Best collaborative docs
Don’t use Google Docs. Try one of these alternatives instead:
- Docs in Proton Drive, from the same company that offers Proton Mail. The page claims that users can “track changes and suggestions” and “work together in real-time.”
- CryptPad is “a collaborative office suite that is end-to-end encrypted and open-source.” It can replace Google Docs and the document sharing in Microsoft’s Office 365.
A graphic from the CryptPad website:

And Proton posts (Dec 4, 2025):
With Sheets, you can:
:locked: Safeguard your sensitive data with E2EE :plus: Use the built-in formulas you know and love :eleven_o_clock: Work together with real-time collaboration :bar_chart: Turn numbers into charts with data visualizations :down_arrow: Easily import .CSV/.XLS :passport_control: Control access at any time
- OnlyOffice is a suite of tools made by (for-profit) Ascensio Systems, based in Latvia.
- FramaPad is a “collaborative real-time web-based editor.”
- Finally, if you don’t need collaboration features but just need a single-person alternative to Word and Excel etc., try LibreOffice.
Creative Good members: The Forum has the latest updates on this entry - if you're not a member, join us to get access.