDF features available in paid plans
Apple Silicon optimization for modern Macs
Why choose WPS Office?
WPS has got over 600M active users worldwide and is particularly useful for people moving away from Microsoft Office but who don't want to completely change how they work. Its familiar interface, broad file-format support, PDF tools, templates, and cross-device workflow make it a practical all-in-one option.
What to watch for
The free version does not include every premium PDF, template, cloud, and AI capability. Users who need advanced PDF editing or a larger cloud allowance should compare the free plan with WPS Pro+ before upgrading.
Price
Free version with basic features.
Premium version at $29.99 per year, offering advanced capabilities.
Rating
WPS Office has an overall 4.5-star rating on Software Advice.
2. Microsoft 365 for the Web
Best for: Users who need Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without installing the desktop apps.
Free: Yes, web versions
Mac app: Browser-based
Offline: Not the primary experience
Microsoft formats: Excellent

Microsoft 365 for the web gives Mac users free browser access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It is the safest choice when compatibility with Microsoft's file formats is more important than having a full native desktop suite.
Key features
Free web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Real-time collaboration
Microsoft account integration
Strong compatibility with Microsoft Office files
Works across Mac and other devices through a browser
Main limitation
The free web versions do not provide the full feature set of the paid desktop Microsoft 365 applications. If you need advanced Excel functionality, extensive offline work, or the complete desktop apps, compare the paid version with alternatives such as WPS Office and LibreOffice.
Price
Free for users with a Microsoft account.
Rating
Microsoft Office has an overall 4.7-star rating on Software Advice.
3. Google Docs, Sheets & Slides
Best for: Students, teams, and anyone who primarily works online.
Free: Yes for personal use
Mac app: Browser-based
Offline: Yes, with offline access configured
Microsoft formats: Supported

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are excellent choices when collaboration matters more than having a traditional desktop office suite. Multiple people can work on the same document, spreadsheet, or presentation in real time, with comments and version history built into the workflow.
Key features
Real-time co-editing
Automatic cloud saving
Comments and version history
Microsoft Office file support
Access from any modern browser
Optional offline access
Main limitation
Google's tools are cloud-first. Users who prefer a fully offline desktop suite may be better served by WPS Office, LibreOffice, or FreeOffice.
Price
It is generally a free to use suite, however, it also offers pricing plans starting at $6 per user per month for the Business Starter plan, up to $18 for every user per month if they are opting for the Business Plus plan.
Rating
Google suite has an overall 4.7-star rating on Software Advice.
4. LibreOffice
Best for: Users who want a full desktop suite with no subscription and strong offline capabilities.
Free: Yes
Mac app: Yes, Apple Silicon and Intel versions available
Offline: Yes
Open source: Yes

LibreOffice is one of the strongest choices for Mac users who want a genuinely free, open-source office suite. It includes Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math, giving users more than the basic document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools.
Key features
Writer for documents
Calc for spreadsheets
Impress for presentations
Draw for diagrams and graphics
Open-source development
Offline desktop workflow
Microsoft Office file compatibility
Main limitation
LibreOffice is better suited to offline productivity than real-time cloud collaboration. Users who frequently exchange highly formatted Microsoft Office files should test their important documents before switching permanently.
Price
LibreOffice is entirely cost-free and open-source software.
Rating
LibreOffice has an overall 4.3-star rating on Software Advice.
5. Apple iWork
Best for: Mac users who primarily work inside the Apple ecosystem.
Free: Yes
Mac app: Yes
Offline: Yes
Collaboration: Yes

Apple's iWork suite includes Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. It is a natural choice for Mac users who value Apple's interface, templates, iCloud integration, and a consistent experience across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Key features
Pages for documents
Numbers for spreadsheets
Keynote for presentations
Apple-focused templates and design tools
Real-time collaboration
Integration across Apple devices
PC collaboration through supported sharing workflows
Main limitation
iWork is not always the best choice when your work depends on complex documents. If your school or workplace uses DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX heavily, test file conversion and formatting before making iWork your primary suite.
Price
iWork suite is completely free for macOS users.
Rating
iWork Suite has an overall 4.6-star rating on G2.
6. ONLYOFFICE
Best for: Users who want strong Microsoft Office compatibility, desktop editing, and collaboration options.
Free: Yes for desktop editors
Mac app: Yes
Offline: Yes
Microsoft formats: Strong

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors provide document, spreadsheet, presentation, PDF, and form tools for macOS. The suite is particularly attractive to users who want to work locally while retaining access to collaboration and modern document features.
Key features
Documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, and forms
Microsoft Office format support
Offline desktop editing
Real-time collaboration through compatible services
Apple Silicon support
Open-source components
Main limitation
ONLYOFFICE can be more technical than simpler consumer-focused alternatives, particularly when collaboration, self-hosting, or deployment options enter the picture.
Price
ONLYOFFICE offers a 30-day free trial for cloud-based services with no credit card required.
Subscription plans are available for 1-month, 1-year, or 3-year durations.
Pricing is based on the number of active portal users, e.g., $40 per month for 6-10 active users, averaging $5 per user/month.
Annual and 3-year plans offer cost savings, reducing the average cost to $3 and $2 per user/month, respectively.
Rating
OnlyOffice has an overall 4.5-star rating on Software Advice.
7. Zoho Office Suite
Best for: Individuals and small teams that want browser-based documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and collaboration.
Free: Yes for individual users
Mac app: Primarily web-based
Offline: Limited compared with desktop suites
Collaboration: Excellent

Zoho Office Suite combines Writer, Sheet, Show, and PDF Editor in a browser-based workspace. It is a strong choice if you want cloud storage, real-time collaboration, and Microsoft Office file support without installing a traditional desktop suite.
Key features
Writer, Sheet, Show, and PDF Editor
Real-time collaboration
Cloud-based file access
Microsoft Office file support
Free individual use
Integration with Zoho WorkDrive
Main limitation
Zoho is best suited to online work. If you frequently need to edit files without an internet connection, a desktop suite such as WPS Office, LibreOffice, FreeOffice, or ONLYOFFICE is a better fit.
Price
Free: Zoho Office Suite offers complimentary usage with 5GB of cloud storage, support for up to 25 file versions, and the capacity to upload files up to 1GB at once.
Standard: For $5 per month per user, you can access enhanced features, including 100GB of storage, unlimited file versions, group sharing functionalities, and a 15GB upload limit.
Premium: At $8 per month per user, the Premium tier provides extensive benefits such as 1TB of cloud storage and a generous 256GB upload limit for individual files.
Rating
Zoho Office Suite has an overall 4.5-star rating on Getapp.
8. FreeOffice
Best for: Users who want a familiar desktop Office experience without a subscription.
Free: Yes
Mac app: Yes
Offline: Yes
Microsoft formats: Strong

FreeOffice is SoftMaker's free desktop office suite, with TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It is designed as a conventional desktop alternative to Microsoft Office and supports both modern ribbon-style controls and classic menus.
Key features
TextMaker word processor
PlanMaker spreadsheet
Presentations
DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX compatibility
Ribbon or classic interface
Offline desktop workflow
Free for personal and business use
Main limitation
FreeOffice focuses on traditional desktop productivity rather than cloud collaboration and integrated PDF/AI workflows. Users who need those features may prefer WPS Office or a cloud-first suite.
Price
FreeOffice is the complementary edition of SoftMaker's premium product.
Rating
FreeOffice has an overall 4-star rating on PC Magazine.
9. Polaris Office
Best for: Users who want a lightweight office workflow across Mac and other devices.
Free: Limited free access
Mac app: Yes
Offline: Depends on the version/plan
Microsoft formats: Supported

Polaris Office: Easier document work with AI
Polaris Office provides document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools across Mac, Windows, mobile, and web platforms. Its free access is useful for lighter editing, while paid plans unlock broader editing, storage, and AI capabilities.
Key features
Word-processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tools
Microsoft Office format support
Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and web access
Cloud integration
AI features in supported plans
Main limitation
The free experience is more restricted than fully free desktop suites such as LibreOffice or FreeOffice. Users should check the current editing and storage limits before choosing it as their primary office suite.
10. MobiOffice
Best for: Users who want familiar document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools across Mac and mobile devices.
Free: Yes, with premium upgrades
Mac app: Yes
Offline: Supported for desktop workflows
Microsoft formats: Supported

MobiOffice — Office Suite for Windows, Mac & Mobile
MobiOffice provides MobiDocs, MobiSheets, and MobiSlides for Mac, with compatibility across major Microsoft Office formats. It is designed for users who want a familiar office workflow that can move between desktop and mobile devices.
Key features
Document, spreadsheet, and presentation apps
Microsoft Office format compatibility
Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS support
Cross-device syncing
Free and premium options
Main limitation
Some features vary by platform, and advanced capabilities require a paid plan. Users looking specifically for a completely free desktop suite should compare MobiOffice with LibreOffice or FreeOffice.
Want One Free Office Suite for Your Mac?
If you want to avoid switching between separate apps for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs, WPS Office brings them together in one Mac application.
With the free version, you can work with core documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDF files. WPS also supports common Microsoft Office formats and provides templates and cross-device syncing. Advanced PDF, cloud, template, and AI features are available in paid plans.
How We Chose the Best Free Office Software for Mac
We evaluated these office suites around the factors that matter most to Mac users:
Mac availability: Is there a current Mac app, or is the product browser-based?
Microsoft Office compatibility: Can users open and save common DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files?
Free access: Is the core product free, or is the free version heavily restricted?
Offline work: Can users continue working without an internet connection?
Collaboration: Does the product support sharing, comments, version history, or real-time co-editing?
PDF support: Can users read, create, convert, or edit PDFs?
Ease of use: How easy is it for someone switching from Microsoft Office?
Mac-specific value: Does it support Apple Silicon, cross-device workflows, or Apple ecosystem features?
We also checked official product documentation and pricing information because free plans, supported operating systems, and feature limits can change.
Last reviewed: July 2026.
Best Free Office Software for Mac at a Glance
Use this comparison chart as a quick summary of Mac app support, offline use, overall rating, collaboration, and pricing. WPS Office stands out as the most complete all-in-one free option.
| Software | Best for | Mac app | Offline | Overall rating | Collaboration | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPS Office | Complete all-in-one Office Suite | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★★ Excellent | ✓ | Free + paid upgrade |
| Microsoft 365 for the Web | Word/Excel/PowerPoint compatibility | Browser | Limited | ★★★★★ Excellent | ✓ | Free web apps |
| Google Docs/Sheets/Slides | Real-time collaboration | Browser | ✓, with setup | ★★★★☆ Strong | Excellent | Free |
| LibreOffice | Open-source offline work | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★☆☆ Good | Limited | Free |
| Apple iWork | Apple-native workflows | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★☆ Good, with export considerations | ✓ | Free |
| ONLYOFFICE | Office-style editing + offline work | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★☆ Strong | ✓ | Free + paid options |
| Zoho Office Suite | Cloud productivity | Browser | Limited | ★★★★☆ Strong | Excellent | Free for individuals |
| FreeOffice | Traditional desktop Office alternative | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★☆ Strong | Limited | Free |
| Polaris Office | Lightweight cross-platform editing | ✓ | Depends on plan | ★★★★☆ Strong | ✓ | Free tier + paid plans |
| MobiOffice | Familiar cross-platform editing | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★☆ Strong | ✓ | Free tier + paid plans |
Note: "Free" does not mean the same thing for every product. Some offer a free desktop suite, while others provide free browser apps or limit advanced features. Check each product's current plan before downloading.
Are Free Office Suites Really Free?
Yes, but "free" can mean different things.
Free desktop software: The core application is completely free and can be used without paying, such as LibreOffice and FreeOffice.
Free web apps: Microsoft 365 for the web and Google Docs provide free browser-based productivity tools.
Free for individuals: Zoho Office Suite provides free access for individual users.
Freemium: WPS Office, Polaris Office, and MobiOffice provide free functionality while reserving some advanced features for paid plans.
Free ecosystem apps: Apple iWork is available at no additional charge for Apple users.
Before downloading, check whether the features you actually need, such as offline editing, PDF editing, cloud storage, AI tools, or advanced spreadsheet functionality are included in the free tier.
What to Check Before Choosing Office Software for Mac
1. Apple Silicon support
If you have an M-series Mac, check whether the application is optimized for Apple Silicon or relies on compatibility layers.
2. Offline editing
Browser-based suites are convenient, but a desktop application is usually better if you work without reliable internet access.
3. Microsoft Office compatibility
If you regularly exchange files with Windows users, check DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX compatibility before moving your entire workflow.
4. PDF tools
If your workflow includes forms, contracts, document conversion, or PDF editing, an office suite with integrated PDF features can save you from installing another application.
5. Free-plan restrictions
"Free" may still mean limits on storage, editing, AI features, templates, advertisements, or advanced PDF functions.
6. Collaboration
For team projects, prioritize real-time editing, comments, version history, and easy file sharing.
7. Your actual workflow
Do not choose an office suite because it has the longest feature list. Choose it based on what you do most often: writing, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, collaboration, or offline work.
FAQs About Free Office Software for Mac
What is the best free office software for Mac?
WPS Office is a strong all-in-one choice if you want documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, templates, and cross-device features in one application. LibreOffice is a better fit if you prioritize open-source software and offline work, while iWork is a natural choice for users who prefer Apple's ecosystem.
Does Mac have a free alternative to Microsoft Word?
Yes. Mac users can choose from WPS Writer, Apple Pages, Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer, FreeOffice TextMaker, and other alternatives. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize Microsoft Office compatibility, offline editing, collaboration, or Apple integration.
Can I use Microsoft Word for free on a Mac?
Yes. Microsoft offers free web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint through Microsoft 365 for the web. The free versions run in a browser and do not provide every feature of the paid desktop applications.
What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Office on Mac?
There is no single winner for every user. WPS Office is a strong all-in-one alternative, LibreOffice is best for open-source offline use, Google Docs is best for browser collaboration, and Apple iWork is best for a native Apple workflow.
Is LibreOffice completely free on Mac?
Yes. LibreOffice is free and open source, and current versions are available for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Is WPS Office free on Mac?
Yes. WPS Office has a free version for Mac. Some advanced features, including certain PDF, cloud, template, and AI capabilities, are available through paid plans.
Which free Mac office suite works offline?
LibreOffice, FreeOffice, WPS Office, and ONLYOFFICE provide desktop applications that can be used for offline work. Browser-first tools such as Google Docs and Microsoft 365 for the web are more dependent on an internet connection, although some offline functionality is available.
Which free office software is best for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files?
If Microsoft Office file compatibility is your priority, compare WPS Office, Microsoft 365 for the web, ONLYOFFICE, FreeOffice, and LibreOffice. For complex files, test your actual documents before switching because formatting and advanced features can vary between applications.
Final Verdict: Which Free Office Software Should You Use on Mac?
The best free office software for Mac depends on how you work.
Choose WPS Office if you want an all-in-one alternative with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, templates, AI features, and cross-device workflows.
Choose Apple iWork if you primarily work within the Apple ecosystem.
Choose Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides if real-time browser collaboration is your priority.
Choose LibreOffice if you want a fully free, open-source desktop suite for offline work.
Choose Microsoft 365 for the web if compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint matters most.
Choose ONLYOFFICE if you want office-style editing with strong collaboration and offline desktop support.
For most Mac users looking for a single application that covers everyday documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs, WPS Office is one of the most practical options to try first.





