Free, open-source alternatives to Google Docs
Online word processor from Google. 6 apps you can run yourself instead of Google Docs, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
ONLYOFFICEBest match
Office suite that enables you to manage documents, projects, team and customer relations in one place.
Collabora Online Development Edition
Collabora Online Development Edition (CODE) is a powerful LibreOffice-based online office that supports all major document, spreadsheet and presentation file formats, which you can integrate in your own infrastructure.
CryptPad
Collaboration suite built to enable collaboration, synchronizing changes to documents in real time.
Etherpad
Highly customizable online editor providing collaborative editing in real-time.
Docs
Collaborative note taking, wiki and documentation platform that scales.
HedgeDoc
Realtime collaborative markdown notes on all platforms, formerly known as CodiMD and HackMD CE.
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONLYOFFICE | 6,999 | AGPL-3.0 | Node.js, Docker | |
| Collabora Online Development Edition | - | MPL-2.0 | C++ | |
| CryptPad | 8,005 | AGPL-3.0 | Node.js, Docker | |
| Etherpad | 18,586 | Apache-2.0 | Node.js, Docker | |
| Docs | 16,913 | MIT | Kubernetes | |
| HedgeDoc | 7,479 | AGPL-3.0 | Docker, Node.js |
Why replace Google Docs?
Google Docs works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Google Docs?
ONLYOFFICE is the closest open-source replacement for Google Docs in our list. Collabora Online Development Edition and CryptPad are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Google Docs?
Yes. All 6 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.