The Proton Sheets Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Proton Sheets in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Proton Sheets
The Insider’s Guide
End-to-end encrypted online spreadsheets inside Proton Drive
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among spreadsheet and database tools, read from Proton Sheets’s own pages.
Made by Proton AG · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Proton Sheets’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Proton Sheets’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 13 of the 21 other spreadsheet and database tools we grade
Proton Sheets is the spreadsheet editor built into Proton Drive. Spreadsheets are end-to-end encrypted by default, so only the owner and the people a file is shared with can read them, and collaborators can edit the same sheet in real time. It is free with any Proton Drive account, and the paid Proton plans add storage and other Proton services.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Proton Sheets, taken from its own pages and our grades.
People you invite by email do need a Proton Account, though a public link gets round that.
- 1
Best for spreadsheets that even the provider can't read
Proton Sheets is a spreadsheet that's end-to-end encrypted by default, so Proton can't read what's in it, and it's free with any Proton Drive account.
- 2
Paid plans start at $3.99 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus).
- 3
There is a free plan
Proton Free: 5 GB of end-to-end encrypted storage with the online document and spreadsheet editor. Anyone with a Proton Drive account can use Sheets at no charge.
- 4
It runs on 3 platforms
Web, iOS and Android.
- 5
End-to-end encryption by default
Spreadsheets are encrypted on the device before upload, including metadata such as file names, so no one but the owner and invited collaborators can read them, not even Proton.
- 6
Real-time collaboration
Edits from other people appear as they type, each collaborator has a named cursor, and notes can be attached to cells. Changes sync without a save step.
- 7
Sharing controls
Share with specific people as Editor or Viewer, or create a public link with an optional password and expiration date. Access can be changed or revoked at any time.
- 8
A 2.8 GPA, above 13 of 21
That is against the other spreadsheet and database tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Proton Sheets you would be making a spreadsheet engine with its formulas. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Proton Sheets at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Proton AG, since 2025
- Category
- Spreadsheets & Databases
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for spreadsheets that even the provider can't read
Proton Sheets is a spreadsheet that's end-to-end encrypted by default, so Proton can't read what's in it, and it's free with any Proton Drive account. It keeps to the basics, though: functions like SUM and IF, three kinds of chart, no pivot tables, no API, and on Windows and macOS a sheet only opens in the browser. Heavy number work belongs elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | There's no Sheets plan to buy. It comes with Proton Drive, and Drive Plus is $3.99 a month billed yearly for 200 GB, inside the lowest quarter for this category, which starts at $5.40. What the money buys is storage and other Proton services, not more spreadsheet. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Free with any Proton Drive account, with the whole editor and 5 GB of encrypted storage. The cap is the thing to watch: that 5 GB is shared with every file, photo and document you keep in Drive. |
| Features | C | On privacy it has encryption by default, named cursors, notes on cells, and public links with a password and expiry. The spreadsheet is the basics, and the listing shows where it stops: functions such as SUM and IF, three kinds of chart, conditional formatting, data validation, tabs. No pivot tables. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: if you have a Proton account it's already in your Drive, and changes sync without a save step. People you invite by email do need a Proton Account, though a public link gets round that. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web, iPhone and Android. There's no API and no integrations beyond Proton's own Drive and Docs, and in the Windows and macOS Drive apps a spreadsheet is only a placeholder that opens in the browser, so an A is out. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Proton Sheets is for
- Fits if you want spreadsheets your provider can't read
- Works for people already on Proton Drive, who get Sheets in the same account
Who it is not for
- Too light for heavy number work, as what's listed stops at functions, three kinds of chart and data validation, with no pivot tables
- Skip it if you want a real desktop app, because on Windows and macOS a sheet just opens in the browser
- Tight if your Drive is nearly full, since the free 5 GB is shared with your files and photos
- Watch out: people invited by email need a Proton Account, and there's no API or outside integration
- Not for you if you want a Sheets-only plan, as paid plans are Drive or Proton bundles priced on storage
Good to know
Good for
- People who want spreadsheets the provider itself cannot read
- Teams handling client or financial data under privacy requirements
- Existing Proton Drive users who want a spreadsheet in the same account
Worth knowing
- There is no standalone Sheets plan; it is part of Proton Drive, and the paid plans differ in storage and bundled Proton services.
- In the Windows and macOS Drive apps a spreadsheet is only a placeholder file that opens in the browser at docs.proton.me.
- People invited by email need a Proton Account to open a shared spreadsheet; public links do not require one.
- The free plan's 5 GB of storage is shared with files, photos and documents kept in Proton Drive.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$3.99
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Proton Sheets has a free plan. Paid plans start at $3.99 per month, billed yearly (Drive Plus).
What the money buys is storage and other Proton services, not more spreadsheet.
Proton Free
$0
5 GB of storage for files, photos and documents, with the online document and spreadsheet editor.
Drive Plus
$3.99
per month, billed yearly at $47.88 ($4.99 billed monthly)
Proton Drive with Sheets, 200 GB of storage and 10 years to recover previous file versions.
Drive Professional
$7.99
per user / month, billed yearly ($9.99 billed monthly)
Team plan for Proton Drive with Sheets: 1 TB per user, user access management and sync across devices and users.
Proton Unlimited
$9.99
per month, billed yearly at $119.88 ($12.99 billed monthly)
500 GB of storage plus Proton VPN, Proton Mail, Proton Calendar and Proton Pass alongside Drive and Sheets.
Proton Duo
$14.99
per month, billed yearly at $179.88 ($19.99 billed monthly)
Everything in Unlimited for up to 2 users, with 2 TB of storage and advanced account protection.
Proton Family
$23.99
per month, billed yearly ($29.99 billed monthly)
3 TB of storage for up to 6 users, with the Proton premium products that are included in Duo.
The free plan
Proton Free: 5 GB of end-to-end encrypted storage with the online document and spreadsheet editor. Anyone with a Proton Drive account can use Sheets at no charge.
Read from proton.me on Oct 5, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
20% to 25% off with yearly billing
Billed yearly, Drive Plus is $3.99 a month instead of $4.99 (20% off), Proton Unlimited is $9.99 instead of $12.99 (23% off) and Proton Duo is $14.99 instead of $19.99 (25% off).
Stated on proton.me
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: Web, iOS and Android
End-to-end encrypted online spreadsheets inside Proton Drive. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: end-to-end encrypted, real-time collaboration, spreadsheets.
On privacy it has encryption by default, named cursors, notes on cells, and public links with a password and expiry.
- End-to-end encryption by default
- Spreadsheets are encrypted on the device before upload, including metadata such as file names, so no one but the owner and invited collaborators can read them, not even Proton.
- Real-time collaboration
- Edits from other people appear as they type, each collaborator has a named cursor, and notes can be attached to cells. Changes sync without a save step.
- Sharing controls
- Share with specific people as Editor or Viewer, or create a public link with an optional password and expiration date. Access can be changed or revoked at any time.
- Formulas, charts and data tools
- Built-in functions such as SUM and IF, bar, line and pie charts, conditional formatting, data validation and multiple tabs in one spreadsheet.
- Import and export
- Imports CSV, TSV and XLSX files into a new or existing sheet and downloads spreadsheets as XLSX, CSV or TSV. ODS import and export were added in beta in February 2026.
Where it runs
- Web
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- Proton Drive
- Proton Docs
Proton Sheets is made by Proton AG, and has been around since 2025.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
13/21
Other spreadsheet and database tools it is graded above
Proton Sheets's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 13 of the 21 other spreadsheet and database tools we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on ease of use (B, above 13 of 21) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $3.99 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 2 of the 20 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 1 tool scores higher and costs less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 22 spreadsheet and database tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Proton Sheets’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 12 of 21
- BFree plan and trialAbove 8 of 21
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 21
- BEase of useAbove 13 of 21
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 3 of 21
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 22 spreadsheet and database tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Proton Sheets is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Proton Sheets you would be making a spreadsheet engine with its formulas. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $47.88 a year.
What you could not
- A spreadsheet engine with its formulas.
- A real app for iOS and Android. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- End-to-end encryption done properly.
What this rests on. Proton Sheets’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, Zoho Sheet, CryptPad and LibreOffice Calc
The 5 tools Proton Sheets is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.4GPA
Google Sheets
Free plan · from $7/mo
Browser-based spreadsheet, free with a Google Account.
- Proton Sheets is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 3.4GPA
Microsoft Excel
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Spreadsheet app sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser.
- Only Microsoft Excel lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Proton Sheets is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Microsoft Excel also covers templates.
- 3.6GPA
Zoho Sheet
Free plan · from $2.50/mo
Collaborative online spreadsheet with a free version.
- Only Zoho Sheet lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Proton Sheets is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Zoho Sheet also covers templates.
- 3.0GPA
CryptPad
Free plan · from €5/mo
End-to-end encrypted, open-source collaborative office suite.
- Only Proton Sheets lists iOS and Android apps.
- CryptPad is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- CryptPad also covers kanban boards and documents.
- 3.0GPA
LibreOffice Calc
Free
Free, open-source spreadsheet for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Only Proton Sheets lists a web app.
- Only Proton Sheets lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only LibreOffice Calc lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Proton Sheets free?
Proton Sheets has a free plan. Proton Free: 5 GB of end-to-end encrypted storage with the online document and spreadsheet editor.
How much does Proton Sheets cost?
Proton Sheets lists 6 plans. Proton Free: $0.
What platforms does Proton Sheets work on?
Proton Sheets is available on Web, iOS and Android.
Does Proton Sheets offer any discounts?
Proton Sheets publicly lists the following: 20% to 25% off with yearly billing.
Does Proton Sheets have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Proton Sheets is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Does Proton Sheets have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Proton Sheets is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Proton Sheets open source?
Proton Sheets is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Is Proton Sheets end-to-end encrypted?
Proton Sheets describes itself as end-to-end encrypted on its own site.
What does Proton Sheets integrate with?
Proton Sheets's listing names Proton Drive and Proton Docs. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Proton Sheets?
Proton Sheets is made by Proton AG. It dates from 2025.
What are the alternatives to Proton Sheets?
The closest alternatives to Proton Sheets in our directory are Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, Zoho Sheet, CryptPad and LibreOffice Calc.
How does Proton Sheets compare with other spreadsheet and database tools?
Proton Sheets's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 13 of the 21 other spreadsheet and database tools we grade, and level with 1.
Is Proton Sheets good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Proton Sheets B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $3.99 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 2 of the 20 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Proton Sheets?
To replace Proton Sheets you would be making a spreadsheet engine with its formulas.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Proton Sheets’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Proton's own pages on 5 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-07-23.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Proton AG. Prices change, so check proton.me before you buy.
- proton.me/drive/pricing
- proton.me/drive/sheets
- proton.me/drive/document-editor
- proton.me/blog/sheets-proton-drive
- proton.me/business/drive
- proton.me/support/sheets-getting-started
- proton.me/support/sheets-create
- proton.me/support/sheets-import-export
- proton.me/support/sheets-collaborate-share
- proton.me/support/drive-release-notes
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Proton Sheets, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/proton-sheets
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Proton Sheets: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/proton-sheets
Know someone choosing between spreadsheet and database tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/proton-sheets/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded spreadsheet and database tools after Proton Sheets, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Spreadsheets & Databases Insider's GuideEvery one of the 22 spreadsheet and database tools we grade, compared
- Zoho Sheet Insider's GuideCollaborative online spreadsheet with a free version3.6 GPA
- Google Sheets Insider's GuideBrowser-based spreadsheet, free with a Google Account3.4 GPA
- Microsoft Excel Insider's GuideSpreadsheet app sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Proton Sheets’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Proton Sheets is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Proton AG. Prices and plans change: check proton.me before you buy.