10 essential free business apps, tools and services for SMBs and startups

Introduction

Running a small business can be stressful, as you try to deal with all the competing demands on your time. That's quite normal – it's difficult when you have to do almost everything yourself – but fortunately there are plenty of free apps and services which can make your life easier.

Do you need to get more organised, for instance? Keep important information in one place? Manage projects, track how you're spending your time, communicate more effectively with others, or automate your invoicing? We've found ten essential free services to help you with all these tasks, and many more.

• Also check out: Top 10 business apps for iPhone

Evernote

Managing information is a key part of running any small business, and Evernote is the ideal service to help. Grab a web image, an article, URL, make a note, a to-do list and more, and it's instantly uploaded and synced across all your devices.

Browse through this data later on and you're able to organise and search it, maybe share the details with others and take part in group discussions.

Overall, Evernote is a versatile package and a convenient way to keep track of just about anything. If you need more, the Plus account (£19.99 per year, which is around $30, AU$40) lifts the monthly upload limit from 60MB to 1GB, also adding email saving and offline access, while Evernote Premium includes email searching, PDF annotations, scanning and digitising business cards, and more.

Google Docs

Every business needs good productivity software, but that doesn't have to mean spending big money on Office 365. Google Docs' document editor, spreadsheet, presentation tool and survey builder are easy to use, with plenty of templates and guidance to help you get started, yet are still more than powerful enough for most tasks.

The core office suite is just the start. You can extend the package with some quality add-ons, many of them free. You're able to access your data from any browser on any device. Others in your business can do the same, which is ideal when you're collaborating on a project, and because it's all hosted in the cloud, you don't even have to spend time and money on backups.

Skype

Skype's classic app is a convenient way to send instant messages, and make free voice or video calls to any other user, whether they're on Windows, Macs, phones or tablets.

This isn't just about personal chats. You're able to send files, maybe share your entire screen if you need an instant opinion on something, or set up an instant audio conference for groups of up to 25 people.

The service has its share of technical glitches, and if you check the Google or Apple stores you'll find some very mixed reviews. But the response is still broadly positive, it's worked well for us in the past, and upgrading to Skype for Business gets you extras like Outlook integration and group meetings of up to 250 people.

Slack

The easiest way to communicate within a business is often to send emails, or maybe instant messages, but there's little structure to this. Key information is held in different places, making it difficult to track.

Slack offers a smarter, cloud-based solution. Sign up as many users as you need, then create 'channels' for specific purposes: individual projects, customers, whatever makes sense to you.

Channels can be private or public, and used to send messages, share images, documents, spreadsheets and more. Everything you add is indexed right away, becomes searchable, and is immediately synced across desktop and mobile devices.

Slack's free account has some limitations – there are no group calls allowed (two-person only) and only 5GB total storage – but if you need a serious collaboration tool, it's still a solid choice.

Streak

Most CRMs are complex, and they take time to set up and learn, but Streak is different. It runs inside Gmail, giving the system easy access to the contacts, emails and files you have already.

In a click or two you can group or view related emails, add and track customer status, notes and more. 'Boxes' help you define where you are in sales or other pipelines, and it's easy to keep everyone in the business up-to-date on your progress.

Bonus features include some handy Gmail power tools, including Snoozing, Send Later, Mail Merge, Templates, Thread Splitting, and 200 tracked emails per month.

Streak's free plan has strict limits on the amount of data you can share with other users in your business, but if it's mostly for you, the service could work very well.

Toggl

Running a small business can be challenging, and will probably soak up every spare minute you have, so it's important to ensure you're working as efficiently as possible. And that's where toggl comes in.

This easy-to-use time tracker records the websites and applications you're using on just about any device, detects idle time, allows tasks to be added manually, and produces detailed reports on demand.

It's a simple way to find out how you're spending your time, but that's not all. Use toggl across your business (up to five people in the free version) and a web dashboard enables tracking your employees and seeing exactly what they've been doing at any time.

Toggl's commercial plans support unlimited users, billable rates, time estimates, enhanced reporting and more, but the price is high (from £6/$9/AU$12 per user per month) and the free account will be enough for many.

Trello

Trello is a web-based project manager which has something to offer absolutely everyone, from individual home users to the most demanding of businesses.

The service uses 'boards' to hold lists containing whatever information you need: notes, checklists, due dates, file attachments and more. It's a very visual approach, and just building a board will help organise your ideas.

Next, invite other people to the board, maybe assign them some tasks, and they can add comments, notes, files, maybe a few lists of their own. Your board syncs with other devices whenever something changes, so you're always up-to-date, and notifications and powerful search tools help you find whatever you need.

Trello's free account does have some limits, in particular a 10MB maximum for file attachments, but overall it's still a very usable, high quality service.

Wave

Wave offers simple, straightforward invoicing tools, free of charge, yet with more features than some of the competition.

The program has no annoying limits on the number of invoices or customers it supports, for instance. You can set up recurring invoices for regular transactions, use multiple currencies and set any sales tax.

The package is also able to track late payments, create receipts, estimates, quotes and more.

There's even support for accepting credit card payments right away, without any setup fee or other hassles. It's not quite the bargain it seems because the commission you pay per transaction is higher than some commercial products, but if you'll only be taking very few payments then Wave still looks like a good deal.

Wunderlist

Wunderlist is a superb "to-do list" service, ideal for managing anything from a simple shopping trip to a complicated business project.

You could start by adding a few simple text notes, then extend your list with web content, or by forwarding emails, and add reminders or due dates to make sure nothing gets missed.

Share lists with others, add notes and comments, organise related lists into folders and everyone will know exactly what has to be done. And because Wunderlist syncs across all your devices – PC, Android, iOS, Mac, Windows Phone, Chromebook and the web – you'll hear about completed tasks almost as soon as they're finished.

Zoho

You probably won't agree with everything we've included in this slideshow. Maybe some of our choices don't quite hit the mark, or perhaps there's an area we haven't covered. Whatever it is, take a look at Zoho – there's a good chance you'll find something to help.

The site offers website creation, for instance, along with contact management – and a CRM. There's also a project manager, virtual meeting tools, a productivity suite, invoice and accounting software, visual reporting apps, support and helpdesk tools, and the list goes on.

There are free accounts for just about everything, too. Some are relatively limited – the Project Manager supports only one active project with 10MB storage – but others are very capable. For instance, the invoicing package supports invoicing up to 25 customers and has more features than some commercial products. Browse the site for a while and you're sure to find something you can use.

• How to future-proof your business

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In Depth: Apple vs Spotify: what the app store battle means for users

Apple vs Spotify

A battle between two music streaming giants is heating up.

Spotify publicized an ongoing battle with Apple on June 30, stating a in a letter that the Cupertino firm is intentionally making it difficult to update its iPhone app. The Spotify app prompts users to sign up for a subscription online instead of using Apple's in-app purchase system, which is in clear violation of Apple's developer guidelines.

Apple responded on July 1 with a letter saying Spotify needs to follow App Store rules, rather than ask to be an exception to them.

It's a confusing fight that has implications beyond just Spotify and Apple. On the surface, it's a clash of competing music subscription services, but dig deeper and the real battle is over Apple's 70/30 revenue share with developers.

To truly understand what's going on, let's dig into each side's arguments.

Spotify's argument

In a letter written by Spotify general counsel Horacio Gutierrez to Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell, and reported on by Recode, Gutierrez says Apple's refusal to allow its updated app into the App Store is anti-competitive, as developers are required to pay Apple a 30% cut of all in-app purchases, including subscription purchases.

Since Apple has its own Apple Music subscription service, Spotify argues Apple's 30% cut is an unfair advantage for Apple Music.

"[This] continues a troubling pattern of behavior by Apple to exclude and diminish the competitiveness of Spotify on iOS and as a rival to Apple Music, particularly when seen against the backdrop of Apple's previous anti-competitive conduct aimed at Spotify […] we cannot stand by as Apple uses the App Store approval process as a weapon to harm competitors," wrote Gutierrez.

Furthermore, Spotify argues that Apple is being unreasonable by not allowing it to tell customers that they can get a cheaper subscription on Spotify's site.

Spotify has gone as far as to distribute its letter to US government officials. Senator Elizabeth Warren allegedly received the letter and criticized Apple, Amazon and Google for anti-competitive practices. Warren specifically called out Apple for using its "control of iOS to squash competition in music."

Apple's argument

Apple publicly responded to Spotify by publishing a letter written by Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell. In the letter, published by Buzzfeed News, Sewell essentially tells Spotify to follow the rules instead of asking for an exception.

"We find it troubling that you are asking for exemptions to the rules we apply to all developers and are publicly resorting to rumors and half-truths about our service," writes Sewell to Horacio.

Apple goes on to say that all developers that use its App Store follow the same rules, and it's true. Every developer that makes money from in-app purchases is required to give Apple a 30% cut. Apple has a rule in place that allows subscription services to pay a reduced 15% cut after a year of service.

"There can be no doubt that Spotify has benefited enormously from its association with Apple's App Store. Since joining the App Store, in 2009, Apple's platform has provided you with over 160 million downloads of your app, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in incremental revenue to Spotify," says Sewell, digging into Spotify.

Apple is certainly in its right to make rules for its own platform, and Sewell notes Apple is not in violation of any antitrust laws.

Who's right?

It's tough to say who's right and wrong here. Apple is legally following rules and should make money from developers hosting their apps in the App Store. However, Apple does have an advantage of selling its own products and services in the App Store. Apple doesn't have to pay a 30% cut to anyone, and can therefore build a seamless user experience.

Looking at this battle as a consumer, however, Apple is creating an anti-consumer experience. In an attempt to circumvent Apple's 30% cut, many developers have resorted to removing the ability to make purchases in their apps altogether, degrading the user experience.

Apple's developer guidelines spell out when in-app purchases are required (emphasis mine):

"If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase. Apps may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than IAP."

The inability for developers to point to other methods of payment other than in-app purchases is disturbing on a consumer level. It means Apple wants developers to hide the fact that there may be other methods of purchasing content, or the fact that content may be cheaper elsewhere.

Let's take the Kindle app, for example. On iOS, you can only sample books or add them to your wish list. iPhone and iPad users will have to go into the Amazon app or navigate to Amazon's website in order to purchase books. On Android, users can purchase books directly within the app as Google doesn't require developers to use its payment system exclusively.

Competing app stores from Google and Amazon also take a 30% cut from in-app purchases, but they don't restrict developers from adding alternative methods of payment. This is why Spotify users on Android can purchase a subscription using a credit card or PayPal instead of using Google's payment system.

I think Apple is in its right to charge developers a fee for using its App Store, but what's a reasonable fee is debatable. As a consumer, I'd rather Apple compete with superior services rather than creating an atmosphere where developers need to remove functionality from their apps in order to avoid paying Apple. It's frustrating that I can't purchase books in the Kindle and ComiXology app. It's disingenuous that Apple doesn't allow developers to let customers know that services and products are cheaper when purchased via a company's site instead of within the app.

There needs to be a compromise, but what that compromise looks like is unknown. It's up to Apple and its developers to figure it out. The iPhone is nothing without its great selection of apps, and developers wouldn't have as much reach without Apple's App Store.

In the end, it's consumers that hurt while Apple and Spotify figure out how to compromise. It's frustrating not being able to purchase what I want, and how I want. If customers don't mind paying the extra 30% that Apple charges developers to use its payment system, great. But, if I want to save money by purchasing a subscription via the web, I should be able to.

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Editor's pick: Get the best deals and voucher codes when you shop online with Pricehawk

Get the cheapest deals and best voucher codes

The best deals on tech and games

Finding the best prices when you're shopping online can be a real hassle, with deals and voucher codes for the same product changing by the minute.

Pricehawk for Chrome, from the creators of TechRadar, PCGamer.com and T3.com, is a free browser extension that searches its database for shopping links in the webpage you're viewing. It finds you the best deals from reliable online stores, and scours its database for the latest voucher codes to make sure you get the best price.

Pricehawk isn't obstructive and won't take over your browser – it remains tucked away as a discreet button beside the address bar until it detects a shopping link, at which point it pops up a small notice letting you know about available deals. If you're still researching your options and aren't ready to buy, you can either set the alerts to snooze temporarily, or disable them for that site.

You can search for products manually if you have something specific in mind – simply click View Deals, and click the Search tab. Pricehawk will display suggested products in real time as you type.

Pricehawk is still in beta, and currently works with games and tech in the UK, US and Australia. Other categories are coming soon, as well as versions for other browsers.

Your feedback as an early adopter is valuable – click the Options button, then select Provide Feedback to send us your opinions, and help us make Pricehawk even better.

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Updated: The best Linux distros: seven versions of Linux we recommend

Feel the power of the penguin

Long-time Windows and Mac users might rejoice at the thought that Linux is no longer exclusively used by developers who wince at the sight of software that isn't open-source.

In fact, with hundreds of Linux distros, or distributions, to choose from, there's bound to be something out there that appeals to you. See, Linux is just the heart, the kernel, of any Linux-based system. It's the distribution that determines the rest – the user interface design, the installation process and application support are all up to the creator of the distro.

Because Linux is all about a personalized, and not to mention private, computing experience, you don't have to worry about handing over data to corporations or automatic, unsolicited software updates. Plus, thanks to initiatives like Chrome OS, Linux is more accessible than it's ever been before.

The only problem is, there are so many Linux variations to choose from that the decision itself might be enough to send you in Microsoft's direction. Thankfully, we've put together this handy guide to all of the best Linux distros enthusiasts and newbies should all take into consideration.

Each of these picks can be customized, but the easiest route to Linux bliss is to find a distro that already suits how you're going to use Linux day-to-day. There are plenty of flavors to choose from. So, are you more Arch, or Ubuntu or something else entirely?

As always, if you have a suggestion of your own, let us know in the comments below.

Shashank Sharma, Nick Peers and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

Ubuntu

Even people who shake at the sound of "Linux" and wouldn't know where to start with a command line interface have heard of Ubuntu. This is the friendly face of Debian (a larger distro that predates Ubuntu by a decade), with new releases every six months rather than every six and a half seconds, so that its edges aren't full of frayed bits.

It's a good place to start if you're new to Linux, and is designed specifically for the person who doesn't know a directory of Linux commands better than the alphabet. It comes with lots of preinstalled apps, and the easy-to-handle install repositories library makes it very easy to get hold of more.

Lots of Linux users end up using Ubuntu as a starting point. They may end up looking down their noses at it a year or two down the line, but they'll owe it thanks, really.

There are a few legitimately controversial things about Ubuntu, though. Over the last few years, it has tried to become more its own "brand", most notably by introducing its own desktop environment, known as Unity. This interface bridges Ubuntu for phones and tablets with classic desktop Ubuntu.

We don't see Ubuntu upstaging Android any time soon, but Ubuntu producer Canonical doubtless has big hopes for it.

Unity is less like Windows than most other desktop environments, and not everyone likes it. However, it recently became a lot more flexible and smoother in the latest release. It's not all that hard to switch to another desktop UI, either.

You can get started with Ubuntu here

Solus

Most distros are based on an existing setup. Everything uses the Linux kernel, of course, but much of what you'll find is overtly based on Debian or Ubuntu (itself based on Debian). Solus is a bit different.

Solus is built to be as streamlined and, in some respects at least, simple as possible. It's exceptionally clean and modern-looking. That it is also so much younger than a lot of the competition gives it an edge many of the older distros lack.

While an earlier attempt at Solus arrived in 2012 before being abandoned, this current incarnation only appeared in late 2015.

Its desktop UI is called Budgie, and it has a clearer focus on aesthetics and "elegance", as team Solus puts it, than most other Linux interfaces.

The issue in siding with Solus is that, while promising, it has much less of an active community at the moment than the big names. This may become a problem for those who don't already know Linux inside and out.

As a sapling, it's also going to be less stable than something like Ubuntu for the foreseeable future. It's worth sampling for something with a different flavor, though.

You can get started with Solus here

Linux Mint Cinnamon

If you want a Linux distro that looks and feels a bit like a Linux alternative to Windows 10, you've found it. Linux Mint Cinnamon has a much more familiar interface than Ubuntu. It even has a Start menu of sorts, making it dead easy to transition from Windows if you've just had enough of all that Microsoft nonsense.

There are no major sacrifices either. Mint Cinnamon uses very similar repositories to Ubuntu, being based on it.

Cinnamon has a relatively glitzy interface, so if you're planning on running Linux on a dodgy old machine that can no longer keep up with Windows, you are best off trying Cinnamon's brother. It's called Mate, and has a more spartan UI that's a bit less demanding.

(To dig a level deeper, Cinnamon's look is based on Gnome 3, Mate's on Gnome 2. Gnome, of course, being a graphical desktop environment designed to work with Linux distros primarily.)

We picked Cinnamon for a reason, though.

Like Ubuntu, this is a good beginner Linux distro. It features an office suite, media player apps, a browser and more right from the start. And, like Ubuntu, it's not updated all the time. It's updated even more sparingly than Ubuntu, actually, with a major update roughly once a year. Linux Mint Cinnamon is one of the first distros you should try if you're new to Linux.

You can get started with Mint Cinnamon here

Ubuntu Studio

Loads of the Linux distros you'll find, and there are hundreds of them, are based on Ubuntu. One of the most interesting Linux-derived distros is Ubuntu Studio. This is designed for creative types: musicians, artists, sound engineers and designers.

It's a great place to head if, for example, you want to try making your own podcast or homebrew album but can't afford any fancy software for the back-end. Ubuntu Studio has been around since 2007, and now features a small mountain of apps that push it close to the 3GB mark.

One of the most interesting is Ardour. This is a digital, multi-track recorder-slash-sequencer app. Better-known Windows alternatives, like Sonar, Reason and Cubase demand hundreds of dollars for comparable functions.

Ardour can communicate with the preinstalled synthesizer and guitar effects apps using JACK, another piece of software that lets you route audio between apps. It won't lure Kanye West away from Pro Tools any time soon, but it's also an awful lot cheaper.

Ubuntu Studio is a little less strong on the graphics/video side, but does offer a couple of video editing programs and Blender, the 3D modeling app. While not many full-time graphics and audio professionals are going to use Studio as their main piece of software, it's a fine way to dabble in creative software somewhat like the tear-inducingly expensive Windows packages without paying a cent.

You can get started with Ubuntu Studio here

Arch Linux

Here's one for the pros. While most of our picks are suitable for those who barely know anything about Linux, Arch Linux expects you to know what you're doing – at least a little bit.

There's no super-easy install wizard. And, even when you have the system up and running, Arch Linux doesn't come with a whole giant package of applications installed. That's not the idea.

To use Arch Linux's own motto, the concept behind this distro is KISS, the "keep it simple, stupid" philosophy. It offers a basic Linux framework, letting you turn a system into whatever you need without making you prune away the bits you don't want.

For the gamers out there, it's a bit like the Wretched class of the Dark Souls games: looks awful to some eyes, but is the only choice for others.

Consistent with its enthusiast leanings, Arch Linux has a rolling release pattern, with new versions available every month rather than just every six months or every year. There's also a lot of good documentation floating about for Arch. So, while it may not be friendly, those with enough knowledge and patience should get by just fine.

You can get started with Arch Linux here

Chrome OS

While not typically perceived as a rendition of the Linux kernel, the cloud-based operating system Chrome OS, or Chromium OS, consistently exceeds expectations for just how large an install base Linux can achieve.

Without being much more than a desktop browser repurposed as an entire user environment, the accessibility of Chrome OS is its main draw – not to mention there's no high-end processor or storage requirement required for it to run.

If you don't need much more than the extensive functionality offered by Google Drive, Chrome OS is undoubtedly the way to go. And, let's be honest, most of us are strictly browser bound anyway. Even historically x86 applications like Photoshop are hitting the worldwide web. Plus, with a wide range of Android apps set to come by way of the Google Play Store, the open-source Chrome OS is about to become even more enticing.

Aside from Android itself, Chrome OS is perhaps the most widely used Linux distro to date. In fact, in terms of market share it's rapidly catching up to its closed-source competition with Chromebooks recently outpacing the Mac in terms of sales.

On the downside, Chrome OS is pretty limited in comparison to other Linux-based operating systems. Since all tasks are expected to be completed online and saved to the cloud, there isn't much wiggle room for offline usage. So unless you're always connected to a network, taking your work on the go won't be as practical as it would with, say, Ubuntu or Solus.

Another desirable factor, however, is that many of the PCs Chrome OS comes installed on are extremely affordable, with even some of the better ones keeping under the $250 mark. And, though Chrome OS is designed for Google's Chromebook line of laptops, it can easily be installed on virtually any PC in a few simple steps.

You can get started with Chrome OS here

elementary OS

Not all Linux distros are about being different; elementary OS in particular is more about thinking different. That's because, as one of the best-looking distributions around, elementary OS bears a striking resemblance to Apple's macOS. In fact, its developer calls elementary OS a "fast and open replacement for Windows and OS X."

Unlike Windows in particular, elementary OS isn't funded by ad revenue nor does the developer have access to any personal information – or so it claims. Instead, it's funded by an optional donation of five, ten or even 25 dollars per download (although you can opt to donate a custom amount if you're so inclined, even $0 is acceptable).

Elementary OS even comes will a handful of pre-installed apps such as Photos, Music, Videos and a custom web browser called Midori that's supposed to be easier on the battery than, say, the infamous Google Chrome power drainer. It also has a search function that's quite literally just macOS's Spotlight.

While it's not as jam-packed with features as macOS or Windows, elementary OS serves its purpose well. It's a minimalistic alternative to the spyware and adware that often come pre-installed and unable to be removed with the bigger name desktop operating systems.

For those seeking the painless experience of navigating an Apple interface without compromising your personal data, elementary OS might very well be your perfect match.

You can get started with elementary OS here

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Round up: The best free Microsoft Office alternatives 2016

The best free Microsoft Office alternatives 2016

The best free Microsoft Office alternatives

With Office 2016, Microsoft has made several enhancements to security and productivity, including a much-needed overhaul of Excel. However, at £120 (US$120, AU$179) for the home edition it's a substantial investment - especially if you're unlikely to use its more advanced features regularly.

Microsoft's cloud-based Office 365 has a lower entry price of £8 (US$10, AU$12) per month or £80 (US$90, AU$119) per year for the home version, but again, it's a substantial expense for a set of tools that might be overpowered for your needs.

If you work with people who use Office and rely on its collaborative functions every day, the convenience of using those programs yourself may well justify the price. For the rest of us, there are lots of excellent free alternatives to consider. Here are our picks of the best free office apps in 2016. Have we missed your preferred suite? Let us know in the comments below.

Remember, when you install any of these office suites you'll be asked if you want to associate particular file formats with the newly installed programs. We recommend deselecting these options at first, then changing your defaults once you're satisfied that you'll be using the new suite in the long term.

1. LibreOffice

Comprehensive and updated regularly - the only office suite you'll ever need

LibreOffice is a fork of the OpenOffice.org project, and it's available for Windows, OS X and Linux (it's the office suite you'll find on most popular Linux distros). The main draw is that it's OpenOffice but fast-tracked, with far more frequent updates than its parent suite.

Like OpenOffice, LibreOffice is designed around the standard Open Document Format with Microsoft Office importing and exporting, and its six apps cover just about everything you could need from a productivity suite:

• Writer (word processing
• Calc (spreadsheets)
• Impress (presentations)
• Draw (diagrams and vector graphics)
• Math (mathematical formulae)
• Base (databases)

Unlike Microsoft Office there's no email client - likely because there are so many excellent options already available, developing another would be redundant. See our guide to the best free email clients 2016.

LibreOffice's apps have a clear format reminiscent of older versions of Microsoft Office. It's not as sleek as Office 2016 or 365, but features are represented by large, clear icons rather than being hidden behind menus and ribbons. See our guide to getting started with LibreOffice.

If its standard offering isn't enough, the LibreOffice community has created hundreds of templates and extensions to add new features and improve existing ones - all available to download and use completely free. There's also a portable version that can be run from a USB stick.

2. Apache OpenOffice

Less frequent updates than LibreOffice, but greater stability

If LibreOffice does everything Apache OpenOffice does and gets updates more quickly, why would you consider its less action-packed parent? The short answer is stability: a faster update cycle can mean the potential to introduce new bugs.

OpenOffice contains the same six core apps as LibreOffice (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math and Base) and its interface is very similar. It lacks some of the features of LibreOffice (such as live word counts in Writer), but the two suites share so much of the same code, such differences are few and far between.

Again, a portable version is available for use from a removable USB device or cloud storage service.

3. SoftMaker FreeOffice

Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office documents

SoftMaker FreeOffice is available for Windows and Linux (and there's a companion app for Android) and offers effortless editing of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. It can also export files in EPUB and PDF export.

FreeOffice contains three apps delivering the familiar combination of word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. While the feature set isn't quite as extensive as LibreOffice - it lacks mail merging, and the spreadsheet charts aren't as spectacular - it's faster, can open password-protected Office and WordPerfect documents (provided you know the password) and covers the basics very well.

As with LibreOffice and OpenOffice, SoftMaker provides a portable version of FreeOffice for Linux and Windows.

4. WPS Office 2016

Microsoft-style good looks, but the free edition has limitations

WPS Office 2016, also known as Kingsoft Office, is one of the best Microsoft Office-a-likes, but the free version does include some important caveats. The free version for Windows begins with a 30-day trial of the Premium version (it reverts to the free version if you don't open your wallet at the end of the month) and printed documents are watermarked.

It's available for Windows, Linux, iOS and Android, and includes apps for word processing, presentations and spreadsheets (hence the name WPS).

It borrows the ribbon interface from newer versions of Office, so you'll be up and running in no time, but the drawbacks of the free edition might be enough to put you off.

5. Google Docs

Take your document creation to the cloud for easy collaboration

If you're looking for a serious Office rival, Google Docs should be towards the top of your list. What started life as a free but basic cloud-based Office suite has evolved into something that's deceptively powerful, and even the weakest app, PowerPoint alternative Slides, is rather good these days.

Google Docs is particularly good for teamwork, with excellent multi-user support and change tracking, and the companion mobile apps cover iOS as well as Android. If you're in the kind of environment where documents, spreadsheets or presentations are pinged back and forth, with comments and tracked changes, Google Docs will make your life simpler.

6. Zoho Docs

A credible alternative to Google Docs and well worth investigating

Zoho Docs is used by the likes of the BBC, Coca-Cola and ITV, and its free service gives up to 25 users 5GB of storage each.

It includes three cloud-based apps - the usual spread of word processing, spreadsheet and presentations - as well as document versioning and desktop syncing.

There are companion apps for iOS and Android, as well as integration with other services such as Dropbox and Google Drive. That makes it particularly attractive to small businesses, although it's important to note that some of the more advanced features such as password-protected sharing aren't available in the free version.

Don't plump for Google Docs without checking out Zoho first.

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