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Open Office it is widely considered obsolete because it has not had a major feature release since 2014. In contrast, LibreOffice is the more modern, actively developed successor that most users are encouraged to use.

Status of Apache OpenOffice

Stagnant Development: While maintenance releases occur, they focus on bug fixes, dictionary updates, and critical security patches rather than new features.

Security Concerns: The project has struggled with a "red" security status due to a lack of active developers, sometimes leaving vulnerabilities unpatched for over a year.

License Limitations: OpenOffice uses the Apache License, which prevents it from legally incorporating code from LibreOffice (which uses LGPLv3/MPL), whereas LibreOffice can and does incorporate code from OpenOffice.

Why LibreOffice is Considered Better

LibreOffice is generally superior for modern workflows due to the following advantages:

Frequent Updates: It receives regular major upgrades with new features and frequent security patches, backed by a much larger community of over 1,700 contributors compared to OpenOffice's small fraction of that.

Modern File Compatibility: LibreOffice provides robust support for modern Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. OpenOffice can often open these files but may struggle to save or export them while preserving modern formatting.

Enhanced Performance: It offers a native 64-bit version and is optimized for modern hardware, including high-resolution (4K) displays. OpenOffice is often limited to 32-bit architecture on Windows.

Specialized Tools: Includes unique tools like a dedicated Chart application and a mobile remote for presentations.
For most users, LibreOffice is the recommended choice, while Apache OpenOffice is typically only relevant for legacy 32-bit systems or users who specifically prefer a 20-year-old interface style.