Skip to content
ToolGPA

Alternatives · Docs & Wikis

Proton Docs alternatives

Proton Docs compared with 5 alternatives: Google Docs, CryptPad, ONLYOFFICE, Zoho Writer and Dropbox Paper.

Proton Docs has a free plan. Paid plans start at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus). All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Proton DocsThis toolFree plan · from $3.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Google DocsFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
CryptPadFree plan · from €5/moYesWeb
ONLYOFFICEFree plan · from $20/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Zoho WriterFree plan · from $2.50/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Dropbox PaperFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android

How each one differs from Proton Docs

  1. Google Docs

    Browser-based word processor, free with a Google Account

    • Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Proton Docs starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus).
    • Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
    • Proton Docs is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Google Docs also covers templates.

    Suits: People and teams who draft and review documents together in a browser

    Google Docs vs Proton DocsGoogle Docs pricing and details

  2. CryptPad

    End-to-end encrypted, open-source collaborative office suite

    • CryptPad starts at €5 per month, or €55 per year, for the Personal plan on cryptpad.fr. Proton Docs starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus).
    • Only Proton Docs lists iOS and Android apps.
    • CryptPad is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • CryptPad also covers kanban boards and spreadsheets.

    Suits: Groups that do not want their host to be able to read their documents

    CryptPad vs Proton DocsCryptPad pricing and details

  3. ONLYOFFICE

    Open-source office suite for documents, sheets, slides and PDFs

    • ONLYOFFICE starts at $20 per admin / month for the DocSpace Business cloud plan. Proton Docs starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus).
    • Only ONLYOFFICE lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • ONLYOFFICE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Proton Docs is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • ONLYOFFICE also covers spreadsheets and presentations.

    Suits: Organizations that want to host their own office suite

    ONLYOFFICE vs Proton DocsONLYOFFICE pricing and details

  4. Zoho Writer

    Free online word processor with AI and document automation

    • Zoho Writer starts at $2.50 per user / month, billed annually (Zoho WorkDrive Starter). Proton Docs starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus).
    • Only Zoho Writer lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Zoho Writer lists a browser extension.
    • Proton Docs is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Zoho Writer also covers templates and grammar & style.

    Suits: Individuals who want a free word processor on every device

    Zoho Writer vs Proton DocsZoho Writer pricing and details

  5. Dropbox Paper

    Free collaborative documents that live in a Dropbox account

    • Dropbox Paper starts at $9.99 per month, billed yearly (Dropbox Plus). Proton Docs starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus).
    • Proton Docs is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Dropbox Paper also covers templates and tasks.

    Suits: Teams that already keep their files in Dropbox

    Dropbox Paper vs Proton DocsDropbox Paper pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Proton Docs

  • There is no standalone Docs plan: it is part of Proton Drive, and the paid plans differ in storage and bundled Proton services.
  • A document can be no larger than 25 MB.
  • In the Windows and macOS Drive apps a document is only a placeholder file that opens in the browser at docs.proton.me.
  • The free plan's 5 GB of storage is shared with the files and photos kept in Proton Drive.
Proton Docs pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Proton Docs?

The alternatives to Proton Docs in this directory are Google Docs, CryptPad, ONLYOFFICE, Zoho Writer and Dropbox Paper. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Proton Docs.

Is there a free alternative to Proton Docs?

Yes. Google Docs, CryptPad, ONLYOFFICE, Zoho Writer and Dropbox Paper have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Proton Docs alternatives work on Windows?

The Proton Docs listing does not include a Windows app. ONLYOFFICE and Zoho Writer list one.

Which Proton Docs alternatives work on macOS?

The Proton Docs listing does not include a macOS app. ONLYOFFICE and Zoho Writer list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Proton Docs?

CryptPad and ONLYOFFICE are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.