For millions of Brits struggling to make ends meet, every penny counts – and a surprise windfall awaits those who ditch expensive Microsoft Office subscriptions in favour of free alternatives. According to Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert, there are several web-based options that can do the job just as well, potentially saving households £60-£80 per year.
One option is Microsoft's own online versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint – accessible through a web browser with a free Microsoft account. This eliminates the need for an annual subscription, which currently costs between £6-£8 per month. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are another great choice: free to use with a Google account, these applications allow multiple users to collaborate in real-time.
For those who prefer desktop software without ongoing costs, LibreOffice is an excellent option. This powerful, free, and open-source suite includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, and more – all compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. If you're still tied into the Microsoft ecosystem but don't want to pay for a subscription, older perpetual licence versions of the software can sometimes be purchased – though you won't get future feature updates without upgrading.
And it's not just individuals who can benefit: students and educators may qualify for free access to Microsoft 365 through their educational institutions. Checking with your school or university IT department could unlock significant savings – a welcome bonus during already-strained times.