Choosing an office suite for Android is a more difficult task than it seems. At first glance, all apps can open Word and Excel documents, but in practice the difference in functionality, speed and compatibility with formats can be colossal. Especially if you work with complex formulas in Excel, multi-page reports or corporate templates.
In this article we will analyze 5 popular office suites for Android and compare them 12 criteria - from format support to integration with clouds - and we will help you choose the optimal solution for your tasks. Spoiler: there is no universal option, but for each scenario there is an ideal tool.
1. Microsoft 365 (Office) - the standard for business
Microsoft 365 (formerly Office Mobile) remains the standard for office applications, especially if you work in a corporate environment. The application includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote with full support for formats .docx, .xlsx and .pptx.
The main advantage is 100% compatibility with desktop versions. Documents retain formatting, macros (to a limited extent), and even complex charts. However, to edit files on the phone, a subscription is required Microsoft 365 (from $70 per year), and without it, only viewing is available.
- ✅ Full synchronization with OneDrive i SharePoint
- ✅ Support collaborative editing real-time
- ⚠️ No subscription - only reading files
- ⚠️ Heavy application (occupies ~500 MB)
For owners of tablets with Android 12+ a mode is available DeX (on Samsung), which turns mobile Office into an almost desktop one. But on smartphones, the interface still remains adapted for a touchscreen, which is not always convenient for working with tables.
2. WPS Office is a free alternative with premium features (formerly Kingsoft Office) - the only package that offers without a subscription. At the same time, it supports not only standards
WPS Office (formerly Kingsoft Office) is the only package that offers full editing without subscription. At the same time, it supports not only standards Microsoft, but also outdated formats like .doc and .xls.
The WPS interface is as close as possible to the classic one Office 2013, which simplifies the transition. There is even a built-in PDF editor with OCR function (text recognition from photographs). However, the free version contains advertising, and some functions (for example, export to .epub) require a premium account (from $30 per year).
| Function | Microsoft 365 | WPS Office |
|---|---|---|
| Editing without subscription | ❌ (view only) | ✅ (with advertising) |
| Macro support | ⚠️ (limited) | ❌ |
| PDF editor | ❌ (view only) | ✅ (including OCR) |
| Cloud storage | ✅ (OneDrive, 5 GB) | ✅ (WPS Cloud, 1 GB) |
WPS Office is the only package that supports editing files from external drives (USB-OTG) without first copying them to the device. This is critical for working with confidential documents on flash drives.
In the WPS settings, disable "Template recommendations" - this will reduce traffic consumption and remove unnecessary notifications.
3. Google Docs/Sheets/Slides - for team work
Solutions from Google are ideal if you work in a team and use Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). The main advantage is instant synchronization between devices and the ability to simultaneous editing several users.
Disadvantages appear when working with complex documents: Google Sheets does not support some functions Excel (for example, Power Query), and Google Docs distorts formatting when importing .docx multi-level lists. But all functions are free, and 15 GB of cloud storage is enough for most tasks.
- ✅ Integration with Gmail, Drive i Meet
- ✅ Automatic saving of each edit
- ⚠️ No offline mode without manual settings
- ⚠️ Limited layout capabilities
For students and freelancers Google Docs often becomes the main tool thanks to the built-in voice input function Explore (search for information without leaving document).
How to enable offline mode in Google Docs?
1. Open Google Drive on your phone.
2. Click on the profile icon → Settings → Offline mode.
3. Turn on the switch and wait for the files to sync.
4. OnlyOffice - for advanced users
OnlyOffice - a little-known but powerful office suite with support for .docx, .xlsx and even .odt (OpenDocument). Its key feature is maximum proximity to desktop versions, including working with plugins and macros on JavaScript.
The application is suitable for those who work with corporate templates or need advanced functions Excel (for example Pivot tables with multiple data sources). The disadvantages are the complex interface and the lack of Russian-language support in the mobile version.
⚠️ Attention: OnlyOffice requires registration to synchronize files. The free account gives only 2 GB of cloud storage, but supports connecting external services (Nextcloud, ownCloud).
A unique feature is the ability comparing document versions directly on the phone (as on Word on a PC). This is critical for lawyers and editors who work with edits from several authors.
5. Polaris Office - for Korean and Asian fonts is popular in Asia due to its support for Asian fonts (Chinese characters, Korean). Otherwise, the functionality is similar to
Polaris Office popular in Asia thanks to support vertical text and Asian fonts (Chinese characters, Korean Hangul). Otherwise the functionality is similar to WPS Office, but with a simpler interface.
The application offers 1 GB of free cloud and built-in format converter (for example, .pptx → .pdf). However, aggressive advertising has appeared in the latest versions, and some functions (for example, export to .epub) require a premium subscription.
- ✅ Support 50+ languages, including rare ones
- ✅ Built-in document scanner
- ⚠️ Slow work with large files (>50 MB)
- ⚠️ No collaborative editing
Polaris Office should be considered only if you need support for Asian languages or a simple interface for basic tasks. For professional work, it is better to choose WPS or OnlyOffice.
Performance comparison: who is faster?
We tested all packages on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) and Redmi Note 12 (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1). Results of opening a file .xlsx size 10 MB with 5 sheets and 200 formulas:
| Application | Opening time (S23) | Opening time (Note 12) | RAM consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 | 2.1 s | 4.8 s | ~350 MB |
| WPS Office | 1.7 s | 3.5 s | ~280 MB |
| Google Sheets | 3.2 s | 7.1 s | ~400 MB |
| OnlyOffice | 2.8 s | 5.3 with | ~300 MB |
Conclusion: WPS Office turned out to be the fastest, and Google Sheets the slowest on weak devices. Microsoft 365 demonstrates stable performance, but “eats” more RAM.
On weak smartphones (up to 4 GB of RAM), avoid Google Docs/Sheets - they are optimized for online work and slow down offline.
Which office to choose: recommendations for scenarios
There is no universal solution, so we have made recommendations for different tasks:
- 🏢 Corporate work: Microsoft 365 (if you have a subscription) or OnlyOffice (for complex documents).
- 📊 Working with tables: WPS Office (quickly) or Excel Mobile (more precisely).
- 👥 Team projects: Google Docs/Sheets (for joint editing).
- 📱 Weak smartphone: WPS Office or Polaris Office (easier the rest).
- 🌍 Asian languages: Polaris Office (support for hieroglyphs).
If you often work with PDF, pay attention to WPS Office or OnlyOffice —they allow you to edit text in PDF without conversion. For students, the best choice is Google Docs due to integration with Google Scholar and free access.
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FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I use Office on Android without the Internet?
Yes, but you need to download the files in advance:
- Microsoft 365: files are available offline after opening online.
- WPS/OnlyOffice: support full offline work.
- Google Docs: requires manual activation of offline mode in the settings Drive.
For Polaris Office offline mode is available only in the premium version.
How to transfer documents from PC to phone?
Methods:
- Cloud: upload files to OneDrive/Google Drive/WPS Cloud and open them in the mobile application.
- USB-OTG: connect a flash drive to the phone and import files via WPS Office or OnlyOffice.
- Email: send the document to your email and download it to your device.
For Microsoft 365 it is most convenient to use OneDrive —files are automatically synchronized between devices.
Which office packages support handwriting input?
The handwriting function (with stylus or finger) is available in:
- Microsoft 365: full support on tablets with S Pen (for example, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8).
- WPS Office: basic handwriting in PDF and Word.
- OnlyOffice: annotations in PDF (requires a stylus).
Google Docs and Polaris Office do not support handwriting on Android.
Is it possible in office applications on Android work with macros?
Macro support is limited:
- Microsoft 365: only viewing macros (cannot be launched).
- OnlyOffice: macro support on JavaScript (technical skills required).
- WPS Office/Google Sheets/Polaris: macros are not supported.
To work with VBA macros (as in desktop Excel), you will have to use remote access to the PC via TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
Which office is the lightest in weight?
By APK size and RAM consumption:
- Polaris Office: ~50 MB (APK), ~200 MB RAM.
- WPS Office: ~80 MB (APK), ~280 MB RAM.
- Google Docs/Sheets: ~30 MB (each), but ~400 MB RAM when running.
- OnlyOffice: ~100 MB (APK), ~300 MB RAM.
- Microsoft 365: ~150 MB (APK), ~350 MB RAM.
For old smartphones (for example, Redmi 5A) is optimal Polaris Office or WPS Office Lite (if you find APK).