LibreOffice for Mac: How to Download and Install It Safely

LibreOffice for Mac is a free, open-source office suite that runs natively on macOS, giving you a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool and more without a subscription. It opens and saves Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, works completely offline, and costs nothing. The one catch is that you have to download it carefully, because searching “LibreOffice Mac” turns up plenty of unofficial sites that bundle the installer with unwanted software. This guide explains exactly what LibreOffice is, whether it will run on your Mac, which version to choose, and how to install it safely from the genuine source.

What is LibreOffice, and is it really free on Mac?

LibreOffice is a complete office suite that is 100% free to download, install and use on a Mac, with no trial period, licence fee or account required. It is released under the Mozilla Public License v2.0, an open-source licence, which means the software is free in both senses: free of charge and free to study, share and modify. There is no “Pro” upsell and no advertising inside the apps.

Because it is open source, the same suite is used by individuals, schools, charities and large organisations around the world. On macOS it behaves like any normal Mac app: it sits in your Applications folder, appears in Launchpad, and opens documents you double-click.

Who makes LibreOffice?

LibreOffice is developed by The Document Foundation (TDF), a non-profit organisation based in Berlin, Germany. The project began in 2010 when developers forked the code from the original OpenOffice.org, and it has been the more actively updated of the two ever since. Hundreds of volunteers and paid contributors ship two feature releases a year. If you want the longer backstory, see our comparison of LibreOffice versus Apache OpenOffice.

What is included in the suite?

LibreOffice bundles six applications in a single download, so you do not install them separately:

• Writer — a word processor, the equivalent of Microsoft Word.
• Calc — a spreadsheet application, the equivalent of Microsoft Excel.
• Impress — a presentation tool, the equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Draw — a vector drawing and diagram editor that also edits PDFs.
• Math — an editor for mathematical formulas.
• Base — a database front-end, similar in role to Microsoft Access.

All six read and write the open OpenDocument formats (ODT, ODS, ODP) as well as Microsoft’s DOCX, XLSX and PPTX, so you can swap files with colleagues who use other software. To understand the native format, see our explainer on ODT files and how office suites compare.

Does LibreOffice work on your Mac?

Yes, as long as your Mac runs a reasonably recent version of macOS. The Document Foundation lists clear minimum requirements, and modern Macs clear them easily.

macOS version and hardware

The official system requirements for the current LibreOffice release on macOS are:

• Operating system: macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer.
• Processor: an Intel or Apple Silicon processor.
• Memory: 512 MB of RAM minimum (far more is normal on any current Mac).
• Storage: up to 800 MB of free disk space for the installed suite.
• Display: 1280×800 resolution or higher.

If your Mac is stuck on macOS 10.15 Catalina or older, the newest LibreOffice will not install. You would need to update macOS first, or install an older LibreOffice release that supported your system — though running an out-of-date, unpatched office suite is not recommended for everyday use.

Apple Silicon vs Intel — which build do I need?

Choose the build that matches your Mac’s chip, because downloading the wrong one is the most common install mistake. There are two separate macOS downloads:

• Apple Silicon (aarch64) — for Macs with an Apple M-series chip (M1, M2, M3, M4 and later). This is the default option on the download page.
• Intel (x86-64) — for older Macs with an Intel processor.

To check which you have, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and choose About This Mac. If the “Chip” line mentions Apple (for example “Apple M2”), pick the Apple Silicon build; if it shows an Intel processor, pick the Intel build. The Apple Silicon version runs faster on M-series Macs, so it is worth getting right.

Which version should you download — Fresh or Still?

LibreOffice is published in two parallel lines, and the right choice depends on whether you value the newest features or maximum stability.

• Fresh is the latest feature release — version 26.8, released on 26 August 2026. It has the newest tools and improvements and is a good choice for home users and anyone who wants the current version.
• Still is the more conservative line — version 26.2.x at the time of writing. It receives bug fixes but no new features, so it is the safer pick for businesses and anyone who prizes predictability over novelty.

Both lines are equally free and are maintained for the same length of time overall. If you are unsure, Fresh is fine for most individuals; choose Still if you are rolling LibreOffice out across an office. Notably, LibreOffice 26.8 ships with no generative-AI features and needs no internet connection to work — a deliberate privacy decision by The Document Foundation.

How to download LibreOffice for Mac safely

The safest way to install LibreOffice is to download it only from the official Document Foundation website and ignore every other source. Follow these steps in order.

Step 1 — Download only from the official source

Go directly to libreoffice.org and use its download page. This is the single most important safety step. Unofficial “download portals,” fake app stores and sponsored search ads sometimes repackage free software with adware or bundled toolbars, or serve an outdated build. The genuine installer from The Document Foundation is clean, free and complete, so there is never a reason to get it anywhere else. Avoid any site that asks you to pay, to install a “download manager,” or to enter a credit card for LibreOffice.

Step 2 — Choose the right processor build

On the download page, confirm macOS is selected, then choose the Apple Silicon or Intel build as described above. Download the main installer (a .dmg disk-image file of roughly 300 MB). Let it finish completely before opening it.

Step 3 — Install the DMG

Installing is a simple drag-and-drop — there is no traditional setup wizard:

1. Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to open it. A window appears showing the LibreOffice icon and an Applications-folder shortcut.
2. Drag the LibreOffice icon onto the Applications folder icon in the same window.
3. Wait for the progress bar to finish copying the files. You may be asked for your Mac administrator password.
4. Eject the disk image (drag it to the Bin or click the eject arrow) and, if you like, delete the .dmg file from Downloads.

Step 4 — First launch and the Gatekeeper prompt

Open LibreOffice from your Applications folder or Launchpad. Current LibreOffice builds are code-signed and notarised by The Document Foundation, so they normally open without complaint. If macOS ever shows a message such as “LibreOffice can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software,” do not panic — this is macOS’s Gatekeeper feature, not a virus warning. Clear it by right-clicking (or Control-clicking) the LibreOffice icon and choosing Open, then confirm. Alternatively, open System Settings > Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway. You only need to do this once.

Installing with Homebrew (optional)

If you use the Homebrew package manager, you can install and update LibreOffice from Terminal instead. Run brew install --cask libreoffice for the Fresh line, or brew install --cask libreoffice-still for the Still line. Homebrew downloads from the official source and makes future updates a one-line command, which suits more technical users. If you have never used Homebrew, the drag-and-drop method above is simpler.

Adding offline help and language packs

The main installer includes the interface in your system language, but the built-in help and some extra language interfaces are separate downloads on the same page. Download the matching help pack or language pack .dmg if you want offline help or a different interface language, then open it and run the small installer inside. These are optional — LibreOffice works fully without them.

Is LibreOffice safe and private on macOS?

LibreOffice is one of the more private mainstream office suites because it is a true offline application that does not require an account, a subscription or an internet connection. Your documents stay on your Mac unless you choose to share them. Nothing is uploaded to a cloud by default, and the suite does not send your files to any remote service for processing.

The software itself is safe when you get it from the official site: the code is open to public inspection, and the macOS builds are digitally signed and notarised by Apple’s process. The real risks come from where you download it and how you handle documents from others — the same as with any office software. Treat unexpected email attachments with caution, keep macOS and LibreOffice updated, and be wary of documents that ask you to enable macros. For converting finished work to a locked-down format, our guide on converting ODT files to PDF securely walks through the safe options.

How LibreOffice for Mac compares to the alternatives

LibreOffice is the most capable free, offline office suite for Mac, but it is not the only option, and the best choice depends on what you need. The table below compares it with the main Mac alternatives on price, how you run them and what file formats they handle. If you came from the original OpenOffice project, you can also read our guide to downloading Apache OpenOffice, and our wider roundup of free and paid office alternatives.

In short: choose LibreOffice if you want a free, full-featured, offline suite with strong Microsoft-format support. Choose Microsoft 365 if you need perfect compatibility with complex Office documents or want the cloud and Copilot. Choose Google Workspace or Apple’s iWork if real-time collaboration or deep integration with your existing tools matters more than offline power. If you mainly live in Word on a Mac, our dedicated guide to Microsoft Word for Mac covers the paid route in detail.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems with LibreOffice on Mac come from a handful of avoidable errors rather than from the software itself:

• Downloading from an unofficial site. Third-party portals and search ads may bundle extra software or serve an old build. Always start at libreoffice.org.
• Picking the wrong processor build. Installing the Intel version on an Apple Silicon Mac (or vice versa) leads to poor performance or an app that will not launch. Check About This Mac first.
• Trying to install on an unsupported macOS. The current release needs macOS 11 or newer; on older systems the installer simply will not run.
• Panicking at the Gatekeeper prompt. The one-time “Apple cannot check it” message is normal for many signed apps — right-click and choose Open rather than abandoning the install.
• Assuming formatting is always identical to Word. LibreOffice opens DOCX and XLSX files well, but very complex layouts, advanced macros or tracked-change-heavy documents can shift slightly. For anything that must look pixel-perfect in Microsoft Office, save a test copy and check it.
• Forgetting to update. Running an old version misses security fixes. Let LibreOffice notify you, or update through Homebrew.

Who is LibreOffice for Mac best for?

LibreOffice for Mac suits anyone who wants a genuinely free, private office suite that works offline and handles Microsoft file formats. It is an excellent fit for students, home users, writers, charities, small businesses and anyone who resents paying a monthly subscription just to open a document.

It is less ideal if your work depends on flawless two-way compatibility with heavily formatted Microsoft Office files, on real-time co-editing with a team, or on a specific Office-only feature. In those cases a cloud suite or Microsoft 365 may serve you better — but for the large majority of everyday writing, spreadsheets and presentations on a Mac, LibreOffice does the job at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is LibreOffice for Mac completely free?

Yes. LibreOffice is free to download and use with no trial, subscription or licence fee, because it is released as open-source software under the Mozilla Public License v2.0. There is no paid version from The Document Foundation, and the apps contain no ads. Some third parties sell packaged or supported builds, but you never need to pay to get the full suite from the official site.

Does LibreOffice run on Apple Silicon Macs like the M1, M2 and M3?

Yes. The Document Foundation publishes a native Apple Silicon (aarch64) build that runs directly on M-series chips, and it is the default option on the download page. Make sure you pick the Apple Silicon download rather than the Intel one so you get the best performance. Intel Macs use the separate Intel (x86-64) build.

Can LibreOffice open and save Microsoft Word and Excel files?

Yes. LibreOffice reads and writes Microsoft formats including DOCX, XLSX and PPTX, as well as its own OpenDocument formats. Everyday documents transfer cleanly. Very complex layouts, advanced macros or intricate spreadsheets can occasionally shift slightly between LibreOffice and Microsoft Office, so check important files if exact formatting is critical.

Is it safe to download LibreOffice for Mac?

It is safe when you download it from the official libreoffice.org website, where the installer is clean and the macOS builds are code-signed and notarised. The main risk is unofficial download sites that bundle unwanted software. Avoid sponsored ads and third-party portals, and ignore any site asking you to pay or install a separate “download manager.”

What is the difference between the Fresh and Still versions?

Fresh is the latest feature release (currently version 26.8) with the newest tools, suited to home users who want the current version. Still is the more conservative line (currently 26.2.x) that gets bug fixes but no new features, making it the safer choice for businesses and production environments. Both are free and equally secure.