Collabora launches new open source Collabora Office desktop suite for Linux, Mac & Windows
Collabora has introduced a new desktop suite called Collabora Office, built around the modern interface of Collabora Online but packaged as a fully offline standalone app for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It brings the same tabbed, browser style layout found in the web editor, supports DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and OpenDocument formats, and removes Java components to offer a lighter installation. This version focuses on clearer defaults, fewer settings, and a more contemporary look that resembles Collabora Online and even Microsoft Office in some areas.
The existing desktop enterprise suite is not being replaced. Instead, it has been renamed Collabora Office Classic and continues as a separate standalone product with the traditional LibreOffice based VCL interface. Both editions provide Writer, Calc, Impress, and a vector graphics tool, and both are fully local desktop applications. Classic keeps features like the Base database app, full macro editing in BASIC, Python, and UNO, and long term enterprise support, while this new Collabora Office for Desktop app drops Base, can only run macros rather than edit them, and is still building toward enterprise readiness planned for 2026.
Collabora Office replaces the VCL interface with a JavaScript, CSS, WebGL, and Canvas based design that introduces a cleaner layout, color coded ribbons, and dark mode with fewer dependencies. The company plans for both versions to coexist, each serving different preferences and requirements.
- Word Processor
- Paid • Open Source
Related news
External links
- Collabora Online now available on DesktopCollabora Blog • Official source
- Collabora Launches Desktop Office Suite for LinuxIt's FOSS
- Collabora Office: Bringing Collabora Online to the DesktopPRWeb
- LibreOffice-based Collabora Office gets a reboot on Linux, Windows, and MacHow-To Geek
- Collabora Office is an open source desktop suite for Windows, macOS and LinuxBetaNews
Comments
Still needs some work/refinement, otherwise I like the new UI of theirs
Tried a first shot at it by opening Excel file.
Opening it went well. Just wasn't able to edit...
Will try it again at their update.
It probably opened in Read-only mode, like it did for my DOCX file. Just had to click the "Edit" button, which was in the bottom-right corner for me on Linux. And I just opened an XLSX file - it's the same. The button is in the bottom-right corner. Blue icon with a white pen/pencil.
Forgot to mention, was testing it on Linux.
Haven't tried it on Windows yet.
MS Store only on Windows? No offline installer?
Seems so, but if you need an offline installer, you can go to https://store.rg-adguard.net/ and paste the MS Store link there. Then download CollaboraProductivityLtd.CollaboraOfficeDesktop_[Version-and-other-stuff].appx and run it. This will install the same version as the store version, but without requiring you to log into the store with your MS account.
Thanks Marc for the tip on how to download installer for ms store apps
Collabora is one of the most active contributor of LibreOffice, its Collabora Office Classic is basically stock LibreOffice with paid support.
This Collabora Office isn't built on the complete LibreOffice code but on some of the major functionalities, like popular file formats support. Most of the UI is based is done by the browser on which it runs. Functionalities, settings and macro are limited compared to LibreOffice. It's pretty much more close to OnlyOffice, that has a very reliable Docx support, and all basic functionalities.
Also, Word/Excel and World/Excel Web are not fully compatible with each other, so any document changed using all theses apps will certainly be a mess. Better stick to using only one app, and ensure everyone use the same when sharing a document.
This is a great idea, and I tried it yesterday. It's good for those needing an MS Office-style/modern interface, but it is not as powerful as LibreOffice.
It's missing features that I use every day, so I won't be switching to it, but I may use it every now and then for testing purposes and maybe to file some bug reports if I run into any.
Thanks for your review! I use the Android app to avoid relying on proprietary app to read and do some quick edits on the go even if I always prefer to use my laptop.