CryptPad

Self-Hosted

Open-source, privacy-first collaborative office suite

Overview

CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted collaborative office suite enabling teams to create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and whiteboards without sacrificing privacy. All data is encrypted client-side—servers never access unencrypted content. It supports real-time collaboration, version history, and customizable access permissions. Deployable via Docker for simplified self-hosting or manual setup on your server, ideal for users prioritizing data control and compliance with GDPR/CCPA.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  cryptpad:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: cryptpad
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

End-to-end client-side encryption for all content
Real-time collaboration across docs, sheets, slides, and whiteboards
Self-hostable via Docker or manual Node.js/PostgreSQL setup

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is CryptPad hard to install?

CryptPad is easy to install using Docker, which handles dependencies and setup. Manual installation requires Node.js and PostgreSQL, but official documentation provides step-by-step guides for both methods.

? Is it a good alternative to Google Workspace?

Yes—CryptPad offers core collaborative features with unmatched privacy via end-to-end encryption. It lacks Google’s ecosystem integrations but is ideal for users prioritizing data security over convenience.

? Is it completely free?

CryptPad is open-source (AGPLv3) and free to self-host. The hosted version has free tiers, but self-hosting incurs no ongoing costs beyond your server resources.

Top Alternatives

Google Workspace Search Google

Microsoft 365 Search Google

Notion Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Office Suites

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Zero knowledge of user data (servers store only encrypted blobs)
⊕ No subscription fees for self-hosting
⊕ Compliant with strict privacy regulations

Cons

⊖ Limited offline functionality compared to local office suites
⊖ Lacks advanced ecosystem integrations (e.g., email, AI tools)
⊖ Requires basic server administration skills for self-hosting