6 self-hosted options
Open-source alternatives to Google Docs
The best open-source alternatives to Google Docs are ONLYOFFICE, CryptPad and Etherpad.
About Google Docs: Google's browser-based word processor with real-time collaboration.
Every option below is free to self-host and ranked by GitHub stars, so you can move off Google Docs without giving up the features you rely on.
Top picks
- Rank 1:
ONLYOFFICE
ONLYOFFICE/DocumentServer
Office suite that enables you to manage documents, projects, team and customer relations in one place.
Office SuitesShellDocker - Rank 2:
CryptPad
cryptpad/cryptpad
Collaboration suite built to enable collaboration, synchronizing changes to documents in real time.
Office SuitesJavaScriptDocker - Rank 3:
Etherpad
ether/etherpad
Highly customizable online editor providing collaborative editing in real-time.
Office SuitesTypeScriptDocker
Why switch
Why teams move off Google Docs
Self-hosting is not only about saving money. These are the reasons people make the switch.
Own your data
Your data lives on a server you control, not on Google Docs's infrastructure. No surprise policy changes and no lock-in.
No per-seat pricing
Open-source alternatives to Google Docs are free to run for as many users as your server can handle. A small VPS often costs less than a single subscription.
Customize and extend
Read the code, add plugins, connect it to your own tools and automate it through open APIs. When you need a feature, you can build it or fund it.
Full ranking
All 6 Google Docs alternatives
Ranked by GitHub stars. Open any app for live stats, license details and a deploy option.
- 1
ONLYOFFICE
Office suite that enables you to manage documents, projects, team and customer relations in one place.
Office SuitesDocker - 2
CryptPad
Collaboration suite built to enable collaboration, synchronizing changes to documents in real time.
Office SuitesDocker - 3
Etherpad
Highly customizable online editor providing collaborative editing in real-time.
Office SuitesDocker - 4
NextcloudFeatured
Access and share your files, calendars, contacts, mail and more from any device, on your terms.
File Sync & Storage - 5
HedgeDoc
Realtime collaborative markdown notes on all platforms, formerly known as CodiMD and HackMD CE.
Note-taking & EditorsDocker - 6
Docs
Collaborative note taking, wiki and documentation platform that scales.
Note-taking & Editors
What is the best open-source alternative to Google Docs?
ONLYOFFICE is the most popular open-source alternative to Google Docs, with 6,970 GitHub stars. CryptPad and Etherpad are also strong choices. Compare features, license and recent activity to find the best fit for your team.
Is there a free alternative to Google Docs?
Yes. All 6 apps on this page are open source and free to self-host, so you can run a Google Docs replacement without per-user fees. You only pay for the server, and a small VPS is usually enough for personal use or a small team.
Can I self-host an alternative to Google Docs?
Yes. ONLYOFFICE, CryptPad and Etherpad ship a Docker image, so you can run them on a home server or VPS with Docker Compose in a few minutes. Your data then stays on hardware you control.
How do I migrate from Google Docs?
Start by exporting your data from Google Docs, then check the import options of the app you pick, since many projects ship importers for popular formats. Run both side by side for a week before you switch so nothing is lost.