Gratefully, the Complimentary Ad-Included Version of Microsoft Office Turned Out to Be a Trial Run
Looking for a cost-free alternative to Google Docs? Microsoft might've seemed like your savior, at least until you realize the catches. Beebom reported that Microsoft secretly launched a free, ad-supported version of its Office app earlier this week, offering basic versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. But, it turns out, Microsoft was simply conducting "some limited testing" and has no plans to launch a free version of Office.
Microsoft informed PCWorld that the company would not release a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office desktop apps. The good news is, knowing it was a test is a relief since it appears Microsoft stashed most of Office's enticing features behind a paywall. This also explains the muted response during its release.
The free ad-supported Office app, available only on Windows PCs, provides access to the most fundamental features of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you want to do more than the essentials, like adding images, altering fonts, or even adjusting line spacing, you'll need to upgrade to a premium version of Office, which costs around $100 a year for a single user.
Additionally, there are other limitations. According to Beebom, you must deal with a persistent banner ad at the top-right of your document and a 15-second video ad that plays every few hours. Moreover, the original file should be saved to your OneDrive account before it can be downloaded elsewhere.
I attempted to download the free version of Office on a Windows desktop at home but discovered it was unavailable. With the limitations of the free Office app and the persistent ads, it might be simpler to stick with Google Workspace, especially since you probably already have a Google account. I'm not the biggest OneDrive fan, so the idea of using it to save my files would make the free Office app a complete non-starter for me.
Microsoft wasn't the only one trying to loosen Google's grip on free work tools. Last year, Zoom launched Zoom Docs, which was indeed quite promising - assuming you're already fully immersed in the Zoom ecosystem.
Enrichment Data:Microsoft's free, ad-supported Office app comes with certain limitations and features:
- Ads: Users will encounter a persistent banner ad at the top-right of each application and a 15-second video ad that plays every few hours.
- Advanced Functionality: Most advanced features, such as add-ins, advanced formatting, and power-user tools like pivot tables in Excel and design tools in Word, are unavailable.
- Cloud-Only Saving: Files can only be saved to OneDrive, with only 5GB of free storage space available for free users.
Comparatively, Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) offers a more extensive, feature-rich suite of productivity tools, such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.
- Cost: While Google Workspace provides a free version with limited functionalities, premium plans are available for additional features.
- Platform: Google Workspace is a web-based tool accessible on any device with a browser, while Microsoft's free Office app is Windows-only.
- File Storage: Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage space in comparison to Microsoft's OneDrive, which provides just 5GB in its free plan.
- Advanced Features: Google Workspace's free version offers a more comprehensive set of features compared to Microsoft's ad-supported Office app.
Considering these points, Microsoft's free Office app is designed to provide minimal functionality with the goal of encouraging users to upgrade to a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. On the other hand, Google Workspace offers a more robust and user-friendly free experience with broader accessibility.
- Despite Microsoft's secret testing of a free Office app, the tech giant has no plans to make a widespread release, acknowledging the limitations of the stealthily launched application.
- The tech industry is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's available for free, as seen in Microsoft's ad-supported Office app, although the app's functionality is intentionally restricted to promote premium versions.
- As the future of work tools becomes increasingly dependent on technology, companies like Microsoft and Google are seeking ways to differentiate themselves, offering varying levels of free and premium features to attract and retain users.
- When exploring alternatives to Google Docs, it's essential to consider the pros and cons of various platforms, such as Microsoft's Office app with its advertising-supported limitations or Google Workspace, which offers a more extensive suite of free features with less advertising.
