Request for an unofficial Microsoft 365 client for Linux on Flathub

Requests
1

Hello, Flathub community!

I would like to suggest the development of an unofficial, open-source Microsoft 365 client for Linux that could be distributed through Flathub.

Currently, Linux users can access Microsoft 365 applications through a web browser, but having a dedicated desktop client would provide a more integrated and convenient experience.

The application could work as a secure wrapper or PWA-based client for services such as:

  • Outlook
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • OneDrive
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft To Do
  • OneNote
  • Microsoft Calendar

Some useful features would include:

  • Separate windows or tabs for each Microsoft 365 service
  • Desktop notifications
  • File upload and download integration
  • Support for multiple Microsoft accounts
  • System tray integration
  • Dark mode
  • Opening Microsoft 365 links directly in the application
  • Optional launch at system startup
  • Wayland support
  • Secure session and cookie storage
  • Flatpak sandboxing and appropriate permissions

The project would not need to distribute proprietary Microsoft software. It could act only as an open-source desktop interface for the official Microsoft 365 web services, while respecting Microsoft’s trademarks, terms of service and authentication requirements.

Projects such as Ferdium, Tangram and other web-app containers demonstrate that this type of integration can be useful for Linux users. However, a dedicated Microsoft 365 application could offer a more focused and polished experience.

I understand that Flathub is primarily a platform for distributing applications rather than a software-development organization. Therefore, this is also an invitation to developers interested in creating and maintaining such a project.

Would anyone in the community be interested in developing or collaborating on an unofficial Microsoft 365 client for Linux?

Thank you for your attention and for supporting the Linux desktop ecosystem.

2

You can do it. People likely already work on what they want to publish.

PWAs and basic wrappers are not accepted anymore though.

3

Hi , I’m planning on starting the exact same flatpak project " Office 365 Web"

We have clients migrating to linux but still needing a simple o365 quick access with autostart & desktop integration.

it’s sad PWAs are not accepted if they bring desktop features , I still see whatsapp client that wraps web interface , but maybe they got accepted prior this change ?

4

Yes, the rules have changed over the years. So there are applications on Flathub that wouldn’t be accepted under the new requirements.

Web wrappers that are just an “application window” around a website are often just cobbled together in a day by someone who don’t cares about proper maintenance. Which is in this case even more important since this is a literal browser, just specialized to one website.

A web wrapper would have to bring a genuine benefit that couldn’t be achieved with just using the site in the browser and the proper maintenance to be considered for inclusion.

Also:

Not everything needs to be on Flathub. If you just need to provide a Flatpak to your clients, you can create your own repository for distribution: