European Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Looking for a European alternative to Microsoft Office? Microsoft 365 is a powerful productivity suite, but it's based in the US and stores your data on American servers. For businesses and individuals who value privacy, GDPR compliance, and data sovereignty, European office alternatives offer compelling options.
We've curated the best privacy-focused office suites built in Europe. These alternatives provide powerful document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools while keeping your data protected under European law.
Why Choose a European Alternative to Microsoft Office?
GDPR Protection
Your documents stay in Europe, protected by the world's strongest privacy laws.
No Subscription Lock-in
Many European alternatives are free or offer one-time purchases instead of subscriptions.
Self-Hosting Options
Keep complete control by hosting on your own European servers.
Open Source Options
Audit the code yourself with transparent, open-source office suites.
Best European Alternatives to Microsoft Office
We've curated the best privacy-focused office suites from European companies. Each alternative has been evaluated for features, privacy, and GDPR compliance.
LibreOffice
Free open-source office suite from The Document Foundation
OnlyOffice
Full office suite with real-time collaboration and MS Office compatibility
Collabora Online
Enterprise cloud office suite based on LibreOffice technology
SoftMaker
German office suite with excellent MS Office compatibility
Frequently Asked Questions
For desktop use, LibreOffice is the most popular free alternative, offering full compatibility with MS Office formats. For cloud-based collaboration, OnlyOffice (Latvia) provides the best MS Office compatibility with real-time editing features. For maximum privacy, CryptPad offers end-to-end encryption.
Yes, several European office suites offer full GDPR compliance including OnlyOffice (Latvia), CryptPad (France), Collabora Online (UK), and Nextcloud Office (Germany). These services store data in Europe and can be self-hosted for complete control. LibreOffice is also fully GDPR compliant as it runs locally with no cloud component.
Yes, all major European alternatives fully support Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx). OnlyOffice is known for having the best MS Office compatibility, preserving even complex formatting. LibreOffice and Collabora Online also provide excellent format support, though some complex macros may require adjustment.
Key reasons to switch include: data sovereignty (your files stay in Europe), GDPR compliance, avoiding US surveillance laws like the CLOUD Act, no subscription lock-in with many free alternatives, open-source transparency, and supporting European digital independence. For businesses handling sensitive data, European alternatives offer peace of mind.
Yes, several European alternatives offer real-time collaboration comparable to Microsoft 365. OnlyOffice, Collabora Online, CryptPad, and Nextcloud Office all support simultaneous editing with cursor tracking and change highlighting. CryptPad adds end-to-end encryption while still enabling real-time collaboration.
Yes, LibreOffice is completely free and open source with no premium tiers or hidden costs. OnlyOffice offers free desktop editors and a free tier for cloud use. CryptPad has a generous free tier. For organizations that can self-host, Collabora Online and Nextcloud Office are also available at no software cost (only hosting costs apply).
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