Yes — LibreOffice is safe to download and use, provided you download it from the official source. LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite maintained by The Document Foundation, a nonprofit, and its code is publicly auditable under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Like all software it has had security flaws — including one disclosed in October 2026 that was quickly patched — so the safe way to use it is: download only from libreoffice.org, keep it updated, and treat macros in files from strangers with suspicion.
This guide gives the honest, source-checked answer: who makes LibreOffice, what the official download rules are, what the security record actually shows, and a step-by-step safe-download checklist.
Table of Contents
Key takeaways: LibreOffice is safe when downloaded from libreoffice.org — it is open source, maintained by the nonprofit Document Foundation, collects no user data and is free with no hidden tiers. Its security flaws are disclosed publicly and patched (including CVE-2026-63277, fixed in October 2026). Never download it from third-party sites; verify the checksum, keep it updated and disable macros from untrusted files.
Who makes LibreOffice, and why that matters for safety
LibreOffice is developed by The Document Foundation (TDF), an independent nonprofit, and released as open source under the Mozilla Public License v2.0. That matters for safety in two ways. First, the code is public — thousands of developers can inspect it, which means deliberately malicious code cannot hide for long. Second, there is no business model built on your data: LibreOffice does not store your files online or collect your personal information. Using it is, in that sense, as private as using the hard drive on your own computer.
The project publishes security advisories publicly and fixes flaws in regular updates — the behaviour you want from software you trust with your documents. Official project site: documentfoundation.org.
The single most important safety rule: download only from libreoffice.org
LibreOffice itself is safe; where you download it from is where the real risk lives. Search results for “LibreOffice download” surface third-party download sites and SEO pages that are not affiliated with The Document Foundation. Repackaged installers from unofficial sources are a classic malware vector — the program is safe, the wrapper may not be.
The rule is simple and non-negotiable:
- Download desktop LibreOffice only from libreoffice.org — the official site.
- On Windows, the Microsoft Store version and on Mac the App Store version charge a small fee that supports the project; the direct download from libreoffice.org is completely free.
- If a site offers you “LibreOffice Pro”, a “premium unlock” or asks for payment for the desktop download, you are not on the official site — leave.
What the security record actually shows
Like every widely used program, LibreOffice has had vulnerabilities. The responsible question is not “has it ever had a flaw” but “are flaws disclosed and fixed” — and here the record is solid.
The October 2026 spreadsheet flaw (CVE-2026-63277)
In October 2026, security researchers demonstrated a serious flaw affecting LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice: a malicious spreadsheet could execute an attacker’s code when opened, without the macro warning either program normally shows. The attack required the program’s Java support to be enabled, and it was demonstrated only as a proof of concept — no real-world attacks were reported.
LibreOffice fixed it promptly, releasing patched versions on October 5, 2026 (reported as CVE-2026-63277; The Hacker News advised moving to the fixed releases). Apache OpenOffice had not yet released its fix at the time of reporting. The lesson is the standard one for all software: keep LibreOffice updated, because patched flaws only protect you if you install the patch. Read the original report here: The Hacker News on the LibreOffice/OpenOffice flaws. For the current fixed version, check the official advisory — version numbers move on, and this article will not chase them.
Macros: the real everyday risk
The bigger everyday risk is not the program but the files. LibreOffice supports macros — small programs inside documents and spreadsheets — and a safe program cannot make a dangerous file safe. Follow these rules:
- Never enable macros in a file from someone you do not trust.
- Keep LibreOffice’s default macro security settings; do not lower them to make a file “just work”.
- When in doubt, ask the sender to re-send the file as a PDF.
LibreOffice vs Apache OpenOffice: which is safer?
Both are free, open-source office suites, but LibreOffice is the actively developed one — it receives regular releases and timely security fixes, as the October 2026 patch showed. Apache OpenOffice updates far less frequently, and its matching flaw was still unpatched at the time of reporting. For safety alone, LibreOffice is the better-maintained choice in 2027.
Safe-download checklist
- Go to libreoffice.org directly (type it; do not click a “download” ad in search results).
- Download the installer for your operating system from the official download page.
- Verify the download checksum if you are security-conscious — the official site publishes checksums for this purpose.
- Install, then check for updates immediately (Help → Check for Updates) and keep automatic update checks on.
- Leave macro security at its default setting; only enable macros from files you trust.
- For Microsoft Office compatibility, save shared files as.docx/.xlsx/.pptx (or PDF) and open your saved copy once to confirm it looks right before sending.
Privacy and business use
Privacy: LibreOffice works fully offline and collects no telemetry about you or your documents — a genuine advantage over cloud office suites for sensitive work. For documents with private details (IDs, bank statements), a local program you trust on your own computer remains the sensible choice.
Business use: LibreOffice is free of cost to use, and the project’s pages show no business-use fee, so a shop or office can use it for daily work. This is not legal advice: if you plan to sell, rebrand or modify the software, read the Mozilla Public License first. For compliance questions, the licence text and TDF’s pages are the authority.
On the broader productivity side, see our guides to AI assistants for productivity and what generative AI is actually good at.
Frequently asked questions
Is LibreOffice really free?
Yes. The Document Foundation states LibreOffice is free of cost to use, and its source code is under the Mozilla Public License v2.0. There is no subscription and no paid tier. The Microsoft Store and Mac App Store versions charge a small amount to support the project; the direct download from libreoffice.org is free.
Where is the safest place to download LibreOffice?
Only from the official site, libreoffice.org. Third-party download portals and SEO sites offering “LibreOffice downloads” are not affiliated with The Document Foundation and may bundle unwanted software. Verify the checksum published on the official download page if you want extra assurance.
Does LibreOffice contain malware or viruses?
No — the official LibreOffice installer contains no malware, spyware or bundled junk. Because it is open source, its code is publicly inspectable, and it collects no user data. Malware risk comes from unofficial download sources and from malicious macros in documents, not from the program itself.
Can LibreOffice open Microsoft Word (DOCX) files?
Yes. LibreOffice opens and saves Microsoft Office formats including.docx,.xlsx and.pptx. Simple files usually look identical; complex files with heavy formatting can differ slightly, so test a few of your own documents before migrating everything.
Is LibreOffice safe for business or office use?
Yes, with the same caveats as any office software: download from the official site, keep it updated, and be careful with macros in files from outside your organisation. It is free for business use with no licence fee; check the licence if you plan to redistribute or modify it.
Is LibreOffice safer than Microsoft Office?
They have different safety profiles rather than a clear winner. LibreOffice’s advantages: open-source code, no user-data collection, fully offline operation. Microsoft Office’s advantages: a larger dedicated security team and enterprise update infrastructure. Both are safe when downloaded officially and kept updated; the decisive factor is your download source and update habits, not the logo.
Conclusion
LibreOffice is safe — the program, the project and the licence all check out. Safety lives in your habits: download from libreoffice.org, verify what you can, keep it updated, and treat macros from strangers as guilty until proven innocent. Do that, and you get a genuinely free office suite with nothing to fear.