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Fresh and Still were LibreOffice’s names for two release lines: the newest feature line and the more mature previous line. Current release notes use latest branch and previous branch. A maintenance, or bugfix, update advances a branch without making it the newest feature line. Which branch to choose depends on whether you prioritize new features or a more mature release.
What does Fresh mean in LibreOffice?
“Fresh” was the label for the newest LibreOffice release line, which introduced the latest features and program enhancements. The term described a position in the release cycle, not a separate edition or paid version. Current release notes use “latest branch” for this role.
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The project’s historical release notes explicitly used the Fresh and Still labels. The current terminology and release descriptions appear on the LibreOffice release notes page; the older wording can be seen in the LibreOffice 7.6/7.5 release notes.
What is the difference between Fresh and Still?
Fresh referred to the newest feature line; Still referred to the more mature previous line. Those labels are best understood as release-cycle guidance, not guarantees about how a particular installation will perform. Today, compare the latest and previous branches in the official release notes rather than relying on old labels or a version number alone.
| Release-cycle position | Older label | Current label | Project guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newest feature line | Fresh | Latest branch | Recommended for technology enthusiasts; includes new features and program enhancements. The project warns that bugs may be addressed in later bugfix releases. |
| More mature previous line | Still | Previous branch | Described as suitable for all users and recommended for enterprises. |
What is a maintenance or bugfix update?
A branch begins with an initial release and may then receive successive bugfix releases. These updates address issues within that line; they do not, by themselves, make it the latest feature branch. A version string identifies a particular release, but its patch number alone does not establish how long it will be supported or whether every older version is still maintained.
For example, as of October 3, 2026, the official release notes listed LibreOffice 26.8.0, released August 26, 2026, as the latest branch and first release of that line. They listed 26.2.6, released September 24, 2026, as the previous branch and sixth bugfix release of that line. These are a dated snapshot, not lasting branch assignments; check the current release notes for the latest status.
Which LibreOffice branch should you choose?
Choose the latest branch for newer features
The project recommends its latest branch for technology enthusiasts and early adopters. It provides the newest features and enhancements, with the stated trade-off that it may contain bugs addressed in later bugfix releases. This guidance is not a guarantee that the branch will be right for every user or deployment.
Rank #2
Consider the previous branch for cautious or enterprise deployments
The project describes the previous branch as the mature version, suitable for all users and recommended for enterprises. Treat this as the publisher’s guidance, not a universal stability guarantee. Before choosing between actual releases, check which is latest or previous, each release’s bugfix level, and whether the installer supports your platform and system requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do I check which LibreOffice version I have?
- Open LibreOffice.
- Select Help → About LibreOffice.
- Read the version information shown in the About window, then compare that release with the current branch and bugfix details in the official release notes.
To choose an installer and confirm platform compatibility and system requirements, use the official LibreOffice download page. The Help documentation also describes where to find version and build information: Versions and Build Numbers.
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