In some areas, the big names in IT have established themselves and do not seem to have any possible competition. This is the case, for example, of Google Docs, which has long been the benchmark in terms of online office suites (compared to Microsoft Office, which rather dominates computer-based office automation). But given users' desire to better control their data, new players are emerging, focusing in particular on respect for privacy.
That's why today we present to you two new alternatives to Google Docs that you probably haven't heard of until now, but that exist and can be very useful to you.
These are the made in France office suite CryptPad and Skiff, a blockchain-based, and therefore decentralized, service that offers its own email service, recently launched, and which includes cloud storage and a text editor.
Both of these services are offered with end-to-end encryption, their source code is publicly available, and each of these solutions offers users full free and paid options.
Skiff, an end-to-end encrypted workspace
Based on decentralization, Skiff is part of what is called the Web3, that is, the decentralized web which is based on the blockchain. In addition to offering a secure email service, the site offers a document editor and a cloud storage.
To operate and store your files, Skiff uses the IPFS decentralized file system (InterPlanetary File System). It is a decentralized peer-to-peer protocol that aims to ensure the privacy, security, and censorship resistance of your data.
Skiff is first and foremost an electronic messaging system (the equivalent of Gmail in a very secure version) to which is grafted an equivalent of Google Docs! With a very pleasant and refined interface, you will be able to create, edit and manage all your documents. The text editor is well designed and has many formatting options. It also allows collaborative work via a secure sharing system.
Finally, Skiff offers the possibility to import documents from Google Drive and host them on the cloud in Skiff Drive.
This service has a free version that allows you to accumulate up to 10 GB in the mailbox and 1 GB of documents in the drive section / document manager.
CryptoPad, the encrypted and French office suite
This second alternative to Google Docs should be less disruptive to users of the Google suite!
CryptoPad, whose servers are hosted in France, is a complete office suite that allows you to create text documents, spreadsheets, forms, slideshows, drawings (a kind of whiteboard) and programming code. To be more precise, it is an integration of OnlyOffice in an ultra-secure environment.
The use of these applications is really very close to what we find in Google Docs or Microsoft Office applications. This is a real strength, because it requires very little adaptation on the part of the user. It is also possible to export your documents in standard Office formats (XLSX, DOCX, etc.) or even in PDF.
All data available on CryptPad is encrypted in the browser. This means that no readable data leaves the user's device. Even service administrators cannot see the contents of documents or user data.
In terms of pricing, CryptPad offers 3 options, two of which are free. The “Visitor” option allows you to use all the applications in the suite without any connection required, but your data and documents are stored locally by your browser (and automatically deleted after 90 days). The “Registered” option requires the creation of a free user account and allows you to store up to 1 GB of data on CryptoDrive. And finally, a paid option called Premium with prices ranging from €5 to €15 per month for storage of 5 to 75 GB.
