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Collabora Online Development Edition vs Microsoft 365: catalog facts
Collabora Online Development EditionMicrosoft 365

No screenshots available

No screenshots available

Best for: Home users and small teams running their own online office suite

Best for: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook with cloud storage and collaboration

Free

CODE is free; a supported Collabora Online version is sold separately.

Free + paid options

Free web apps; eligible students get Office 365 A1. Desktop apps need a qualifying plan.

Web, Self-hosted Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
  • Handles ODF and Microsoft Office formats
  • Real-time collaborative editing
All 4 strengths for Collabora Online Development Edition
  • Handles ODF and Microsoft Office formats
  • Real-time collaborative editing
  • Docker, package and appliance installs
  • Monthly builds with new features
  • Desktop, web and mobile apps with real-time co-authoring
  • The reference implementation of the formats everyone else has to match
  • Not recommended for production use
  • Needs integration with a separate file platform
  • Desktop apps require a qualifying subscription or institutional license
  • Closed source, and heavily tied to a Microsoft account
Self-hosted Downloadable app, Web application, Hosted service
Open source Not open source
License: MPL-2.0 License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed Account needed
Not stated if it works offline Offline features available

Activated desktop apps can edit local documents offline; reconnect at least monthly for license checks. Free web apps require internet.

Sources for Collabora Online Development Edition

Catalog checked October 2, 2026

Sources for Microsoft 365

Catalog checked September 22, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.