OnlyOffice Review - Best office suites Alternative

Overview

OnlyOffice is a comprehensive, professional-grade office suite designed to be a direct, privacy-respecting alternative to Google Docs and Microsoft 365. Developed by Ascensio System SIA, it provides a powerful web-based and desktop editor for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Unlike Google Docs, which scans your data for profiling, OnlyOffice is built on an open-source foundation that prioritizes user sovereignty.

What sets OnlyOffice apart is its “Native OOXML” approach. While many open-source suites struggle with formatting when opening files from other programs, OnlyOffice uses .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx as its internal formats, ensuring that your documents look the same no matter where they are opened. For those seeking maximum privacy, OnlyOffice can be self-hosted via Docker or integrated into your own private cloud like Nextcloud or OwnCloud.

Key Features

High-Fidelity Collaboration

OnlyOffice provides two collaboration modes: “Fast” (real-time, like Google Docs) and “Strict” (where changes are only visible after saving). This gives teams flexibility in how they work together, complemented by a robust version history, commenting system, and built-in chat.

Self-Hosting & Data Sovereignty

The ability to host OnlyOffice on your own server is its greatest privacy asset. By keeping your data on your own hardware (or a trusted VPS), you eliminate the risk of big-tech data mining and ensure compliance with strict data protection regulations like GDPR.

Integrated “Private Rooms”

For extremely sensitive work, OnlyOffice offers Private Rooms. In these rooms, every character you type is encrypted locally before being sent to the server, providing a level of security that standard cloud-based office suites cannot match.

Privacy & Security

OnlyOffice takes a multi-layered approach to security. At the code level, its open-source nature (AGPLv3) means the software is transparent and can be audited by the security community. For data in transit, it uses standard HTTPS/TLS encryption.

One of its standout security features is the use of JSON Web Tokens (JWT) to protect document access from unauthorized entries. When self-hosted, you have total control over your database, logs, and backups, ensuring that no metadata is ever leaked to external advertising profiles.

Getting Started

Choose Your Version: For the easiest start, sign up for a free “OnlyOffice Personal” account on their website. For maximum privacy, download the Docker image for the “Community Edition.”
Install Desktop Editors: Download and install the OnlyOffice Desktop Editors for your operating system to work offline and sync changes later.
Import Documents: Drag and drop your existing .docx or .xlsx files into the dashboard.
Configure Integrations: If you use Nextcloud, Seafile, or a similar platform, install the OnlyOffice connector app to edit your files directly within your private cloud.

Who Is It Best For?

OnlyOffice is the ideal choice for:

Privacy-conscious professionals who need to maintain 100% compatibility with clients using Microsoft Office.
Small to Medium Businesses looking to reduce their reliance on Google or Microsoft while maintaining professional collaboration tools.
Self-hosters who already run a home server or private cloud and want to integrate a powerful office suite.
Academic researchers who handle sensitive data that cannot be stored on public US-based cloud servers.

Final Verdict

OnlyOffice is arguably the most polished and compatible open-source alternative to Google Docs available today. It manages to bridge the gap between the user-friendly interface of modern cloud suites and the rigorous privacy standards of the open-source community.

While the self-hosting setup might be a hurdle for non-technical users, the availability of a free personal cloud and high-quality desktop apps makes it accessible to everyone. If you are looking to “de-Google” your professional life without sacrificing the ability to collaborate on complex spreadsheets or documents, OnlyOffice is your best bet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX)
Fully open-source core (AGPLv3) allows for independent auditing
Flexible deployment: use their cloud or host it on your own server
Clean, professional tabbed interface similar to modern desktop suites

Cons

Mobile apps are functional but less polished than Google's
Self-hosting requires some technical knowledge for setup and maintenance
End-to-end encryption is limited to specific 'Private Rooms' features

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OnlyOffice really private and secure?

Yes, OnlyOffice offers significantly better privacy than Google Docs because it is open-source and allows for complete self-hosting. By hosting it on your own hardware, you ensure that no third party ever has access to your sensitive documents or metadata.

Can I import my data from Google?

Absolutely. You can download your Google Docs as .docx or .odt files and upload them directly to OnlyOffice. It maintains formatting exceptionally well due to its native use of OOXML formats.

What's the difference between free and paid plans?

The Personal Cloud and Community (self-hosted) editions are free and include core editing features. Paid Enterprise plans offer professional support, more concurrent connections for editing, and advanced administration tools.

Does OnlyOffice work on all my devices?

Yes, it offers native desktop editors for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can sync your documents across all platforms using their cloud or your own server via WebDAV.

Is OnlyOffice open source?

Yes, the core engine and many versions of the suite are released under the GNU AGPLv3 license. This ensures transparency and allows the community to verify the code for any hidden backdoors or privacy leaks.

OnlyOffice