CryptPad
CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted, zero-knowledge collaborative office suite. Write, edit, and share documents, sheets, and code with confidence that servers never read them.
Open source alternative to:
CryptPad is a unique open-source collaboration suite that combines real-time editing with end-to-end encryption. Unlike most cloud office tools, CryptPad ensures that the server never has access to the content of your documents — all encryption and decryption happens in the browser. This zero-knowledge architecture makes it one of the most privacy-respecting alternatives to Google Docs.
CryptPad includes tools for collaborative documents (rich text), spreadsheets, presentations, code editing, forms, whiteboards, and Kanban boards — all available in one unified platform. Documents can be organized in drives and shared securely with teams using cryptographic access controls.
Licensed under AGPL-3.0, CryptPad can be self-hosted and is also available as a managed service at cryptpad.fr. It is actively maintained by a team committed to privacy-first collaboration software and is widely used by journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CryptPad end-to-end encryption actually work?
CryptPad encrypts and decrypts every document entirely in the browser, so the server only ever stores and transmits ciphertext and never has access to the content. Cryptographic keys are shared with collaborators through document links and access controls rather than through the server. That zero-knowledge architecture is the fundamental difference between CryptPad and Google Docs.
Which document types can I collaborate on inside CryptPad?
CryptPad includes rich text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, code editors, forms, whiteboards, and Kanban boards, all available in one platform. Documents can be organized into drives and shared securely with teams using cryptographic access controls. It is effectively a full encrypted office suite rather than a single editor.
Can I self-host CryptPad, and what is the managed option?
Yes, CryptPad is AGPL-3.0 licensed and can be self-hosted on a Node.js server for full control over your data. The cryptpad.fr managed service is run by the CryptPad team and is a convenient option if you prefer not to maintain your own instance. Both paths give you the same end-to-end encryption.
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Updated 10/11/2026, 12:00:36 AM
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