GitFounders8 Open Source Alternatives to Google Docs
A list of 8 carefully selected open-source alternatives to Google Docs.
The open-source alternatives are ranked based on our custom ranking system and score. This system takes into account various factors to determine the best alternatives.
If you’re looking for alternative features or workflows, here is a prepared detailed list of Google Docs open-source alternatives — each with its own distinctive strengths and key features.
Bangle-io is a web-based WYSIWYG note-taking app that allows you to save and manage your notes locally in Markdown format. Its design ensures that your data stays securely on your device, while providing a fully offline experience with a clean and intuitive interface.
Key Features
- Works fully offline and as a Progressive Web App
- Saves notes locally in human-readable Markdown format
- Clean WYSIWYG interface with advanced editing features
- Organizational tools including folders, tags, workspaces, and search
- No sign-up required and maintains complete data privacy
Bangle-io works directly in your browser, enabling you to create, edit, and organize notes that are stored locally as Markdown files. Designed with simplicity and power in mind, it offers a rich WYSIWYG experience, supporting features like collapsible headings, emojis, and Markdown shortcuts. Organizational tools such as folder views, tags, workspaces, and a robust search function help manage your notes efficiently without requiring sign-up or internet connectivity.
CryptPad is a collaborative office suite that offers real-time editing tools with robust end-to-end encryption. It is an open-source platform designed to ensure privacy and secure collaboration.
Key Features
- End-to-end encryption for complete data privacy
- Real-time collaboration on various document types
- Open-source platform ensuring transparency
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface
- Versatile office tools including documents, spreadsheets, and presentations
CryptPad enables users to work together on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more, all while keeping data securely encrypted. The platform combines an intuitive user interface with versatile tools that cater to both individual users and teams focused on secure productivity. Its open-source nature provides transparency and continuous improvements from a dedicated community.
EtherPad is an open source real-time collaborative document editor that empowers teams to work together on shared documents seamlessly. Its highly customizable platform supports a vast ecosystem of plugins and multiple languages, making it ideal for educational, professional, and creative projects.
Key Features
- Real-time collaborative editing in the browser
- Highly customizable with over 290 plugins
- Supports 105 languages and multiple data formats
- Option to use public instances or self-host
- Accessible API for integrations
- Active open source community and contributions
EtherPad enables users to edit documents simultaneously in a web browser, providing a live, multi-user editing experience without the need for cumbersome file exchanges. Users can choose to work on public instances or set up their own server, leverage a well-documented API for data access and integration, and customize the tool using over 290 plugins to match their specific needs.
Collabora Online is a collaborative online office suite built on LibreOffice technology, enabling real-time document editing and teamwork. It offers both a cutting-edge development edition for experimentation and a stable version designed for secure production deployments.
Key Features
- Real-time collaborative editing based on LibreOffice core
- Comprehensive support for diverse document, spreadsheet, and presentation formats
- Development edition (CODE) for sandbox testing and innovation
- Flexible deployment via Docker and native Linux packages
- Multi-language interface and community-driven improvements
The platform provides a robust suite including Writer, Calc, Draw, and Impress, supporting a wide range of file formats for text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. It caters to developers, enthusiasts, and small teams with its development edition (CODE) that allows testing and community feedback. Deployable via Docker images or native Linux packages, it facilitates integration with popular file sync and share solutions and offers multi-language support.
Graphite Docs is an encrypted, secure, user-owned productivity suite that once provided a decentralized, privacy-centric alternative to conventional document editing tools. Although its hosted service was discontinued in 2020, the open source project remains available for anyone interested in maintaining or extending its capabilities.
Key Features
- Decentralized and privacy-focused architecture
- Encrypted document management for enhanced security
- User-owned productivity suite ensuring data control
- Open source code available for customization and extension
Graphite Docs delivered secure, encrypted document management with a focus on user control and privacy. Designed as a decentralized alternative to platforms like Google Docs, it empowered users with a robust tool for collaborative editing. The open source nature of the project continues to offer opportunities for developers and communities to innovate on its foundation.
ONLYOFFICE is a free, open-source collaborative office suite offering comprehensive tools for creating, editing, and managing text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs. It is fully compatible with Office Open XML formats, enabling real-time collaboration and seamless integration across devices and platforms.
Key Features
- Free and open-source under the AGPL 3.0 license
- Real-time collaborative editing and commenting
- Advanced PDF editing and fillable form creation
- AI-powered assistance for text, image, and code generation
- Full compatibility with Office Open XML and other formats
- Robust security with multi-level encryption and GDPR compliance
- Seamless integration with over 40 business platforms
ONLYOFFICE empowers users with a full range of online editors for docs, sheets, and slides, alongside advanced PDF editing and form-building capabilities. With features like real-time co-editing, commenting, and integrated communication via chat and video calls, it supports efficient teamwork. The platform also leverages AI-driven tools for text generation, translation, and code assistance, and integrates with 40+ external business platforms, all while ensuring top-notch security and GDPR compliance.
PeerPad is an online collaborative editor that leverages CRDTs and IPFS for real-time markdown document editing. It enables users to write, collaborate, and export documents directly in the browser, ensuring a seamless experience.
Key Features
- Real-time collaborative editing using CRDTs
- Browser-based markdown document creation
- Automatic synchronization of edits
- Snapshot functionality and easy sharing via links
PeerPad allows you to write, collaborate, and export markdown documents directly in your browser. It features an intuitive blue-pane editor that updates in real-time as changes are made, optimizing team workflows. Additionally, it offers snapshot capabilities and provides both read-only and writable links for easy sharing.
HedgeDoc is an open-source, collaborative markdown editor that empowers teams to work together in real-time. This self-hosted, web-based tool simplifies note-taking, presentation building, and data management, ensuring your content stays secure and accessible.
Key Features
- Web-based editor that runs in any browser
- Self-hosted for full control over your data
- Real-time collaboration for immediate teamwork
- Presentation mode powered by reveal.js
- Support for graphs, diagrams, and embedded content
- Easy-to-use permission system with revision tracking
- Low system requirements, ideal for lightweight setups
HedgeDoc, formerly known as CodiMD, is designed for seamless collaboration on notes, graphs, and presentations using markdown. The tool runs directly in your browser and supports real-time collaboration, an easy permission system, revisions tracking, and low system requirements, even on devices like Raspberry Pi. With built-in support for presentation mode powered by reveal.js and various diagram integrations, teams can efficiently manage their projects.
