Let’s be real — office software in 2025 can feel like a maze. Between Microsoft’s paid subscriptions, free open-source options, and flashy browser-based tools, choosing the right setup is harder than ever.
I’ve personally used Microsoft Office for over a decade — from writing college papers in Word 2010 to managing project budgets in Excel 2019. It’s familiar. It’s powerful. But in today’s landscape, is it still the best option?
In this post, I’ll break down whether Office 2019 is still worth using, what you might be missing, and the best free tools I’ve tested as alternatives. And if you're trying to decide for yourself, I’ll also point you to a full hands-on comparison that really helped me out.
Why I Still Like Office 2019 (and You Might Too)
Despite its age, Office 2019 still feels solid. It gives you the core apps — Word, Excel, PowerPoint — all in a one-time purchase. No logins, no recurring fees, no cloud dependency. It just… works.
What’s good:
✅ Works fully offline — great for low-internet environments
✅ Smooth performance on older PCs
✅ Familiar UI that doesn’t change every few months
✅ No subscription needed — a rare thing these days
But it’s not perfect.
Office 2019 lacks newer AI-powered features, real-time collaboration tools, and deep cloud integration. If you’re someone who uses Teams, OneDrive, or Microsoft Loop… it’ll feel outdated fast.
So, Should You Upgrade or Switch?
It depends on what kind of work you do. Personally, I still use Office 2019 for long documents and offline tasks. But for collaboration or mobile editing, I’ve tested a few alternatives — and some really impressed me.
Here are my favorites:
🟩 LibreOffice — Best for Offline Simplicity
If you want a free, offline tool that doesn’t nag you with pop-ups, LibreOffice is a classic. It’s not glamorous, but it opens most Word and Excel files without issue.
✅ No internet required
✅ Open-source and free forever
❌ UI feels dated compared to Office or WPS
🟨 WPS Office — Most Familiar Microsoft Feel
WPS surprised me. It has a ribbon UI that looks nearly identical to Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel. Plus, the mobile app is actually pleasant to use — something I can’t say for most office tools.
✅ Polished interface (desktop & mobile)
✅ Supports all common file types
❌ Some ads in the free version (but tolerable)
🟦 Google Docs — Collaboration King
This one’s a no-brainer if you’re working with others. Google Docs lets multiple people write, comment, and edit at the same time — perfect for blogs, reports, or school projects.
✅ Real-time collaboration
✅ Auto-saving in the cloud
❌ Internet required — not ideal for remote areas
My Setup (Spoiler: I Use All Three)
These days, I stick with Office 2019 for solo writing or offline spreadsheets. When I’m on the go or working with a team, I switch to Google Docs or WPS.
And if you're in a similar spot — unsure what tools to use or whether to upgrade — I highly recommend this guide:
👉 Check out this hands-on Office 2019 comparison and setup guide
It covers:
✅ What Office 2019 still does better than new tools
✅ Where it falls behind in 2025
✅ Step-by-step reviews of the best free alternatives
✅ Screenshots, tips, and honest pros/cons
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