LibreOffice is the safest first choice for opening old WordPerfect files, especially files with the .wpd extension. WordPerfect is still common in legal archives and older office records, and the Library of Congress lists WordPerfect formats among long-used word processing formats [source: Library of Congress].
TLDR: Use LibreOffice Writer first if you need to open WordPerfect files without paying. Use ONLYOFFICE only after converting the file to DOCX or ODT. Use SoftMaker FreeOffice if you care more about clean Word-style editing after conversion. For example, if a law office has 50 old .wpd files, LibreOffice is the best place to batch-check them, then the cleanest files can be saved as DOCX for daily use.
Quick ranking
- LibreOffice: Best overall choice for opening WordPerfect files.
- SoftMaker FreeOffice: Good editor, but not the strongest direct WPD opener.
- ONLYOFFICE: Excellent for DOCX work, weak for raw WordPerfect files.
LibreOffice: the practical winner
LibreOffice Writer should be your first stop. It supports import filters for many older document types, including WordPerfect documents through the libwpd project [source: libwpd]. That matters because opening the file is the hard part. Once the document opens, you can save it as ODT, DOCX, RTF, or PDF.
The results are usually good for plain text, letters, pleadings, forms, and basic tables. Formatting can still shift. Expect headers, footers, line spacing, footnotes, and fonts to need review. That is not LibreOffice being careless. WordPerfect used a different formatting model from Microsoft Word, so perfect transfer is rare.
It drives me crazy that some converted documents look fine at first, then reveal a broken page break on page nine. Still, LibreOffice gives you the best shot without forcing you through paid software or a cloud upload.
Best for: archives, legal files, old office documents, one-time conversion jobs, and privacy-sensitive work.
Main weakness: layout cleanup may take time, especially with complex documents.
ONLYOFFICE: good suite, wrong first tool
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is a polished office suite. It is strongest with Microsoft Office formats, especially DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX. Its interface feels familiar if you use Word. That makes it attractive for teams that live in modern document formats.
The problem is simple. ONLYOFFICE is not a good direct opener for WordPerfect files. If someone sends you a .wpd file, you will usually need to convert it first. The most sensible path is:
- Open the WPD file in LibreOffice.
- Save it as DOCX or ODT.
- Open the converted file in ONLYOFFICE.
- Review layout before sending it to anyone.
Honestly, it feels like an annoying extra step when all you want is to read a two-page memo. But after conversion, ONLYOFFICE can be a pleasant editor. It handles collaboration well and has a cleaner Microsoft-style feel than LibreOffice.
Best for: teams that already use DOCX and need to edit converted files.
Main weakness: poor usefulness for opening original WordPerfect files directly.
SoftMaker FreeOffice: strong editor after conversion
SoftMaker FreeOffice includes TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations. TextMaker is the relevant app here. It is fast, tidy, and often does a strong job with Microsoft Word files. If your final target is DOCX, FreeOffice can be a good place to polish the converted document.
For WordPerfect files, though, FreeOffice is not as reliable as LibreOffice as a first opener. Some SoftMaker products have supported a wide range of import formats over the years, but FreeOffice users should test their exact version before depending on it for WPD work. SoftMaker’s own product pages focus heavily on Microsoft Office compatibility [source: SoftMaker].
Where FreeOffice earns points is speed. It opens quickly. The menus are clear. It feels less heavy than LibreOffice on older laptops. If LibreOffice opens and converts the WPD file well, TextMaker can then be used to edit the DOCX version with fewer distractions.
Best for: users who want a light, Word-like editor for converted documents.
Main weakness: not the best primary tool for raw WPD files.
What to check after opening a WPD file
No matter which tool you use, do not trust the first view. Check the document like a proofreader. WordPerfect conversions can hide small errors.
- Page count: compare it with the original if you have a printed copy.
- Margins: legal and court documents often depend on strict spacing.
- Headers and footers: these break often during conversion.
- Footnotes: review numbering and placement.
- Tables: check borders, merged cells, and alignment.
- Special characters: watch for odd symbols or missing accents.
Best choice for most people
Pick LibreOffice if your main goal is opening WordPerfect files. It is free, mature, and built for this kind of rescue job. It may not keep every layout detail, but it gives you the best chance of getting the text and structure back.
Pick ONLYOFFICE if your team edits converted DOCX files. It is not the WPD tool you start with. It is the editor you use after the file has been cleaned up.
Pick SoftMaker FreeOffice if you want a fast desktop editor for the converted result. It is useful, but treat it as part of the workflow, not the main recovery tool.
For most users, the clean workflow is simple: open in LibreOffice, save as DOCX or PDF, then edit elsewhere only if needed. That saves time, avoids risky online converters, and gives old WordPerfect files a second life.