Collabora brings online suite as desktop application

Collabora has introduced a desktop version of its office suite, previously released as a web application, Collabora Online. Collabora Office Desktop uses the same web technology as the online version, making it fundamentally different from Collabora Office Classic, which is also intended for desktop use. Like the latter, it is designed for editing local files, and a cloud connection is not a prerequisite. The same applies to integration into the local operating system: the new package relies on the native printing system and commands already familiar to users, such as keyboard shortcuts.

The Web Difference

However, the decisive factor is the technical difference under the hood: Specifically, Collabora Office Classic is based on the traditional VCL toolkit from LibreOffice, while the new desktop version uses JavaScript, CSS, Canvas, and WebGL for the user interface. This means it explicitly uses the same technical architecture as Collabora Online, which was originally developed solely for use in the browser.

The technical reorientation brings both advantages and limitations. On the plus side, it offers a uniform user interface for users, consistent with Collabora Online. Furthermore, the dependency on Java, which is required in the Classic version for certain features, wizards, and database drivers, is eliminated. Developers can implement changes to the JavaScript-based interface more quickly, as time-consuming recompilations of C++ code are not necessary.

However, Collabora Office Desktop omits some features of the Classic version. For example, the database application Base is not integrated, and macro support is limited to executing existing scripts - a full macro editor with advanced BASIC, Python, and UNO functions is missing. The extensive settings and menus of the Classic version have also been reduced in favor of simplified standard options.

Target Groups and Support Strategy

With the two parallel product lines, Collabora aims to appeal to different user groups. Collabora Office Classic, with its established interface and comprehensive feature set, is aimed at users who require maximum functionality and long-term enterprise support. The company already offers corresponding support contracts for this variant.

The new desktop version, on the other hand, targets existing Collabora Online users who need the same office package for their local desktop. Enterprise support for Collabora Office Desktop is planned but not yet available, according to the announcement. While extensive manuals and books exist for the Classic version, Quick-Start Guides are initially available for the desktop variant. A table with the main differences between the new desktop version and the Classic variant can also be found in the announcement.

Both product lines are based on the LibreOffice code but differ in their technical implementation and target audience. Collabora itself is heavily involved in the further development of the Document Foundation's open-source package, which is currently at version 25.8.

(fo)