Install LibreOffice on Linux VPS [Ubuntu,CentOS,Kali,…]
LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite offering powerful alternatives to Microsoft Office. It includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.
Top benefits include cost-free use, compatibility with various file formats, and running on multiple operating systems like Linux.
There are 4 easy methods to Install LibreOffice on Linux VPS:
1. Package Manager (Recommended):
sudo apt install libreoffice (for Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo yum install libreoffice (for Red Hat/CentOS)
sudo apt install libreoffice libreoffice-gtk4 (for Kali Linux)
2. Snap: sudo snap install libreoffice.
3. Flatpak: sudo flatpak install org.libreoffice.LibreOffice.
4. LibreOffice Website (Tarball): LibreOffice download page > Choose the appropriate version for your OS > Download > Decompress File.
Prerequisites to Install LibreOffice on Linux VPS
To Install LibreOffice on Linux Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Kali, and …, your machine needs to meet all the below specifications:
- A Linux VPS running a compatible Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS).
- A non-root user with
sudoprivileges. - Have Snap installed. If not, use
sudo apt install snapd -y. - Have Flatpak enabled. If not, use
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo.
Method 1: Install LibreOffice on Linux via APT Package Manager
In this method, you will use the default package manager to install LibreOffice on Linux Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Kali, etc.
This is the easy way to install LibreOffice on Linux VPS. Open your terminal and run the command related to your Linux distribution to install LibreOffice using apt:
Install LibreOffice on Ubuntu
Ubuntu comes with LibreOffice pre-installed. Since the default LibreOffice might not be up-to-date, use the commands below to install it on Ubuntu:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libreofficeGenerally, the official LibreOffice releases are released earlier in the Ubuntu repository. Therefore, you might pass up some bug patches or new features.
You can run the above commands without adding the PPAs, but we advise getting LibreOffice from its official PPA if you want the most recent stable release.
Install LibreOffice on Debian
Run the command below if you are using a Debian-based Linux distro:
sudo apt install libreofficeInstall LibreOffice on Kali
To install LibreOffice on Kali Linux, type:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libreoffice libreoffice-gtk4Install LibreOffice on Red hat, CentOS, Fedora, Alma Linux
Install LibreOffice using yum is as below:
sudo dnf install libreoffice
sudo dnf updateHere is how you can install LibreOffice using dnf:
sudo yum install libreoffice
sudo yum updateInstall LibreOffice on Arch or Manjaro System
You can use the default Pacman package manager to install LibreOffice on Arch or Arch-based distributions like Manjaro.
To do this, run:
sudo pacman -Sy
sudo pacman -S libreoffice-freshMethod 2. Install LibreOffice on Linux VPS using Snap
To use Snap for LibreOffice install Linux, run the command below considering having already installed Snap (using the required command mentioned in the prerequisites part):
Ubuntu and Debian-based distros
sudo snap install libreofficeNote: To install Snap on the Red hat-based distros, replace yum or dnf with apt.
Method 3: Install LibreOffice on Linux VPS via Flatpak
While you have installed and enabled Flatpak on your Linux distribution (refer to the prerequisites part), you are ready to run the following command and install LibreOffice on Linux:
sudo flatpak install org.libreoffice.LibreOfficeMethod 4. Install LibreOffice on Linux from its Website (Tarball)
Let’s learn the graphical way to install LibreOffice on Linux. This method shows how to download the LibreOffice package from the LibreOffice website.
To download and install LibreOffice for Linux, follow the below path:
- Open a web browser.
- Search for “LibreOffice download“.
- Visit the official LibreOffice website.
- Locate the download section.
- Choose the correct installer for your operating system. This is typically a
.debfile for Debian-based systems like Kali Linux. - Click the “Download” button.
- Decompress the downloaded file by running the commands below, depending on the file you have downloaded:
cd Downloads/
tar -zxvf LibreOffice_*.tar.gzOR
cd Downloads/
tar -zxvf LibreOffice_*.tar.gzAdditional Notes:
- Once the directory has been extracted, open it and go to the “
DEBS/” directory:
$ cd LibreOffice_*/DEBS/- You must navigate to the “
RPM/” directory within the freshly extracted directory to use Red Hat or Fedora. - Keep in mind that file names can change slightly owing to version names changing. Please enter the file name correctly, or use the asterisk wildcard or the keyboard’s Tab key to auto-complete the name.
How to Launch LibreOffice on Linux VPS
After a successful installation of LibreOffice on your considered Linux distribution, you can run the command below to check the LibreOffice version and run it:
libreoffice --versionlibreofficeAlso, you can search for it on the search bar:
There, you should be able to start using LibreOffice on Linux VPS:
How to Uninstall LibreOffice on Linux
Whether you installed LibreOffice from the archive tarball, using the default package manager, or any of the above methods, the process of uninstalling it is very simple.
You just need to use the appropriate command for your particular Linux system to delete LibreOffice:
Remove From Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt remove libreoffice-*Remove From Red Hat/Fedora
sudo dnf remove libreoffice-* Remove From Arch/Manjaro
sudo pacman -R libreoffice-fresh- If you have used the LibreOffice PPA for Debian-based distributions, use the commands below to remove LibreOffice:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/ppa
sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:libreoffice/ppa- If you used Snap and Flatpak methods to install LibreOffice, run the following commands to remove it:
sudo snap remove libreoffice
flatpak uninstall org.libreoffice.LibreOffice- The command below also removes LibreOffice configuration files and dependencies:
sudo apt autoremoveWhich method is best? (Package Manager vs Snap vs Flatpak vs Downloading)
This depends on your Linux distribution and preferences.
Package managers (like apt for Ubuntu/Debian) are generally recommended for their tight integration with the system and ease of updates.
Snaps and Flatpak offer self-contained installations that might be useful for specific needs but might have slightly older versions or require additional configuration.
Downloading directly from LibreOffice offers the most flexibility, but requires manual installation and updates.
Best Benefits of LibreOffice on Linux VPS?
Use LibreOffice whenever you need a powerful and free office suite.
Here’s why it’s a great choice:
Cost-Effective: LibreOffice is completely free to download and use, making it a great option for individuals, students, and businesses on a budget.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: It runs smoothly on Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing you to work seamlessly across different operating systems.
Open Source: The open-source nature fosters a vibrant developer community, ensuring continuous improvement and customization options.
Feature-Rich: It offers a comprehensive set of tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and more, rivaling similar paid software.
How to customize LibreOffice?
LibreOffice offers a wide range of customization options, including extensions and themes. You can find them on the official website or through community repositories.
Conclusion
This guide covers 4 different methods for Linux Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Kali install LibreOffice.
According to your Linux distro and preference for using the command line or GUI, you can use the explained methods and start using LibreOffice on your Linux VPS.
LibreOffice offers similar features to Microsoft Office at a fraction of the cost. However, Microsoft Office might have a slight edge in some advanced functionalities and user interface polish.