3 Free Cross-Platform Apps by Brandon Thomas Replace Microsoft Office Suite

Brandon Thomas, the software engineer behind the ArtCraft project, has announced the release of three new open-source applications intended to replicate Microsoft Office functionality. According to Tom’s Hardware, these tools are named GridCraft, DeckCraft, and WordCraft, corresponding to Excel, PowerPoint, and Word respectively. Thomas has made the source code available on the ArtCraft GitHub repository, allowing users to download and utilize the software without any licensing fees or subscription requirements.

The risk

The primary operational consideration for organizations adopting these tools is the underlying development methodology. Tom’s Hardware reports that these applications were created using Claude, an artificial intelligence coding assistant. This has triggered criticism from some observers who label such outputs as “vibecoded software” or “AI slop,” raising questions about code quality, maintainability, and long-term security support. Thomas addressed these concerns on his X account, asserting his capability as a developer with fifteen years of professional experience, but the reliance on AI-generated code remains a distinct factor in the software’s provenance.

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Who is exposed

The target audience for these applications includes users seeking to avoid the subscription models employed by Microsoft and Adobe. Tom’s Hardware notes that Microsoft has shifted from one-time purchases to subscription packages, which often include overlapping features that many users do not need. Additionally, the ArtCraft suite addresses compatibility issues faced by Linux users, who typically require additional layers or Windows emulation to run standard Adobe or Microsoft applications. The new tools promise an identical user experience across Windows, macOS, and Linux without such workarounds.

Cost and compliance

There is no direct financial cost associated with downloading or using these applications, as they are distributed freely via GitHub. However, the shift from proprietary, vendor-supported software to community-driven open-source replicas introduces compliance and support risks. Organizations must evaluate whether the lack of official vendor support and the potential for unstable codebases created by AI tools meet their internal security and operational standards. The growing ArtCraft Discord community indicates user interest, but it does not constitute a formal support structure for enterprise environments.

What should you do?

Managers should assess whether their teams require offline document editing capabilities that are currently locked behind Microsoft subscriptions. If cost reduction is a priority, technical teams must review the GitHub repositories for GridCraft, DeckCraft, and WordCraft to determine if the AI-generated code meets their organization’s security and stability requirements before any deployment.

What to do and how to stay safe: ArtCraft

• Review the GitHub repositories for the new ArtCraft applications to inspect the code quality and dependency list before considering any internal use.
• Verify that the open-source license permits commercial use and distribution within your organization’s specific operational context.
• Test the applications in an isolated sandbox environment to ensure they do not introduce security vulnerabilities or compatibility issues with existing file formats.
• Monitor the ArtCraft Discord community and GitHub issues for reports of bugs or security flaws that could impact data integrity.

Step-by-step guide: Mobile Security Architecture: 8 Practices for Device Integrity

General security guidance from the Vector Tribune newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

What are the names of the new Microsoft Office alternatives?

The new applications are called GridCraft, DeckCraft, and WordCraft, which correspond to Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Who created these open-source tools?

Brandon Thomas, a software engineer with fifteen years of experience, created the tools using the Claude AI assistant.

Are these applications available for Linux?

Yes, Tom’s Hardware reports that the software runs natively on Linux, as well as Windows and macOS, without requiring emulation layers.