Thinkfree

Thinkfree Inc. is a South Korean software company that develops a web-based, commercial office productivity suite. Founded in 1999 by Ken Rhie and T.J. Kang, the company is recognized for pioneering one of the world's first online office editors, predating established players like Google Docs and Microsoft 365. The firm's early efforts attracted significant media attention and was once highlighted by Microsoft's CEO as a notable competitor.

The company's core product is Thinkfree Office, an all-in-one suite that includes a word processor (Write), a spreadsheet program (Calc), and a presentation tool (Show). This software is designed for high compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats (DOCX, PPTX, XLSX) as well as OpenDocument formats. A key aspect of the business is its focus on collaborative work, offering real-time co-editing, in-app chat, and the ability to track changes. Thinkfree serves a diverse clientele, including businesses, enterprises, and government agencies, with specific industry applications in education, finance, and government. The product is also integrated into various systems, such as being the exclusive official partner for AWS WorkDocs and embedded in devices from Samsung, LG, and others.

Thinkfree operates on a flexible business model, offering its suite through multiple deployment options, including on-premise, private cloud, and as a hosted API. This allows for white-labeling and customization to fit an organization's brand and specific requirements. Revenue is generated through several pricing structures, including prepaid billing for concurrent connections, postpaid monthly active user fees, and custom site licenses. The company also provides a free, ad-supported online version and previously offered mobile applications for viewing and editing documents on smartphones. Over the years, the product has been marketed under various names like Thinkfree Server and Hancom Office Online before being consolidated under the Thinkfree Office brand. In 2003, the company was acquired by Hancom, a major South Korean software firm, and in 2023, Hancom spun off its online office business unit as Thinkfree Inc.

Keywords: online office suite, document collaboration, Microsoft Office alternative, web-based productivity, spreadsheet software, presentation software, word processor, on-premise office suite, cloud office, collaborative editing, document management, white-label office suite, Hancom, real-time editing, secure document sharing, Thinkfree Write, Thinkfree Calc, Thinkfree Show, enterprise software, government software solutions