When comparing Apache OpenOffice vs LibreOffice Writer, the Slant community recommends Apache OpenOffice for most people. In the question“What are the best alternatives to Microsoft Word?” Apache OpenOffice is ranked 4th while LibreOffice Writer is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Apache OpenOffice is:
Licensed under Apache License.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Free and open source
Licensed under Apache License.
Pro Comprehensive suite of applications
Apache OpenOffice includes applications for word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and database management.
Pro Cross-platform
OpenOffice is available on Windows, Mac OS, and *nix systems.
Pro Multilingual
OpenOffice is available in 170+ languages.
Pro No CopyLeft
Unlike LibreOffice, its Grandfather OpenOffice is real open software for anyome.
Pro Full compatibility with Microsoft
Fully compatible with Microsoft formats - from the oldest to the latest.
Pro Quickstart
It has quickstart on Linux, a feature that makes opening a file blazing fast.
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 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 Really fast
Pro Easy to use
Pro Open source
Cons
Con Dead project
The project looks dead. They can't close even serious security vulnerabilities. You might want to use Libreoffice instead.
Con Documentation is lacking
OpenOffice documentation is incomplete and language is highly technical.
Con No copyleft
It's good for developers but bad for openoffice for example: libreoffice relicensed it under GPL now libreoffice can integrate all changes made to openoffice but openoffice is unable to integrate improvements from libreoffice.
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.