Microsoft Office alternative Euro-Office with new features and a desktop client as a Nextcloud update

Until now, Euro-Office users have been limited to browser-based access. The introduction of a desktop application is intended to bridge the gap between this open-source offering and established proprietary software. Euro-Office is being developed as part of a partnership between Nextcloud, Ionos, and other European companies and is based on a fork of OnlyOffice.

Despite the shift toward local use of the application, the software retains its cloud synchronization capabilities. This ensures that multiple users can continue to collaborate on the same project in real time. A key distinguishing feature of Euro-Office is its commitment to data sovereignty, as all data is hosted exclusively in Europe.

More in the Update

In addition to the desktop client, the latest update brings several performance improvements. Thanks to refined filter functions and updated document thumbnails, users can expect faster processing speeds and improved file search capabilities.

The development of Euro-Office was not without conflict. OnlyOffice had previously expressed concerns regarding licensing violations. Additionally, there is ongoing criticism from the industry regarding the use of the OOXML file format. The Document Foundation, the organization behind LibreOffice, argues that OOXML is not truly open but rather designed to lock users into specific ecosystems, and advocates for the ODF standard instead.

The Nextcloud Hub 26 Summer Update is now available. The standalone desktop client for Euro-Office is expected to be made available for download in the coming weeks.