Apache OpenOffice: Features, Security Status and Free Download Explained

Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office suite that lets you write documents, build spreadsheets, create presentations and more without paying any licence fee. For years it was the standout free alternative to Microsoft Office, and it has been downloaded well over 300 million times. This guide explains what Apache OpenOffice actually includes in 2026, how it handles Microsoft files, what it costs and where to download it safely — and, just as importantly, why its slow development and a growing list of unpatched security flaws now matter for anyone deciding whether to keep using it.

What is Apache OpenOffice?

Apache OpenOffice is a complete desktop office suite made up of six separate programs that share a common look and feel. “Open source” means the underlying code is public and the software is free to use, copy and install on as many computers as you like, for home, business, school or government use. There is no subscription, no account and no advertising.

The suite has a long history. It began as StarOffice, became the community project OpenOffice.org under Sun Microsystems, passed to Oracle, and was finally donated to the Apache Software Foundation in 2011 — which is why its full name today is Apache OpenOffice. Its native file type is the OpenDocument Format (ODF), an open international standard that uses extensions such as .odt for text, .ods for spreadsheets and .odp for presentations. The current version, 4.1.16, was released on 10 November 2025 and is available in 41 languages for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What applications are included in Apache OpenOffice?

Apache OpenOffice bundles six applications. Unlike Microsoft Office, that bundle includes a drawing tool and an equation editor that have no separate paid equivalent in the basic Microsoft line-up. Here is what each one does.

Writer (word processor)

Writer is the word processor, equivalent to Microsoft Word. It handles letters, reports, CVs, newsletters and long documents with styles, tables, images, a table of contents and mail merge. Writing with a word processor changes how people draft and revise, and Writer covers the full range of everyday editing tasks, including tracked changes and comments for reviewing. It can also export any document straight to PDF; if you need a step-by-step method, see our guide to converting ODT to PDF.

Calc (spreadsheet)

Calc is the spreadsheet program, comparable to Microsoft Excel. It supports hundreds of functions, charts, pivot tables (called DataPilot), conditional formatting and multi-sheet workbooks. Calc saves to the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format by default; if you are unfamiliar with it, our explainer on the ODS file format covers how it works and how to convert it.

Impress (presentations)

Impress is the presentation tool, the counterpart to Microsoft PowerPoint. It offers slide layouts, master slides, transitions, animations and a presenter mode, and can open and run existing PowerPoint files.

Draw (vector graphics)

Draw is a vector-graphics and diagramming application for flowcharts, floor plans, posters and simple illustrations. It is handy for building diagrams you can then drop into Writer or Impress.

Base (database)

Base is a desktop database manager, loosely similar to Microsoft Access. You can create tables, queries, forms and reports, and connect to external databases. Base requires Java to run, which you need to install separately.

Math (formula editor)

Math is a dedicated editor for writing mathematical and scientific formulas. Those equations can be embedded into Writer documents or Impress slides, which makes it useful for students and teachers.

Is Apache OpenOffice still being actively developed?

Apache OpenOffice is still maintained, but it is essentially in maintenance mode rather than active development. The last release with major new features was version 4.1, back in 2014. Everything since — up to and including 4.1.16 in November 2025 — has been a maintenance update: bug fixes, updated dictionaries and security patches, rather than meaningful new capabilities.

The reason is a long-running shortage of volunteers. The project has struggled for years to attract enough active developers to keep pace, and the Apache Software Foundation has at times discussed whether the project is sustainable at all. In practical terms, that means you should not expect modern features such as built-in cloud sync, real-time co-editing or an AI assistant to arrive; the software today looks and behaves much as it did a decade ago.

How safe is Apache OpenOffice in 2026?

Security is the most important thing to understand before installing Apache OpenOffice. Because so few developers are available, fixes for known vulnerabilities have repeatedly taken far longer than in comparable software. The Apache Security Team escalated OpenOffice’s internal risk status to “amber” in October 2024 and to “red” by mid-2025, and it was flagged “red” again in early 2026, citing vulnerabilities that had gone unpatched for more than 365 days.

The pattern is visible in individual flaws. CVE-2025-64401, fixed only in 4.1.16, let a specially crafted document load external content through “floating frames” without asking the user’s permission — the same underlying issue LibreOffice had already patched back in 2023. Partly because of delays like this, The Document Foundation, which makes LibreOffice, now publicly advises against using Apache OpenOffice on security grounds.

This does not mean the suite is unusable, but it does mean sensible precautions: always install the latest version, be cautious opening documents from unknown sources, and consider the actively maintained LibreOffice fork if security is a priority. For New Zealand organisations handling personal information under the Privacy Act 2020, timely security patching is part of keeping data reasonably secure, which makes a slow-to-patch suite a genuine consideration.

How well does Apache OpenOffice work with Microsoft Office files?

Apache OpenOffice can open modern Microsoft files but cannot save to them — and that distinction trips up a lot of people. It reads Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, including the current .docx, .xlsx and .pptx formats, usually preserving layout well even for complex documents. Occasional formatting quirks appear with intricate layouts, but they are generally easy to adjust.

Saving is where the limit bites. Apache OpenOffice can save to its own OpenDocument formats and to the older Microsoft binary formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt), but it has never been able to write the newer .docx, .xlsx and .pptx formats. If a colleague, client or school insists on a .docx file, OpenOffice cannot produce one directly — you would send a .doc, a PDF, or switch to a suite that supports OOXML saving. It can, however, export every program’s output to PDF with one click.

Collaboration is the other gap. OpenOffice has no native cloud storage, no built-in email client and no real-time co-authoring, so the live, shared editing that defines modern cloud tools simply is not there. It does include traditional review features such as tracked changes and comments, and a third-party extension can connect it to services like Google Drive, while open-source email clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird can be configured alongside it.

What does Apache OpenOffice cost, and how do you download it?

Apache OpenOffice is completely free under the Apache License 2.0, with no paid tier and no feature locked behind a subscription. You can install it on any number of machines at home or at work.

Download it only from the official source to avoid bundled adware or tampered installers. The genuine download lives at openoffice.org; our walkthrough on how to download OpenOffice covers the steps. The installer is roughly 130–160 MB depending on the platform and language pack. System requirements are modest: on Windows it runs on versions from XP through Windows 11 with 256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended) and about 650 MB of free disk space for installation; macOS 10.7 or later and Linux with a 2.6 kernel or newer are also supported.

There are no official mobile apps — Apache OpenOffice does not run on Android or iOS. An app called AndrOpen Office exists on the Play Store, but it is an independent, unaffiliated port, not an official Apache product, so treat it accordingly.

How does Apache OpenOffice compare with the main alternatives?

Apache OpenOffice is one of several free or low-cost office suites, and it is no longer the obvious default. The table below sets it against the alternatives New Zealand users most often weigh up. For a deeper look at the free options, see our round-up of OpenOffice alternatives, and for the cloud-versus-desktop question, our comparison of Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365.

The headline takeaway is that LibreOffice — which grew out of the same codebase as OpenOffice — offers nearly everything OpenOffice does plus the ability to save Microsoft’s current formats, and it is updated far more often. That is why it is usually the first suggestion for anyone who likes the OpenOffice approach but wants a safer, more capable version.

Who is Apache OpenOffice best for?

Apache OpenOffice suits a narrow group well and is a poor fit for everyone else. It is a reasonable choice if you want a no-cost, offline, locally installed suite, you work mainly in OpenDocument or older Microsoft formats, you are comfortable with a classic menus-and-toolbars interface, and you do not need to collaborate in real time.

It is not a good fit if you regularly exchange .docx or .xlsx files with others, you need cloud storage, live co-editing or mobile access, or security and frequent updates are important to you. In those cases LibreOffice, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 will serve you better.

Common mistakes to avoid with Apache OpenOffice

• Assuming it saves .docx. It does not. Send recipients a .doc or a PDF, or use a suite that writes OOXML, if a .docx is required.
• Downloading from unofficial sites. Third-party “download portals” often wrap installers in adware. Use the official openoffice.org download only.
• Confusing OpenOffice with LibreOffice. They share ancestry but are separate projects; LibreOffice is updated far more frequently.
• Running an old version. Because fixes are slow, staying on an outdated release leaves known vulnerabilities open — always update to the latest version.
• Expecting cloud collaboration. There is no native real-time co-editing; plan to share files manually or choose a cloud suite instead.
• Treating AndrOpen Office as official. It is an unaffiliated third-party app, not an Apache product.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Apache OpenOffice really free?

Yes. Apache OpenOffice is released under the Apache License 2.0 and is free to download, install and use for any purpose, including commercial work, on as many computers as you want. There is no paid version, subscription or trial period.

What is the latest version of Apache OpenOffice?

The latest version is 4.1.16, released on 10 November 2025. It is a maintenance and security update rather than a feature release; the last version with major new features was 4.1 in 2014.

Can Apache OpenOffice open and save Microsoft Word files?

It can open Word files, including the current .docx format. However, it cannot save to .docx; it saves only to OpenDocument (.odt) or the older .doc format. If you need a .docx file, use a PDF export, send a .doc, or choose a suite that supports saving in Microsoft’s modern formats.

Is Apache OpenOffice safe to use?

It can be used safely with care, but there are real concerns. The Apache Security Team has flagged the project over vulnerabilities left unpatched for more than a year, and LibreOffice’s developers advise against it on security grounds. Always install the latest version, avoid opening documents from untrusted sources, and consider the more actively maintained LibreOffice if security matters to you.

Is there a mobile app for Apache OpenOffice?

There is no official Apache OpenOffice app for Android or iOS; it is desktop software for Windows, macOS and Linux. An app called AndrOpen Office appears on the Play Store, but it is an independent, unaffiliated port and not an official Apache product.