OpenOffice.org
Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office productivity suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math) stewarded by the Apache Software Foundation, serving governments, education, SMBs, and individuals across 240+ countries under the Apache 2.0 License with no commercial revenue model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersDistributed/Global, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What OpenOffice.org does
Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office productivity suite stewarded by The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit. Originally open-sourced by Sun Microsystems in July 2000 as OpenOffice.org, the project was acquired by Oracle in 2010 and donated to the Apache Incubator in June 2011, where it graduated to a Top Level Project in October 2012. The suite comprises six integrated desktop applications - Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics), Base (database), and Math (equations) - built in C++ and using OASIS OpenDocument Format (ISO/IEC 26300) as its native file format, with bidirectional compatibility for Microsoft Office .docx/.xlsx/.pptx files.
The suite is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Solaris, and extends via community-contributed add-ons, templates, and language packs covering 50+ languages. Apache OpenOffice was the first software package to use the OASIS OpenDocument Format and has accumulated 333,333,333+ downloads across 240+ countries as of August 2022, with user bases spanning governments, educational institutions, SMBs, non-profits, and individuals.
The business model is non-commercial: the software is distributed at zero cost under the Apache 2.0 License with no paid tiers, supported entirely by volunteers. Go-to-market is community-led through direct downloads from openoffice.org, SourceForge.net mirrors, Apache archive servers, Linux distribution repositories, and third-party ports (Android, iOS, Windows portable). Operational funding derives from voluntary donations to the ASF and historical employer sponsorship of contributor time (Sun, Oracle, Novell, Red Hat, IBM). Commercial technical support is offered indirectly via IBM and a network of regional training/consulting partners, but generates no revenue attributable to the project itself.
OpenOffice.org firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OpenOffice.org
- Legal name
- Apache OpenOffice (The Apache Software Foundation project)
- Website
- https://openoffice.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office productivity suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math) stewarded by the Apache Software Foundation, serving governments, education, SMBs, and individuals across 240+ countries under the Apache 2.0 License with no commercial revenue model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OpenOffice.org industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Office Productivity Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- OER Authoring, Remixing & Publishing Tools/Platforms (EDAGAJAM)
Keywords
Where OpenOffice.org is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Distributed/Global
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
OpenOffice.org business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Free Download and Distribution: Apache OpenOffice is completely free to download, use, and distribute under the Apache 2.0 License. There is no revenue generation from the software itself. The project accepts donations to the Apache Software Foundation to cover infrastructure costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Download - No License Fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
OpenOffice.org product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Apache OpenOffice (originally OpenOffice.org) is a free, open-source office productivity suite that bundles six desktop applications — Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics), Base (database management), and Math (mathematical equations) — into a single integrated package. The suite uses OASIS OpenDocument Format (ODF, ISO/IEC 26300) as its native file format and is also compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. It is distributed at no cost under the Apache 2.0 License across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris, with an SDK, language packs, and an extensions/templates ecosystem available separately.
Product overview
Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office productivity suite comprising six core desktop applications — Writer (word processor), Calc (spreadsheet), Impress (presentation), Draw (vector graphics), Base (database), and Math (mathematical equations) — designed as an integrated package with consistent look and feel. The suite stores all data in OASIS OpenDocument Format (ISO/IEC 26300) and also reads and writes Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx). It is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Solaris, and is extendable through community-contributed extensions and templates. The product is released under the Apache 2.0 License and is developed entirely by volunteers under The Apache Software Foundation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Apache OpenOffice Free, open-source integrated office productivity suite providing word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector graphics, database management, and mathematical equations in a single package. Uses OASIS OpenDocument Format (ISO/IEC 26300) as its native file format and reads/writes Microsoft Office file formats. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris under the Apache 2.0 License.
- Writer Full-featured word processor for documents ranging from quick memos to complete books, with wizards, styles and formatting, AutoCorrect, AutoComplete, text frames, table of contents, multi-page display, and mail merge via LDAP and address book integration. Exports to HTML, PDF, and MediaWiki formats and supports .odt, .docx, and .doc files.
- Calc Spreadsheet application with DataPilot for raw-data cross-tabulation, natural-language formulas, intelligent sum button, scenario manager, and solver component for optimization problems. Supports multi-user collaborative editing and imports/exports Microsoft Excel .xlsx and .xls formats.
- Impress Multimedia presentation tool with 2D and 3D clip art, animation, Fontworks, drawing tools, master pages, multiple views (Slides, Outline, Notes, Handouts), and multi-monitor output via Presenter Screen. Exports to Flash .swf and reads/writes Microsoft PowerPoint .ppt and .pptx files.
- Draw Vector drawing tool for sketches through complex plans, with a maximum page size of 300cm x 300cm, a 3D controller, smart connectors for flowcharts, dimension lines, and rendering with texture and lighting. Imports BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and WMF formats and exports to Flash .swf.
- Base Desktop database management system with wizards for creating tables, queries, forms, and reports. Includes a built-in HSQLDB engine for single-user databases and native drivers for MySQL, Adabas D, MS Access, and PostgreSQL, plus JDBC and ODBC connectivity. Integrates with Writer for mail merge and with Calc for data ranges.
- Math Mathematical equation editor for creating equations via markup, context-menu symbols, or the Elements toolbox. Commonly embedded in Writer documents and usable standalone or inserted into Calc and Impress.
- Apache OpenOffice Software Development Kit (SDK) Standalone developer toolkit providing the OpenOffice API and UNO component technology for building extensions, add-ins, and applications that extend Apache OpenOffice functionality.
- Apache OpenOffice Language Packs Separately downloadable language packs that localize the Apache OpenOffice user interface (menus, dialogs, messages, and help topics) in languages beyond the base English installation. Each language pack must match the same version number and platform as the base suite.
Quantifiable outcome
- City of Udine saved 360,000 Euro by migrating 900 municipal desktops to OpenOffice
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use OpenOffice.org
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
OpenOffice.org technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature4 records
OpenOffice.org partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- IBMminorIBM offers technical support for Apache OpenOffice through IBM Support for Apache OpenOffice, providing expert technical support for demanding desktop office document requirements. Available globally with dedicated support line.
- Sun Microsystems (historical)coreSun Microsystems originally developed OpenOffice.org, open-sourcing the StarOffice code in 2000. Sun sponsored employees to work on the project and was instrumental in the project's founding.
- Oracle CorporationcoreOracle acquired Sun Microsystems including OpenOffice.org. In June 2011, Oracle donated OpenOffice.org code to Apache Software Foundation. Previously offered commercial version (Oracle Open Office).
- Novell (historical)minorNovell sponsored employees to volunteer with the OpenOffice project as part of their open source engagement.
- Red Hat (historical)minorRed Hat sponsored employees to volunteer with the OpenOffice project as part of their open source engagement.
- IBM (historical)minorIBM sponsored employees to volunteer with the OpenOffice project and contributed IBM code (Lotus Symphony) to OpenOffice 4.0 sidebar feature.
- SourceForge.netminorSourceForge.net hosts Apache OpenOffice downloads as a trusted mirror website, providing reliable download infrastructure for the open source project.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
OpenOffice.org competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OnlyOffice: Open-source office and productivity suite with both desktop and cloud/collaboration offerings. Directly comparable as a free/open office suite targeting SMBs and enterprises seeking Microsoft Office alternatives.
- Collabora: Commercial enterprise distribution of LibreOffice providing paid support, deployment, and collaboration tooling. Serves the same enterprise and government customers targeted by OpenOffice's IBM support partnership and competes for the same open-office workloads.
- LibreOffice (The Document Foundation): Direct fork and most comparable peer to Apache OpenOffice, sharing the same StarOffice code lineage. Competes head-to-head in the free office productivity category for governments, education, and individuals, with more active development and broader community.
Emerging players
- Zoho Workplace: Cloud office and productivity bundle from Zoho (Writer, Sheet, Show). Targets SMBs and cost-sensitive organizations seeking an integrated alternative to Microsoft 365, competing in adjacent segments to OpenOffice.
- WPS Office (Kingsoft): Cross-platform office suite with strong feature parity to Microsoft Office and a freemium model. Targets the same cost-conscious users that gravitate to OpenOffice, particularly in Asia and emerging markets, with a more modern feature set.
- SoftMaker FreeOffice: Free office suite for Windows, macOS, and Linux with strong Microsoft Office compatibility. Competes for the same private/free office productivity use case as OpenOffice, especially in European markets.
Broad incumbents
- Google Workspace: Cloud-native office productivity suite from Google (Docs, Sheets, Slides). Competes with OpenOffice for the same productivity workloads and has increasingly captured the SMB and education segments with free/cheap tiers.
- Microsoft 365 (Office): Dominant commercial office productivity suite from Microsoft. The primary incumbent OpenOffice positions against, with overlapping word, spreadsheet, and presentation capabilities and broad file-format compatibility.
- Apple iWork: Apple's free office suite (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) bundled with macOS/iOS. Comparable category but restricted to Apple platforms, limiting direct overlap with OpenOffice's cross-platform footprint.
Regional players
- Hancom Office: Korean office productivity suite with strong government and education adoption in Korea and parts of Asia. Competes in the same government-driven open-document space but is primarily a regional, Korea-centric player.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OpenOffice.org social profiles
Digital presenceOpenOffice.org financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OpenOffice.org leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
OpenOffice.org funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OpenOffice.org M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OpenOffice.org
What does OpenOffice.org do?
Apache OpenOffice (originally OpenOffice.org) is a free, open-source office productivity suite that bundles six desktop applications — Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics), Base (database management), and Math (mathematical equations) — into a single integrated package. The suite uses OASIS OpenDocument Format (ODF, ISO/IEC 26300) as its native file format and is also compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. It is distributed at no cost under the Apache 2.0 License across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris, with an SDK, language packs, and an extensions/templates ecosystem available separately.
Is OpenOffice.org a public or private company?
OpenOffice.org is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OpenOffice.org founded?
OpenOffice.org was founded in 2000. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is OpenOffice.org based?
OpenOffice.org is headquartered in Distributed/Global, United States, in the North America region.
How does OpenOffice.org make money?
One revenue line is on record: free Download and Distribution.
Who are OpenOffice.org's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OnlyOffice, Collabora and LibreOffice (The Document Foundation). Emerging players are Zoho Workplace, WPS Office (Kingsoft) and SoftMaker FreeOffice. Broad incumbents are Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 (Office) and Apple iWork. Hancom Office is listed as a regional player.
Does OpenOffice.org have an API?
No public API is recorded for OpenOffice.org.
What industry is OpenOffice.org in?
OpenOffice.org's product category is Office Productivity Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAJAM, OER Authoring, Remixing & Publishing Tools/Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.