Sustainable Substitutes for Office Suites

Open-source alternatives to Microsoft 365 and Google Docs which respect your privacy.

Nextcloud

Nextcloud is a German self-hostable, open-source cloud storage and collaboration platform.

Nextcloud is ad free and does not monetise user-data.
Nextcloud does not track users or sell personal data, ensuring a private and secure experience with optional end-to-end encryption.
Nextcloud’s core software is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community-driven development.
Nextcloud is based in Germany, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
Nextcloud is designed to be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Nextcloud became the first cloud software platform to earn the Blauer Engel ecolabel, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
Some third party providers offer free plans with up to 5GB of storage. The self-hostable community edition is free and without licensing costs.
Nextcloud allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
Nextcloud syncs files to your device. You can edit files offline, and changes will sync automatically once you reconnect to the internet.
Nextcloud is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats.
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LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a widely used offline, open-source office suite.

LibreOffice does not require registration, ensuring user anonymity.
LibreOffice is free and open-source software, ensuring transparency and community-driven development.
LibreOffice works fully offline, reducing reliance on cloud services and internet connectivity.
The Document Foundation is based in Europe, ensuring compliance with GDPR and strong privacy laws.
LibreOffice does not collect or transmit user data, ensuring privacy and security.
LibreOffice can be self-hosted, especially through solutions like Collabora Online, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
LibreOffice is free of charge for all users, including individuals, students, and non-profits.
LibreOffice does not show ads to its users.
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Collabora

Collabora is an open-source, online office suite built on LibreOffice.

There is no advertising, data mining, or tracking in Collabora.
Collabora is based in the United Kingdom, ensuring compliance with GDPR
Collabora is GDPR-compliant, with no data mining or tracking. For some reason, internally, the tools may use Google products for communication and sharing information. It's unclear what information is shared and why the team doen't trust open-source alternatives.
Collabora is open-source with a strong focus on digital sovereignty and user control.
Collabora can be self-hosted, further ensuring data sovereignty and privacy
Collabora is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats.
Collabora clients allow you to create, edit, and save documents offline. Changes sync with your Nextcloud or other cloud storage when you reconnect.
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CryptPad

CryptPad is a French secure, collaborative Google Docs alternative.

CryptPad is ad-free, providing a clean and distraction-free collaborative experience.
Cryptpad is fully open-source, allowing for community review and contributions, ensuring transparency and trust.
Cryptpad is based in France, ensuring compliance with GDPR and strong European privacy laws.
Cryptpad is designed with privacy as a core principle, using end-to-end encryption for all user data.
Cryptpad can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Cryptpad offers a free tier, with optional paid plans for additional features and to support the project.
CryptPad allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
Cryptpad supports open data standards and is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and open document formats.
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OnlyOffice

OnlyOffice is an open-source office suite with self-hosting options and GDPR compliance.

OnlyOffice supports open data standards, allowing users to control and access their data.
OnlyOffice is open-source software, ensuring transparency and community-driven development.
OnlyOffice desktop clients work fully offline, reducing reliance on cloud services and internet connectivity.
OnlyOffice is developed by a Latvian company, ensuring compliance with GDPR and strong privacy laws.
OnlyOffice does not collect or transmit user data unnecessarily, ensuring privacy and security.
OnlyOffice can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
OnlyOffice offers a free community edition for all users.
OnlyOffice allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
OnlyOffice is ad free and does not monetise user-data.
Website

How to move away from Big Tech Office Suites

Here's a guide on how to easily get away from Google Docs and Microsoft 365.

Most alternatives support common file formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, ensuring compatibility during the switch. For self-hosted solutions like OnlyOffice or Nextcloud Office, follow the provider’s setup guides to ensure a secure and efficient deployment. An easy way is installing Cloudron on your server and let this service handle installation and updates, it offers support for many apps, including Nextcloud, ONLYOFFICE, CryptPad and Collabora. Back up your data before migration and gradually phase out the use of proprietary software as you confirm the new suite meets your needs.