When comparing Org mode for Emacs vs LibreOffice Writer, the Slant community recommends Org mode for Emacs for most people. In the question“What are the best note taking apps for UNIX-like systems?” Org mode for Emacs is ranked 14th while LibreOffice Writer is ranked 24th. The most important reason people chose Org mode for Emacs is:
Org mode started out as a simple outlining/note taking app. Then each outline heading can optionally be a TODO list item. And if you desire, you can add SCHEDULE and DEADLINE dates. (Schedule being the date you'd like to start the item.) You can customize the TODO states to add things like DELEGATED, WAITING, BLOCKED, etc.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Can be as simple or as complex as you want
Org mode started out as a simple outlining/note taking app. Then each outline heading can optionally be a TODO list item. And if you desire, you can add SCHEDULE and DEADLINE dates. (Schedule being the date you'd like to start the item.) You can customize the TODO states to add things like DELEGATED, WAITING, BLOCKED, etc.
Pro Libre/open source
Pro Cross platform
Emacs runs on all platforms, Windows, Linux, OSX, even Android and IOS
Pro Exports data to PDF, LaTeX, HMTL and other
You can even build presentation or blog from your data
Pro Supports tables with formules (quite powerful!)
Pro Plain text data storage
Future-proof.
Pro Inline image displaying
Pro Free but copyrighted
Pro Fast interaction
Once muscle-memory sets in, can be much faster to use than a point & click program.
Pro Uses Emacs
Pro All apps
Pro Mouse-friendly interface
Unlike command line editors, Writer doesn't require learning special keybindings or memorizing specific commands. Every option and setting is available at the click of a button!
Pro Familiar interface
The GUI is reminiscent of Microsoft Word and just as easy, if not easier, to use.
Pro WYSIWYG
What you see is what you get when you hit print!
Pro Really fast
Pro Easy to use
Pro Open source
Cons
Con Obtuse documentation
The documentation assumes a level of understanding of basic Emacs usage that not all users may have.
Con Complicated to get started
Con Difficult to use as a database
For example, if you need to quickly populate client details on quotes, unfortunately its easier to find, copy & paste.
Con Not suitable for normal users
Not even a majority of software developers can be bothered to use Emacs (or VI, for that matter).
Con PDF export can be difficult
Latex assumes you're a (compliant) student, have to do a lot of research to get what you want out of it.
Con Uses Emacs (for those who prefer vi, menus, etc.)
Con Not as powerful as command line editors
This is true of any GUI WYSIWYG editor as it simply isn't possible to match the efficiency and utility of a CLI editor with an interface intended for mouse control.
Con Terrible image handling
Arranging images is nigh impossible.
Con Obtuse UI / UX / menus
Con Limited extensibility
Not many cool or interesting plugins are available.
Con Not as Good as the Windows Version
Glitchy, adds more spaces when indenting but you can't fix it as it just keeps doing it. Can't wrap text around tables but Windows version can. Both versions won't place page count outside margins where it belongs.