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Proton Docs alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Proton Docs: fewer formatting options and templates than Google Docs, and young product still adding features. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Proton Docs, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Docs currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Google Docs logoGoogle DocsFreeNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 477.6
2CryptPad logoCryptPadOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted5 of 566.5
3ONLYOFFICE logoONLYOFFICEOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 559.6
4Zoho Writer logoZoho WriterFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 457.2
5Microsoft 365 logoMicrosoft 365Free plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +25 of 555.3
  1. Google Docs logo

    1. Google DocsTop pick

    Best for: Groups that write together and want sharing and comments to just work

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    77.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proton Docs

    More features and add-ons if encryption isn't a requirement.

    Pros

    • Best-in-class real-time co-editing, comments and suggestion mode
    • Free with any Google account, nothing to install
    • Complete version history of every change

    Cons

    • Limited page-layout control for print-ready documents
    • Complex .docx files can lose formatting on import
    • Offline editing needs Chrome or Edge and setup in advance
    Visit Google Docs Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Docs a good Proton Docs alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Anyone with a Google account
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Word import
    Yes, plus PDF
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline browsers
    Chrome and Edge
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. CryptPad logo

    2. CryptPad

    Best for: Activists, journalists and organisations that need private collaborative documents

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proton Docs

    Open-source and self-hostable encrypted suite with slides, forms and kanban too.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted documents with real-time collaboration
    • Free on public instances and fully self-hostable
    • Broad set of apps: docs, sheets, slides, forms, kanban, whiteboard

    Cons

    • Slower and less polished than Google Docs
    • No server-side search across encrypted content
    • Forgotten passwords can mean lost documents
    Visit CryptPad Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is CryptPad a good Proton Docs alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cryptpad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Free account on public instances
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cryptpad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid plans
    €5 to €100/month on CryptPad.fr
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cryptpad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Managed instance
    From €1.5K/year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cryptpad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Developer
    XWiki, Paris
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cryptpad.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. ONLYOFFICE logo

    3. ONLYOFFICE

    Best for: Teams wanting self-hosted, Office-compatible editing inside Nextcloud or similar

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proton Docs

    Self-host your own docs server to keep files under your control.

    Pros

    • Very close .docx/.xlsx/.pptx compatibility
    • Free desktop editors on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Self-hostable server that integrates with Nextcloud, ownCloud and others

    Cons

    • Free community server has limits on simultaneous connections
    • Many editions and product names make choosing confusing
    • Advanced features sit in paid Enterprise editions
    Visit ONLYOFFICE Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is ONLYOFFICE a good Proton Docs alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPLv3 (core of Docs)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    DocSpace Startup, up to 3 admins
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business price
    $20 per admin/month (DocSpace)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile, SharePoint
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onlyoffice.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Zoho Writer logo

    4. Zoho Writer

    Best for: Small businesses on Zoho that want docs, mail merge and e-sign in one place

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proton Docs

    Feature-rich free online editor from a company that doesn't sell ads.

    Pros

    • Free for individuals with real-time collaboration
    • Desktop apps with full offline mode on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Built-in document automation, forms and e-signatures

    Cons

    • Fewer add-ons and templates than Google Docs or Word
    • Business features tie you into Zoho's suite
    • Automation features are metered by credits
    Visit Zoho Writer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zoho Writer a good Proton Docs alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, for individuals
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Desktop apps for Windows, Mac, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI assistant
    Zia, included free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Automation credits
    200 free per month per org
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Microsoft 365 logo

    5. Microsoft 365

    Best for: Anyone who exchanges Office files daily or needs full desktop Excel and Word

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proton Docs

    Full desktop Office apps for complex documents and spreadsheets.

    Pros

    • Native .docx/.xlsx/.pptx support means perfect fidelity with most organisations
    • Desktop Excel and Word remain the most complete tools in their class
    • Home plans include 1 TB or more of OneDrive storage per person

    Cons

    • Subscription only for the current apps; costs add up over the years
    • Bundled Copilot features raised prices for people who don't want AI
    • Desktop apps feel heavy compared with web-first editors
    Visit Microsoft 365 Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft 365 a good Proton Docs alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Starting price
    $9.99/month or $99.99/year (Personal)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family plan
    $12.99/month for up to 6 people
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    1 month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Cloud storage
    1 TB (Personal)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free web apps
    Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Proton Docs alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Docs logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for most people

Google Docs

More features and add-ons if encryption isn't a requirement.

CryptPad logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for a free option

CryptPad

Open-source and self-hostable encrypted suite with slides, forms and kanban too.

Zoho Writer logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Zoho Writer

Feature-rich free online editor from a company that doesn't sell ads.

ONLYOFFICE logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for open source

ONLYOFFICE

Self-host your own docs server to keep files under your control.

CryptPad logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for self-hosting

CryptPad

Open-source and self-hostable encrypted suite with slides, forms and kanban too.

Microsoft 365 logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for Mac

Microsoft 365

Full desktop Office apps for complex documents and spreadsheets.

ONLYOFFICE logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for Windows

ONLYOFFICE

Self-host your own docs server to keep files under your control.

ONLYOFFICE logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for Linux

ONLYOFFICE

Self-host your own docs server to keep files under your control.

Google Docs logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Docs

More features and add-ons if encryption isn't a requirement.

Google Docs logo

Best Proton Docs alternative for working in the browser

Google Docs

More features and add-ons if encryption isn't a requirement.

Proton Docs alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Proton Docs?

Google Docs ranks first right now. More features and add-ons if encryption isn't a requirement. CryptPad and ONLYOFFICE follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Proton Docs?

Yes. Google Docs (free), CryptPad (open source), ONLYOFFICE (open source) and Zoho Writer (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Proton Docs?

Yes: CryptPad and ONLYOFFICE. CryptPad and ONLYOFFICE can also be self-hosted.

Which Proton Docs alternatives work on Linux?

ONLYOFFICE and Zoho Writer run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Proton Docs?

The complaints we hear most: fewer formatting options and templates than Google Docs; young product still adding features; free plan storage is small.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Proton Docs, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.