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{{#seo: |title=Collabora Office: Modern Desktop and Classic Enterprise Suite |description=Explore Collabora Office’s new desktop version delivering a unified online-offline experience with a modern UI based on LibreOffice tech, alongside the long-term enterprise-supported Classic version with comprehensive features including Java-based tools and advanced macros. Learn about privacy, open-source principles, deployment, and the product roadmap through 2026.|keywords=Collabora Office, Collabora Office Desktop, Collabora Office Classic, open source office suite, unified online and offline editing, LibreOffice technology, Java-free office suite, office suite roadmap, privacy-respecting productivity, enterprise office software, modern office UI|site_name=collaboraonline.com|locale=en_US|type=article|canonical=https://www.collaboraonline.com/blog/collabora-online-now-available-on-desktop/}} | |||
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=Collabora Online Desktop= | =Collabora Online Desktop= | ||
Recently Collabora introduced a new desktop version that brings a shift in how users interact with office productivity software, giving a unified experience across desktop and online environments. This new release, called '''Collabora Office for desktop''', builds upon the Collabora Online platform, bringing its interface and capabilities to run locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The introduction of this version marks a significant development in Collabora's product lineup, making itself different from its long-standing local option, now renamed '''Collabora Office Classic''' this is the version that you would install locally that is normally "off-line". | Recently Collabora introduced a new desktop version that brings a shift in how users interact with office productivity software, giving a unified experience across desktop and online environments. This new release, called '''Collabora Office for desktop''', builds upon the Collabora Online platform, bringing its interface and capabilities to run locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The introduction of this version marks a significant development in Collabora's product lineup, making itself different from its long-standing local option, now renamed '''Collabora Office Classic''' this is the version that you would install locally that is normally "off-line", It has the LibreOffice feel. | ||
==A Unified Experience Across Desktop and Online== | |||
The new Collabora Office for desktop is designed to provide users with a consistent experience with the same look and feel as Collabora Online. This means whether you are editing documents on the web or working offline on your desktop, the user interface and functionality are basically the same. This consistency is achieved by using a common codebase shared across platforms and devices, web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS, WebGL, and Canvas, which are rendered by your system's native browser engine. This architecture helps the visual consistency but also reduces the learning curve by eliminating the need for users to switch between different interfaces or worry about feature discrepancies when moving between offline and online workflows. | |||
==Technical Foundation Web Technologies and LibreOffice Core== | |||
Underneath, both the new desktop version and the Classic edition rely on LibreOffice technology, but they differ significantly in user experience and technical underpinnings. Collabora Office Classic is based on the more traditional LibreOffice engine and uses a VCL-based interface, which long-time LibreOffice users might find familiar. It retains features, including the Base database application (which requires Java) and extensive support for macros with BASIC, Python, and UNO scripting. Classic is optimized for professional and enterprise environments, offering long-term support and the features needed for complex tasks such as massive spreadsheet calculations and advanced macro editing. | |||
==Collabora Office Classic Is The Established Long-Term Enterprise Suite | |||
This remains the long-term supported version aimed at enterprises and users who need the full breadth of features LibreOffice offers, including Java-based tools and a macro editing environment. It is the trusted choice for heavy workloads and specialized requirements, maintaining options, menus, and configurability. | |||
==Collabora Office Desktop a Streamlined Alternative== | |||
On the other hand, the new Collabora Office Desktop deliberately avoids Java dependency, resulting in a cleaner, smaller installation footprint and smoother startup performance. Its interface is modern, simplified, and streamlined, focusing on the most commonly used productivity tools with easily discoverable UI elements like a tabbed layout and intuitive toolbars. Some legacy features, such as the Base database application and macro authoring tools, are not included in this initial release of the new desktop version. However, it supports running macros created previously, ensuring backward compatibility with many document workflows. This product is aimed at everyday users who seek a fast, stable, and privacy-respecting office suite that works offline without compromising compatibility with major document standards like Microsoft’s OOXML and Open Document Format. | |||
==Feature and Interface Differences Between Classic and Desktop== | |||
The new desktop version offers a UX utilizing Javascript, CSS, and web graphics technologies, contrasting with Classic’s VCL-based, traditional UI. New Collabora Office has simpler settings and defaults, making it quicker to learn and use. By excluding Java, it delivers a smaller, self-contained download with faster iteration times for updates and bug fixes. So, it can run macros, it lacks the full macro editing and advanced scripting capabilities of Classic. Classic retains capabilities like Base database management, amacro tools, and more configurability, which is better for advanced users and enterprises. | |||
==Target Users Between Classic and Desktop== | |||
Collabora Office Desktop is tailored for users wanting a modern, easy-to-use interface that aligns closely with the online experience and for those focused on privacy with offline-first use. It good for professionals looking for workflows without Java dependencies or complex feature sets. Classic targets power users, enterprises, and anyone needing advanced features, support, and a fully mature, extensible office suite. | |||
==Privacy, Open Source, and Data Sovereignty Focus== | |||
Privacy and data sovereignty are central to both products. Collabora Office Desktop emphasizes an offline-first design where documents remain on the user’s device unless explicitly shared. Being fully open source, it avoids any hidden executables or spyware, supporting users who prioritize control over their data. This principle aligns with Collabora’s long-standing commitment to open standards and open source, providing an alternative to proprietary office software ecosystems that often fragment online and offline experiences. | |||
==Roadmap and Future Development Plans for Collabora Office Desktop== | |||
Collabora Office Desktop’s initial release is positioned as an early step in a longer roadmap. It is available now for community evaluation on Windows, macOS (ARM only), and Linux (x86_64 via Flatpak) but does not yet have full enterprise support, which is planned as the product matures. Users and organizations are encouraged to provide feedback to help accelerate its development and refinement. The company aims to roll out synchronized updates across web and desktop so bug fixes, UI improvements, and new features reach all users in parallel. | |||
==The Dual-Product Approach and Future Directions== | |||
The overall strategic direction for Collabora Office involves maintaining a dual-product approach. Collabora Office Classic remains the reliable, feature-rich option, especially suitable for heavy or specialized workloads. At the same time, the new Collabora Office Desktop aims to modernize the office experience by offering a unified, user-friendly platform that bridges online and offline work with privacy and open-source principles at its core. Over time, as the new desktop version matures and enterprise features are added, it could become a strong contender to replace some users’ reliance on Classic, but the Classic suite will continue to exist to serve demanding environments and legacy dependencies. | |||
==Feedback Opportunities== | |||
Collabora encourages users and partners to get involved with testing and feedback during this early release phase of the new desktop version. Contributions from users with skills in Javascript, CSS, C++, testing, translation, or documentation are welcomed to help build an open, privacy-respecting, office suite for everyone. The community’s feedback will play an important role in shaping future improvements and the product roadmap. | |||
More reading can be found here: | |||
https://www.collaboraonline.com/blog/collabora-online-now-available-on-desktop/ | |||
Latest revision as of 02:35, 2 December 2025
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Collabora Online Desktop
Recently Collabora introduced a new desktop version that brings a shift in how users interact with office productivity software, giving a unified experience across desktop and online environments. This new release, called Collabora Office for desktop, builds upon the Collabora Online platform, bringing its interface and capabilities to run locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The introduction of this version marks a significant development in Collabora's product lineup, making itself different from its long-standing local option, now renamed Collabora Office Classic this is the version that you would install locally that is normally "off-line", It has the LibreOffice feel.
A Unified Experience Across Desktop and Online
The new Collabora Office for desktop is designed to provide users with a consistent experience with the same look and feel as Collabora Online. This means whether you are editing documents on the web or working offline on your desktop, the user interface and functionality are basically the same. This consistency is achieved by using a common codebase shared across platforms and devices, web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS, WebGL, and Canvas, which are rendered by your system's native browser engine. This architecture helps the visual consistency but also reduces the learning curve by eliminating the need for users to switch between different interfaces or worry about feature discrepancies when moving between offline and online workflows.
Technical Foundation Web Technologies and LibreOffice Core
Underneath, both the new desktop version and the Classic edition rely on LibreOffice technology, but they differ significantly in user experience and technical underpinnings. Collabora Office Classic is based on the more traditional LibreOffice engine and uses a VCL-based interface, which long-time LibreOffice users might find familiar. It retains features, including the Base database application (which requires Java) and extensive support for macros with BASIC, Python, and UNO scripting. Classic is optimized for professional and enterprise environments, offering long-term support and the features needed for complex tasks such as massive spreadsheet calculations and advanced macro editing.
==Collabora Office Classic Is The Established Long-Term Enterprise Suite This remains the long-term supported version aimed at enterprises and users who need the full breadth of features LibreOffice offers, including Java-based tools and a macro editing environment. It is the trusted choice for heavy workloads and specialized requirements, maintaining options, menus, and configurability.
Collabora Office Desktop a Streamlined Alternative
On the other hand, the new Collabora Office Desktop deliberately avoids Java dependency, resulting in a cleaner, smaller installation footprint and smoother startup performance. Its interface is modern, simplified, and streamlined, focusing on the most commonly used productivity tools with easily discoverable UI elements like a tabbed layout and intuitive toolbars. Some legacy features, such as the Base database application and macro authoring tools, are not included in this initial release of the new desktop version. However, it supports running macros created previously, ensuring backward compatibility with many document workflows. This product is aimed at everyday users who seek a fast, stable, and privacy-respecting office suite that works offline without compromising compatibility with major document standards like Microsoft’s OOXML and Open Document Format.
Feature and Interface Differences Between Classic and Desktop
The new desktop version offers a UX utilizing Javascript, CSS, and web graphics technologies, contrasting with Classic’s VCL-based, traditional UI. New Collabora Office has simpler settings and defaults, making it quicker to learn and use. By excluding Java, it delivers a smaller, self-contained download with faster iteration times for updates and bug fixes. So, it can run macros, it lacks the full macro editing and advanced scripting capabilities of Classic. Classic retains capabilities like Base database management, amacro tools, and more configurability, which is better for advanced users and enterprises.
Target Users Between Classic and Desktop
Collabora Office Desktop is tailored for users wanting a modern, easy-to-use interface that aligns closely with the online experience and for those focused on privacy with offline-first use. It good for professionals looking for workflows without Java dependencies or complex feature sets. Classic targets power users, enterprises, and anyone needing advanced features, support, and a fully mature, extensible office suite.
Privacy, Open Source, and Data Sovereignty Focus
Privacy and data sovereignty are central to both products. Collabora Office Desktop emphasizes an offline-first design where documents remain on the user’s device unless explicitly shared. Being fully open source, it avoids any hidden executables or spyware, supporting users who prioritize control over their data. This principle aligns with Collabora’s long-standing commitment to open standards and open source, providing an alternative to proprietary office software ecosystems that often fragment online and offline experiences.
Roadmap and Future Development Plans for Collabora Office Desktop
Collabora Office Desktop’s initial release is positioned as an early step in a longer roadmap. It is available now for community evaluation on Windows, macOS (ARM only), and Linux (x86_64 via Flatpak) but does not yet have full enterprise support, which is planned as the product matures. Users and organizations are encouraged to provide feedback to help accelerate its development and refinement. The company aims to roll out synchronized updates across web and desktop so bug fixes, UI improvements, and new features reach all users in parallel.
The Dual-Product Approach and Future Directions
The overall strategic direction for Collabora Office involves maintaining a dual-product approach. Collabora Office Classic remains the reliable, feature-rich option, especially suitable for heavy or specialized workloads. At the same time, the new Collabora Office Desktop aims to modernize the office experience by offering a unified, user-friendly platform that bridges online and offline work with privacy and open-source principles at its core. Over time, as the new desktop version matures and enterprise features are added, it could become a strong contender to replace some users’ reliance on Classic, but the Classic suite will continue to exist to serve demanding environments and legacy dependencies.
Feedback Opportunities
Collabora encourages users and partners to get involved with testing and feedback during this early release phase of the new desktop version. Contributions from users with skills in Javascript, CSS, C++, testing, translation, or documentation are welcomed to help build an open, privacy-respecting, office suite for everyone. The community’s feedback will play an important role in shaping future improvements and the product roadmap.
More reading can be found here: https://www.collaboraonline.com/blog/collabora-online-now-available-on-desktop/