The Best Go-oo Alternatives for Your Office Suite Needs

Go-oo was a popular office suite that branched from OpenOffice.org, offering enhanced compatibility with Microsoft binary files and improved Excel macro (VBA) reliability. It also featured SVG import, better EMF rendering, 3D presentation transitions, and rich field support. However, Go-oo has since merged its efforts with LibreOffice, leading to its discontinuation. If you were a Go-oo user or are simply looking for a robust and feature-rich office suite, you're likely searching for a strong Go-oo alternative. This post will guide you through the top replacements available today.

Top Go-oo Alternatives

With Go-oo no longer actively developed, it's essential to find an office suite that can meet your productivity demands. Thankfully, there are many excellent options, ranging from free and open-source solutions to premium offerings, all designed to help you create, edit, and manage documents effectively.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is the spiritual successor to Go-oo, sharing much of its philosophy and codebase. It's a powerful and free, open-source office suite available across Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD. As a direct continuation of Go-oo's goals, LibreOffice offers excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, an ad-free experience, and features like a built-in PDF converter, community-based support, and extensive extensibility via plugins and extensions. It's an ideal Go-oo alternative for anyone seeking a robust, multi-platform, and constantly evolving open-source solution.

WPS Office

WPS Office is a freemium office suite that boasts high compatibility with MS Office, making it a strong Go-oo alternative, especially for users who frequently exchange files with Microsoft Office users. It includes WRITER, SPREADSHEET, and PRESENTATION applications, along with a built-in PDF reader. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, and tablets, WPS Office provides essential features like spell checking, functions for spreadsheets, and a convenient tabbed interface.

Apache OpenOffice

Apache OpenOffice is another leading free, open-source office suite, representing the original foundation from which Go-oo emerged. It provides free applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com, OpenOffice offers strong Microsoft Office compatibility and features a built-in PDF converter, desktop publishing capabilities, and customizable templates. It's a reliable Go-oo alternative for users who value stability and a familiar interface.

Calligra Suite

Calligra Suite is a free, open-source office and graphic art suite developed by KDE, offering applications for word processing, spreadsheets, and vector drawing. It's available on a wide range of platforms including desktop PCs (Mac, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, KDE), tablet computers, and smartphones. As a versatile Go-oo alternative, Calligra Suite stands out with its ad-free experience, charting capabilities, and robust database management features, making it suitable for both general office tasks and creative projects.

Office Online

For those prioritizing cloud-based accessibility, Office Online is a compelling free Go-oo alternative. Offered by Microsoft, this web-based office suite allows users to easily access, view, create, and edit documents using lightweight web applications. It's accessible from any web browser, including Microsoft Edge, and provides essential online editing features, making it perfect for collaboration and working on the go without needing local software installations.

SoftMaker FreeOffice

SoftMaker FreeOffice provides a fast, powerful, and highly compatible office suite, available as a freemium offering for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and Android Tablet. It's an excellent Go-oo alternative for users who need strong Microsoft Office compatibility and a portable option. Key features include an integrated email client, the ability to export to ePub, and comprehensive spreadsheet functionalities, making it a versatile choice for various users.

Apple iWork

Apple iWork is a free office suite by Apple, comprising Pages (word processing and desktop publishing), Keynote (presentations), and Numbers (spreadsheets). It's primarily designed for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users, with a web version available. iWork integrates seamlessly with iCloud and offers strong compatibility with Microsoft Office documents, making it a great Go-oo alternative for Apple ecosystem users. Features like slideshow mode and robust spreadsheet tools ensure a comprehensive office experience.

NeoOffice

NeoOffice is a commercial office suite specifically tailored for Mac users, building upon the foundations of OpenOffice and LibreOffice. It serves as a strong Go-oo alternative for macOS enthusiasts, offering features like full-screen support, a night mode/dark theme, and voice dictation. With its focus on the Mac environment, NeoOffice provides a highly optimized and integrated experience for users who prefer a native application with robust office capabilities, including databases, drawing tools, and spreadsheets.

Hancom Office

Hancom Office is a freemium office productivity suite known for its strong online collaboration features and excellent round-trip MS Office compatibility. It's available on Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, and tablets, making it a versatile Go-oo alternative for users who need to work across multiple devices and collaborate effectively. A notable feature is its ability to convert PDF to Word documents, alongside robust spreadsheet functionality.

SSuite Office

SSuite Office is a provider of free quality office software, primarily for Windows and Linux, with web and self-hosted options also available. While it focuses heavily on text editing, it offers a functional and free Go-oo alternative for users looking for a straightforward and lightweight office suite. It's a good choice for those who need basic document creation and editing capabilities without the complexity of larger suites.

As you can see, a wide array of excellent Go-oo alternatives are available, each with its unique strengths. Whether you prioritize open-source freedom, seamless cloud collaboration, strong Microsoft Office compatibility, or platform-specific optimization, there's an office suite out there to meet your needs. Explore these options to find the perfect fit for your workflow and productivity requirements.