When people think of office productivity software, Microsoft Office is often the first name that comes to mind. Its long-standing reputation, wide feature set, and global reach have made it the default solution for many users around the world. However, in China, Microsoft Office is far from the only option — and in many cases, it isn’t the preferred one.
Whether due to budget considerations, compatibility with local regulations, or a focus on cloud-first collaboration, Chinese users have a growing number of powerful, homegrown alternatives that rival or even surpass Microsoft Office in specific areas. From traditional desktop suites to innovative cloud platforms, these tools are helping individuals, schools, and businesses of all sizes stay productive and connected in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In this article, we’ll introduce six leading Chinese alternatives to Microsoft Office. Each of these solutions has its own strengths and ideal use cases — whether you’re a solo user, an enterprise IT manager, or part of a fast-moving startup team. Let’s take a closer look:
Alternatives for Microsoft 365
- WPS Office – The closest full-suite competitor to Microsoft Office
- Yongzhong Office (EpiOffice) – A secure, standards-compliant solution for government and enterprise
- Hancom Office China – A robust alternative with cross-border compatibility
- Shimo Docs – A sleek, cloud-first platform for modern collaboration
- Tencent Docs – Seamless integration with WeChat and Tencent services
- DingTalk Docs (Aliyun Office) – Enterprise collaboration powered by Alibaba Cloud
WPS Office, developed by Kingsoft, is one of the most widely used office productivity suites in China and serves as a strong alternative to Microsoft Office. It includes Writer (for documents), Spreadsheets, and Presentation applications, all of which are fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. WPS Office is available across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and the web. It supports cloud syncing through WPS Cloud, making it convenient for users to access and edit files on different devices. Its intuitive interface is similar to Microsoft Office, making it easy for users to switch. The software offers both free and premium (subscription-based) versions, with premium users gaining access to additional features such as PDF editing, OCR, and more cloud storage. WPS Office is widely adopted in China for personal, educational, and professional use, and has also gained a strong international presence. It is particularly appealing to budget-conscious users who need full Office functionality without the high cost. Its strong localization, frequent updates, and active support community also contribute to its popularity. WPS has become a staple in schools, government offices, and companies throughout China.
- Yongzhong Office (永中Office / EpiOffice)
Yongzhong Office, also known as EpiOffice, is a domestically developed office suite tailored for government and enterprise use in China. It includes the standard trio of office applications: a word processor, spreadsheet editor, and presentation tool. Designed with cross-platform support, Yongzhong Office is compatible with Windows, Linux, and mobile operating systems. It emphasizes data security and regulatory compliance, making it popular among public sector institutions. One of its distinguishing features is its native support for the UOF (Uniform Office Format), a Chinese-developed open document format. This enhances data sovereignty and is especially valued in government environments that prioritize local standards over international ones like Microsoft’s Office Open XML. The software offers decent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, although it may lack some of the more advanced formatting capabilities found in WPS or Microsoft Office. Yongzhong Office also provides document collaboration tools and PDF support. It’s often deployed in secure, closed networks where cloud-based tools are not permitted. While it may not be as polished or feature-rich as some global competitors, it fills a specific niche in the Chinese market by aligning with national policy on data independence and software localization. It remains a preferred option for institutions looking for secure and locally supported solutions.
Hancom Office is originally a Korean office suite but has been localized and distributed in China as a government- and enterprise-friendly productivity solution. The Chinese version of Hancom Office is tailored to meet the linguistic and technical needs of Chinese users while preserving the suite’s core strengths in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools. The suite is known for its efficient performance, sleek interface, and support for a variety of document formats including Microsoft Office files. It is often adopted in education, public administration, and private enterprises that value alternative platforms for data sovereignty or cost-effectiveness. Hancom emphasizes strong offline capabilities, which is useful for organizations with strict data policies or limited internet connectivity. In the Chinese market, Hancom is positioned as a secure, standards-compliant alternative that also integrates well with Asian language scripts, including simplified and traditional Chinese. Although not as well-known among general consumers compared to WPS or Microsoft Office, Hancom Office China is often selected for its balance of cost, compatibility, and support for enterprise-level document management. It also includes collaboration and version control features that benefit teams and bureaucratic workflows. With a growing presence in Asia, its Chinese version continues to gain traction in niche markets.
- Shimo Docs (石墨文档)
Shimo Docs is China’s answer to Google Docs, offering a cloud-based platform focused on real-time document collaboration and team productivity. Unlike traditional office suites that run natively on a computer, Shimo is entirely web-based and supports word processing, spreadsheets, slide presentations, and task lists. One of its core strengths is its intuitive, minimalist interface that supports simultaneous multi-user editing, making it ideal for team projects, online meetings, and distributed workforces. It integrates well with popular Chinese platforms like WeChat, DingTalk, and enterprise management tools, allowing users to share and co-edit documents with ease. Shimo supports markdown, comments, version history, and permission control, making it suitable for both casual and professional environments. While it may not have all the advanced formatting features of Microsoft Office or WPS, its focus on collaboration and simplicity makes it appealing to startups, remote teams, and educators. It also offers a mobile app and offline access for users on the go. Shimo positions itself as a modern, cloud-first office suite for the digital workplace and is commonly used in urban tech circles and agile work environments. For users who prioritize collaboration and accessibility over traditional formatting power, Shimo is an excellent alternative.
Tencent Docs is a web-based office platform developed by Tencent, the tech giant behind WeChat and QQ. It provides a suite of online tools for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, similar to Google Docs. Tencent Docs is designed with collaboration at its core, allowing multiple users to work on the same file in real time. It is deeply integrated with Tencent’s ecosystem—especially WeChat—making sharing and teamwork seamless for the millions of users already on Tencent platforms. It supports cloud autosaving, version history, and permission controls. The interface is clean, user-friendly, and optimized for both desktop and mobile use. Although it’s lighter in features compared to WPS or Microsoft Office, Tencent Docs excels in accessibility and user experience, particularly for users who are already engaged in the Tencent digital environment. It’s widely used in schools, businesses, and casual settings where fast, easy collaboration is more important than advanced formatting. Additionally, its integration with WeChat Work and QQ makes it an attractive solution for businesses that operate within Tencent’s software ecosystem. With growing adoption and continuous updates, Tencent Docs is shaping up to be a major player in China’s shift to cloud-based productivity tools.
- DingTalk Docs (钉钉文档 / Aliyun Office)
DingTalk Docs is a component of Alibaba’s enterprise collaboration platform DingTalk. Also known as Aliyun Office in some contexts, this tool provides cloud-based word processing, spreadsheets, and slide presentations. Its main advantage lies in its tight integration with DingTalk’s messaging, task management, and workflow automation features, enabling teams to collaborate on documents within the same ecosystem they use for communication and project tracking. DingTalk Docs supports real-time co-editing, comments, permissions management, and cloud storage, making it suitable for dynamic workplace environments. It’s particularly popular in medium to large enterprises in China that use Alibaba Cloud services or already rely on DingTalk for daily operations. Compared to Microsoft Office, DingTalk Docs is less feature-rich in formatting and design, but it’s more collaborative and lightweight, which fits modern digital workstyles. It also includes tools for creating forms, data dashboards, and organizational charts, extending beyond traditional office functions. DingTalk Docs is mobile-friendly and offers robust security measures, aligning with enterprise IT requirements. It’s part of a broader push by Alibaba to create a comprehensive enterprise cloud platform, and its widespread adoption in Chinese corporations makes it one of the key players in the nation’s productivity software market.
Choosing the right office suite in China isn’t just about features — it’s about compatibility with your team’s workflow, local regulations, and IT environment. For international companies operating in China, the challenge is even greater. Navigating language barriers, software restrictions, and integration issues can be complex without the right local knowledge.
That’s where JET IT Services comes in. We specialize in supporting international companies doing business in China, helping them choose and implement office productivity solutions that align with both global standards and local requirements. Whether you’re setting up a new office, optimizing your existing systems, or looking to move to a more localized platform, our team of bilingual IT professionals is here to guide you.
Contact JET IT Services today to find out how we can help your international business stay productive, secure, and connected — with the right tools for success in the Chinese market.
About JET IT Services
JET helps businesses in China overcome IT challenges with reliable, compliant, and secure solutions. From network optimization to cybersecurity, we ensure your IT systems run smoothly so you can focus on what matters most—growing your business!