The Microsoft Office suite is perhaps the best established office software suite. Some may say that it is also the best. However, that is not to say that there aren't a number of good alternatives to Microsoft Office. Here are a few alternatives that are worth considering.
OpenOffice:
To begin with OpenOffice. OpenOffice is a freeware suite of office software. It includes all the standard office software such as word processor, spreadsheet, database, and also presentation software. In addition to this, the OpenOffice suite includes drawing software and software for mathematical formulas. Overall, the office software is good and has good flexibility. For example, the software supports saved documents from a variety of alternative office suites including Microsoft Office. In addition to this, additional plug-ins and templates can be added to the software. For further details, it is worth visiting theCorel Word Perfect Office X5.
Corel Word Perfect Office X5 is Corel's productivity suite. The suite of office software includes word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. However, no database software is included with Corel Word Perfect. Additional office software with Corel Word Perfect suite include Nuance PaperPort for scanning documents, Mozilla® Thunderbird for e-mail management, and notebook software. Word Perfect has a variety of templates, clip-art, templates, and digital photographs included. The software has Microsoft Office compatibility, and now also has Windows 7 compatibility. There is also a free 30 day trial of Corel Word Perfect at their website.
IWorks:
Most likely Apple users will ignore Microsoft Office, and iWorks is the Apple Mac office software suite. Overall, it does not quite have the same range of office software; but with Pages, Numbers, and Keynote this office suite has office software for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Pages has an impressive design studio, with a variety of Apple templates, charts, and tables that can be added and some advanced tools for word processing. Compatibility with Microsoft Office also means that iWork documents can be opened in Microsoft Office. Like Corel Word Perfect, iWork has a free-trial and at $79 is a relative bargain compared to MS Office and Word Perfect.
Star Office 9:
Another bargain office suite is Star Office 9. This software includes word processor, database, spreadsheet, and presentation applications. It is similar to the OpenOffice suite, but also has additional features. The office software is also compatible with a variety of platforms including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
These are a few good alternatives to Microsoft office software. They include the freeware OpenOffice, Corel Word Perfect, iWorks, and Star Office 9. Such software includes a good range of office software and features.