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ONLYOFFICE: The Best Office Suite for Linux Users

Tirsasaki

20 Feb 2025 • 2 min read

Introduction

When it comes to productivity on Linux, finding a powerful, feature-rich office suite can be challenging. While LibreOffice is a popular choice, ONLYOFFICE has emerged as one of the best office suites for Linux users looking for a modern, collaborative, and fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. In this article, we’ll explore why ONLYOFFICE is the best office suite for Linux and how it can enhance your workflow.

Why Choose ONLYOFFICE on Linux?

ONLYOFFICE is an open-source office suite designed to provide seamless document editing, collaboration, and compatibility. Here are some key reasons why it stands out:

1. Full Compatibility with Microsoft Office Formats

One of the biggest challenges for Linux users is working with Microsoft Office files. ONLYOFFICE provides excellent compatibility with DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX formats, ensuring that documents look the same when opened in Microsoft Office or other editors.

2. Modern and Intuitive UI

Unlike LibreOffice, which still follows a traditional UI, ONLYOFFICE adopts a ribbon-style interface similar to Microsoft Office, making it easy for users to transition from Windows.

3. Real-time Collaboration Features

ONLYOFFICE allows users to collaborate on documents in real-time, just like Google Docs. It supports:

Multi-user editing
Commenting and track changes
Document version control

4. Cloud and On-Premise Deployment

ONLYOFFICE offers both cloud-based and self-hosted options, making it ideal for businesses and individuals who prioritize data privacy and control.

5. Cross-Platform Availability

In addition to Linux, ONLYOFFICE is available on Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms, ensuring a seamless experience across devices.

6. Advanced Plugins and Extensibility

Users can enhance functionality with plugins such as:

Translator tools
Dark mode support
Integration with Nextcloud, ownCloud, and Seafile

How to Install ONLYOFFICE on Linux

Installing ONLYOFFICE is straightforward. It is available in .deb, .rpm, AppImage, Flatpak, and Snap formats. Below are the installation methods for different distributions:

1. Install via DEB (Debian/Ubuntu-Based Distros)

wget https://download.onlyoffice.com/install/desktop/editors/linux/onlyoffice-desktopeditors_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i onlyoffice-desktopeditors_amd64.deb

2. Install via RPM (Fedora, RHEL, openSUSE)

wget https://download.onlyoffice.com/install/desktop/editors/linux/onlyoffice-desktopeditors_x86_64.rpm
sudo rpm -i onlyoffice-desktopeditors_x86_64.rpm

3. Install via Snap

sudo snap install onlyoffice-desktopeditors

4. Install via Flatpak

flatpak install flathub org.onlyoffice.desktopeditors

Performance and User Experience

ONLYOFFICE is designed for efficiency and performance, offering smooth document handling even for large files. Users have praised its fast rendering, minimal resource usage, and ease of use compared to other Linux office suites.

Additional Tips for Using ONLYOFFICE on Linux

Enable Dark Mode: Go to Settings > Interface Theme to reduce eye strain.
Use Nextcloud or ownCloud: Integrate ONLYOFFICE with Nextcloud or ownCloud for seamless document collaboration.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize shortcuts like Ctrl + S for saving and Ctrl + Z for undoing actions.
Enable Auto-Save: Prevent data loss by turning on the auto-save feature in the settings.

Conclusion

ONLYOFFICE is undoubtedly one of the best office suites available for Linux users. With its Microsoft Office compatibility, real-time collaboration features, and user-friendly interface, it is an excellent choice for both personal and professional use. Whether you need a standalone editor or an integrated solution for your cloud storage, ONLYOFFICE provides a reliable, efficient, and feature-rich experience.