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10 Best Google Docs Alternatives & Competitors 2024

Content Partnership Specialist

April 2, 2024

Google Docs is a great document creation tool that lets you work alongside your team members in real-time. Teams can use it to document notes, ideas, and processes to keep everyone on the same page …literally. 

However, it lacks advanced collaboration options and offers limited offline access and permissions.

Instead of forcing you to compromise, we’re here to help you find the best Google Docs alternatives.

In this article, we’ll go over why you need an alternative to Google Docs and highlight the ten best tools you can use today.

2. Microsoft Office Online

3. zoho docs, 4. dropbox paper, 5. apache openoffice, 6. obsidian, 7. evernote, 10. microsoft word, why you need a google docs alternative.

Let’s document some alternatives. 📝

10 Best Google Docs Alternatives in 2024

Since Google Docs isn’t really the best document collaboration tool, here are ten excellent alternatives:

ClickUp is the world’s highest-rated project management software and document collaboration software used by several teams in small and large companies.

From helping you get ahead with unique project templates to tracking the time spent on tasks, ClickUp is the ultimate project management tool .

But wait… how will a free project management software help you manage documents?

The answer lies in Docs.

What Are Docs In ClickUp?

ClickUp Docs let you create awesome documents for anything you can imagine! 🤩

Powerful knowledge bases, user guides, meeting minutes, SOPs….   when it comes to Docs, the world is your oyster. 

Just write out to your heart’s content using its unlimited number of pages. 

And for easy file management, use ClickUp Docs’ Relationships feature to link related tasks and pages, so you don’t have to look through multiple wiki pages to find them. Or you can tag Docs for easy reference and searchability. 

You can also create nested pages (up to five levels) in your Docs and move nested pages around by dragging and dropping them. 

Need to share your Doc with teammates or external collaborators?

Just use sharing and permissions in ClickUp!

You can share:

• Select pages of the document
• As a private link
• As a public link
• With Google for indexation

You can also enhance security measures by protecting your Docs from unwanted edits. Simply turn on the Protect this page option and add context for your audience.

What’s more?

ClickUp AI in Docs is a collaborative writing tool that incorporates artificial intelligence capabilities. It enables users to draft, edit, and revise content directly within their workspace, providing real-time suggestions to optimize their text. The tool offers inline comments and real-time collaboration among team members, making it ideal for team projects.

Collaborative editing lets everyone in your Workspace comment, edit, and work on the Doc simultaneously, without any overlap. You’ll also know who is working on what with real-time Collaboration Detection in ClickUp .

You can also customize your Docs for your needs with a wide variety of features like:

• Author settings: show the Doc creator and contributors
• Custom cover image: choose from the gallery, your desktop, a link, or the Unsplash library
• Font size: choose from small, normal, or large for easy viewing
• Rich text editing: get creative with headings, tables, highlights, and more 
• Word counter: see how many words you’ve typed in your Doc
• Table of contents: outline the contents of your Doc and let readers jump to different sections with ease
• Emojis: add tons of fun and helpful emojis to your document 📝
• Banners: make important info stand out with colorful banners
• Dividers: help readers distinguish between different sections of your Doc
• Buttons: make your public Docs official with colorful buttons that match your brand
• Embed anything : bring anything you want into your Doc without wasting a second
• Attachments: add screenshots, PDFs, and other files to your Doc for quick reference
• Map making features

But that’s not all.

Other key ClickUp features:

• Tag team members : get your team members’ attention by mentioning them in a Doc
• Doc Mentions: use @@@ to mention Docs in a task description or comment field
• Doc Relationships: access your Docs in more places by linking your Docs amongst themselves or with tasks
• Assign comments : highlight any text in your Doc to add a comment and create a task for a teammate
• Embeddable widgets: add List and Board views widgets and edit workflows from within your Doc
• ClickUp Dashboards: add your Docs to your Dashboards for quick reference
• ClickUp Mind maps : map out brilliant ideas for your upcoming Doc 💡

ClickUp pros 

• Powerful free version that supports unlimited users
• Easy-to-use user interface with online and offline mode
• Manage files across popular cloud storage systems like Google Drive , Dropbox, and Box
• Speed up your approval and feedback processes with proofing and annotation 
• Have casual conversations alongside your work with chat view
• Take unlimited notes, jot down ideas or create checklists with ClickUp Notepad
• Send and receive emails directly within a task with Email ClickApp
• Use hotkeys and shortcuts to create beautiful documents with ease
• Integrates with several third-party software like Evernote , YouTube , Calendly , and more
• Add and manage tasks using our iOS and Android mobile apps  

ClickUp limitations

• No Table view in the mobile app (yet)

And explore all the exciting features that this free alternative to Google Docs has in store for you! 

ClickUp pricing

ClickUp offers three paid pricing plans:

• Free Forever Plan  (best for personal use)
• Unlimited Plan  (best for small teams ($7/member per month)
• Business Plan  (best for mid-sized teams ($12/member per month)
• ClickUp AI  is available on all paid plans for $5 per Workspace member per month

ClickUp customer ratings

• G2: 4.7/5 (2000+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (2000+ reviews)

Microsoft Office Online is a great online collaborative writing tool . This office software gives you free access to Microsoft Word , Calendar, Forms, and more.

However, you can’t access password-protected documents or run macros inside a document when using MS Word online.

Microsoft Office Online key features

• Co-author and co-edit MS Word documents 
• Comes with the OneNote note-taking app  
• The ‘tell me’ feature helps you navigate the platform
• Every Word document is automatically saved to Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft Office Online pros

• Supports formatting tools for APA, MLA, and Chicago styles
• Free templates for resumes, calendars, newsletters, and more
• Can organize your data with spreadsheets and workbooks

Microsoft Office Online limitations

• Lacks offline viewing functionality
• Microsoft Word online doesn’t have advanced proofing features
• Can’t create captions, citations, bibliographies, or a table of content in Microsoft Word online

Microsoft Office Online pricing

Microsoft Office Online is a free document editing solution.

Microsoft Office Online customer ratings

• G2 : 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (11,000+ reviews)

Zoho Docs is an online document editing tool with some basic project management features like reminders, user reports, and an in-app chat.

However, essential document management features like password-protected files and file sharing with non-users come with a price tag . 

Zoho Docs key features

• Create a document, spreadsheet, or presentation
• Attach documents to a chat and review them collaboratively
• Categorize files by project, file type, or author
• Integrates with Zoho Office Suite

Zoho Docs pros

• The free version supports two-factor authentication
• Available on iPhone and Android devices
• Can work on your files without an internet connection. Your edits will be synced once you’re back online

Zoho Docs limitations

• No pricing plan offers unrestricted file upload size
• Can be difficult to import files in the mobile apps
• Can’t assign tasks to multiple users for advanced collaboration

Zoho Docs pricing

Zoho Docs has three pricing plans:

• Standard plan : $4/month per user
• Premium plan : $6/month per user

Zoho Docs customer ratings

• G2: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)

Dropbox Paper is a document editing tool with a cool personal assistant feature. It lets you know when you have a looming deadline or when someone shares a doc with you.

However, if you want to use the app for personal use, you may wanna look elsewhere. 

You don’t get file locking on the personal pricing plans.

Dropbox Paper key features

• Assign to-dos to teammates and add due dates to tasks
• Improve feedback processes with annotations
• The note-taking feature gives your team a personal planning space
• Tag team members in comments without leaving the doc

Dropbox Paper pros

• Jot down ideas or give feedback on the go on your iOS or Android device 
• Can transform documents into presentations with the click of a button
• Supports templates for meeting notes , brainstorming , creative briefs, and more  

Dropbox Paper limitations

• Sorting and organizing files can be difficult
• Can be more expensive than other document editing tools
• Lacks advanced word processing features since it’s markdown-based

Dropbox Paper pricing

Dropbox Paper is a free tool.

Dropbox Paper user ratings

• G2: 4.1/5 (4,000+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)

Apache OpenOffice is an open-source collaboration tool that lets you create documents, 3D illustrations, mathematical equations, and more.

The office app has a cool editing feature that auto-corrects, auto-completes, and spell checks to catch mistakes on the fly.

However, its UI is quite outdated compared to other document editing tools.

Apache OpenOffice key features

• A word processor that you can use for note-taking or writing a book
• Spreadsheets to help you calculate, analyze, and present your data in numerical reports
• Create your own templates and use templates from the templates repository
• Share copies with whoever you want, free of charge

Apache OpenOffice pros

• The document editor can handle multiple languages
• Can install the app on as many PCs as you like
• The notes feature displays notes and comments on the side of the document

Apache OpenOffice limitations

• No iOS mobile device app to create documents on the go
• File formats like XLSX and PPTX are not yet supported
• No cloud save option available

Apache OpenOffice pricing

This document editing tool is free to download.

Apache OpenOffice customer ratings

• G2: 4.4/5 (10+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (30+ reviews)

Obsidian is a powerfulnote-taking and knowledge management app best known for note linking and customization capabilities, making it a strong contender for the top Google Docs alternative.

Unlike other note-taking apps, Obsidian acts like your “second brain”—giving your brain a break from constantly working on remembering the content of your notes, where they’re stored, and which notes are related. Obsidian can help you easily make connections between notes via backlinks, organize them according to patterns, topics, relevancy to one another, or any other way you prefer for better information organization.

Without a doubt, this granularity and internal contextual linking will level up your note-taking skills and drastically change how you manage your documents forever.

Key features

• Backlink and graph view help users easily navigate their notes
• Full-text search capabilities
• Daily notes
• Supports CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) for portability
• Customizable platform; can add plugins to create a personalized note-taking tool kit
• Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, iOS, Android

Limitations

• iOS version works only with iCloud (does not work with other Cloud folders)
• Unable to export notes to MS Word (only as a PDF file)
• No table editing yet (available as a plugin)

Obsidian offers three plans:

• Personal: Free
• Catalyst: $25+ one-time payment
• Commercial: $50 per user per year

User ratings

• Product Hunt : 5/5 (195+ reviews)

Bonus: Obsidian Vs. Notion

Evernote is one of the most recognizable note-taking and task management apps today for its note organization and accessibility. It’s designed to improve your note-taking, project planning, and team collaboration by allowing you to capture, organize, and access your digital notes easily across all your devices and even access them offline on mobile.

Use its Home feature to view your most important notes all in one dashboard, organize your notes using notebooks, notebook stacks, titles, and tags, and create to-do lists with your notes to turn your ideas into actionable items. Given that Google Docs doesn’t have this functionality makes it a great note-taking app alternative.

To get more out of this app and for a more seamless workflow, integrate Evernote to your most used and favorite work tools such as Google Calendar , Slack, (and ClickUp ). 😉

• Home dashboard with widgets
• Geographic search
• Mobile offline notes
• PDF annotation
• Search in PDFs and Office docs
• Note history
• User-friendly interface
• Accessibility
• Note-searching capabilities
• Task management features
• Available on all major platforms
• Limited free plan limiting users to only one notebook and 50 notes
• Expensive premium plan
• Personal: $8.99/ month
• Professional: $10.99/ month
• Teams: $14.99/ user/ month
• G2 : 4.5/5 (1,965+ reviews)
• Trust Radius: 8.3/10 (1,649+ reviews)

Check out these Evernote alternatives !

Coda is an all-in-one document management solution that brings all your words, data, and teamwork into one powerful doc.

Teams can combine building blocks to create a doc, create, edit, and view documents and spreadsheets simultaneously, create surveys and polls, set up custom workflows, automate notifications, and so much more.

• Automations
• Integration and plug-ins
• Coda document templates
• Drag and drop templates
• Advance document locking
• Includes drag and drop capabilities
• Offers customizable templates
• Real-time collaboration
• Mobile-friendly app
• Onboarding can be intimidating; steep learning curve
• Issues with integration with other tools
• Slow speed and performance
• Pro : $10/month per Doc Maker
• Team : $30/month per Doc Maker
• Enterprise: Custom pricing
• G2: 4.5/5 (296+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (73+ reviews)

Check out these Coda alternatives !

Another incredible app that can be used as a Google Doc alternative is Quip— a document management and team collaboration software created by Salesforce to help you centralize and organize your team’s work and communicate within the same app.

With this tool, users can create and share documents, spreadsheets, presentation slides, and task lists and use the built-in chat feature to keep your team’s discussions organized in one place. The unique combination of communication and writing features enables your team to work more collaboratively and efficiently without emails—they can directly brainstorm ideas and discuss work directly within the app and around the document.

• Document and workflow management
• Discussions and forums
• Team or 1-1 chat/ real-time chat and editing
• Offline mode
• File sharing 
• Integration capabilities
• Status tracking
• Mobile access
• Great for online team collaboration
• Organization, visibility, and live editing in one app
• Features for note-taking and project management
• Basic formatting tools
• Starter: $10/user/month (billed annually)
• Plus: $25/user/month (billed annually)
• Advanced: $100/user/month (billed annually)
• G2 : 4/5 (1,602+ reviews)
• Capterra : 4.4/5 (182+ reviews)

Compare Google Docs to Confluence !

One of the best Google Docs alternatives and most widely-used word processors out there is Microsoft Word. Its user-friendly and advanced features allow users to create, save, and export professional-quality documents.

It comes with powerful document processing capabilities such as robust text and image formatting tools to enable you to edit your documents to suit your preference or project needs. Individuals and teams can also access a variety of ready-to-use templates to use to keep the processes consistent, speed up the documenting process, or simply as a formatting guide.

• Auto-save feature
• Font and text formatting
• HTML and image support
• Ready-to-use templates
• Grammar and spelling check
• Powerful document processing capabilities
• Allows offline document preparation
• Integration with other tools
• Must purchase the Microsoft package to access premium features
• Microsoft 365 Personal (1 person): $6.99/ month or $69.99/year
• Microsoft 365 Family (up to 6 people): $9.99/month or $99.99/year
• Microsoft Corporation: $159.99
• G2 : 4.5/5 (1,586+ reviews)
• Capterra : 4.8/5 (1,007+ reviews)

Check out these Microsoft Word Alternatives !

Google Docs is a cloud-based document editing and collaboration tool that lets teams create, share, and edit documents in a centralized place. 

It lets virtual teams easily collaborate on documents with features like:

• User mentions
• Document revision history
• Document sharing

This way, you won’t have to collaborate by sending documents via email to one another. After all, long email threads only mean lost documents and stressful experiences with your team . 😫

Google Docs also lets you add images to your Google document using the built-in Google search engine and even use other Google apps like Google Slides alongside your work.

And while all that sounds cool, the Google Docs app does have a few glaring limitations:

1. Lacks advanced collaboration features

Google Docs has a few basic content collaboration features like real-time editing, document sharing, and cloud storage. You can sort of make timelines , Gantt charts , flowcharts or calendars in Google Docs .

However, if you want to document a large project, this Google app won’t cut it. 💇

It lacks advanced collaboration features like progress tracking, time tracking , custom task statuses, and more. These are essential if you want to monitor project performance and give life to that space vision.

2. Difficult to use as a knowledge base system

Here are three reasons why Google Docs isn’t the most comprehensive knowledge base solution :

A. File organization

“Ugh, where is that document I opened a second ago?”  

“I remember a teammate shared that doc with me, but I can’t find it anywhere!”

Sounds familiar?

Creating a decent filing system in Google Docs might feel like you’re on a trek. 

The journey is long, and the roads are rough.   

You’ll even have to use Google Drive to manually create folders and organize your documents based on their projects. 

Instead, with an alternative to Google Docs, you can spend that time being productive! 

B. Sharing and permissions

Sharing and permissions can be a total drag in Google Docs. 

Sometimes you forget to give a teammate access, and other times you hit the “anyone with link” option.

Scenario one will result in wasted time and confusion, and scenario two, well… let’s just say you’ve kinda freely given your documents to the internet.

C. Can’t nest pages

Google Docs doesn’t let you nest pages (create subpages).

Why are nested pages important for knowledge management?

Being able to nest pages means that you can create a well-structured document where certain pages are set up as subpages of other primary pages.

Without them, your complex documents will be difficult to organize. 

Find the Best Google Docs Alternative for Your Team

Don’t get us wrong, Google Docs is a handy document editing software.

But that’s about all it can do.

Fortunately, there are other collaboration tools that’ll make you strike through Google Docs.

If you’re confused about where to begin, why not start with ClickUp? 

Not only does ClickUp let you create documents and edit them alongside your teammates in real-time, but it also lets you manage projects with ease.

From helping you map out ideas in mind maps to tracking your due dates, ClickUp is the best Google Docs and Microsoft Office alternative .

Join ClickUp for free today to experience the ultimate document management tool!

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 12 Best Google Docs Alternatives You Should Use

Best Google Docs Alternatives in 2020

1. microsoft office online.

For example, Google offers drawings tool in its office suite, but Office Online offers OneNote with a complete note taking app . Microsoft Office Online also comes with “Tell Me” feature that will let you ask the Office online itself if you get stuck and want to know how to do something. The feature is amazing all you need to do is type what you want to do and you will start seeing answers (quite precise as well).

All documents come with a chat section where you can easily discuss about the document. This is especially handy on Smartphones, making it simple to chat and interact with both document and the chat. You can easily edit documents both online and offline and discuss the topic (online) on the go.

3. ONLYOFFICE

This list is for Google Docs alternatives, so we are only going to review the free version that can replace Google Docs. The free version is only for personal use, if you are a big company then you will have to opt for paid version that includes all the tools required by a company, such as mail servers, domain and CRM tools.

4. Paper by Dropbox

5. Zoho Docs

Zoho is actually a big software company that creates softwares that cater to needs of businesses. It has quite good reputation with over 2500 employees and has a robust list of business oriented softwares, with software for almost every business need. Zoho Docs is one of them offering ability to create, documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

6. CryptPad

7. Collabora

Collabora  is an online collaboration and editing suite based on LibreOffice for information-rich documents. The online application brings an elaborate set of editing tools using the familiar MS Office-style layout. Besides a full-fledged editing toolbar , you also get the ability to add comments whether it’s for the team to emphasize on an edit or for you to clarify your doubt.

8. Graphite Docs

Graphite Docs is a blockchain-based text editor which you can use to invite collaborators. The editor is fairly simple to use and comes with a minimal user interface with direct controls and interactive design elements. Despite the lightweight interface, you get all the useful editing options except for the number of fonts which is limited to three in the free version of Graphite Docs.

However, Bit.AI takes the lead compared to Google Docs when it comes to the flexibility of options related to sharing. On the dashboard, admins can manage or control all of the activities of the users invited to collaborate . Users can create multiple workspaces and link them to different objectives or assign them to different teams. Besides individually auditing and controlling access to each of the workspaces, the admins can also track each link which has been shared by their teams and check the activity on each document corresponding to the link.

11. Nuclino

In terms of user-interface, Nuclino seems a bit more intuitive than Google Docs. That means you can get a good grip on this document creator without having to go through a long drill. Whether it’s editing, search, or navigating, everything feels snappier. Just like Google’s offering, it also lets you invite your colleagues and collaborate with them. Thanks to the simultaneous editing, tagging people in text, and comments, it makes real-time collaboration quite seamless.

12. Firepad

As compared to Google Docs, Firepad looks a little old-fashioned since it lacks intuitive user-interface. But if you can ignore the dull UI, you can find it up to the task as it has the support for both rich text and code editin g, and more significantly you can easily extend its territory to fulfill the requirement of basic documentation. As for compatibility, Firepad works with most modern browsers including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Opera.

Best Google Docs Alternatives

Beebom Contributor

Unfortunately, the app Graphite Docs has been discontinued by its developer as of August 2020, although the source code is free to use.

But I asked for google apps, not any other apps!

SO GOOD thxx!

Great list of tools, Karrar! I would love to suggest another tool which we are working on- Bit.ai. Bit is also a Google Docs alternative which allows users to create rich, dynamic, and awesome looking documents, with built-in tracking and collaboration capabilities! Do check us out 🙂

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The 8 Best Google Docs Alternatives for Online Word Processing

Google Docs has its shortcomings. Check out these excellent Google Docs alternatives when you need different features.

Online word processors come with many advantages. Your documents are accessible from anywhere, they're open to collaboration and sharing, and are easy to import and export.

When you think of online word processing, you immediately think of Google Docs. It is a great service with an extensive array of features, plus heaps of add-ons, too.

That said, you might not always want to use Google Docs. Thankfully, there are several excellent Google Docs alternatives that you can use for online document editing. Here are the best alternatives to Google Docs you can use right now.

1. Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office (formerly Office Online, also known as “Office on the Web”) is the free offering from the world's most popular office suite. A Microsoft account is all you need to gain access to almost the entire gamut of Microsoft Office applications. Office Online grants access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, as well as Sway and a host of other tools.

So, how does the Office on the Web compare to Google Docs (and the wider range of G Suite tools)? The offering is so good that some people have entirely eschewed purchasing Microsoft Office 2021 or Office 365 in favor of the free online suite.

Great collaboration tools are one of many reasons why you should use Office Online instead of paying for Microsoft Word , for example. Each feature has only strengthened the free service.

However, Microsoft has not given us the crown jewels. The online Office offering does carry some limitations.

For instance, the number of templates available is reduced. As well as this, you can use the integrated styles, but cannot make your own. Office contains a number of these “half-features” that you'll encounter from time to time. Some are negligible. Others can be massively frustrating—I'm looking at you, Merge Formatting .

The free online version of Microsoft Office is still an excellent alternative to Google Docs, despite the shortcomings found in several of the applications.

2. Zoho Writer

Zoho develops a huge number of apps, from a personal wiki to an email service, through CRM and bookkeeping tools, and more. Zoho Writer is Zoho's answer to Google Docs, and it is a strong alternative online document editor.

The word processor is excellent, with a ton of editing options, organized in a succinct and aesthetically pleasing sidebar. Almost anything you can do in Word can be done in Zoho, from adding a header and footer to directly posting a document to your blog.

It also features advanced options, such as mail merging and electronic signature support. Another extremely handy feature is the integrated Zoho chat, so you can chat with collaborators while working.

Zoho is the most feature-complete of the Web-based applications, including Google Docs, and is incredibly easy to use. Zoho doesn't get nearly the press Google Docs does, but I can't see a reason not to switch. Need more convincing? Here are even more reasons to try Zoho as your Google Docs alternative .

3. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is the online document editing offering from Dropbox, better known for its cloud storage solutions. All you need to use Dropbox Paper is a Dropbox account. Once you sign up, you can begin using this handy Google Docs alternative.

Dropbox Paper has some handy features. Adding and curating images is exceptionally easy, especially if you already use Dropbox as an image host. Similarly, embedding other content is just as easy. There's also the option to edit using Markdown language, which is handy for quick edits and basic styling.

As with other online document editing tools, collaboration and sharing are key. Dropbox Paper allows sharing and commenting by clicking a button and inviting users (other Dropbox users or from Google Accounts).

One cool collaboration feature is that you can “@” people from your document, even if they're not currently working on the same document. The person receives a notification that you want them to come and work with you. Another handy collaboration feature is Task Assignment . You can quickly turn any bullet list into a task list to be assigned to your collaborators.

As a Google Docs alternative, Dropbox Paper is a handy and quick document editing tool. However, it doesn't have the extensive range of editing tools available to Google Docs or some of the alternatives on this list.

4. ONLYOFFICE

OnlyOffice is a Google Docs alternative that offers both offline and online document editing tools. As we're primarily focusing on Google Docs alternatives that don't require downloading, we'll focus on the online OnlyOffice version.

Like Zoho Writer, OnlyOffice's personal document editing tool is one of the most comprehensive alternatives to Google Docs. You'll find extensive editing options in-line with offline document editing tools. You can customize formatting styles and layouts, invite collaborators to work with you, and even chat within the OnlyOffice window to keep your focus on the work window.

There's also the option to install OnlyOffice add-ons, which are extensions that increase the functionality of the document editing tool. For example, you can install the WordPress plugin and publish work directly to your website or the Zotero plugin, which helps you manage references and other research materials.

Nuclino is a brilliant free collaborative editor and alternative to Google Docs. It is extremely easy to use, has a great user interface (UI), and provides a satisfying experience in pretty much all areas. That said, it isn't necessarily a direct Google Docs competitor. Google Docs provides a rounded suite of tools , while Nuclino has a definite slant toward team and project management.

Nonetheless, writing and editing in Nuclino is aided by the clean aesthetic and easily implemented editorial tools. Nuclino is versatile, too. Multiple groups, multiple boards, easy invitations, smart tags, and integration with services such as YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud provide a comprehensive service. There's the option to write and edit using Markdown, too.

However, Nuclino isn't strictly a document editing program if you're considering a pure editorial experience. If your team depends on advanced document editing and formatting or even just basic spreadsheets, you'll be importing to Nuclino from another source.

6. Etherpad

If collaboration is what you're into, give Etherpad a good look. There's no need to sign up or install Etherpad. You can simply select one of the public instances running Etherpad Lite, many of which feature secure encrypted connections. Once you're connected, either share a link to the pad or send invitations to your contacts by email.

As users enter the Etherpad, you can edit the text on the pad in real-time, and changes automatically appear. You can chat in the sidebar, highlight which user made a given change, and save revisions to revert if someone makes a mistake.

Furthermore, some public Etherpad instances allow you to choose how long the pad remains active for, adding a handy ephemeral document angle to this Google Docs alternative. For example, the Etherpad in the above image allows you to set a 24-hours, 60 days, or 1-year period before destruction.

Slite is another collaborative work tool you can use as an alternative to Google Docs. As it is a collaborative workspace, you might find that Slite replaces more than just Google Docs, too.

The free version of Slite allows you to create 50 shared documents per month, as well as unlimited personal documents. You can also invite an unlimited number of users to your free Slite. Furthermore, it integrates nicely with one of the most popular team management tools, Slack, meaning you can talk and work between the two with ease.

Other integrations include Figma, Loom, Trello, Asana, and GitHub. In that, Slite works as a document editing tool and as a project management option.

8. Calmly Writer Online

If you're looking for writing websites and apps like Google Docs but prefer simplicity to extravagant features, Calmly Writer Online covers all your needs for free. You get a clear space to enter your text and images, all of which you can just select and edit like any word processor.

For additional tools, just click on the Calmly Writer icon. From the menu that appears, you can save, print, or open a document, as well as set a range of preferences, including focus, dark, and dyslexic mode.

If you want to work offline, you can even download the whole app to your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.

Which Is the Best Google Docs Alternative?

Google Docs is an excellent online document editing tool, but what is the best alternative? Well, you can choose a more traditional editor experience in Microsoft Office or Zoho Writer, or try a collaborative experience with Dropbox Paper or Nuclino.

Needless to say, you have more than a handful of Google Docs substitutes to consider before starting your next big project!

Teams and individuals alike flock to Google Docs for the purpose of note-taking , organizing internal documents, planning daily agendas, designing manuscripts, outlining table of contents, creating wiki guides, writing poetry, and beyond. It’s one of the countless online word processors that give you flexibility when it comes to creating and formatting documents, making the lives of those who need to organize and store information a lot easier.

Google Docs is a reliable and commonly used tool for word processing and collaboration, but is it the best tool for your specific needs? But, what are the Google Docs alternatives that can help your productivity in the same fashion?

If you’re part of an organization that houses a lot of data and information, you might need a little more freedom than Google Docs can provide. In that case, you should consider testing the waters with an alternative cloud-based word processor where you not only can communicate with your team but also stay on top of tasks and regulate a substantial amount of files. 

Is Google Docs the Best Option for You?

If you have a Google email account, people tend to gravitate towards Google Docs as a document editor because it is accessible and familiar. 

Google Docs transforms a static piece of paper into a live document where collaboration with colleagues is made possible with the click of a button. This “all-in-one” system makes for a seamless experience when it comes to documenting, revising, organizing, auto-saving, recovering files, and collaborating in real-time. 

Yet not much has changed over the years in terms of feature add-ons. Google Docs’ text editor has more or less stayed the exact same, despite document management needs becoming increasingly demanding. 

With collaboration tools on the rise, many organizations turn to Slack and Zoom in addition to other internal forms of communication, leaving teams struggling to keep track of various communication tools. 

Certain cloud-based services have caught on to the idea that simple text editing and document management requires communication beyond commenting and tagging. Almanac is a prime example of a traditional word processing software transformed to fit the needs of 21st century folks by allowing for collaboration all in one place. 

Why It's Important to Consider a Google Doc Alternative

Despite Google Doc’s numerous outstanding features, there’s an abundance of other cloud-based word management tools that offer enhanced security, customization, integrations, embeds, and are overall less restrictive. 

Certain platforms are specifically designed to focus on categorizing and sub-categorizing content, while others emphasize customization and transparency. If you’re in need of complete transparency within your team, communication with Google Docs is severely limited, and asset management can have its pitfalls with the product. Why settle for a product that isn’t tailored to fit your exact needs? 

With considerable shifts in the way organizations run their business, both internally and externally, asset management is not to be taken lightly. Follow along as we go through an extensive list of Google Doc alternatives , so you can decide for yourself which product is the best fit for you and your organization. 

The 14 Best Google Docs Alternatives

If you’ve scoured the Internet tirelessly for a tool that aligns with what you do and felt like you’ve only come to dead ends or carbon copies, it can be frustrating to go on another exploration to find and learn a new tool, only to be uncertain whether you’ll stick with it. 

That’s why we’ve highlighted and expanded on several unique Google Doc alternatives that are sure to increase your productivity and provide peace of mind. 

Almanac is a revolutionary collaborative tool that can house all the information and internal documents for your establishment. It eliminates the tedious process of communicating with employees via third party avenues such as Slack, text, or Zoom, since all messaging, suggestions, feedback, and communication can be done right inside the platform. 

Almanac surpasses competitors by not only being an organizational tool, but also offering unique admin capabilities , offering single sign-on, advanced security controls, and user provisioning, so you can assign user identities specific roles and capabilities right in the cloud. And unlike other competitors, Almanac doesn’t charge per user: it segments pricing by number of team members, so you aren’t paying an arm and a leg if you have a substantial number of employees.

This helpful chart highlights the differences between Almanac, Google Docs, and other alternatives: 

Almanac offers priority support that is quick and effective. Once you create an account and select your pricing plan, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Community Manager. You’ll also have access to live support via chat in the case that you require immediate assistance. 

Another incredible aspect is that you’ll receive a custom contract & invoicing to ensure you’re utilizing the right features at the best cost. And if most of your documents and assets already exist within another system, they offer bulk importing so you don’t have to start from square one.

Curious to learn more? You can start with Almanac’s beta pricing to gain exclusive access to their platform.

• Organize and amplify internal processes with nested folders, handbooks with analytics, a team directory, and syncing with internal devices.
• Enhance internal collaboration. Assign tasks and to-dos, track changes, make comments and suggestions, ask for and provide transparent feedback, and request approvals. Therefore, you’ll have access to read receipts to keep track of who has and hasn’t seen important information. 
• Create templates to save time and encourage consistency. Have an outline of a document you are likely to use on a repeated basis? Create a template once and then as needed. Templates can also be helpful if you plan to create internal guides for your organization, or handbooks and training manuals. And definitely take advantage of their template categorization tool. 
• Craft and insert snippets of text you use frequently. Similar to templates, you can create a snippet library of chunks of text you use often. This can be anything from press releases, privacy disclaimers, proposals, pricing information, etc.
• Basic: Free to use
• Team : $49 per month for small teams (up to 10 seats) and unlimited storage
• Pro : $129 per month for growing teams (up to 30 seats)

Microsoft Office  

Microsoft Office is a productivity solution with unique offerings fit for small to medium-sized businesses, enterprises, and individuals or families–depending on your plan. Similar to Libreoffice–an open-source word processor for teams–Microsoft Office allows you to draw directly into the platform. 

It offers advanced security and compliance, as well as calendar syncing for smooth scheduling. Microsoft Office also has superior editing, formatting, and markup tools, but lacks in collaborative efforts. One thing to note is that Microsoft is constantly updating it’s software, meaning you’ll have to adjust to new changes frequently. 

• Coordinate meetings and deadlines with in-house emailing and calendaring.
• Create and edit documents with intuitive format features and customizable themes, styles, and typography. 
• Design slide decks for pristine presentations. Utilize templates, graphics, and import values to create balanced presentation decks for your internal and external facing meetings.

For Small-Medium Sized Businesses:

• Teams under 20 people: $5 per user/month (annual commitment)
• 20-99 people: $12.50 per user/month (annual commitment)
• Teams 100-299: $399/month (annual commitment)

For Enterprises:

• Teams of over 300 users (Microsoft 365 E3): $32.00 per user/month (annual commitment)
• Microsoft 365 E5: $57.00 per user/month (annual commitment)
• Microsoft 365 F3: $399/month (annual commitment)

Notion is a new open-source tool focusing on streamlining workflows and keeping things simple. This innovative task management software features comprehensive formatting tools that will help you create tables, charts, check lists, and calendars. 

Notion can be used for individuals to create personal portfolios and case studies, or collaboratively for internal documentation. Simply start typing, then format accordingly. 

When it comes to customization and formatting, you’ll find that Notion’s functionalities are slim. And because Notion is at a fair price, encryption of data and information is relatively nonexistent. Your files are not encrypted or secure in a way that other competitive tools can offer. 

If you’re looking for a straightforward text management system, Notion will do wonders. But if you are looking for internal collaboration, seamless communication, and enhanced privacy and security, you’ll want to try other platforms like Almanac .

• House tasks and information all in one place. Never lose context, as you’ll be able to store your notes, brainstorm sessions, projects, meetings, and to-do’s under one roof.
• Choose from prebuilt templates. Want to save time, so you can focus on other important areas of your business? Notion has thousands of prebuilt templates for both company and individual use such as Company Home Pages that link all documents for both new and old employees, roadmaps, design systems, content calendars, product wikis, and new hire onboarding systems. 
• Organize in any way you like. Utilize Kanban boards, wikis, databases, tables, etc. in whatever way is easiest for you to visualize your notes, tasks, and company initiatives.
• Personal (for individuals): free
• Personal Pro (for individuals who want unlimited file uploads and guests): $4/month
• Team (unlimited team members): $8 per user/month

Read our complete Notion Review .

Confluence boasts a clean and functional interface with rich text editing and an extensive library of plug-ins. Being a product of Atlassian, Confluence flexes enterprise security and access control. 

You can be assured your documents are protected and secured with Confluence, and if you’re looking for templates, confluence has a large template library for all of your documentation needs. You can create, edit, and organize pages and calendars, and create polls to gain a better sense of what your employees lean towards when making internal decisions.

When it comes to collaboration, one drawback of Confluence is real-time updates. When another person is editing a document, users won’t be able to see changes immediately until the user making the changes refreshes the page. And how Confluence nests information can make searching for and locating documents confusing at times. 

• Break down communication barriers by instilling a welcoming environment where information is accessible to all, no matter your role at your organization.
• Encourage conversation with an effective communication dashboard. Encourage all teams to contribute, engage, and make announcements and suggestions. You’ll be able to receive email notifications to ensure you never miss a beat.
• Integrate with other products from the Atlassian brand such as Jira, Trello, and more. 
• Capture everything from recent requests, software guidelines, how-to guides, and more.
• Teams of 10 or less: free
• Standard: $55/month ($5.50 per user, average)
• Premium: $105/month ($10.50 per user, average)
• Enterprise: Contact sales (annual commitment)

Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper–a product of Dropbox–is a co-editing tool that is great for collaboration, project planning, and word processing online across web, iOS, and Android. Imagine a continuous sheet of paper that goes on forever, with the ability to embed many of your internal documents. Because of the nature of Dropbox Paper’s structure, the learning curve is extremely easy, so you won’t have to train your employees on how to use it. It’s also a free product, which is a big plus if your team is just starting out. 

A few cons of Dropbox Paper are the slightly updated UI. Additionally, sequential sequences for dates and calendaring are a bit scattered. Much like Notion, there are limited choices for highlighting and formatting, which makes it a difficult tool to use if you need to do a lot of customization.

• Embed your most used tools , including design tools such as InVision, Sketch, Trello, Airtable, and other Dropbox programs. You’ll have the ability to embed rich media from nearly 30 websites and services. 
• Display and play almost everything. Insert URLs to almost anything for easy embedding. Whether it be SoundCloud or Spotify music, YouTube and Vimeo tutorials, GIFs, and beyond, Dropbox Paper knows what to do instinctively. 
• Stay organized and in sync. Get notified about progress, updates, and to-dos, and store and access files from anywhere.
• Dropbox Paper is a free product from Dropbox. There is no limit to how many Paper docs you create with a Dropbox account. That being said, Dropbox Paper does take up a small fraction of your space on your Dropbox account, but if you are looking to use a fair amount of data for your team, you’ll need to look into upgrading your Dropbox storage space. 

If your company utilizes Salesforce as an account management tool, Quip (proprietary software) is an efficient way to combine documents, spreadsheets, and communication into one streamlined place all inside Salesforce. 

Your team will be able to sync Quip across all of your devices, use Quip offline, and access version histories in the case you need to revisit older files and information. Another robust feature of Quip is the news feed, which enables all users to see and keep up with all changes made to documents and sheets. 

While it is easy to use, Quip lacks advanced features and formatting capabilities that makes it not the best fit for complex projects. For example, segmenting teams and getting more granular with notifications can be problematic at times, as team members might receive notifications on subject matters that are irrelevant to them due to lack of capabilities with individual and group mentions.

• Team chat features built into every document. You’ll have access to group chat rooms and 1:1 messaging, with ability to comment on any document or spreadsheet. 
• Premade templates to help kick-start company-wide initiatives. Whether it be sales playbooks, account plans, or case numbers and information, Quip has tons of templates readily made for your team to utilize and customize. 
• Encrypted and controlled data to secure your productivity. Enough said, your business is covered from the get go. You can even customize your own private cloud with granular admin controls–you define all the rules.
• For your team or small business: $10 per user/month
• A large and complex team: $25 per user/month 
• Teams who want to accelerate sales and grow revenue with real-time collaboration inside Salesforce: $100 per user/month

Evernote is a functional note-taking app that enables you to create, customize, share, and search notebooks, and collaborate on projects. If you’re one who needs to subgroup and categorize notes on a highly detailed level, Evernote is an organizational-lover's dream. 

A distinctive feature of Evernote is the ability to scan handwritten documents, whiteboards, and even business cards to create a personal database of contacts. You can also record and play back audio notes, as well as annotate images and PDFS. 

While Evernote is a great note-taking application, permissions can be a bit fuzzy. If notes are pinned within your team, you might not be able to edit unless you are given permission. In addition, there is not much security or password protection on notes or notebooks. 

Because of its limitations, Evernote is better suited for taking meeting notes and documenting brainstorm sessions, as opposed to storing important information and knowledge based articles for your business.  

• Edit, track, and manage tasks from a single view. Create a meaningful dashboard that gives you a high level overview of all of your tasks, notes, upcoming meetings, and more.
• Assign dates, reminders, and notifications to your tasks. Never miss a meeting or due date again. You set the guidelines for when and how you are notified.
• Integrate with your Google calendar to avoid repetitive scheduling. View all of your meetings, appointments, and personal scheduled blocks all in one place, 
• Freemium: limited storage, syncing across 2 devices, specified maximum number of uploads and note sizes
• Personal: $7.99/month
• For Teams: $14.99 per user/month

Github is quite different from other collaborative tools listed here as it is primarily for code management, workflow, and hosting. The target audiences are typically developers and programmers, but that doesn’t mean other employees won’t be able to utilize it, too. 

What’s phenomenal about Github is the version control and collaboration capabilities, as well as its integration with JIRA to track bugs–providing real-time updates when problems occur. So, if your business does a fair amount of coding, GitHub is likely to be your go to, as it can house and store a ton of data and code. 

Please be advised that there’s a steep learning curve when getting to know your way around Github. It is not a beginner-friendly site, you’ll need some team members to be dedicated trainers for your employees in order to get the most out of Github’s features. 

Another thing to point out is the security limitations with Github. Private repositories are not that great, so if you have high class data, you might want to keep on searching through other platforms that have more reliable security systems in place.

• Easily search code. GitHub supports code search and has optimized SEO, so users can discover any code string located in public repositories.
• Automate everything. You can utilize the Gists feature to convert one or several files into a working git repository and track changes. 
• Utilize templates to cut corners and make the most of your time.
• Personal: $7.99/month unlimited devices
• For Teams: $4 per user/month
• Enterprise: $21 per user/month

Site is an innovative cloud-based solution that advocates playfulness in the workplace. Its user-friendly system is a powerhouse for garnering documents and fostering team connections. Employees will have their own account and receive updates specifically tailored to their workflow, tasks, and agenda. 

Despite Slite’s impressive interface and functional attributes, some shortcomings of the platform include importing and exporting limitations, as well as difficulty creating automatically updated and discoverable knowledge bases.

• Easily import all your docs from other existing tools, so you don’t have to start from ground zero. 
• Utilize channels to get a high level overview of all documents . Know exactly where important files are located, what recent changes have been made to documents, and what’s happening within your company.
• Stay up to date with task updates. “Catch up” automatically notifies you of all tasks that still need to be completed or are up next on your agenda.
• Work with external people outside your team. Communicate, collaborate, and share important files with clients with the click of a button.
• Freemium: limited storage, unlimited members and integrations
• Standard: $6.67 per user/month unlimited devices
• Enterprise: contact enterprise team at Slite

Read our complete Slite review

Slab is a unique platform designed to help teams access shared knowledge, learn, and edit all in one place. It’s a great option for companies who want to make it easy on all of their employees–including those who are non-tech–when it comes to documenting, communicating, and accessing all files within an organization.

That being said, Slab doesn’t allow much personalization when using tables: you’re unable to set column sizes or ratios, and like Notion and other platforms, styling is also limited. There are no custom fonts or colors, so branding is narrow. 

Additionally, permissions aren’t granular, meaning administration permissions can be abused. Those in charge must proceed with caution when granting access, as admins can demote other admins and limit their permissions. 

• Browse and discover files effortlessly. Folders, tags, topics and categories make it easy for all employees to organize and find relevant information to learn about your business. For example, this information includes policies, procedures, onboarding, and beyond.
• Integrate with your most used tools. Spreadsheets, slide decks, flowcharts, task management tools. So, basically, you name it, Slab integrates with it. 
• Format and create clean content . Intuitive UI makes way for readability and clarity.
• Up to ten users: Free (with limited storage and capabilities)
• Personal: $8 per user/month
• For Businesses: $15 per user/month
• Enterprise: contact sales at [email protected] for information on custom plans

Monday.com has intuitive and playful color-coding features to help with prioritization. Additionally, you can assign tags to specific teams or people. So, this is a great performance tool that can integrate with your existing tools efficiently.

Monday.com also provides automation for repetitive tasks like sending out weekly newsletters or reminders to your employees to complete any daily or weekly assignment.

So, the system can label low, medium, and high priority tasks. Yet, users are unable to add a specific completion percentage of a task to notify other members of how complete a specific team task. This issue can confuse users on what is still needing to be done. 

Time-tracking on projects can also be difficult to manage. Tracking how much time is spent on each task is tricky. Moreover, the platform can be a little finicky when there is a lot of information to display. Plus, notifications can be a bit overwhelming as notification setting options are limited. 

• Automate your processes, including creating custom newsletters and reminders for your employees to contribute.
• Navigate your knowledge database easily with advanced filters, hashtags, custom views, and statuses.
• View all team files in one workspace. Complete transparency for all digital assets within a company. Additionally, you can view this in a variety of formats like Kanban, tables, or file view. 
• Individuals: Free 
• Basic: $8 per user/month
• Standard: $10 per user/month 
• Pro: $16 per user/month
• Enterprise: contact the Monday sales team for information on custom pricing for enterprises

ClickUp has an upper hand when compared with other similar platforms since it can track time automatically and manually, can give time estimates, and time reporting for all tasks. There’s total customization for fields, statuses, assignees, hot keys and shortcuts, as well as real-time editing and mentions and a two-way calendar sync. 

They also offer free training and 24-hour support to ensure you make the most out of their services.

Unfortunately, coordinating with other team members through avenues such as commenting and mentions often get lost.

The sharing feature doesn’t always work, and sometimes their information architecture makes it difficult to discover certain information. The learning curve can also be a challenge, so non tech-savvy individuals might find it troublesome to navigate.

• Track progress and manage resources effectively. Visual dashboard gives employees a quick and informative overview of metrics, project status, task completion, workload, upcoming features, and sprint status. 
• Customize your views to digest information effectively. For example, create boards, lists, boxes, and other views to help you and your team get on the same page about priorities, to-dos, upcoming launches and meetings, and beyond.
• Report bugs, meeting minutes, and product ideas in a streamlined funnel. Organize immediate needs and projects to tackle in a seamless view, so your team knows exactly what is going on, every step of the way.
• Small teams: $5 per user/month
• Mid-sized teams: $9 per user/month 
• Multiple teams: $19 per user/month
• Enterprise: if you need to manage several large teams, contact the Click Up sales team for information on custom pricing.

Nuclino (proprietary software)  is sufficient if your team is small, and you don’t need to utilize it for much more than onboarding. However, fonts and colors for branding are limited. So, it’s not a great source if you have a big database and hundreds of documents. 

Also, file sharing and management is simplistic, auto-saving and collaborative editing is efficient, and you can do surveys, receive notifications, and automate workflow.

As an internal knowledge base, Nuclino is a reliable organizational tool where you can download files directly, and link external documents, but embedding large content such as a table is taxing as you cannot control width and scrolling can get messy. Exporting can also be problematic.

• Replace multiple collaboration tools with one unified system. Thus, you can reduce context switching by storing all company information in the Nuclino hub–company handbooks, wikis, meeting notes, HR policies, training manuals, demo scripts, and beyond.
• Say goodbye to training manuals and video tutorials thanks to Nucilino’s intuitive interface. You won’t have to spend hours understanding how to use the platform because it’s that simple.
• Use tags to create hierarchy within your companies files and agenda items. Categorize your documents by priority, subject, department, length of time, and so on and so forth. 
• Basic version for teams just getting started: Free (very limited items and storage availability)
• Standard: $5 per user/month

Zoho (proprietary software) is a unique and powerful suite of software providing a complete 

customer relationship management solution for growing businesses and enterprises. Much like Quip, Zoho is another Salesforce optimization tool that helps deal with lead management, deal management, contact management, and workflow automation. 

Eliminate manual work and create automated tasks and emails in order to connect with your client.

Zoho is more of a management system than an internal documentation and collaboration system. It hasn’t quite reached the level of UI that competitors like Almanac or ClickUp have. Zoho Doc’s navigation can be a bit tricky and has comparable limitations to Google Docs. 

• Store and secure all of your assets in a centralized location. Create folders and subfolders to keep files organized and discoverable to all team members.
• Edit PDF’s and manage paperwork tasks. Utilize Zoho’s editing features to add to PDF’s and paperwork, and organize accordingly.
• Add and categorize tasks and assign due dates. Customize the recipt of tasks and set due dates for when they should be completed.
• Standard: $20 per user/month
• Professional: $35 per user/month
• Enterprise: $50 per user/month
• Ultimate: $65 per user/month

Coda is a spreadsheet-forward product that can help you launch your own products, scale small businesses, study for tests, etc. It offers customizable views and dark-mode integration with Gmail, Slack, and Zapier. Automation for row creations and actions can help streamline processes and save time. 

Where Coda thrives in certain departments, it lacks in other areas, including its UI. Current customers note that UX can be improved, and formulas aren’t very intuitive compared with Excel and other spreadsheets. 

• Categorize all documents into different departments such as marketing, engineering, and design.
• Utilize times-saving templates to expedite internal processes and create consistency among your company assets.
• Integrate with third party applications to eliminate copy and paste . Pull Jira tickets, push slack updates, get notified of calendar updates without having to switch back and forth between content. 
• Free: $0 per user/month
• Pro: $10 per user/month
• Team: $30 per user/month
• Enterprise: customize your plan depending on company size and needs. Contact Coda support to get a quote.

Which Google Doc Alternative is Best For You?

Now that we’ve served you up (maybe too much) information on collaborative text editors and file and task management applications, you might be wondering what option is right for you or your business. 

Whether Gmail is your email service provider or not, going the extra mile to research and experiment with other cloud-based technologies for your organization is worth it if it means creating more efficiency and productivity within your workplace. 

With the wide range of competitors out there that offer superior formatting capabilities, customization, feedback, group, and 1-on-1 communication, it’s easy to find a better fit than Google Docs. There are more than enough options out there to fulfill your internal repository and organizational needs, it really depends on what the needs of your company are–and those might even change over time. 

Almanac goes above and beyond with its communication features, integrations, and admin control functions. Almanac is your best option for running projects for yourself and your organization.

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The best Google Docs alternatives for browser-based editing

When Google first began offering real-time collaboration for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, it essentially changed the way millions of people work together online. That was then, however, and Google is no longer the only company that offers a web-based suite of office applications. If you’re dissatisfied with Google Docs , there’s a wide range of alternatives out there for you, and we’ve rounded up the best of them.

Microsoft Office Online: In many ways, better than Google

Zoho docs: an often-overlooked alternative.

• OnlyOffice: Solid open-source suite that’s also offered as a service

Etherpad: Open-source, self-hosted document editor with real-time editing

• Google isn’t the only game in town

If you’re used to Microsoft’s desktop suite — and hundreds of millions of users are — then Microsoft Office Online is the first alternative you should check out. The service offers web-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, along with several other tools. The service is free for home users, and a license for the desktop version of Microsoft Office is not required. The big advantage here is file compatibility, though. Office Online provides full document fidelity, allowing you to view Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents on the web as you would on your desktop. Your files should look exactly the way you remember them, and Excel formulas or PowerPoint slides should transfer as expected.

Another potential pro for longtime Microsoft users is the interface, which is built on the same familiar ribbon Microsoft has used since the release of Office 2007 over a decade ago.

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The current version of Office Online does allow you to upload documents directly from your computer. Files can also be downloaded as Office files, PDFs, and even in the open document format if you’re a LibreOffice user outside the browser. All of this makes Microsoft Office Online the most complete alternative to Google Docs, particularly for longtime Microsoft Office users.

Zoho Docs isn’t as well known as Microsoft Office Online or Google Docs and it doesn’t really resemble either service either. Recently, it’s become its own sort of productivity app. You can still create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Just don’t expect the user interface to look like Google Docs or Microsoft Office. This interface itself is clean and simple to use, but Microsoft and Google enthusiasts may not like its unfamiliar layout and that it has a number of hidden menus. But Zoho does offer more options when it comes to importing documents from other cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

The free version of Zoho Docs includes 5GB of storage per user, a file upload limit of 1GB, two-factor authentication, the mobile app, and use of the Zoho office suite.

OnlyOffice: Solid open-source suite that’s also offered as a service

OnlyOffice is a relative newcomer to the world of online office suites, but the company offers a free version of its software for personal use. The software allows users to easily upload documents, spreadsheets, and presentations created using Microsoft Office or LibreOffice. Android and iOS apps also provide mobile access.

A key strength of OnlyOffice is its cloud-based storage options, which let you connect your Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Yandex.Disk accounts. If you’re using a major cloud service, OnlyOffice can probably connect to it. The package is built on a lot of open-source software, too, meaning true geeks can check out the source code on GitHub . It’s even possible to deploy OnlyOffice on your own server, which further increases its potential for power users or network administrators.

Etherpad isn’t a complete alternative to Google Docs given it focuses entirely on text editing. There’s no spreadsheet app, presentation app, or compatibility with Word and LibreOffice documents. If you want those things, Etherpad is not a viable Google Docs alternative. Etherpad is a solid choice if you just want to use your browser and collaborate on formatted text in real time, though.

The Etherpad software is open-source, which gives users access to the code. This means you can modify the software to fit your specific needs. Since Etherpad is hosted on your own server, you know you have full control over your documents.

While this is a simple alternative that’s not as feature-filled as the Google suite, it can work great if all you need is a text editor for team collaboration.

Google isn’t the only game in town

Google Docs is an essential tool for those who use it to create, share, and store documents in a safe place.

Google Docs is the go-to tool for creating, sharing, and storing documents for professionals and organizations. However, there are numerous alternatives to Google Docs that feature fantastic tools. If you want a more open-source type of software, exploring other options might work better for you.

Google Docs is a strong competitor. Right now, Google Docs is one of the top browser-based editors available. But change is a constant, and another developer may release a new application that will take Google Docs’ place.

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Google is refreshing the look of Google Docs, Slides, Drive, and Sheets. The changes are happening across the board for Google Workspace subscribers and free personal accounts. I love that we all get to enjoy the changes, and there are five things, in particular, that really stand out to me as significant improvements.

This is a continuation of the Material Design 3 updates to Gmail last year. If you are happy with how Gmail looks, you’ll probably enjoy the new Docs as well. Subtle color adds structure

For the last few decades, Microsoft Word has been the de facto standard for word processors across the working world. That's finally starting to shift, and it looks like one of Google's productivity apps is the heir apparent. The company's Google Docs solution (or to be specific, the integrated word processor) is cross-platform and interoperable, automatically syncs, is easily shareable, and perhaps best of all, is free.

However, Google Docs still has a long way to go before it can match all of Word's features -- Microsoft has been developing its word processor for over 30 years, after all. Will Google Docs' low barrier to entry and cross-platform functionality win out? Let's break down each word processor in terms of features and capabilities to help you determine which is best for your needs. How does each word processing program compare? To put it lightly, Microsoft Word has an incredible advantage over Google Docs in terms of raw technical capability. From relatively humble beginnings in the 1980s, Microsoft has added new tools and options in each successive version. Most of the essential editing tools are available in Google Docs, but users who are used to Word will find it limited.

When most people think about Google Chrome, the search engine itself or apps like Gmail and Google Docs are typically the first things to come to mind. Google Chrome’s extensive list of free in-browser games isn't well-known. 

Google Chrome, in fact, has a vast array of apps and games from different genres that users can play on their mobile devices or laptop. With standouts like 2048 or Spelunky, among many others, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.

Make sure FuseBase is your best Google Docs alternative today

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10 Google Docs Alternatives for Creating Better Documents

• by Neel Raman
• 13 Min read

What is Google Docs?

• Consider Alternatives to Google Docs
• Choosing the Right Google Docs Alternative

Top 10 Google Docs Alternatives

1. fusebase (formerly nimbus), 2. microsoft word online, 3. zoho writer, 4. apache openoffice, 6. dropbox paper, 7. evernote, 9. onlyoffice.

In today’s fast-paced digital era, working with documents has become an integral part of our personal and professional lives. Whether you are a student, professional or entrepreneur, you likely need to create, collaborate and share information in a structured manner. While Google Docs has long been a go-to solution for many, exploring alternative platforms can offer unique advantages.

The rise of remote work , global collaboration and the increasing need for efficient documentation processes have propelled the significance of working with documents to new heights. This article delves into the realm of Google Docs alternatives, shedding light on the reasons why finding the right tool for document management is essential in today’s evolving landscape.

Google Docs is a free online word-processing app that allows users to create and edit documents in real time. It was first launched in 2004 as an alternative to MS Word and since then, the service has since evolved into a full-fledged office suite with key features like spreadsheets, presentations, forms, editing tools and more.

Google Docs is an online office suite for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and quizzes with the interface looking pretty much similar to a Word document. It allows users to create, view, edit, share, print and sync files across multiple devices.

It also includes features such as drawing tools, text formatting features, tables, charts and more. Teams can collaborate on projects together via real-time editing and commenting.

What is Google Docs Good for?

It is a document editing tool that allows users to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and forms. It also provides basic editing functionality such as cut, copy, paste, undo and redo as well as basic formatting tools. Now, let’s examine the evident advantages.

Ease of use

There are plenty of tutorials online on how to do things quickly and efficiently, which means there isn’t a high learning curve. Since it’s a basic word processor, it’s perfect for students, business owners, freelancers and anyone else who wants to share information easily.

Broad range of supported formats

Google Docs supports multiple file formats, including its native .gdoc format, as well as Microsoft Word (.docx), OpenDocument (.odt), Rich Text Format (.rtf), Plain Text (.txt) and HTML (.html).

Collaboration capabilities

Google Docs offers collaborative document editing capabilities. This means that multiple users can work on the same document. For example, after document creation, you can invite other people to view and edit it simultaneously. You’ll be able to see what they’re doing in real time and make changes together. This means everyone involved can make changes without having to wait for someone else to finish.

Online office suite

Google Docs is part of Google’s Office online suite of products, which is similar to Microsoft Office online with their Office 365 apps. Google’s Office online suite is a cloud-based productivity suite that offers a range of applications including an online word processor, spreadsheets, presentations and other tools for collaborative work.

However, offline editing tools for Google Docs have somewhat limited capabilities.

The main limitations of Google Docs include:

• Limited integration with external cloud-storage platforms . While Google documents are automatically saved in Google Drive, you cannot link your documents to other alternative cloud-storage services, such as Dropbox, Box or Mega. This means if you want to share a Google Doc through other services, you need to download the file and then upload it to the alternative cloud-storage service. 
• Limited editing features . Unlike Microsoft Word, which offers advanced formatting and editing features, Google Docs’ editing functionality is basic. Standard right-click features available in most Microsoft Office products don’t exist in Google Docs. You need to use alternative methods, such as the menu options or toolbar commands to do basic editing operations.
• Compatibility . To perform edits on documents, it is necessary for them to be in the Google Docs format. If you upload a file from an alternative program with a lot of formatting, such as Microsoft Word, it’s highly likely you will lose a lot of the formatting. This can become time-consuming if you have to redo all the formatting.

Reasons Why You Might Need an Alternative to Google Docs

Restricted collaboration functionality.

While Google Docs offers basic document collaboration features, it does not offer advanced ones. It offers features such as document sharing and real-time editing, which are adequate for most users. However, to tailor your experience further, you may require specific add-ons.

For example, Google Docs does not have a built-in chat feature or solid project management tools. You either have to use add-ons, other Google apps or find an alternative.

Inadequate permission structure

There are two sharing options. The first one gives restricted access, which means only people with access can open the link to the document. The second option allows anyone with the link to view your document. If you make a mistake and set the wrong sharing option, you can unknowingly give access to your documents to those unauthorized. 

No desktop application

Google Docs doesn’t have a native desktop application. Instead, you need to access it using a web browser. This means you need to open a new tab every time you want to view or edit a document. This is inconvenient because you need to switch between tabs to get back to your original document.

• ✔️ Top 7 Google Workspace Alternatives Worth Checking Out
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How to Choose the Right Google Docs Alternative

When choosing the right Google Docs alternative, the factors to consider include:

• Features: The more advanced features a product has, the better. However, this should be balanced against its usability. Some document editing tools may have fewer features but are easier to use.
• Compatibility: This refers to how well the software runs on different operating systems. A good Google Docs alternative needs to run smoothly on all platforms.
• User interface: A good alternative should have a user-friendly interface. This includes ease of navigation and ease of use.
• Security and privacy: Security is important. You don’t want to accidentally send sensitive information to someone else. You also need to know what data is being collected and whether you have any control over what data they collect.
• Cost: While free services are great, they often lack essential features. This is where the cost will play a factor when deciding on an alternative solution. A free tool can be a suitable choice as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
• Support: When looking for a Google Docs alternative, you need to know how easy it is to get help and whether they respond to inquiries promptly.

Although there are many alternatives to Google Docs, here are a few to consider.

FuseBase (formerly Nimbus) stands out among other Google Docs alternatives thanks to its optimal feature set, which includes:

• Super documents, which allow you to add content in various forms, including text, images, video, audio and links, as well as link related pages together like in a wiki. You can store all of your information inside notes you write and then customize the look of each note.
• Advanced collaboration through FuseBase Chat, client portal and task management. FuseBase’s great collaboration tools enable you to improve your communication with team members and clients and have better visibility of all your projects and tasks.
• Advanced permission levels, which allow you to set permissions for file sharing at the workspace and folder levels, along with creating password-protected notes.
• Visual communication with Nimbus Capture, through which you can create annotated screenshots and videos.

All these features allow FuseBase (formerly Nimbus) to set itself apart as the best Google Docs alternative, offering a powerful document editor complemented by exceptional document collaboration tools, version control and functionality that enables users to manage projects with ease. FuseBase (formerly Nimbus) is far more than just a document editor – it is a comprehensive suite of productivity, project management and collaboration tools that allow you to manage tasks, create client portals , structure and share documents and more.

Microsoft Word Online is a part of Microsoft Office 365 – a comprehensive productivity suite that includes various applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. It offers cloud-based access to these tools, allowing users to create, edit and collaborate on documents from anywhere with an internet connection.

Microsoft Word web version is one of the most popular alternatives to Google Docs; it offers a range of features similar to the desktop app, including document editing tools and formatting features, all reachable through a web browser without installation. By accessing Microsoft Office online, you can enjoy the full range of options available in the desktop app, while also benefiting from the ability to share your Word document with multiple users and relishing real-time collaboration.

Key benefits:

• Mobile apps for iOS and Android devices
• Free version
• Familiar interface

Another decent alternative to Google Docs is Zoho Writer. Coming as part of Zoho Office Suite, it comprises a powerful online word processing and document editing tool that provides a range of features that facilitate efficient document creation, editing and collaboration. With its intuitive interface, customizable templates and real-time collaboration capabilities, Zoho Writer offers a user-friendly experience for individuals and teams.

Its editor boasts highly advanced formatting options, empowering users to design visually appealing documents with custom layouts and incorporate their company branding for a professional touch. When paired with the robust Zoho Docs platform, Zoho Writer is no worse than the comprehensive productivity suites offered by Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Online. Additionally, Zoho Docs provides a wide range of features for document management, collaboration and organization, making it a strong contender in the realm of productivity tools.

Apache OpenOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes a word processor called Writer and is a worthy alternative to Google Docs. It offers a range of powerful document editing and formatting features. 

Apache OpenOffice Writer is compatible with other popular word-processing applications. With its intuitive interface and extensive toolset, Apache OpenOffice Writer provides users with a viable alternative for word processing needs.

The main benefits of Apache OpenOffice include:

• Built-in database tool
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Free and open-source

ClickUp is a comprehensive project management and productivity platform that brings teams, tasks and tools together in one centralized workspace. ClickUp Docs is a cloud-based word processing tool within the ClickUp platform that allows users to create and collaborate on documents in a centralized and organized manner.

With ClickUp Docs, another noteworthy Google Docs alternative, you can write, edit and format text documents directly within the platform. It offers a range of formatting options, including headings, lists, tables and more to structure your content effectively.

ClickUp Doc’s key features:

• Create ClickUp Docs for any use case, such as knowledge bases, user guides, templates and processes
• Tag team members using @ mentions for easy communication and team collaboration
• Create dashboards to quickly view your main documents
• Link documents to access them in more places

Among the best Google Docs alternatives one should also mention Dropbox Paper. It is a collaborative online document editing tool offered by Dropbox that provides a simple and intuitive interface for creating, editing and organizing documents , notes, to-do lists and project plans. 

The key features of Dropbox Paper include:

• Easy conversion of documents into presentations
• Use of annotations to improve visual communication and provide better feedback
• Task assignment with due dates to team members
• Template creation for improved workflows

Dropbox Paper offers a dynamic platform for document creation and organization compared to traditional Word documents.

Evernote is also worth mentioning when speaking about the best Google Docs alternatives. It comprises a versatile note-taking and organization tool designed to help users capture, organize and access information effortlessly.

With Evernote, you can create notes, store web articles, capture images and even record audio, all in one place.

Evernote’s key features are as follows:

• A home dashboard that allows you to set up widgets for your most common tools
• Offline mode, which means you can continue working without needing internet access
• Notebooks to help you organize and sort notes using tags
• Notes history which allows you to retrieve previous versions of your notes

Quip is a collaborative productivity platform that offers a unified workspace for creating documents, spreadsheets and communication. It combines real-time cooperation, task management and chat features to streamline teamwork and enhance productivity.

With mobile accessibility, integration options and a focus on seamless collaboration, Quip provides a versatile solution for teams to work together effectively.

Quip outstands other word processors thanks to its key features which include:

• Useful note-taking and project management capabilities
• Real-time chat for better collaboration
• Efficient workflow and document management
• Status tracking for greater visibility of tasks
• Notifications and mentions functionality that allows users to stay informed about updates and important discussions

It is a comprehensive office suite that offers a range of features for document editing, collaboration and productivity. With OnlyOffice Docs, users can collaborate in real-time, track changes and access their files from anywhere with an internet connection.

The suite boasts a familiar and user-friendly interface, supports various formats and provides extensive formatting and styling options.

Moreover, OnlyOffice Documents integrates with other productivity tools and platforms, making it a versatile solution for individuals and teams seeking powerful online document editing capabilities.

Here are the features that distinguish OnlyOffice Documents from other tools:

• Powerful commenting and reviewing functionality
• Convenient spreadsheet management with advanced formulas, functions and data analysis tools
• Robust presentation tools that enable users to create appealing presentations with customizable templates, slide transitions and multimedia integration
• Document versioning
• Cross-platform support
• Secure collaboration

Coda is a powerful all-in-one platform that combines the functionality of documents, spreadsheets, databases and project management tools. It allows users to create interactive and collaborative documents that can be customized with various elements such as tables, forms and buttons.

Coda’s flexible design and extensive integration capabilities make it a versatile tool for teams to streamline workflows, organize data and collaborate effectively.

Coda offers a uniquely collaborative environment for creating word documents, allowing you to go beyond traditional text and paragraphs by incorporating tables, videos and more. Similar to Google Docs, you can create tasks using the “@” symbol, but Coda sets itself apart by providing task automation capabilities that enhance productivity.

Coda’s key features:

• Collaborative space where multiple users can simultaneously edit and comment on the text
• Multi-format content with interactive elements like tables, videos, etc.
• Task automation
• Customizable templates to save time and maintain consistency across documents
• Interactive tables with built-in formulas, filters and sorting options
• Extensive third-party integrations
• Mobile accessibility

Modern word processors have evolved to offer the most advanced features; they have transformed the way we capture and express ideas, ensuring all your words and even the most complex mathematical equations can be effortlessly incorporated into your online document.

Learn from our experts how to organize your docs better than Google Docs!

Take your productivity to new heights and experience the power of FuseBase (formerly Nimbus), number one in our Google Doc alternative list, and unleash your full potential today!

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Master Transformation Life Coach

Neel Raman is a certified Master Transformation Life Coach, a #1 international best-selling author, and a content creator & curriculum developer. Neel assists business and working professionals via content development and various coaching and training programs and online courses.

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Best Google Docs Alternatives in 2024

After Google Docs first came out in 2006, it quickly transformed the way we collaborate. No more attaching files to your emails. No more Report_v15.docx. No more having to hit "Save" every few minutes. People were eager to leave the cluttered and confusing interface of Microsoft Word behind and embraced the intuitiveness of Google Docs.

Today, it's hard to imagine life without the convenience of real-time document collaboration .

But Google Docs is not without its shortcomings, and there are many reasons why you may be looking for a Google Docs alternative. Fortunately, technology has come a long way in the past decade, and there are many excellent options to choose from.

Top 5 Google Docs alternatives

To make your decision easier, we've put together a list of 5 best alternatives to Google Docs:

• Microsoft Office 365
• OnlyOffice Docs

Each one of these tools comes with its own unique strengths and feature sets. Depending on what you like and dislike about Google Docs, some of these tools may fit your needs better than others.

Learn more about your options and find the best Google Docs alternative for you and your team.

Nuclino is a lightweight and fast alternative to Google Docs. It has everything most users love about Google Docs – real-time collaborative editing, auto-save of changes, version history, comments, and more. The formatting options are less extensive, as Nuclino prioritizes the ease and speed of the editing experience and helps you keep your documentation consistent.

It stands out among other Google Docs alternatives thanks to its unique approach to organizing content. Instead of disconnected docs in separate folders, Nuclino allows you to link related pages together like in a wiki . Users can structure their documentation like their own internal Wikipedia , making it easy to discover relevant information. Simply type @ inside a document to easily link it to other related content.

But Nuclino is more than just a document collaboration tool . The list, board, table, and graph views allow you to organize your content visually, adapting the tool to your workflow. This flexibility makes Nuclino a great tool for knowledge sharing , sprint planning , employee onboarding and offboarding , business memos , and much more. It works like a collective brain, allowing you to bring all your team's work together in one place and collaborate without the chaos of files and folders, context switching, or silos.

Nuclino also offers built-in visual collaboration and allows you to add an infinite collaborative canvas to any document. You can use it to create diagrams and flowcharts, brainstorm ideas using sticky notes, build moodboards, and much more.

Nuclino is tightly integrated with Google Drive , making it a great Google Docs replacement for teams that still use Google Sheets, Slides, and Drawings.

Nuclino also comes with an AI-powered assistant called Sidekick that can help you with various aspects of the writing process. Sidekick can help you generate images, come up with ideas, create first drafts, improve your writing, summarize long documents, and more.

What users say about Nuclino :

"I use Nuclino to document the projects I work on. It serves as a wiki for the project which helps anyone joining the project at later stages understand what was done during the design process, and why certain decisions were made. It is definitely a big step up from using Google Docs and Google Sheets which gets very messy during the course of a project."

— Capterra review (read more reviews of Nuclino )

Quip is a team collaboration software that combines documents, spreadsheets, checklists, presentation slides, and chat in one tool. While Quip is more expensive than most other alternatives, it can replace not only Google Docs but the entire Google Drive, Slack, and other online collaboration tools .

All Quip documents include a chat section where you can easily discuss the content with your team. This allows you to keep all discussions organized in one place and preserve the context of every decision.

Quip does not offer the same advanced formatting and customization features as Google Docs. However, if you are not looking to create documents with complex layouts, the Quip editor should be more than enough. And what it lacks in formatting features, it makes up for in extensive collaboration features and rich content embeds.

A notable feature of Quip is its close integration with Salesforce, allowing you to link it with your Salesforce account and integrate your data with Quip's live documents and spreadsheets.

What users say about Quip :

"Quip is a great collaboration tool that is something similar to Slack, Google Docs and Google Sheets all wrapped up into one."

— Capterra review

3. Zoho Docs

Zoho Docs is a part of Zoho Office Suite, which quite closely matches the functionality of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) and even exceeds it in many regards.

The editor includes highly advanced formatting options, allowing you to design beautiful documents with custom layouts and your company branding. Its editor makes it a solid competitor not just to Google Docs but also to MS Word.

These powerful features come with a bit of a learning curve. While the layout is simple and clean, it includes numerous hidden menus and may not seem intuitive to new users.

What users say about Zoho Docs :

"Zoho Docs provides feature parity with Google Docs and improves it in many respects. As always with Zoho products, I was pleasantly surprised at the features provided for free."

4. Microsoft Office 365

Before Google took the world by storm, Microsoft ruled the market, and it remains a decent alternative to Google Docs and other Google Workspace products. With the launch of the cloud-based Microsoft Office 365 (which includes the online versions of all Microsoft apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), it firmly positioned itself as an enterprise-grade Google Docs competitor.

Google Docs’ minimalist approach certainly has its place, it's what makes it so great for simpler, informal document collaboration. On the other hand, Word undeniably offers a much wider range of document creation and editing features. Its interface may be more complex and cluttered than that of Google Docs, with numerous toolbars and tabs, but it also offers significantly more flexibility and freedom when it comes to formatting your documents.

All in all, Microsoft remains one of the most popular business productivity platforms, and not without reason. If your organization is already powered by other products in the Microsoft suite, transitioning from Google Docs to Word should not be difficult.

What users say about Office 365 :

"Microsoft 365 has been around for a long time and it has been consistent. There's no big learning curve and they still have most of the features that the older version I learned 20 years ago has. This is great compared to other programs like Google Docs that has fewer features and is harder to use."

5. OnlyOffice Docs

Like Quip and Office 365, OnlyOffice offers a full suite of business productivity apps. It includes a collaborative document editor which can easily serve as a Google Docs alternative.

OnlyOffice Docs stands out among other solutions on this list because it can be self-hosted. It's a free and open-source alternative to Google Docs that gives you full control over your content. A free cloud-based version is also available, leaving the choice up to you.

Like Microsoft Word, the editing experience offered by OnlyOffice is powerful but complex, so be prepared to invest some time in learning all the quirks of the tool.

What users say about OnlyOffice :

"Overall, OnlyOffice is a game-changer. It is a viable alternative to mega cloud corporations like Google and Microsoft. It's nice to have your own private server with control of your data. It runs fast on both desktop and in the browser."

Find the right Google Docs alternative for you

New alternatives to Google Docs pop up all the time, and there is a reason for that. When Google Docs first launched, it was a refreshingly lightweight and modern alternative to MS Word. Today, it often falls short when it comes to ease of use and speed.

While choosing between all these options may seem overwhelming at first, it's an opportunity to find a solution that better matches your team's unique needs. We hope this list has made the decision a little easier.

Ready to get started?

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Google Docs Alternatives: The 8 Best Choices for 2024

Looking for alternatives to Google Docs? We've tested multiple solutions to find you 8 strong competitors to consider.

Last Updated

March 07 2024

Google Workspace, with Google Docs as its flagship feature, had over 3 billion active users as of October 2021 . Since then, the reliance on Google Docs has only increased, given its vital role in everyday productivity for countless individuals and organizations. Historically, document collaboration meant exchanging hard copies marked with edits or managing cumbersome email attachments. Google Docs completely changed this process, offering real-time document collaboration, editing, and sharing leading to a better way in how teams worked on documents together.

But Google Docs isn't without its limitations, especially as the demands of modern workplaces evolve with increasing remote and asynchronous work. And, while it has been a valuable tool in recent years, the growing needs of businesses that are working remotely and asynchronously have outpaced the capabilities of Google Docs.

Luckily, there are Google Docs alternatives that might be more suitable in meeting the ever-changing needs of your business. Below, we explore some of Google Docs’ shortcomings as well as discuss the best Google Docs alternatives to support your team's productivity and collaboration capabilities. 

If you're short on time, you can just skip to the following alternatives to Google Docs:

• Zoho Writer
• Dropbox Paper
• Microsoft Word Online
• LivingWriter

The 3 Primary Shortcomings of Google Docs

Google Docs is a handy tool for meeting specific needs. But businesses of all sizes that attempt to use Google Docs for word processing and collaboration quickly discover its shortcomings. While there are many ways that Google Docs fails to meet the needs of modern businesses, here’s a look at the three most prominent limitations.

1. Difficult-to-Navigate File Structure

Typically, any document you create with Google Docs gets saved in the Google Drive that's associated with your Google account. And, if you’ve ever opened your Google Drive, you know just how difficult it can be to find what you’re looking for.

Most professionals try to name their documents something unforgettable — a name that can be easily found using Google Drive’s search bar. But, inevitably, searches for specific documents turn up nothing.

When a search of your Google Drive fails, you’re left to browse through your many files and folders to find what you’re looking for. The search can be time-consuming and sometimes fruitless, which only makes the process more frustrating.

2. Complex Permissions and Sharing

The ability to share a Google Doc with collaborators is one of the product’s most attractive capabilities. No more passing around hard copies to get red-lined, and no more sending documents as email attachments.

But permissions and sharing can be a challenge in Google Docs, too. You have three options for sharing:

• Restricted to certain individuals.
• Available to only those in your organization.
• Accessible by anyone who has the share link.

Then, within each of the sharing options listed above, you can provide view, comment or edit access.

This all sounds simple and straightforward, but it can quickly get complicated. What if you share with someone who is logged into Google using a different account? That person will reach out to you to request access.

You can choose to make a document accessible and editable to anyone with the link. That helps you skirt the issue of users logged into Google using different accounts. But it also downgrades the security of documents that are proprietary or sensitive in nature.

The larger your team grows and the larger the number of collaborators on a given document, the more complicated permissions and sharing of Google Docs become.

3. Limited Collaboration Features

While Google Docs is good for simple collaboration, it’s not as effective for larger efforts that require real project management. There are no task status tools within Google Docs. There are no progress tracking features. And there is no time tracking. 

As your business and your team grow, you’ll discover that these collaboration tools no longer meet your growing needs.

The Best Alternatives to Google Docs

Have you outgrown Google Docs? It happens. But you should know that there are Google Docs alternatives that are less well known but that pack a much bigger punch when it comes to editing and collaboration features. Here’s a rundown of the most attractive alternatives to Google Docs as your business grows and demands something more effective.

1. Helpjuice

Many companies  that once used Google Docs for knowledge sharing and support have turned to  Helpjuice's knowledge base software to capture and organize company-wide information. 

Like Google Docs, Helpjuice's knowledge base software comes with features like user-friendly content authoring and formatting, Google-like searchand real-time collaboration. However, unlike Google Docs, it's much easier to structure content through categories, tagging, and folders making company-wide information more readily accessible by users when needed. Because Google Drive, which is used for storing your Google Docs, comes with limited abilities to structure how content is stored, knowledge can quickly become lost or hard to find making Google Docs a highly inefficient way to share knowledge with both customers as well as employees. 

Helpjuice allows companies to:

• Google-like search that makes use of machine learning to make content easy to find.
• Ability to structure content in a way that makes it accessible and navigable.
• Real-time collaboration inside of articles.
• Access control allowing you to limit access as needed to which users can view a particular document. 
• Advanced analytics to allow you to track and measure the impact of content.
• Create multiple versions of the same document whenever a document is updated so that an audit trail exists for any revision/
• Restore article history as needed.

“ It’s much easier keeping our knowledge base updated and organized through Helpjuice than it is to keep track of multiple Google Docs or static HTML files, ” said Nicole, a support manager at Collage.com. “ We are happy customers of Helpjuice  and look forward to continuing our relationship. ”

Also, some companies have also discovered that using Google Docs makes their businesses look unprofessional. For example, one company that had been using Google Docs to catalog information and share it with founders and investors switched to Helpjuice to make their documents look more polished, in addition to other motivating factors.

“ Helpjuice is a game-changer  for providing a lot of information to both sets of customers in a clean format that is easy to update when the SEC changes or updates its regulations ,” said Elena, a marketing and fundraising support professional at Wefunder.

Organizations large and small are using Helpjuice to overcome the shortcomings of Google Docs. Create an account to explore how Helpjuice can help your business scale.

2. Zoho Writer

If you’re accustomed to using Google Docs, you’ll find that Zoho Writer is strikingly similar. You get plenty of editing options, which you access via a sidebar. And you also get a series of advanced features that allow you to do even more with your documents. For example, take advantage of mail merge and electronic signature capabilities, and use the chat feature to hold conversations with others.

If you want to do even more with Zoho Writer, which is the word processor inside of Zoho Docs, you may be forced to upgrade to a paid plan. For example, if you need to share files with non-Zoho users, or if you want to password-protect your Zoho documents, you’ll be forced to get onto a paid plan.

• Zia, an AI-powered assistant, provides grammar, readability, and style suggestions
• Collaborative features like quick chat to talk to collaborators in real-time as well as access receipts so that you can see which collaborators as well as when they viewed a document  
• Clipping feature that allows you to quickly take any interesting content you find online and clip to a new document in Zoho Writer

3. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper emphasizes collaboration over advanced editing. And that might be just fine for some people who are exploring alternatives to Google Docs.

On the collaboration front, Dropbox Paper allows users to directly tag other users and invite them to edit a document. Dropbox Paper also facilitates in-depth interactions and comments. On the flip side, Dropbox Paper is somewhat limited in its editing capabilities. There also aren’t preset customizations or templates available, which users of other word processors might miss.

• Ensure projects stay on track with the ability to create and assign to-do lists with due dates 
• Coordinate projects with visual charts that show timelines as well as milestones
• Easily connects to your calendar of choice making it easy to add and find a meeting agenda and any other relevant documents during meetings

Quip is a versatile and accessible alternative to Google Docs. It’s completely free to use, and it’s easy to jump into the application and start working no matter the device you’re using — laptop, tablet or mobile. The Quip interface is simple to learn, and its collaboration features are hard to beat. There’s a chat section within each document where stakeholders can hold conversations about content.

Quip is a little less helpful when you’re working on lengthy documents with complicated components like photos and tables. You can insert these components, but it’s not as easy to format and customize them as when working inside other alternatives to Google Docs.

• Native apps for Windows and Mac
• Ability to have one-to-one messaging as well as team chats in documents and spreadsheets
• Extensive library of templates to help you and your team get started quickly

Xara is an alternative to Google Docs that brings a whole different world to your workflow. Google Docs is a simple editing and collaboration tool. From only an editing perspective, Xara allows you to create any type of content, with your team, immediately brand it, and distribute it internally and externally. Furthermore, all your important images, components, logos, fonts and company assets are kept at your fingertips, and organized for you.

Xara is a visual communication platform that lets you create, collaborate on, and scale the content that makes your brand stand out- Creating meaningful touch points with your audience, instead of tasks. Optimized for business teams, with design in mind.

• Brand management tools keep your content always on brand.
• Digital asset management capabilities to grow the value of your content and assets.
• Creative collaboration keeps your team in sync and all your work centralized.

6. Microsoft Word Online

Looking for an alternative to Google Docs that is incredibly easy to learn and use? That’s exactly what Microsoft Word Online offers. Almost all professionals have used Microsoft’s desktop applications; Microsoft Word Online is extremely similar, which makes onboarding a breeze.

MS Word Online also makes available some advanced features that you won’t find in Google Docs. For example, Word Online includes OneNote, which is a comprehensive note-making application. There’s also extremely helpful support content built into MS Word Online. When you run into a problem, simply use the Tell Me feature to get the info you need to move forward.

Because MS Word Online is completely free, it’s an attractive choice for users who would like the Microsoft Office Suite — but who don’t want to pay the fee. Perhaps the biggest shortcoming with MS Word Online is the lack of offline work capabilities. You can edit a current document while offline, but you cannot create documents or complete other tasks.

• Feature-rich editor
• Multiple templates to choose from

7. Collabora

Collabora brings a refreshing twist to the world of online document editing, pitching itself as a strong contender for those seeking robust Google Docs alternatives. It’s designed for teams that need enterprise-grade open-source solutions, merging the flexibility of open-source software with the robustness required for professional use. 

With Collabora, you’re not just getting another word processor; you're investing in a comprehensive office suite that's fully compatible with leading file formats, including Microsoft Office files. This compatibility ensures a seamless transition for teams migrating from other platforms, minimizing disruption and maintaining productivity.

One other thing to note is that Collabora is built on the LibreOffice Technology stack, which means that users benefit from a product continually refined by a vibrant community (that includes the software developers at Collabora). Additionally, they do offer a free plan for those that are looking to test the software out or for home use.

• Collabora provides a complete set of office tools, from word processing and spreadsheets to presentations, all under one roof
• Can be used in a browser or for those looking to use it locally, Collabora is supposed on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and ChromeOS and also includes native apps for Android and iOS
• Real-time collaboration tools to help teams work together in real-time

8. LivingWriter

LivingWriter is a bit of a niche gem, particularly suited for writers, content creators, and anyone deeply involved in long-form writing projects. It's not your typical document editor; instead, it’s crafted to enhance the writing process for storytellers, authors, and content teams who crave more than just basic editing tools.

What sets LivingWriter apart is its array of story-focused features, designed to help writers organize their thoughts, plotlines, and character arcs efficiently. It's an ideal platform for anyone involved in creative writing or extensive project documentation, providing tools that help to streamline the narrative process and keep your creative juices flowing without interruption.

• Organize your characters, settings, and plot elements in one accessible location, making it easy to keep your narrative threads tightly woven
• Utilize the outlining tools to plan your chapters or sections meticulously, ensuring your writing stays on track and maintains coherence
• Set word count goals and track your progress, keeping you motivated and on schedule with your writing projects

Using Helpjuice as an Alternative to Google Docs

The Helpjuice platform was built with collaboration and scale in mind. When you choose Helpjuice to create a knowledge base, you also get:

• Google-like search functionality.
• The ability to fully customize your knowledge base.
• An easy-to-learn and use interface.
• Analytics that help you track content performance.
• Accessible, helpful support.
• SEO optimization.
• Multi-language support.

Try our knowledge base software for free with a 14-day trial (no credit card required) .

Not ready to make the switch? 

No problem... with Zapier, you can synchronize Google Docs with Helpjuice, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits that a Helpjuice knowledge base offers when it comes to storing, organize, and sharing company-wide information with the people that need it.

Check out the following instructions to learn how you can use Helpjuice to essentially turn the articles you create in Google Docs into a knowledge base.

How to Use Zapier to Synch Google Docs With Helpjuice 

To get started, you'll want to make sure to be signed into your Google Workspace. You'll also want to be signed into your Helpjuice account. (If you don't have a Helpjuice account, you can sign up for a free 14-day trial - no CC needed).

After being signed into both accounts, you’ll want to click on the following link which will allow you to use a Zapier workflow to connect your Google Docs and Helpjuice accounts.

You should see the following screen that allows you to set a trigger (creating an article in Google Docs) and the subsequent action that happens (article from Google Docs gets pushed to Helpjuice):

1. Connect Google Docs 

Make sure you are signed into the Google Workspace that's associated with the Google Docs account that has access to the articles you’ll want to add to your Helpjuice knowledge base.

Click on the sign in  button.

2. Connect Helpjuice

After connecting your Google Docs account, you’ll want to connect your Helpjuice account. To do that, you’re going to need to get your API key.

To get your API key, you’ll need to log into your Helpjuice account and click on settings.

After going into your Helpjuice settings, you’ll want to click on API Credentials which can be found under Company Settings. You’ll see a box with a private key - this is the key that you want to put into Zapier.

3. Test Zap

To make sure that everything is set up correctly, you’ll want to do a test of your Zap.

If the test is successful, you’ll get a message letting you know that the test article has been sent.

Head over to your Helpjuice knowledge base and you should see an article with the same title as the Google Docs file that you did a test with.

If everything looks OK then you will want to click on the Publish Zap button.

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10 Best Google Docs Alternatives & Competitors 2024

Cloud-based document creation has revolutionized collaboration and accessibility, with Google Docs emerging as a popular choice. However, businesses often require more advanced features and functionalities beyond what Google Docs offers. This article explores top alternatives to Google Docs, each catering to specific needs and preferences.

What is Google Docs?

Google Docs is a cloud-based online document creator and social networking app that Google offers. In 2006, Google released the Google Docs Editor suite, which features Sheets, Slides, and Forms for making content.

• Google Docs

Features of Google Docs

• You can make, share, and change files online, anywhere, on any device.
• Working on a project in a group is easier than ever with features like real-time editing, commenting, autosave, revision history, and document sharing.
• With Google Drive, you can store files and assess them from anywhere.
• You can make, open, import, save, change, and keep up-to-date documents online in several fonts and file types, including standard OpenDocument, Rich Text, plain Unicode text, zipped HTML, and Microsoft Word.
• Import photos and GIFs into a Google Doc from your phone or computer, or paste an image URL.

Pricing of Google Docs: Free for Personal users For Business users, it costs $12 per user per month

Choose the Right Alternative

Consider these factors when selecting a Google Docs alternative:

Features: Identify essential features like real-time collaboration, version control, document sharing, and integrations.

Pricing: Compare subscription fees or one-time purchase costs against your budget.

Ease of Use : Evaluate the user interface and learning curve for your team’s comfort level.

Security: Prioritize platforms that offer robust security measures to protect sensitive data.

Top 10 Google Docs Alternatives

Microsoft Office 365

Regarding creating documents, Microsoft 365 is Google Docs’ most potent competitor. The cloud editor in Microsoft Word lets users write their papers, which can be accessed from a PC. Most people are familiar with Word’s layout and ribbon menu. It’s also easy to share papers with others on the same project. You can work together on a document in real-time, and the Office mobile app is also available.

Key features of Microsoft Office 365

• Co-author and co-edit on MS Word documents.
• OneNote note-taking app.
• The “Tell Me” feature helps to navigate the platform.
• Automatic document saving Microsoft OneDrive.
• You can organize your data with workbooks and spreadsheets.
• An unlimited number of pages.
• Microsoft 365 business plans include Excel, PowerPoint, and other apps.

Pricing of Microsoft Office 365: Free. Microsoft 365 plans start from $6/user/mo.

Zoho Docs is part of the Zoho Office Suite, which has many more features than Google and Microsoft Workspace. Thanks to Zoho Docs, updating your knowledge base with others is a breeze. Zoho offers multiple advanced features and styles that you can choose from. But some features may be hidden. Hence, new users must pay more attention to them.

Key Feature of Zoho Docs

• Make slideshows, papers, and worksheets.
• Change, edit, and review your writing.
• Explore all technological gadgets using your expertise.
• Use the offline mode to create and modify documents.

Pricing of Zoho: Free plan Standard plan starts at $4/month per user Premium plan starts at $6/month per user

Quip is an excellent option for Google Docs for managing documents and working together as a team. This wiki software and collaboration tool is perfect for simple writing projects like sales brochures. Organize tasks and presentation slides with ease. Teams can work together more effectively and efficiently without email because of its unique writing and communication features.

Key Features of Quip

• Create a chat box that works in real-time to help people work together better.
• Create desktop and mobile-friendly short documents
• Use the offline editing tool to change text when you’re not connected to the internet.
• Utilize one of its ready-made templates to make papers quickly and effortlessly.

Pricing of Quip: The starter pack starts at $10/user/mo Plus pack starts at $25/user/mo The advanced pack starts at $100/user/mo

Nuclino looks like an easy-to-use document, like Google Drive or Notion, that can be used as a private knowledge base and wiki. It has some views and spreadsheet solutions that can be embedded. When managing your information, these features make it a good option for Google Docs.

Key Features of Nuclino

• Create an error-free document by working together with your teammates.
• The auto-save text tool of the document will keep it safe.
• Make use of pre-made, editable templates to build company knowledge bases.

Pricing of Nuclino: Free plan for beginners. The standard plan starts at $6/user/mo. Premium plan starts at $12/user/mo.

Dropbox paper

Dropbox Paper’s little virtual helper is what draws businesses to it. You’ll be notified whenever someone comments on or shares a paper. Additionally, Dropbox Paper has a function that allows you to enter the due date manually and will automatically inform you so you can ensure that your team meets their objectives on time.

Dropbox Paper also lets you tag other team members in a document, talk about ideas, and make changes together.

Key Features of Dropbox paper:

• Use the virtual assistant feature that sends you alerts
• Add task deadlines to achieve organizational goals efficiently
• Invites other team members for collaboration
• View personal progress with visual charts

Pricing of Dropbox Paper: $9.99/month

Coda can help you learn new things and be more creative with what you already know. What makes Coda unique is that it can automate tasks. It’s easy to give a job to another team member and make a choice quickly. But the fact that it only has a few fonts might turn you off.

Key Features of Coda

• Use the task automation feature for faster results
• Create one strong document by bringing together all documents and data
• Share ideas and allot tasks within the team all under one roof
• Add images, tables, videos, and more to improve engagement

Pricing of Coda: Free version: Starter. Pro: $10/mo/per Doc Maker. Team: $30/mo/per Doc Maker. Enterprise: Custom pricing

Apache OpenOffice

Apache OpenOffice is a free application that lets you make documents, 3D models, math problems, and more.

The office app has an excellent correction tool that checks for spelling and grammar problems as you type.

If you compare it to other document-writing tools, its user interface is pretty old.

Key features of Apache OpenOffice:

• A word processor that you can use for note-taking or writing a book
• Spreadsheets to help you calculate, analyze, and present your data in numerical reports
• Create your templates and use templates from the templates repository
• Share copies with whoever you want, free of charge

Pricing of Apache OpenOffice: Free to download

ClickUp is a top-rated app that helps businesses big and small with tasks like project management, productivity, and document sharing. You can work on the exact text simultaneously with real-time group writing in ClickUp, similar to what you can do in Google Docs.

Improved text editing features, such as the ability to tag team members in comments and an extensive range of formatting options, set it apart from standard knowledge management software. The Embed view even lets you add movies, trackable tasks, and notes as multimedia to documents.

Features of ClickUp

• Unique project templates.
• Tracking time spent on tasks.
• ClickUp docs for document editing.

Pricing of ClickUp: Free Forever: for individuals. Unlimited: $5/mo/member. Business: $12/mo/member. Business Plus: $19/mo/member. Enterprise: Custom Quote.

Evernote is one of the most well-known note-taking and task-management apps because it makes it easy to find and organize your notes. You can easily save, organize, and access your digital notes on all your devices, even when you’re not online. It will help you take better notes, plan projects, and collaborate with your team.

The “Home” tab is one feature that keeps all your critical notes in one location. You can also use notebooks, notebook stacks, titles, and tags to organize your notes and turn your thoughts into things you can do. Since Google Docs doesn’t have this feature, it’s an excellent option for Evernote for taking notes.

Key features of EverNote

• Home dashboard with widgets
• Geographic search
• Mobile offline notes
• PDF annotation
• Search in PDFs and Office docs
• Note history

Pricing of Evernote Free Personal: $8.99/ month Professional: $10.99/ month Teams: $14.99/ user/ month

Only office

You can create, edit, and collaborate on documents from any location with OnlyOffice Docs, an alternative to Google Docs. This software makes it easy to create papers, professional spreadsheets, slideshows that stand out, forms ready to be filled out, PDFs, and exciting files. Like Google Docs, it provides the ability to export to all the standard formats and has the same rights for collaboration.

Key Features of Only office

• Open source gives you control over your document.
• Customizable word editing layouts.
• Dual editing modes.
• Built-in chat tools.
• Additional add-ons for various purposes.
• If you download a document in .txt format, all formatting is removed.

Pricing of Only office: Home server: $149 one-time payment. Enterprise: From $1500 Lifetime license.

Google Docs is an excellent tool for businesses to build a knowledge base. Every day, millions of people use it. Because of this software, you can create and change content with other people online and off. You can also give each team member different rights, add tabs to make it easier to get to different parts and do a lot more.

However, businesses are looking for more than what Google Docs has to offer during the content creation process. There are hosting services, home page makers, detailed data and stats, and more inside this. Most businesses should refrain from using Google Docs because of this.

The top 10 Google Docs alternatives list will help you find what you want.

FAQ’s

What software is Google Docs competition? Compared to Google Docs, Microsoft 365 is Google’s primary competitor in the office suite. The cloud editor in Microsoft Word is available from any desktop browser, allowing users to create their documents.

What is Google Docs called now? G Suite has been renamed to Google Workspace to reflect the product vision better as it has advanced into an integrated experience across all of our communication and collaboration features.

Why is Google Docs so popular? Google Docs is an excellent option for groups working on projects simultaneously because of its real-time collaboration, simple sharing, and automated cloud-saving data.

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Then there’s the fact that Docs really only works with Google Drive, which doesn’t offer an intuitive way to organize large content libraries. This means your team may find it difficult to scale and maintain proper organization of your assets with Drive’s simple folder system. (And this is just one challenge larger teams face—get a sneak peek at how LPL Financial’s content team tackles compliance, ethics, and more .)

Thankfully, there are plenty of Google Docs alternatives that offer a more privacy-focused experience or a richer set of features to choose from. We’ve curated a list of the top Google Docs alternatives for you to explore and see if there’s a better word-processing platform for your team’s needs.

7 reasons why you need a Google Docs alternative

• Limited collaboration features: Google Docs allows you to leave comments and suggestions as well as track revision history, but it lacks more niche collaboration features like a whiteboard and video or 1:1 messaging.
• Saves to Google Drive, which lacks organization options: Google Drive relies heavily on folders to organize docs, and it quickly becomes messy when storing an entire content library.
• Document sharing can be cumbersome: If you want to share a document with someone outside your organization, you’ll need to update the sharing settings on each doc.
• Lacks advanced security features: Depending on your needs, Google Docs may not provide proper security settings. For example, you can’t require passwords to view individual documents, though we should note Google says all Docs, Sheets, and Slides data is encrypted.
• Collects data on your activities: On the privacy side, Google notes it gathers data to “ offer you better experiences in the product ,” which may be concerning especially if you work with sensitive info or don’t want to share your data with a large corporation.
• Doesn’t come with advanced formatting options: While Word and other word processing software allow you to format your documents almost any way you want, Docs doesn’t come with settings like designating image quality, customizing your table of contents, and adapting content to avoid orphans and widows.
• Must turn on offline editing for each document: Want to work on your document while your internet is out or you’re traveling? You’ll need to enable it beforehand and for each specific document.

What’s the best alternative to Google Docs? Our vote is for a document editor with real-time collaboration and workflow management features like GatherContent. These ensure no one’s left waiting for feedback or sign-offs on a project.

10 best Google Docs alternatives and competitors

1. gathercontent.

GatherContent is a full kit of content creation tools, including workflows and project management, content templates, an editor, plus communication and collaboration tools. It also allows you to easily create and organize a content hub so no assets are lost in the void. Higher-priced plans include single sign-on and security review features to ensure your content stays in the right hands.

Top features:

• Collaborate in real time: The cloud-based content editor allows multiple team members to annotate, edit, and leave comments on documents at the same time.
• Built-in project management: Rather than rely on multiple platforms for content creation and project management, GatherContent complements its editor with customizable workflows and status boards.
• Go from document to CMS: GatherContent integrates with your CMS so you don’t have to worry about copying and pasting your content—or using a secondary app to translate it into code.
• Content-focused features ensure you can use GatherContent for every step of content production.
• Easily assign specific tasks and responsibilities, plus get a clear view of who needs to do what and by when.
• Built-in templates and style guides ensure your content documentation and guidelines are within arm’s reach all the time.
• Pricing may be too high for smaller teams.
• Because it’s an all-in-one tool, GatherContent may take some time to set up.

Pricing: You can try GatherContent with a 14-day free trial . Paid plans start at $99 per month for an unlimited number of users.

2. Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer comes with an intuitive interface and collaboration tools that help your team create content with ease. Its advanced features like scanning paper documents to create digital versions and merging content further streamline your workflow. Additionally, Zoho Writer integrates with other Zoho productivity tools.

• Keep track of changes: Zoho docs note every edit so you can quickly see what changes have been made and revert back to a previous version if needed.
• Control who sees what: With data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and strict access controls, Zoho Writer can be set up like a Fort Knox for your content—you can even lock or hide certain parts of a document.
• Usable online—and off: Writer is now usable offline so your team can write anywhere at any time.
• A user-friendly interface makes Zoho Writer easy to implement without frustration.
• Zoho Writer’s collaboration tools allow teammates to work on documents simultaneously.
• You can easily swap between other Zoho apps, like Zoho Sheets, and Writer as needed.
• Zoho Writer may not integrate with all third-party tools your team uses.
• Some features may require a steep learning curve, such as document merging and workflow automation.

Pricing: Zoho Writer’s word processor is free to use. You can also sign up for Zoho WorkDrive, which offers 200 free credits per month to individual users and 1,000 free credits per month to business users. Additional add-on credits are available, ranging from $0.01 to $0.05 per credit, depending on how many you purchase at one time.

3. OnlyOffice

It may look a lot like Microsoft Word, but OnlyOffice differs in several ways. For one, OnlyOffice includes collaboration tools like comments, chat, or even Telegram, a secure third-party messaging app. Speaking of security, if you’re looking to tighten your grip on your data, OnlyOffice is worth a look. Along with setting permissions and redacting content, OnlyOffice is open-source. This means its code is available to anyone and can be regularly checked for security flaws and updated.

• Easy collaboration: Teammates can collaborate in real time or you can set OnlyOffice to require you to save any changes anyone makes
• Secure your content: You have full control over document permissions and can even encrypt individual documents. Plus, OnlyOffice encrypts data at rest and in transit.
• Advanced formatting options: Along with your usual palette of fonts, styles, and layouts, OnlyOffice lets you build fillable forms, view and edit PDFs, convert to markdown or HTML, and turn documents into ebooks.
• OnlyOffice includes multiple collaboration and communication tools to keep everyone on the same page.
• Work on your docs anywhere—even offline—with OnlyOffice mobile apps for iOS and Android.
• OnlyOffice integrates with multiple apps, including Dropbox, DocuSign, Amazon AWS, and ChatGPT.
• Some users may find the interface too cluttered or confusing.
• While OnlyOffice offers mobile apps, they may not be as ideal for advanced document creation.

Pricing: OnlyOffice offers a free plan for one administrator and two power users that includes 2 GB of file storage. Paid plans start at $15 per admin or power user.

4. Dropbox Paper

You might know Dropbox already, but did you know it also has a document editor called Dropbox Paper? While simpler than some Google Docs alternatives, Dropbox Paper still offers plenty of features to keep content marketing teams on task. This includes customizable notifications and workflow management tools.

• Spice up your content: Dropbox Paper lets you embed videos, images, and audio files as well as interactive elements directly into your docs.
• Stay on top of tasks: Create to-do lists, assign tasks and due dates, and keep tabs on progress with checklists—all without leaving Dropbox Paper.
• Get notified: Set up Dropbox Paper’s notifications to your liking so you can see when a teammate makes edits, leaves a comment, or marks a task as done.
• Dropbox Paper smoothly integrates with Dropbox so you can quickly access your content library.
• Your team can easily collaborate within Dropbox Paper using the real-time editor, comments, and content workflow features.
• You can automatically turn your docs into presentations that are ready for your sales reps to take on the road.
• While the simplified formatting options may appeal to some, those looking for advanced tools may find Dropbox Paper lacking.
• You can only access your docs offline using the mobile app, and you must have previously opened the doc while online.

Pricing: Dropbox Paper is free with a Dropbox account. Dropbox plans start at $9.99 a month for one user.

If organizing your content library or helping your teammates stay on task are at the top of your wish list, Nuclino might be able to help. It offers several organization features, including multiple workspace views and built-in search. Plus, Nuclino supports slash commands and hotkeys for those who prefer a keyboard-first approach.

• Customizable workspaces: Swap between four different views, including list, board, table, and graph, to visualize your content library.
• Instantly share edits: Nuclino’s real-time editor lets you see teammates make changes to docs as they type.
• Multiple app integrations: Keep content flowing and connect Nuclino with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Grammarly, YouTube, and Prezi.
• The multiple workspace views allow you to organize documents and tasks in a way that works best for you.
• Nuclino offers mobile and deskop apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and even Linux.
• Collaborate and control who sees what with real-time edits, comments, version history, and permissions settings.
• Nuclino doesn’t work offline, so you’ll need to find the nearest Wi-Fi or hotspot to update docs.
• Premium plan pricing may be steep for some teams and is required for advanced security controls.

Pricing: Nuclino has a free plan that includes 50 docs and 2 GB of storage. Paid plans start at $5 per user per month for unlimited docs and 10 GB of storage per user.

Coda offers unique document customizations that allow you to create almost anything with its app. From custom workflows to interactive documents, Coda’s docs are adaptable to almost any need or situation. Additionally, it allows teams to edit documents and data in real-time while updating all linked docs and tables so everyone is working from a single source of truth.

• Real-time updates: Along with simultaneous collaboration, Coda allows you to update projects and data across the entire team’s workspace.
• Connects with external apps: Coda packs allow you to keep workflows moving using integrations with Jira, Salesforce, and Asana as well as web hooks.
• Customizable formatting: Create docs of any kind with Coda, including content calendars, project and task trackers, kanban boards, and more.
• Customize your Coda documents by adding tables, calendars, forms, and interactive elements.
• Live cursors, real-time editing, and comments help your team collaborate easily.
• Coda’s template gallery gives you a jumpstart on creating your team’s docs.
• Coda’s features may be a bit complex and require a learning curve.
• Some users report that Coda’s performance slows significantly when manipulating large datasets.

Pricing: Coda offers a free plan and also only charges for document creators, so visitors and doc editors don’t need to pay to access the platform. Paid plans start at $10 per month per document creator.

7. Microsoft Word

One of the original word processors, Microsoft Word has grown up a lot since its inception. Word users can now use AI to write and edit within their documents, as well as automatically apply templates. You can also collaborate with others on the same Word doc. But don’t worry, familiar tools like the built-in spell checker and premade templates are still there.

• Simultaneous collaboration: Save your Word doc to OneDrive and share it with teammates to edit, suggest changes, and leave comments together.
• AI Copilot: Microsoft’s AI, Copilot, is built right into Word so you can use it to write, edit, summarize, and expand your text as needed.
• Accessibility features: Use the immersive reader to listen to document text or give the action pen a go to edit without using your keyboard and mouse.
• MS Word is used globally and its interface is familiar to most users.
• The built-in Copilot feature uses AI to boost your efficiency when creating content.
• Open and edit Word docs on your phone or tablet with the Microsoft Word app for Android phones, iPhone and iPad, and Amazon Kindle.
• You’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to access premium features like the advanced spell checker and remove ads.
• Depending on what other tools you use, you may experience compatibility issues that result in formatting errors when you export your Word doc.

Pricing: Microsoft Word offers an ad-supported free plan for one person. Paid Microsoft 365 Apps plans, which include Excel, OneDrive, and OneNote, start at $8.25 per user per month.

8. Apache OpenOffice

If you don’t need a full set of bells and whistles, then OpenOffice might be right up your alley. This free word processing software has been around since 2002 and is used by millions of people worldwide. While it does look dated, OpenOffice still provides you with the tools to create and format almost any type of document and add notes and comments to collaborate on content with others.

• Pre-made templates: No need to learn the ins and outs of OpenOffice, just use a template to get a head start on your next project.
• Add extensions: Get more out of OpenOffice with downloadable extensions and dictionaries to improve functionality of the spell checker and word processor as a whole.
• Friendly file types: OpenOffice saves documents in an XML format so you can use them almost anywhere—and it can open .doc and .docs Word files.
• OpenOffice is free and open-source, making it a great choice for small teams or home businesses.
• Extensions add additional features like an embedded image tool, a MySQL connector, and multiple foreign language dictionaries.
• Also comes with Calc, a spreadsheet app, Impress, a presentation app, and Base, a database app, among other tools.
• The interface may feel too cluttered and confusing for some.
• OpenOffice’s collaboration tools may be too limited for some teams.

Pricing: OpenOffice is a free and open-source word processing tool.

ClickUp may primarily be a project management app, but its Docs tool doesn’t skimp on features. You can quickly add headers and visual elements using slash commands, collaborate in real-time within the editor, and keep everything organized with tags and folders. Oh, and you can connect all your docs to specific projects and workflows.

• Document archive: Hold on to outdated content without cluttering up your library thanks to ClickUp’s Archive feature.
• Connect the docs: Link your documents to specific tasks and workflows, then update project statuses and assignees in the doc.
• Specific sharing settings: Easily restrict public sharing or protect an entire doc from further edits, among other settings.
• ClickUp pairs a document editor with project management tools so your team can all work in one tool instead of several.
• Archive, tag, and organize your content within ClickUp so only your most updated single source of truth is available to the team.
• You can create custom document templates within ClickUp and apply it to any project.
• You can’t save edits to your ClickUp docs while offline.
• Some users may find ClickUp’s document export options limited—it currently supports only HTML, PDF, print, and markdown.

Pricing: ClickUp offers a free plan that includes Docs and 100 MB of storage. Paid plans start at $5 per user per month.

10. WPS Writer

WPS Writer is a document editor that supports 46 different languages in its mobile app, making it ideal for geographically distributed teams. Along with language support, WPS Writer also supports dozens of file formats, including .doc, .rtf, .docx, and .html. But perhaps best of all is that it’s free.

• Works well with others: WPS Writer supports multiple file types and works with the Microsoft Office suite, Google Docs, and Libre Office.
• 10,000+ templates: Get inspired and start out on the right foot with thousands of templates from business plans to presentations.
• Convert PDFs to Word: And vice versa so you’ve got the right file type to edit and update.
• This free software is budget-friendly for small teams, solopreneurs, and startups.
• Microsoft Word users may find WPS Writer’s interface familiar and easy to use.
• WPS Writer works with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
• While WPS Writer is free, you’ll need a Premium account to access all templates, which starts at $5.99 a month.
• WPS Writer’s document editing features may feel limited compared to alternatives and may be more geared toward creating team wikis or knowledge bases.
• The free version of WPS Writer comes with ads which may be distracting or annoying.

Pricing: WPS Writer is free to download and use, though you’ll need a Premium plan to remove ads and access features like cloud collaborating, PDF editing, and file permissions. Premium plans start at $5.99 for one month.

FAQs about Google Docs alternatives

Is there a free version of google docs.

Google Docs is a free web-based app that only requires you to create a Google account to use it. If you’re looking for a free Google Docs alternative, OpenOffice, Zoho Writer, and WPS Writer are free to use, while other word processing apps like GatherContent, ClickUp, and Microsoft Word offer limited free trials and plans.

What is like Google Docs but private?

If you’re looking for a more secure alternative to Google Docs, check out OnlyOffice. It uses AES-256 encryption to protect your data at rest and in transit, and also offers granular sharing permissions to ensure no one gets their hands on your documents without your blessing. Additionally, OnlyOffice uses Telegram, a secure messaging app, for built-in chat and collaboration.

What is a Google tool like Word?

Google Docs is a word processor app that’s very similar to Microsoft Word. However, it may still lack features your content marketing team needs to stay productive, such as templates, style guides, and project management tools.

As an alternative, check out GatherContent for a full kit of document editing features as well as workflow management, in-document collaboration, and content organization features.

Is Google discontinuing Google Docs?

No, Google isn’t discontinuing Google Docs, although it has noted it will shut down outdated versions of its document editor app. This isn’t a bad thing, however, as using the most up-to-date version of Google Docs (or any software and apps, for that matter) ensures your data is protected and secure.

If your content marketing team wears multiple hats or takes on loads of projects, it may be wise to swap to a document editor that features additional workflow management and collaboration tools. By including these all in one software, you streamline your team’s production, improve efficiency, and reduce the amount of time they’ll need to learn multiple tools.

If having all your project management, content editing, and collaboration tools in one app sounds too good to be true, it’s not.

GatherContent’s full content production toolkit is created specifically for content teams. From built-in style guides and templates to a cloud-based real-time editor, each feature is thoughtfully included to help content teams work better, faster, and smarter. Give GatherContent a free try for 14 days to see if it’s the Google Docs alternative you’ve been looking for.

Techniques for collaboratively prioritising content

Learn six collaborative methods for prioritising content so your team can be aligned and have confidence in the content being published..

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10 Best Google Docs Alternatives in 2024

Google Docs is one of the most popular editorial tools globally (if not the most popular). Plus, it offers this collaborative tool for free, and that is why it has become a mainstay for professionals who manage teamwork projects .

However, different professionals desire certain features that aren’t on Google Docs.

For instance, you can’t use Google Docs without getting connected to the internet, unlike Microsoft Word and a couple of Google Docs alternatives listed here, which allows you to work offline.

Also, Google Docs has limited features, when compared to WPS Office, Microsoft Word, or other word documents. With Google Docs, you can’t get synonyms of words while typing, like Microsoft Word.

Apparently, there are tons of drawbacks with Google Docs and I’m going to be sharing them with you—while comparing each alternative.

Thankfully, the 10 best Google Docs alternatives listed in this post can offer more advanced and helpful features than Google Docs.

In addition, these alternatives can offer you more control, flexibility, ease of use, amongst many benefits, which Google Docs lacks.

The good news is:

I have taken the time to do some digging, just for you.

If you’re ready, let’s dive in!

Best Google Docs Alternatives

Here are the top ten Google Docs Alternatives.

1. SSuite Office

SSuite is among the best Google Docs alternatives you can find. One of the primary reasons I love it is that you don’t even need JAVA to install the software. With that, you can save yourself space on your hard drive.

You can use this software to complete tasks like:

• Writing quick letters
• Producing an ebook (embedded with TOCs, bibliographies, and indexes)
• Table charts
• Spreadsheets

Also, this software comes with features that allow you to format your texts, documents, and pages according to your preferences.

This feature gives the software an edge over Google Docs in terms of user-friendliness. In addition, using SSuite means you won’t have to deal with digital restrictions or any personal data collection, unlike Google Docs.

The best part is, you can get it for free.

2. ONLYOFFICE

ONLYOFFICE is a secure online office suite that offers many collaborative features . It allows you to co-edit your documents, work on spreadsheets, and handle presentations, all in real time.

ONLYOFFICE offers two unique co-editing modes:

• Real-time mode
• Paragraph locking mode

You can also track changes, view version history, and compare documents. Also, you can integrate ONLYOFFICE into existing platforms or use it independently as a built-in tool.

ONLYOFFICE stocks several business tools like:

• Document and project management

The software has a unique Community edition, which is excellent for teams that have up to 20 users. In addition, this edition is available for free!

There is also an Enterprise edition, which the platform built specifically for larger businesses. It also features an improved security option and professional support. Interestingly, this plan is available for free.

The cloud service is equally remarkable. It is cost-effective, and you can access and collaborate with it from any part of the world using any smart device.

Also, you should expect a subscription plan cost of $5, $3, and $2 per user/month (for one month, a year, or three-year plan), respectively—for the cloud service.

I have to mention that only annual subscribers have access to the one to two and three to five active users.

You can also enjoy a lifetime license, starting from $1,750 per server. Plus, It has one-year support and updates included in the plan.

ONLYOFFICE allows you to work on other cloud platforms. Google Docs, on the other hand, limits you to third-party applications.

Another advantage ONLYOFFICE has over Google Docs is that it allows you to work better with larger files. Lastly, you cannot enjoy a 100% cross-browser compatibility with Google Docs, but you can with ONLYOFFICE.

3. WPS Office

WPS Office is one of the top office productivity suites in the world. You can use it on both PC and smartphones (Android and iOS), thanks to its high performance level. Plus, it’s cost-effective as well.

Furthermore, this tool is compatible with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. As a result, you can carry your work across to more than one platform and still achieve the same document editing results.

As for the pricing, there’s a free version available for you to enjoy. There is also a free trial version, which can help you decide if it’s the right tool for you.

You can also consider the SMB or enterprise plans. Unfortunately, these aren’t free, and the prices vary according to the edition you choose.

WPS Office has a PDF converter and data recovery tool, which you can also purchase.

Below are their subscription plans .

• $29.99 per year (for personal and small businesses)
• $44.99/1 PC per year
• $79.99/1 PC lifetime license (business edition)
• $19.99/ 3 years

4. ZOHO Writer

If you are looking for a comprehensive online document management and file storage platform, then ZOHO Writer is an excellent option to explore.

You can use this tool to access and share documents, including images, videos, and text, across several devices from any location. Plus, you can sync all your offline documents to the cloud, all thanks to its superior encryption technology.

The software also comes with lots of extra features like:

• Online chat and collaboration
• Reviewing and tagging
• Check in/check out control
• Data backup
• Two-factor authentication
• User management
• Integration with Google apps
• Severa solution suites like CRM, Recruit, ZOHO projects, and ZOHO Mail

Pricing starts from $5/per month/per user. However, you can explore the free version or opt for a free trial.

New users find ZOHO Writer much easier to use than Google Docs due to its navigation. That is, the software has all its tools on the left panel with unique icons.

Quip is an alternative platform that enables you to work faster and wiser as it expertly combines documents, spreadsheets, and chat, seamlessly.

Many notable platforms like Pinterest, Facebook, and Quora use quip—to prove that it’s an innovative software.

There is a free version available, and the paid subscription plans go for:

• $30 per month/team of 5 users
• $10 per month/additional user

You can also check out the trial version before you subscribe to any of these plans. That way, you’ll get a first-hand user experience that’ll help your decision.

Quip has a modern design, cleaner typography, and better background compared to Google Docs.

6. Evernote

With Evernote, you can easily take notes, access information (voice and pictures), and share your ideas with the rest of your team. It also helps you manage your projects, track progression, stick to deadlines, hold meetings, and create to-do lists.

Further, Evernote allows you to tag, use notebooks, clip web pages, and find what you’re looking for using the search tool.

Another good thing about this software is that you can use it to work on small and large projects. Thanks to its accessibility, you can use the software on PC and smart devices

Creating an Evernote account is free. So, you can select a plan that suits your budget afterward.

Pricing starts from $2.70 per user/per month. There is also a free version available.

Evernote has an advantage over Google Docs in the area of note length. With this feature, you can take much longer notes and handle larger projects.

Explore more Evernote-like tools here.

Nuclino came about in 2016, and it offers excellent online support. In addition, it boasts great compatibility, as you can use it on SaaS, Windows, and Mac software.

Among its primary features are:

• Collaboration
• Full text search
• Content management
• Self-service portal

You can get Nuclino’s free trial version. However, the paid plan starts at $5 per month/user.

I consider Nuclino a superb alternative to Google Docs because the formatting options are far less extensive. Also, it offers a faster and easier editing experience for its users and helps keep your documentation more consistent.

8. Etherpad

Besides being a superb Google Docs alternative, etherpad is also customizable. This editing tool helps students, writers, and professionals develop documents and collaboratively edit them in real time.

The online collaborative documents (Pads) help you work on the same documents simultaneously while interacting with your team members. This real-time interaction is possible thanks to the chatbox technology in each pad.

Also, etherpad offers you an impressive version control feature. With this, you can view and collect all the previous versions of your documents. You can also track older revisions and permanently save specific versions of the old documents.

One of my favorite features of this tool is the time slider. This feature allows you to review all the events within the pad during a specific timeline.

There is also an import and export feature that allows you to output your documents in several formats. Plus, it helps you to keep records of all your articles, collaborative activities, and meetings. The best part is, you can access all these features for free offline.

Unlike Google Docs, etherpad lets you set a 24-hour, 60-day, or 365-day period before it destroys documents.

9. Microsoft Word

With Microsoft Word, you can publish newsletters, write ebooks, create short notes, transform your document into a web page, edit documents, and allow others to access it from anywhere.

Another remarkable feature of this software is its ability to translate your documents into other languages. You can do this with a few clicks.

It also allows you to insert 3D models directly into the document you are working on. Interestingly, not many editing suites have this function.

You can even have your writing read back to you with the learning tools feature. So, it’s easy for you to spot and correct mistakes .

I was equally impressed by the source finder feature. This feature allows you to access other articles that can inspire your work.

There is also the Editor Overview pane, which assists you in finding and fixing all proofing problems.

Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month. You can also explore the free trial version to get the hang of it first.

The advantages Microsoft Word has over Google Docs are many. One of them is the number of features loaded in the software. These features allow you to execute more tasks than you can on Google Docs.

So if you have some rich formatting and layout work on your hands, Microsoft Word is a much better choice than Google Docs.

10. Paper By Dropbox

Paper is the brainchild of Dropbox , and it has quickly become one of the most trusted online editing software in the world. It offers superb cloud storage solutions, and all you need to use the software is a Dropbox account.

Among Paper’s main features are:

• Easy addition and curation of images (especially if you’re already using Dropbox as host)
• Embedding external content
• Editing with markdown language
• Quick edits and basic styling

Paper is similar to many online document editing solutions as it allows you to collaborate and share documents with others. Plus, Paper takes the ease of sharing files to a whole new level, as you can do it in a few clicks. As a result, it attracts Dropbox users and Google account users.

Commenting in a Paper document is also very easy.

Speaking of collaboration, Dropbox Paper allows you to add “@” other members of your team, even when they aren’t currently working on the same document with you. Thus, the individual you mentioned will get a notification that you want them to join in the ongoing work.

Another collaboration feature I found impressive is the Task Assignment. This feature allows you to turn any bullet list into a task, which you can quickly assign to anyone collaborating with you on the document.

As far as speedy editing is concerned, I would say Dropbox Paper is better than Google Docs. The ability to add “@” collaborators and have them receive instant notifications to come and help out also puts them a step ahead. Plus, the software is free.

Google Docs Alternative: Bonus Options

If you’re looking for something different from the 10 alternatives I’ve reviewed so far, then you can check out these bonus options.

Coda comes with building blocks, which you can utilize to create nice-looking docs with app functionality.

You can begin with a blank document, pretty much like any other document. You can also insert tables into your documents, which allows you to select values using several drop-down menus.

Another great feature of this Google Docs alternative is that it lets members of your team view your documents in different formats.

These views include:

Coda also comes with features, which are similar to the several formula functions in spreadsheets.

You can use the app to send data to your team members, as well as schedule events. Plus, it comes with a “drag and drop” feature, with the ability to add your own unique buttons, which gives your documents the look and feel of an app.

To add to that, Coda offers multiple templates which you can use to customize the software for specific functions.

Templates can be set in the following areas:

• Business and product management
• Team meetings
• Inventory management
• Time tracking

Coda’s monthly subscriptions are fair when compared to Google Docs. They start at just $10 per month.

Another area where Coda has an edge over Google Docs is its live support. It offers a 24/7 live support feature to its users, while Google Docs does not.

12. Collabora

If you’re looking for a Google Docs alternative that offers an exceptionally powerful office suite in the cloud, then you should consider using Collabora.

This software guarantees you total privacy, which means you can maintain 100% control of all your sensitive corporate data.

Hosting and cloud computing businesses that want to infuse document viewing and collaborative editing functions into their services can easily do this using Collabora online.

With this, you can view and edit spreadsheets, documents, presentations, and a whole lot more.

But that’s not all.

You can use it on any modern browser without the need for a plugin.

Other features of Collabora include:

• Layout preservation and document formatting
• Multiple deployment options
• Admin console for monitoring system utilization
• Office file format support

Collabora’s subscription charges start from $17 per user per year. There is also a free version which you can take advantage of.

One area where Collabora outshines Google Docs is privacy. It allows you to protect all your sensitive company data. It also offers better online support.

13. CryptPad

CryptPad is another Google Docs alternative that takes user privacy very seriously. All the contents of your documents are encrypted even before being sent out.

The encryption, which takes place in your preferred web browser, protects your data from the cloud, the NSA, and your internet server.

This means nobody can have access to your data, unless, of course, you grant them permission.

With CryptPad, you only have access to the secret encryption key, which is stored in the URL fragment identifier. And it isn’t sent to the server, although it is available in JavaScript programming.

Your server can’t access your data with CryptPad. You share an authorization URL with members of your team.

With CryptPad, you can collaborate on text and WYSIWYG documents. It also has a basic polling application that allows members of your team to view results in real time.

I find its monthly subscription charges to be quite fair, ranging between $6 to $16 per month.

In comparison to Google Docs, it has an advantage in terms of privacy. All your content is encrypted, and even the server cannot access your content. Google Docs does not offer this kind of privacy feature.

14. Bit. ai

Bit.ai is one of the most powerful workplaces and document collaboration software in the world. It allows you and members of your team to create, organize, and collaborate on several projects from anywhere in the world.

With Bit.ai, you can do the following:

• Create dynamic notes
• Create wikis
• Build knowledge bases
• Create training guides
• Build client portals
• Multi-app integration
• Conduct researches
• Do classwork

It keeps all your work organized in one place, even when you are working with clients , partners, and students. The best part is, you can do all this in real time.

There is a guest access feature that allows you to invite your partners or contractors into your projects. It also comes with a user-friendly interface. Plus, its buttons and icons are clearly visible. This makes it great for first-time users who prefer a non-complicated alternative.

As for the price, the subscription is pegged at $8 per user per month. You can also use the free version if you wish, although it doesn’t offer as many features as the paid subscription plans.

With Bit.ai, you can manage permissions and access to information in a way that suits your organizational requirements. These permissions can revolve around the specific document you are working on, or across other designated workspaces.

Google Docs does not offer this feature.

15. Firepad

This real time collaborative text editor also allows you to carry out collaborative text editing. It also boasts of intelligent operational transform-based merging and conflict resolution.

Another feature I love about Firepad is its ability to render documents via the CodeMirror, Ace, or Monaco editors. You can’t find this feature on Google Docs, and this is one area where Firepad claims the win.

It makes use of the Firebase RealTime database for synchronization and cloud data storage . Also, you can create specific applications for any form of collaborative text or document editing.

This Google Docs alternative supports both rich text and code editing, which you can extend to multiple users.

As for the cost of monthly subscriptions, well there isn’t any. Firepad is 100% free.

With Lark, you can have all your chats, organize your meetings, view calendars, organize your documents, and send out emails. All on one platform.

This has made Lark a preferred all-in-one solution for businesses and individuals who are looking for the ultimate collaborative tool.

With Lark, you can do the following:

• Connect with as many as 100 participants
• Easily share files to your heart’s content
• Preserve organizational knowledge

But there’s more.

They have a fantastic customer support feature. In short, it offers support in over 100 languages.

Lark allows seamless integration of messages, schedule management, video conferencing , workflow applications, cloud storage, and collaborative documents.

All these allow you to have a smooth collaboration experience with all the members of your team via your PC or smart device.

Lark’s multiple features help you to limit distractions while you work. It also lays emphasis on providing full context to every member of your team.

Its document creation and cloud management abilities allow you to centralize your ideas. Lastly, you get to automatically save and back up your work to the cloud.

Lark is absolutely free to use. There are currently no paid subscription plans on this platform.

To round it all up, Lark offers its users 24/7 live support, whereas Google Docs does not.

Closing Remarks

Google Docs may be popular, but it can’t cater to all your editing needs. That’s why I’ve listed over 10 of the best Google Docs alternatives.

WPS Office is my number one go-to amongst the Google Docs alternatives listed in this post. My reason for this is its compatibility with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word (three widely used office tools). Also, I prefer this Google Docs alternative because its paid plans are flexible enough to suit your budget.

My second best option would be Dropbox Paper. The ability to add “@” signals a collaborator for help. This impressive feature allows you to get assistance on a document instantly. So, it’s the perfect go-to if you like to run a seamless system.

I hope this review helps you make a buying decision that suits your needs.

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.

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The 8 Best Google Docs Alternatives To Collaborate At Work In 2023

• Julie Simpson
• August 29, 2023

Table of Contents

In my line of work, it seems that Google Docs has been the gold standard of cloud-based document production. With its easy integration with other Google products, intuitive user interface, and wealth of add-ons, it is a no-brainer for many businesses.

However, while Google is still the number one powerhouse in the SERPS and offers an amazing fleet of free programs, it’s not the only option out there. There are many alternatives for users who want a broader range of features, functionalities, and integrations into their everyday work collaboration tools .

So, if Google has always been your go-to document creator, maybe it’s time to consider a platform that does more than just create and edit documents. While there is truth in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” there is still wisdom in “out with the old, in with the new.”

Here are some great Google Docs alternatives that will take your collaboration to the next level.

Hive is a cloud-based productivity platform that helps users keep track of their goals, notes, documents, and tasks. Built by its users, Hive is unique in that it is built to tackle all of your digital project management challenges. Complete with integrations with leading third-party applications and a complete goal-setting pipeline, Hive has thought of everything — including collaborative editing.

While Hive isn’t a specific document writing tool, it has a powerful note-taking application for collaborative typing and editing, just like Google Docs. In Hive Notes , you can also utilize Hive’s build-in AI tool, HiveMind . HiveMind can create all types of content in just one click, including blog posts, article outlines, meeting agendas, and much more.

In addition to AI content creation, Hive Notes offers many more features that make it a great alternative to Google Docs. In notes, you can comment and tag teammates, customize formatting, turn any piece of text into an Action card, and much more. It’s the best platform to collaborate on notes and documents, while also benefiting from the added functionality of a leading project management solution.

Key Features:

• Hivemind AI integration in notes
• Version controls for tracking changes in documents
• Task tracking for keeping tabs on projects
• Threaded conversations so that everyone can follow along

Hive offers a free 14-day trial to get started. Hive Solo includes basic features and is free-forever for individuals and teams of 2. Hive Teams plans start at $12 monthly per user, with custom enterprise packages available for larger organizations.

2. Microsoft Office

An OG in this niche, Microsoft Office , also now referred to as Microsoft 365, has had its fingers in the pie from the very beginning. While Microsoft was known primarily for its office suite (typically downloaded onto computers and local servers), it now offers an upgraded cloud-based product. The product includes integrations with other Microsoft products like OneDrive and Skype and still continues to be one of the most popular word-processing programs today.

• Cloud-based versions of their popular Office apps can be added, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
• Real-time collaboration and co-authoring features.
• Access to templates and pre-built designs.
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
• Compatibility with desktop versions of Office.

The Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan starts at $6 per user, per month when billed annually. The premium plans start at $22 monthly per user and offer added security and data management.

3. Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer is an online word processor that offers a wide range of features, including collaboration tools, document sharing, and access to over 500 templates. It has the same feel as Google workspace and Microsoft, but it is just a smidge less user-friendly than these other well-known options. The layout is unfamiliar to many users, with the toolbar aligned on the left side, and it takes a bit to get the hang of it, but it is still a powerful integrated tool.

• Cloud-based word processing that can write across all devices.
• Real-time collaboration with reviews and editing.
• Access to over 500 templates and pre-built designs.
• Document sharing and version control.
• WordPress Integration.

Zoho Writer is free for up to 25 users with limited features . Zoho Workplace starts at $3 per user, per month (billed annually) for access to all Zoho productivity apps, including Writer, Sheet, Show, and more.

4. Apple Pages 

If you work on an Apple computer and try to open a program that is an unrecognizable extension–Apple will typically default and open it up in Pages . Pages is a word processing program developed by Apple that comes built into newer Apple computers and is free for Mac users and also available on iCloud. It has over 90 beautiful Apple-designed templates, and the program lets you customize your documents any way you like.

Like some of the others on this list, it can add highlights to text, track changes, and capture threaded conversations with your team. Also, any changes are saved automatically, so no worries if you forget to hit save .

• Comes pre-installed on newer Apple computers.
• Free for Mac users and also available on iCloud.
• Over 90 Apple-designed templates for various document types.
• Supports various file formats, including Microsoft Word and PDF.
• Integration with other Apple applications like Numbers and Keynote.

Pages is free for Mac users and available on iCloud for free as well.

5. OnlyOffice

Don’t let the name fool you, there is plenty to be had with this comprehensive suite of office tools. OnlyOffice offers real-time collaboration, version control, and integrated chat tools, so you can easily share documents and work as a team. It also has a smooth interface that will make transitioning from Google Docs more comfortable.

It is a powerful online tool that helps your team collaborate and get work done in a secure environment. It also offers document editing, project management, customer relationship management (CRM), mail server tools, and other groupware features that are essential for any small business. 

• Real-time collaboration for multiple users.
• Integration with popular cloud storage providers and project management tools.
• Customization options to suit the needs of different organizations.
• Security features like two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption.

Free for personal use, but has multiple team pricing plans starting at $4.80 monthly per user when billed annually.

Quip is a production and collaboration platform with a word processor, spreadsheets, and chat functionality. The word processor is user-friendly and can compete with Google, and the entire Quip platform offers security features that help enhance trust, transparency, and connectivity. Another Google doc alternative where collaboration is essential and tracking on lists, to-dos, and projects are all a part of the package. 

• Productivity and collaboration platform with a user-friendly word processor and spreadsheet editor.
• Built-in chat functionality for real-time communication and collaboration.
• Tools for managing to-do lists, assigning tasks, and tracking project progress.
• Security features to help enhance trust, transparency, and connectivity.

The Free version offers limited features and is suitable for personal use or small teams. Quip Business plans start at $30 per user, per month and is billed annually.

7. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is a welcome alternative to Google Docs for teams that desire a more streamlined and focused approach to collaborative writing. It features a minimalist interface that eliminates distractions, designed to make the process of creating a shared document simple and intuitive. It supports real-time collaboration just like Google Docs, but also includes features for brainstorming and idea structuring, such as the ability to create to-do lists, add comments, and even include code snippets.

It also integrates with Dropbox, making file sharing and storage seamless if your team is already using Dropbox for file management. On the other hand, Google Docs, being part of Google Workspace, offers integration with a broader suite of tools like Gmail, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. 

• Embed multimedia content, such as images, videos, and audio files.
• Create and manage project timelines.
• Mobile app for access to your documents anytime, anywhere.
• Meeting Widget allows users to associate documents with calendar events.

Dropbox Paper is free with any Dropbox account. Paid plans start at $11.99/month for a single user and include additional storage capacity.

Another alternative to Google Docs is Coda , a cloud-based multi-user document editor with a unique approach to document creation. Coda combines word processing with the addition of databases, spreadsheets, and project management tools, whereas Google Docs is essentially an online version of a traditional word processor. Within a single Coda document, you can create text, tables that function like mini-spreadsheets, and tasks with assignees and due dates. You can even embed third-party content like YouTube videos or Google Calendar events. This makes it a very flexible tool for collaboration, allowing teams to create unique and versatile documents.

Coda allows real-time collaboration and comments, as well as other project management features, potentially making it a better fit for teams that want to combine their document creation with other tools within a single software. There is a learning curve to Coda that doesn’t exist with Google Docs, which is straightforward and operates largely like any other text-based document software. Coda’s vast blend of features can be overwhelming to some users, and its interface isn’t as intuitive as Google Docs. 

• Integration with popular apps and services like Slack, Gmail, or even Spotify.
• “Doc Map” for quick navigation within complex documents.
• Wide range of customizable templates.
• Automated actions, such as sending reminders or updating statuses.
• Granular permission settings to control who can view or edit various parts of a document.

Coda offers a free plan and paid options starting at $10/user/month. They also have enterprise plans with custom pricing available for larger teams.

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10 Google Docs Alternatives for Better Collaboration

January 25, 2024

Jan 25, 2024.

Document creation and sharing are essential parts of the modern workplace. Documents are the tools with which ​​teams communicate ideas, develop action plans, and make strategic decisions.

Google Docs has changed how we approach documents, making collaboration and sharing much easier. Teammates can edit, review, and share opinions on documents without sending files back and forth, enabling them to complete projects faster.

Although Google Docs is handy, it could be better. It has limits, such as not having sophisticated collaboration features, saving and organization challenges, and access and permission issues. If you're wondering whether there is something better, you're right!

Technology has come a long way, and there are now great alternatives to Google Docs. In this article, we'll explain why you might want something else and introduce you to 10 options you can try. Let's find the one that suits you best!

Get started with Lark today

Why Not Google Docs? Disadvantages of Google Docs

Limited formatting options: Google Docs is a helpful tool, but it has fewer features to format your documents than other programs such as Microsoft Word. 

Security and privacy challenges: Businesses' growing concern is the seemingly blurred line between corporate and personal documents. Since most people have a personal Gmail account, corporate documents can easily get leaked or duplicated as personal content. 

Offline editing issues: Turning on offline editing in Google Docs is quite a process. You must turn it on or install the Chrome extension on your drive app. 

Limited saving and organization options: Google Docs can be a small backpack when organizing documents. You might be cramped working on big, complicated projects requiring more complex saving patterns.

What to look out for in Google Docs alternatives

Are you thinking of making a switch from Google Docs? Here's what you should keep an eye on for a great Google Docs alternative: 

Integration with other workspace/project management tools: When looking for alternatives to Google Docs, consider how well a tool works with your existing tools, like project management or workspace apps. The goal is to find something that allows you to collaborate effortlessly with the other tools in your workflow without feeling like you are adding on more technology. 

Dynamic collaboration options: Search for tools that support dynamic collaboration options. Look out for features like live editing, whiteboards, instant updates, and chat functionalities that push the team's ability to work together efficiently.

Ease of customization: Consider a Google Docs alternative that offers straightforward customization options. Look for a tool that allows you to easily modify the appearance and structure of your documents according to what you best prefer. 

Roles and permissions: Find a tool that allows you to assign different roles to each team member and control their access levels within the documents. This feature ensures a structured and secure collaboration environment.

1. Lark Docs

Lark Docs is a powerful word processor designed for online collaboration, allowing several users to see or edit the same document simultaneously. It is packed with useful features and powerful tools to help bring out the best in the entire team.

Key Features

Documents are automatically saved to the cloud, eliminating the need to email files back and forth and the risk of forgetting to save.

Enhances your document with images, tables, videos, files, boards, callouts, code blocks, polls, and many more features

Use several levels of permissions and roles for viewing, commenting, and editing.

Markdowns and shortcuts in documents can instantly enhance your productivity.

Add flow charts, UML diagrams, and structural diagrams to your documents in one click.

Easily import and migrate files and documents into Lark for edits and collaboration.

 Use bi-directional links in Lark docs; When you reference a document in a document, a bi-directional link between the two documents will be created.

Other features

Easily tag and mention your team to draw their attention to your document

Supports multiple content types such as code blocks, callouts, equations, videos, to-do lists, etc

Mention your document in a to-do list description or comment

Use presentation mode

Change page width for better reading and editing experience

Follow comments and receive notifications when others comment on a document

Offline editing in the mobile app

Seamless migration, parallel use, and integration with other apps and productivity tools like Trello. 

Easily turn your document into a super file by inserting anything from polls to mind maps, chats, and sheets.

Collaborate and sync your ideas quickly and in real time using mind notes, rich media, and callouts

Lark Docs is free forever. No credit card is required

Navigating through Lark’s UI can be a slight learning curve

Lark Docs is free to use

Review rating

4.6/5 on G2

Try Lark Docs for Free

2. Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer is a helpful tool for writing and working together on documents. It lets you write with suggestions, collaborate in real time, work offline, merge documents, and even sign them electronically.

Key features:

A writing assistant to assist users in creating and editing content by offering helpful suggestions and corrections.

Multiple users can review and offer feedback on documents immediately. 

Users can easily edit their documents, even offline.

It enables users to combine multiple documents into a cohesive file, simplifying document organization.

It includes an electronic signature feature for secure document authentication. 

It is accessible on mobile devices, desktops, and iPads.

Zoho Writer's real-time collaboration feature enables instant feedback, enhancing teamwork efficiency.

Working offline is seamless.

The document merge feature simplifies combining multiple documents.

Electronic signatures contribute to secure and convenient document authentication.

Users new to Zoho Writer may face a learning curve, especially when exploring advanced features.

The credit-based pricing model, starting from 200 free credits/month/organization, may require users to manage credits based on usage.

Starting from 200 Free Credits/Month/Organization: Zoho Writer adopts a credit-based pricing model, providing 200 free monthly credits for organizations.

4.3/5 on G2

3. Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a text-editing program that allows you to write and edit documents. It includes several useful linguistic tools as well as numerous accessibility options.

Key Features:

Microsoft Word offers tools for creating, editing, and formatting documents with features like spell check and grammar correction.

Real-time collaborative editing, allowing several users to work on the same document simultaneously.

Extensive formatting and design features, enabling users to create professional documents.

Word 2007 introduced the compact DOCX format, reducing file sizes and addressing storage space concerns, becoming the document standard.

Easy integration of documents with other media in the Office suite, such as graphs and worksheets, providing dynamic links for instant updates.

With thousands of customizable templates, Word makes designing brochures and documents based on pre-existing designs effortless.

A mobile version of Word is available on Windows phones and tablets, allowing on-the-go document creation and editing.

While powerful, Microsoft Word can be expensive.

The extensive functionality of Word can be overwhelming, as most users may only utilize some features, and the ribbon interface may add to the confusion.

Microsoft Word offers a free version with basic features like sharing and collaboration. 

The Microsoft 365 Personal plan at $7.99/month provides advanced features for individual users, including offline use, advanced spelling checks, and 1 TB of cloud storage. 

The Microsoft 365 Family plan, worth $7.99/month, extends these features to one to six users with up to 6 TB of shared cloud storage. 

Review Rating:

4.7/5 on G2

Notion by Notion Labs Inc. is a freemium productivity and note-taking web application. It provides task management, project tracking, to-do lists, bookmarking and other organizational tools.

A flexible and customizable database system, allowing users to create databases tailored to different document types and requirements.

Notion facilitates real-time collaboration, enabling team members to collaborate on documents, databases, and projects. 

The Notion is an all-in-one document creation tool consolidating note-taking, project management, and database functionalities in a single platform.

Supports real-time collaboration on documents, fostering communication and teamwork among users.

Notion is accessible across various devices and platforms. 

Some users may find Notion challenging initially due to its extensive feature set, requiring a learning curve.

While Notion offers offline access, it is not as robust as some dedicated offline-first applications.

Starting Plan: Starts at $10 per user per month (billed monthly) or $8 per user per month (billed annually).

The Business Plan is available at $18 per user (billed monthly) or $15 per user per month (billed annually).

Review Ratings:

5. Confluence

Confluence is a collaboration platform businesses can use to communicate project updates and meeting notes to improve communication. 

Confluence is a team collaboration software designed to provide a virtual workspace for teams to collaborate, build, and organize work in one place. It is beneficial for shared collaboration work, integrating pages and information seamlessly.

Confluence streamlines the documentation process through a robust knowledge management system. It allows for establishing a knowledge base for documentation and product requirements.

Intuitive page hierarchy and advanced search capabilities enhance information organization, making finding and managing pages easy.

The platform tracks version history, providing insights into changes made and ensuring everyone stays informed.

Role assignment features to manage user permissions, allowing administrators to control access to spaces and content.

Supports Gantt charts as an add-on. The Easy Gantt Charts for Confluence app simplifies the creation of Gantt charts, timeline charts, and roadmaps.

The platform's knowledge management capabilities enhance information organization, making it easy to structure and find relevant content.

Robust access control and role assignment features provide flexibility in managing user permissions and controlling access to content.

Some advanced functionalities come at an additional cost, potentially making Confluence a bit pricey for users seeking extensive capabilities.

Users may need help to adjust to the software interface initially.

Free Plan: Suitable for up to 10 users with features like unlimited spaces, pages, macros, and essential support.

Standard Plan: Priced at $5.75 per user per month, offering advanced features like page permissions, data residency, and local business hours support.

The Premium Plan is $11 per user per month and includes additional tools for data management, analytics, team calendars, and 24/7 Premium support.

4.4/5 on Capterra

Other Notable Alternatives

Evernote is a note-sharing tool where users manage their work, organize their lives, and keep track of everything. It covers notes, tasks, and schedules into a single, easily shareable platform for projects. Evernote ensures quick retrieval of information through its search capabilities, allowing users to access what they need when they need it. Integration with Google Calendar enhances schedule management, providing context for meetings and notes to prevent information from getting lost.

Key features

Quick retrieval of information through powerful search capabilities. 

The integration with Google Calendar enhances schedule management. This feature provides context for meetings and notes, preventing information from getting lost and promoting efficient time management.

Evernote creates a personal knowledge base, allowing users to compile and organize ideas, thoughts, and administrative details in one central location.

It provides a unified platform that covers notes, tasks, and schedules, offering a holistic project management and organization solution.

Sharing notes and content is restricted to within the Evernote platform. 

Limited features in the free plan

Evernote has one pricing plan

Basic: $7.99/month

Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is a web-based document workspace that allows you to organize and display text, media, and files all in one location. Paper allows you to seamlessly work with others and view your Paper documents from any location.

It allows users to access stored files anywhere and anytime. 

Offers advanced sharing permissions, allowing users to specify who can access, view, or edit files. 

The platform maintains a detailed file history, tracking changes and modifications. 

Dropbox facilitates easy file recovery, enabling users to retrieve previous versions or accidentally deleted files without issue.

The detailed file history ensures users can track changes and revert to previous versions, offering a safety net for document management.

Group ownership of documents promotes a collective approach to file management, enhancing collaboration and shared responsibility.

While Dropbox offers flexibility in pricing with various plans, some users may find the pricing options complex or seek more cost-effective alternatives for basic storage needs.

Limited word processing features

Dropbox provides eight pricing plans. The starting plan is priced at $9.99 monthly. 

Review rating:

4.6/5 on Capterra

Coda is a cloud-based, multi-user new doc software allowing users to plan, organize, and create documents as a team or individually.

A user-friendly drag-and-drop interface simplifies the creation of documents and spreadsheets.

Easy media embedding, including images, videos, and GIFs.

Integration with automation tools and popular apps, such as buttons, Google Drive, Slack, and formulas, optimize workflows and enhance productivity.

Coda is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Easy to Use: Coda's drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for anyone to create and work on documents and spreadsheets.

Media-Friendly: Adding pictures, videos, and GIFs can make your documents more attractive.

Some users might initially find it challenging, especially when using advanced features.

Coda's monthly pricing begins at $12/user.

ClickUp is a comprehensive productivity tool that is an ideal meeting point for teams to discuss, plan, and collaborate on everything from process documents to product concepts.

Documents can be connected to existing workflows

Allows for complex storage options, including building knowledgebases, nested pages, and roadmaps

Wide range of add-ons and formatting options

Users appreciate ClickUp's ease of use and the simplicity of creating, formatting and accessing documents.

Seamless collaboration with updated user and privacy controls

Users express dissatisfaction with the visual design, the font size is criticized for being too small, and the absence of a preferred dark mode is mentioned as a downside.

Starts at $7 per member per month

Quip is a tool that helps teams work together more efficiently. It combines documents, spreadsheets, and chat in one place, making collaboration simple. You can edit documents and chat with your team in real time.

Key features: 

Quip integrates documents and spreadsheets with chat functionality in a single workspace, providing a centralized hub for team collaboration.

Team members can collaborate on documents, enabling seamless editing, commenting, and communication.

Quip is accessible on mobile devices, allowing users to stay connected and work on projects even on the go.

Quip provides a unified platform where documents, spreadsheets, and chat are integrated, making it easy for teams to collaborate in one place.

For users requiring highly specialized features, Quip may lack certain advanced functionalities offered by other dedicated tools.

Depending on the user's needs and expectations, Quip's pricing structure may be considered a drawback, especially for those seeking a more budget-friendly solution.

Affordable team plans start at $10 per user/month, billed annually.

4.4/5 on Capterr

How to Find the Right Alternative: 3 Quick Tips

Highlight the features you miss in Google Docs: Take a moment to reflect on your experience with Google Docs. Identify any specific features or functionalities you find lacking or wish were more advanced. 

Research options: Research different document creation tools available. Look beyond the familiar and see what other platforms offer. Check out reviews, user feedback, and official documentation to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each tool.

Try as many as possible until you find the perfect fit: The best way to truly understand if a tool meets your needs is by trying it out. Pay attention to how these tools handle the specific features you were missing in Google Docs. Take your time with the process and give each tool a fair chance.

Unlock a new level of flexibility with these alternatives

It is essential to keep an open mind to a new level of flexibility by trying alternative document creation tools. Tools like Lark, Notion, Evernote, and Clickup are great for collaboration and seamless team management. 

Microsoft Word, Lark, and Zoho Writer lead the pack for dynamic formatting features. Coda and Lark do a great job of seamlessly integrating with other automation/productivity tools.

Break away from the limitations you may have experienced, allowing yourself to discover a platform that offers better flexibility in creating and managing documents. It's a fantastic decision to venture beyond the familiar and unlock a more adaptable document creation experience with the selected alternatives.

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The Very, Very Best Google Docs Alternatives for Authors

If you’ve tried writing a novel on Google Docs , you’ve probably learned the hard way that this particular word processing tool was not designed for novelists. 

Sure, Google Docs offers plenty of perks. It has a clean, intuitive interface with formatting tools that are easy to pick up. You get 15 GB of cloud storage with Google Drive (though that includes Gmail and Google Photos). Document sharing is a breeze—as is collaborative editing—especially considering most people already have a Google account. 

It’s also free—big points for that.

But once your document reaches 40,000 words or so (as anything longer than a novella will), things start to get slow and glitchy. You also don’t get the planning features and publishing-specific formatting functions you get with the best Google Docs alternatives.

Not to mention, Google’s reputation for collecting data to fine-tune advertising and AI may make some writers wary of using the platform.

So let’s explore what else is out there, shall we? We’ll discuss:

• The criteria to consider when evaluating Google Docs alternatives
• Three great writing programs worth considering
• How all these alternatives stack up against each other
• How to make the right choice for your writing process

Let’s get to it.

Criteria for Evaluating Alternatives to Google Docs

The trick is to find an alternative that offers key features you don’t get with Google Docs without sacrificing the functions you’ve come to love.

And ultimately, you need to find the best Google Docs alternative for you . When we start breaking down a few options, you’ll see that the writing software world has a seemingly endless variety of unique features. Your job is to figure out which functions work best with the way you think and work.

That said, a little guidance can help, and I think most writers can at least narrow down their options by considering these criteria:

User Friendliness

User-friendly writing software might be super intuitive—something you can learn how to use in an afternoon.

But if you’re looking for complex features, tons of templates, and a customizable interface, you should expect a bit of a learning curve. In that case, the software might still be user friendly as long as its functions make sense, the system performs consistently, and you can easily find answers to your questions.

Writer-Friendly Features

When you venture beyond standard word processing software like Google Docs, you discover that there’s a whole world of writer-focused functions to explore.

Do you want plotting tools like mind maps and timelines ? How about goal setting features to help you finish your manuscript ? Maybe a focus mode to keep you on task?

Real-Time Collaboration

As an author, you’ll eventually want to get another set of eyes on our manuscript. Ideally several sets. 

If you want your beta readers , editors , and/or co-author to comment and make edits on your document within your go-to writing tool, you’ll want to choose a Google Docs alternative that allows real-time collaboration.

Cloud Storage

Some web-based word processing tools provide cloud storage, autosave, and automatic syncing with your account (like Google Docs does). You can write to your heart's content and always feel confident that your work is saved.

Versatility

Do you like to write on multiple devices, use different operating systems, or have the option of online and offline modes? Then you’ll want a tool that offers that kind of versatility.

Could you use a little guidance with your formatting? What about story structure , worldbuilding , and character development ? Make sure the Google Docs alternative you choose has all the templates you need.

You can’t really beat free, which is the price of Google Docs. Nevertheless, you might find that the cost of some alternatives is worth the value you get out of them. Consider your budget, goals, and priorities when deciding which features you’re willing to pay for, if any.

Top Alternatives to Google Docs

We’re about to do a deep dive on three great options for anyone looking for an alternative to Google Docs. If you don’t see what you want in any of these, no worries—you can find a list of contenders at the end of this article or browse this corner of DabbleU to see what else is out there.

But at the very least, these three top alternatives will give you a good sense of the author-friendly features you can find when you venture beyond the Docs.

What? Our own writing tool made the list? What an unexpected—

Just kidding. We’re obviously a little biased here, but we also know better than anyone how much research has gone into making Dabble a worthy alternative to Google Docs.

If you’re not familiar with it, Dabble is an all-in-one novel writing program. It has everything you need to make the journey from first idea to properly formatted manuscript. It’s also super intuitive and easy enough to learn in one writing session.

Dabble’s Key Features

You can discover all of Dabble’s features at this link , but here are some of the most popular:

Work on the same project with another user or give nonsubscribers read-only access.

Intuitive Editing Tools

There’s a built-in spelling, grammar, and style checker powered by ProWritingAid . You can also add comments and sticky notes, whether you’re using them to communicate with a co-author or just talking to yourself.

Online and Offline Editing

Use the web-based app. Download the desktop app. Keep the mobile app on your phone so you can get a little work done in the school pick-up line. Write your masterpiece anytime, anywhere, with or without an internet connection. 

You also get cloud storage, autosave, and automatic syncing.

Duplicate Project

Embarking on a rewrite but not ready to part with your original draft? 

Dabble allows you to duplicate projects as many times as you need to so you can always refer back to earlier drafts, similar to the way you might use the version history feature in Google Docs.

Customizable Planning Tools

Dabble’s flagship feature is the Plot Grid —a visual plotting tool that allows you to see your entire story at a glance, including scenes, subplots, character arcs , themes, locations, and loads more. 

All the notes you create in the Plot Grid are right at your fingertips as you draft the corresponding scene.

Then there are Story Notes. You can customize these files to be whatever you need them to be. Create your worldbuilding bible, set up character profiles , upload photos of your location, or use the built-in image search (powered by Unsplash) to find idea-sparking visuals.

Set a word count goal, end date, and scheduled writing days. Dabble will calculate your words-per-day goal, track your progress, and remind you to celebrate your wins.

Focus Tools

Thanks to an autofocus feature, everything but your manuscript fades away as you begin to type. And if you’re like me and find that a dark mode makes it easier to get into the zone, Dabble’s got you covered with default, dark, and auto theme options. 

Dabble includes integrated genre-specific templates and (coming soon) character profiles. It also allows users to create and share their own templates.

You can find additional guidance in DabbleU’s jam-packed article library , including downloadable worksheets and templates.

Crystal Clear Privacy Policy

It’s even readable . You can check it out here .

Dabble Reviews

“It’s simplistic in the best way, and it’s gorgeous to boot. The plot grid may have blown my mind. I have never been so excited about outlining in my life.” –Constance, Dabble review

“While you won’t find a whole host of fancy features or themes or animated widgets to entertain you, what Dabble lacks in bloated features it makes up for in streamlined versatility, organization, and distraction-free workspaces.” –Yaseen Sadan, Become a Writer Today

Dabble offers a 14-day free trial (no credit card required), so you can decide for yourself if it’s a worthy Google Docs alternative. 

At the time of writing (September 2023), plans start at $8/month (paid annually). There are options for monthly, annual, and lifetime subscriptions, plus discounts for students and teachers. Learn more here .

This Google Docs alternative is famous for its steep learning curve . Like Dabble, it’s a creative writing tool that covers every step of the process— planning , drafting, and revising. 

Unlike Dabble, you can’t learn how to use it in an afternoon. But for some users, all that time spent scrolling through forums and watching video tutorials is worth the complex features they get.

Scrivener’s Key Features

If you’re in the market for a Google Docs alternative, these are the Scrivener features you’re most likely to care about:

If you use the version history feature on Google Docs, you’ll care about this. Take a “Snapshot” of a section before you revise it. That way you can return to it later. No risks and no regrets. 

There’s even a “Compare” function that shows you what changed between the Snapshot and your new version.

Autosave and Backups

Just like with Google Docs and Dabble, you never have to fear losing those hard-earned words.

Full Screen

Scrivener’s complex functions can create a certain amount of visual clutter. The full screen option allows you to clear out everything but your manuscript so you can get in the zone. 

Versatile Formatting Tools

Want to write a novel? Screenplay? Dissertation? Scrivener has all the formatting tools you need to accommodate a wide range of writing projects.

One of Scrivener’s best-known features is the corkboard, where virtual index cards correspond to sections within your manuscript. You can alter the presentation of your corkboard to plot multiple story lines, rearrange the index cards to rearrange your manuscript, and more. 

There’s also an outliner and several clever functions for organizing your research.

The possibilities expand when you experiment with built-in templates, import templates designed by other users, and create your own.

Side-by-Side View

Split the document editor to view as many as four documents at once. This comes in handy when you’re checking for continuity, filling in plot holes, referring to your research, and more.

Available on Multiple Devices

Scrivener is available on Windows, macOS, and iOS. You have to buy a separate license for each operating system, but you can use them across all devices in a single household.

Scrivener Reviews

“This software is so flexible and customizable! It is also easy to use once you get the basics down, and it can be adjusted to suit any work style.” – G2 review

“I love how I can collect research and easily access it for use in my writing projects. I can even save webpages and videos with the project!” – GetApp review

You can try Scrivener free for 30 days. After that, it costs $23.99 for iOS, $59.99 for macOS or Windows, and $95.98 for a macOS/Windows bundle. There is a discount for students and academics. 

Expect to pay for an update when future versions are released, though you’ll likely be offered a discounted rate. Click here for the most current pricing information.

Microsoft Word

This is the Google Docs alternative that looks the most like Google Docs. If you’re used to Google Workspace, then Word—and the rest of the Microsoft Office suite—will be a quick study.

That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to learn, however. Word is known for having more advanced features than Google Docs.  

Microsoft Word’s Key Features

Here’s what you should know about MS Word:

Collaborative Document Editor

While real-time collaboration features used to be one of Google Docs’ biggest advantages over Word, Word has now caught up with the launch of Microsoft Office Online . Well, sort of caught up. Document collaboration is still smoother with Google Docs. 

Advanced Formatting Tools

Of all the Google Docs alternatives on this list, Word is the one you want if you need a lot of formatting control. While the other programs seek to make formatting simple and automatic, this word processing software comes with buckets of tools allowing you to create documents formatted to your exact specifications. 

Not my ideal Sunday, but it might be a priority for you.

In addition to the desktop app many of us grew up with, Word is now also available online through Microsoft Office Online. There are also mobile apps for iOS, Windows Mobile, and Android devices.

Publishing Industry Standard

Word’s .docx file format is the standard within the publishing industry. That doesn’t mean you have to choose this particular Google Docs alternative, but you should make sure your chosen software can import and export .docx files (Google Docs, Dabble, and Scrivener all can).

Free Option

While you used to have to pay to use MS Word, you can now access it for free through Microsoft Office Online. Just be aware that the online version doesn’t have all the features of the desktop app.

Microsoft Word Reviews

“I love Word's simplicity, visually appealing and intuitive UI, as well as its impressive formatting capabilities.” – Capterra review

“It is extremely robust. The sheer amount of customization that you can do to make each document your own is useful.” – Software Advice review

As I mentioned above, you can use Word for free with Microsoft Office Online. You’ll get fewer, more basic features—similar to what you’d expect with Google Docs. 

If you want more advanced features, a Microsoft 365 subscription starts at $69.99/year. You can learn more here .

Quick Comparison of the Best Google Docs Alternatives

That was a lot of information. Maybe too much to process all in one go. In the interest of helping you see how these Google Docs alternatives stack up against one another, why don’t I give you a quick-and-to-the-point look at the pros and cons of each?

• Tools for every phase of the writing process
• Real-time collaboration
• Customizable novel planning tools
• Built-in and shared templates
• Focus tools
• Cloud storage
• Online and offline modes
• Autosaving and automatic syncing
• Accessible across all devices
• Automatic formatting to meet publishing industry standards
• Easy and intuitive (Get straight to writing!)
• Updates never cost extra
• Collaboration only available with Premium subscription
• Fewer editing tools compared to Word and Scrivener
• No free version

• Versatile formatting
• Side-by-side view
• Snapshots allow you to save and revisit previous versions of a section
• Full screen mode for clearing out visual clutter
• Autosaving and backup
• Exports in several different file formats
• Available for Windows, macOS, and iOS
• While collaboration is possible, it’s clunky compared to Dabble and Google Docs
• Steep learning curve
• Third-party cloud-syncing service required to sync between devices
• Charge for future updates

• Real-time collaborative editing
• Built-in templates
• Available online and as a desktop app
• Advanced formatting and editing features
• Usable for a wide variety of writing projects
• Interface is familiar to Google Docs
• Publishing industry standard
• Free version available with Microsoft Office Online
• Free online version doesn’t have as many features as the paid desktop app
• Collaboration function is clunkier than in Google Docs
• Proper manuscript formatting must be done manually

Still Can’t Decide on a Google Docs Alternative?

That’s totally fair. There’s a lot to consider, especially if you’re choosing the word processing software you’ll use to write your next masterpiece. 

If you’d like to explore other options, I suggest checking out one of these Word-like, multi-function word processors:

• LibreOffice Writer
• Zoho Writer

…or these writing programs designed specifically for novelists:

• NovelPad (See it side-by-side with Dabble here )
• Chapterly (See it side-by-side with Dabble here )
• Atticus (See it side-by-side with Dabble here )

One last word of advice: don’t let yourself get too lost in the scratchy weeds of document editing software stats and pros-and-cons lists. The most efficient way to find the best Google Docs alternative for you is to test drive the ones that spark your interest. 

In fact, you can start right now with Dabble! 

Explore all the key features we discussed (plus a ton of other functions I glossed right over) for free for 14 days. You don’t even have to enter a credit card. Just click this link and start Dabblin’.

Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.

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4 Great Google Docs Alternatives

When most people think of online office services, Google Docs comes to mind. The reason is simple: Google makes a very competitive product – one that for the longest time remained unchallenged on the Web.

Not interested in Google docs? Good news! The days of Google being the only one with a good online office tool (or suite) have ended. Check out these Google Docs alternatives.

1. Office Online

Office Online : Microsoft’s answer to Google Docs. It’s nearly exactly like what Google offers. When you use this program, you’ll be able to collaborate while working on documents, save your documents in One Drive (much like how GDocs works with GDrive), and a whole lot more.

The real strength with Office Online as opposed to the others on this list boils down to one thing: Microsoft. This program won’t be going away as MS is keen on competing with Google in the online office space. You can depend on it.

This isn’t even the best part, though. Since Office Online is a Microsoft product, you can be certain that you’ll be able to easily use your abundance of MS Office files with this program right in your browser. Do yourself a favor and check this program out!

Hackpad : An elegant, collaborative, online office tool owned by Dropbox. Outside of Office Online, this is the closest to a Google Docs clone as they come. Just like Google’s tool, you’ll be able to easily create documents in your web browser (they also have an iOS app) and collaborate with friends and colleges too.

Hackpad is a great alternative because it’s backed by Dropbox. It’s safe to say that they’re a well-known company, one that isn’t known for buying up tools only to shut them down later on.

The only real downside to Hackpad is that it’s just a writing tool. With it, you only get the ability to create text documents. Still, if what you want is an easy tool for documents in your web browser, Hackpad is worth looking into.

3. Etherpad Lite

For those not interested in leaving their precious document files in the hands of big companies like Google or Microsoft, check out Etherpad lite . What is it? It’s an open source office program that when combined with this plugin , can be accessed on your own website.

Etherpad lite is a great tool if all you’re really looking to do is work on a document or two. It’s not as fancy and loaded with features like something a giant corporation like Microsoft could create. Still, it’s killer if you’re interested in combining the ability to collaborate online with colleagues and control all of your data too.

4. PiratePad

Want to make a quick document and not interested in signing up for services or setting up anything? Check out PiratePad . It’s a basic, online-only office document tool. The program has all the features you’d expect (formatting, attachments, etc.), along with the ability to collaborate with other people, too.

This program is really basic, if I’m honest, but If what you want is a quick way to make documents online with no hassle, PiratePad might just be worth checking out.

There is no denying that Google Docs is a fantastic tool. When it comes to online office programs centered around ease of use and simplicity, few can compete. In fact, it’s hard to find a free tool the caliber of what Google has created.

This is precisely why we’ve created this list. We rounded up the best, most formidable alternatives out there and put them in one easy place. Hopefully, with the help of this list you’ll get one step closer to finding the perfect replacement for Google Docs.

Know of any alternatives to Google Docs? Tell us in the comment section below!

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Derrik Diener is a freelance technology blogger.

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7 Best Google Docs Alternative for 2024

Category: Knowledge Base Software

Last updated on Nov 20, 2023

What would we do without the ability to create and share documents? We’d find it hard to get our ideas in order and communicate them to colleagues and partners.

Document sharing and document creation is an important part of the modern work landscape. Google Docs has revolutionized how we approach documents and means we no longer have to save numerous versions of files and attach them to emails. Our approach to the document management process is a lot more organized and much easier.

Not only is it important to be able to swiftly create new files and edit them, employees also need to be able to collaborate effectively on these documents. This allows teams to work at speed and complete projects more quickly.

Table of Contents

What you can do with google doc, what does google docs offer, limitations of google docs as knowledge base, does google docs satisfy your documentation needs, top 7 alternatives to google docs.

• Document360
• Microsoft 365
• Zoho Workdrive
• Only Office Docs

You can use Google Docs for real-time document editing. It’s a collaborative platform that allows you to create files, and then share them with collaborators via links, or sending co-authors access to the document.

You can control the level of access that another user has with your document. You can set them either to read, review, edit or comment. It’s up to you how much control you give others over your file, streamlining the sharing and editing process.

Google Docs offers a convenient way to store your documents and manage large amounts of information. Its main benefit is breaking down the barriers of communication between collaborators.

No-code Editor

The Google Docs editor doesn’t involve any code as you’re using a WYSIWYG interface . Changes you make to the document are immediately reflected in the editor view.

You can insert bookmarks in your Google Docs which allow you to copy a link and jump to a certain part of a document. It helps people find content or move around your file.

Offline Editing

It’s possible to edit your documents offline if you enable offline editing, as long as you use the Google Docs Offline Chrome extension . You have to make sure that you have enough space on your device to save your files for editing.

Easy Formatting

Google Docs offers a very intuitive editor that allows you to format documents to your heart’s content. It includes all the standard options such bold, italics, underline, bullet points and numbered lists.

Google Explore

Google Explore is like a mini version of Google embedded right into Google Docs. You can search other Google Drive files, and search the web for pages and images, which helps you include extra resources in your document.

Collaboration

It’s easy enough to collaborate on documents with your colleagues or clients as long as you share the right files or folders. You can offer different levels of access and easily remove collaborators from your files or folders.

Version History

It’s simple to look back at previous versions of your documents in Google Docs. You just open the version history and then you can restore a previous version.

Google Docs gives you the opportunity to add extensions onto the platform such as Lucidchart or Automagical forms. You can extend the functionality of Google Docs while taking advantage of its ease of use.

Security risks

It’s not advisable to use Google Docs for a file with sensitive information because it’s easy for your documents to be compromised by people you’ve shared it with. Google Docs are vulnerable to hackers so it’s best to look for another solution with enhanced security. 

No KB site since you need a hosting provider to link these docs

When you publish your docs there is no way to host them on a publicly available knowledge base . The best you could do is share a public link to a folder containing all the documents that you want your audience to have access to. 

No search engine to search inside all Google Docs

In the Google Docs editor itself there is no search engine to search inside all other Google Docs. You have to go into Google Drive in order to search your files. 

Limitations in applying tags

You can’t tag a document at the same time that you write it and save it. Instead, you have to go through a whole other step of “selecting” that doc, then “applying the tag”.

Multiple tags cannot be selected from a drop-down list like individual tags can be. Instead, you have to type them individually from scratch and separate them using commas.

No analytics available

When using Google Docs as a knowledge base you don’t have access to any analytics that tell you how your audience is using your content. You don’t know which pages are most popular or which search terms users are typing to browse your content. 

Hard to manage security access at a granular level which gets very cumbersome

There’s no central panel where you can manage the security access to your files and folders. You have to change permissions on an individual file and folder level, so it’s hard to get a broad overview of who can see and edit what in Google Docs. 

Google Docs is not sufficient for meeting your needs if you want to build a documentation site. While it is suitable for basic document sharing and management, it has limitations when it comes to producing documentation at scale. 

For example, you have limited options when it comes to presenting your documentation. You can’t have a homepage linking to different categories of your knowledge base and there’s no overview of all the users who have access to your content. 

While Google Docs is great for behind-the-scenes collaboration, it doesn’t have options for publication of documentation for end users. 

1. Document360

If you want to upgrade your authoring experience from Google Docs, then Document360 is a fantastic contender. It offers an unparalleled content editing process that assigns your editors different roles depending on what stage they are contributing to in the document creation process. 

The best thing about Document360 is it provides a final documentation site for the publication of content, with a prominent search bar that helps users find content. You can customize the homepage of your knowledge base as much as you like, and call out important articles. 

You can have access to analytics that tell you what your most popular articles are, and find out information on the demographics of your audience. You can also integrate and extend your knowledge base with popular apps that streamline your workflows . 

• Document360 offers a powerful knowledge base that can be public or private depending on your needs
• You can obtain an overview of access permissions to your knowledge base so you can control who sees what
• Your knowledge base can be styled with custom colors and shared under a custom domain
• If you want to manage more than one knowledge base then you’ll have to upgrade your plan

User’s opinion about Document360:

“Really a 360-degree platform for Product Documentation”

Document360 is a game changer in the product documentation space. A very simple yet powerful tool to serve best. Below are the points I like most:

• Setting up a custom domain for your documentation portal.
• Smart Glossary
• Editor is the best in class, giving you a lot of flexibility
• Ability to create and use reusable content has made life easier
• Ability to make your document publicly available with SEO enabled as well as locking them from private use with a single click.
• Smart bars made it easy for us to add any announcements.

Source: G2Crowd

Interested in Document360 Knowledge base? Schedule a demo with one of our experts

2. Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is the main rival to Google Docs when it comes to document creation. Microsoft Word allows users to author their own documents in its cloud editor accessible through the desktop browser. Most users are familiar with the Word interface and its ribbon menu, and you can also share documents easily with other collaborators. Co-authoring can take place in real-time and you can also take advantage of the Office mobile app. 

• Microsoft 365 offers a great way to share content along with collaboration features for your users
• This software doesn’t offer any capabilities for publishing a read-only knowledge base with SEO properties

User’s opinion about Microsoft 365:

“One stop solution for all your document editing.”

I love how simple yet effective Microsoft Word is in its operation. It has features that can make your work life much more accessible, from an automatic spell checker that can help users to avoid mistakes in their documents and grammar correction to built-in templates and easy-to-use formatting options. As a Research Analyst, I find it an absolute necessity in report creations and always find its compatibility with other Microsoft products a gem and a lifesaver.

3. Zoho Workdrive

Zoho WorkDrive is online file management for teams that work together collaboratively. You can use WorkDrive as a way to give teams a secure, shared workspace, so their ideas have a home from conception to realization. You can create, collaborate, and make teamwork happen on documents that are able to be edited in real-time. You have access to Zoho Writer, Zoho Sheet and Zoho Show to author all sorts of documents.

Zoho Workdrive works best as a document storage system which allows you to share ideas among members of your team

There are no capabilities for providing a public-facing knowledge base indexed by search engines Sometimes the real-time editing feature has a lag and it takes a little time to see changes that have been made

User’s opinion about Zoho Workdrive:

“Document storage system”

It provides full control over document sharing, you can track the user activity, and also you can share with non-doc use. SSO facility provides one way security to shared documents. It allows maximum 25gb doc size upload which helps to share large files. To manage the large team with different departments, the doc provides grouping features that helps to share doc amongst teams.

4. Evernote

Evernote is a tool for note-sharing that enables users to control their work, organize their lives, and remember everything. You can tackle any project with notes, tasks, and schedules all in one place that can easily be shared with other collaborators. Evernote allows you to get what you need, when you need it, with powerful, flexible search capabilities. You can make your schedule work for you by integrating with Google Calendar. Your meetings and notes have context so nothing gets lost in the shuffle.

Evernote is fantastic for creating a personal knowledge base that contains all your ideas, thoughts and admin

It’s very difficult to share notes with a non-Evernote user which means you’re restricted to sharing content within the platform

User’s opinion about Evernote:

“Great space to have lots of ideas and a spot to see them all.”

I like that I can have a ton of ideas going on and have different spaces for each. I use this for ideas to write and grow my business. I use notetaking, story style, and drawing options.

Quip is real-time collaborative documents, spreadsheets, and chat embedded inside Salesforce to transform any business process. Quip helps sales teams improve their business and reimagine sales processes with embedded documents, live Salesforce data, and built-in collaboration. Documents unite your team’s work and communication, so you can get everything done in one place. Ensure you are always working off of the most recent data by linking your sales plans to live CRM data with a two-way sync.

Quip makes a very good internal knowledge base for sales teams that works inside Salesforce

Not suitable for non-sales teams who want to provide a general-purpose knowledge base for their users

User’s opinion about Quip:

“The optimal method for sharing ideas with coworkers”

Quip enables our group to create papers and spreadsheets and make adjustments or revisions collectively as we collaborate on a project. It’s excellent to be capable of crossing items off of the checklist as we do them so that the Team can monitor our progress. Our Team particularly appreciates utilising Android or iOS and getting instant notifications of new messages.

Source: G2crowd

Coda brings all your words, data, and teamwork into one powerful doc that’s built for internal documentation . It comes with a set of powerful building blocks, so you can create the tools your team needs to work collaboratively. It feels familiar like a doc and engaging like an app, so your team can jump in quickly, collaborate effectively, and make decisions that stick.

Coda works well for an internal knowledge that lets you share ideas and knowledge with other members of your team

You need to learn Coda’s formula syntax in order to get started with this solution as a knowledge base

User’s opinion about Coda

“Coda is a great tool for documentation and processes automation”

First of all, if you look at coda as a place for internal documentation for your company – it looks nice. Typography works, pages look great and it improves adoption for sure – people of your organization would not be afraid to use it. The second thing is the flexibility that the coda gives to you. We moved a couple of internal processes and organize them through coda and rely on them from now on.

7. OnlyOffice Docs

OnlyOffice Docs is an alternative to Google Docs which allows you to create, edit, and collaborate on documents anywhere, at any time. It’s easy to author documents, professional spreadsheets, eye-catching presentations, and ready-to-fill-out forms, PDFs and engaging ebooks using this software. You can export to all the popular formats and it offers all the same collaboration permissions as Google Docs.

You can use OnlyOffice Docs to create all sorts of documents that can combine to form an accessible knowledge base for any user

This solution lacks custom formatting that would allow you to successfully design a professional-looking knowledge base for your users

User’s opinion about OnlyOffice Doc:

“ Collaboration and editing of documents at the desired time. “

• I like having the ability to edit our documents directly, all online.
• Cloud access to store our files without problem.
• Ideal for our businesses, it is effective.
• Allows you to edit a wide variety of formats.

Wrapping up

Google Docs is great for document collaboration and authoring, enabling teams to bring their ideas to life and get projects off the ground. What Google Docs is not suitable for is creating robust documentation for end users – for that, you need a powerful platform such as Document360 .

Effective teams will soon find they need to graduate from a tool like Google Docs and adopt a much more suitable knowledge base. Document360 is great for internal knowledge sharing , and public-facing documentation sites for customers and end users.

The advantage of Google Docs is that most people know how to use it, but Document360 is very intuitive to learn and will have you up and running in minutes. Don’t miss out on the advanced features like integrations and extensions, markdown editor and multilingual capabilities.

An intuitive knowledge base software to easily add your content and integrate it with any application. Give Document360 a try!

Pradeepa somasundaram

Oct 1, 2022

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What is Google Sites? How to use the free website-building tool

• Google Sites is a free website builder from Google.
• You can create websites with collaborators by giving another Google user edit access.
• Google Sites are compatible with other Google services like Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Google Sites is Google's free and easy-to-use website building tool.

While the look or feel of Google Sites may not be quite as evolved as a Squarespace website, there are a few benefits to using the service if you want to create a simple and functional site.

For starters, it's completely free. There's no limit on the number of sites you can create as long as you stay within the 15 GB storage limit on your Google account.

A version of Google Sites has been around since 2008, but there have been significant updates along the way. Google is currently phasing out older sites — called "classic Sites" — in favor of the newer version of the website builder. If you're a longtime user with an older site, you'll want to convert your website to a new Google Site by September 2021 if you want it to remain operational.

Google Sites' key features

Google Sites are integrated with other Google Workspace tools like Docs , Sheets , and Slides . 

So you can drop in projects from your Google Drive into the website that you're building. And like those services, Google Sites can be built, shared, and copied between editors. This is ideal for creating a website for a work project that requires charts and tables or for an event you're planning with others.

Once you've created your website , you can customize its look and feel using the editing function . 

You don't need to have any background in web development or coding to make a website using Google Sites. Every function is intuitive and user friendly.

You can add images, links, YouTube videos and more to your website using simple templates. Deleting and rearranging any of them takes only a few clicks.

Once a Google Site has served its purpose, you can delete it . But deleting a site isn't a permanent action. Simply go to the trash in your Google Drive to restore it. But remember, Google Drive automatically empties anything that's been in the trash can for longer than 30 days. 

Overall, Google Sites isn't as comprehensive as other website-building tools. But if you're looking for a free service for a work presentation, small business or local event, Google Sites could be exactly what you're looking for.

Related coverage from  Tech Reference :

How to create a google site and easily publish your own custom website, how to edit a google site and customize your website's appearance, you can't change the name your google home responds to, but you can change the device's name in the app — here's how, how to change your google home wi-fi network through the mobile app, to reconnect all your google devices, 'what is a google home hub': everything you need to know about the google smart device that can help you navigate daily life.

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

Watch: This spike tool pierces industrial bags so you can empty them quickly and easily

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You're missing a lot if you haven't used these 10 Google Docs templates

• Easily start creating specific documents like meeting notes or menus by using pre-made Google Docs templates.
• Various templates are available online from third-party sources to enhance productivity and creativity in Google Docs.
• Save time and effort by customizing templates, making edits, and sharing them with team members or clients seamlessly.

Google Docs is a hugely popular with everyone from students and teachers to professionals like marketers. But, regardless of what you want to do with Google Docs, even with the tools and features at your fingertips, creating a new document from scratch can be time-consuming. Here is where templates come into play. And even though Google Docs has a respectable number of templates to begin with, you can also import templates from third-party sources on the web.

Whether you want to create a resume, invoice, software development proposal, or even a menu card for your new restaurant, the templates below should help you get a head start when struggling for inspiration when sitting at your laptop .

How to use Google Docs offline

If you want to use these templates, open them in a separate browser tab. Select File > Make a Copy to save the template to your Google Drive account. Now open the Google Docs file from your Google Drive account to start making edits.

Meeting notes template

If you frequently take notes during meetings, use the default meeting notes template in Google Docs. It’s a basic yet effective form to jot down relevant information during a Google Meet or Teams call. You can enter the meeting date, time, attendees, agenda, action items, and related notes.

Class notes template

Thanks to its real-time collaboration and tight integration with Google Drive, Google Docs is popular among students. The class notes template from Google should be your go-to pick for taking notes in style. It comes with excellent typography, different backgrounds, and lets you add relevant details in an efficient manner.

Software development proposal template

As the name suggests, it’s a must-have template for product managers in the IT field. It's a six-page template developed by PandaDoc (a SaaS software company) to create an ideal software development proposal for potential clients.

You can enter all the relevant details like project overview, technical obstacles, market risks, budgetary risks, software, total estimation for work hours, and more. It definitely saves you hours in Google Docs.

Invoice template

While spreadsheet software like Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel are more suited for creating invoices, you can make one in Google Docs, too. Among all the third-party invoice templates, this one caught our attention. It’s a neatly designed invoice template which is colorful too. You can enter the item description, price, invoice date, number, and shipping details, and even insert a signature at the bottom.

Once the invoice is ready, download it as a PDF on your computer and share it with clients via email.

Resume template

The default resume templates in Google Docs are basic at best. Instead of using them, try the clean CV template to make the perfect first impression. It’s a smartly designed Google Docs template that lets you add relevant details like contact info, portfolio, experience, education, expertise, awards, cover letter, and more. It’s a much better template compared to the bland-looking ones in the Google Docs library.

Brochure template

Due to its adaptability a trifold brochure is a popular format in various fields. Whether you want to create a real estate, medical product, financial, marketing, insurance, or travel brochure, use this eye-catching template with geometric shapes to convey your message in style.

Performance review template

This performance review template from Template.net is a solid option for managers and HRs. Instead of creating a performance review doc from scratch, use this template to add relevant details like employee name, number, experience, position, review period, and more.

As for their yearly performance, you can review their work in different categories and give relevant ratings. Enter supervisor comments, employee commitment, and other details to end the review.

Menu card template

Did you recently open a new café or a restaurant? Instead of hiring a designer to create a menu card, use this Google Docs template to get the your menu options out in the world. It’s a four-page template to highlight your main menu and food items with pictures, prices, descriptions, and more.

Graduation template

With a striking theme, the graduation template is a premium-looking Google Docs template for educators and online tutors. Go ahead, download it to your Google Drive account, and start making copies by changing student names and course completion dates.

Corporate vision board template

If you plan to pitch your company vision to a board of directors or potential investors, use this vision board template to lay out your plan for the future. You can mention essential things such as client onboarding, expansion, market trends, and global workforce estimation as you plot the rise of your enterprise. It’s another smartly designed template to convey your message clearly to others.

Boost your productivity in Google Docs

These are just some of the cherry-picked templates for specific use cases. There is no shortage of third-party Google Docs templates on the web. You can simply import one, make tweaks, and share it among team members or relevant parties.

Apart from the templates library, Google also offers an add-on store to integrate third-party tools with the word processor. Check our dedicated post to learn about the top Google Docs add-ons .

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How to specify a canonical with rel="canonical" and other methods

To specify a canonical URL for duplicate or very similar pages to Google Search, you can indicate your preference using a number of methods. These are, in order of how strongly they can influence canonicalization:

• Redirects : A strong signal that the target of the redirect should become canonical.
• rel="canonical" link annotations : A strong signal that the specified URL should become canonical.
• Sitemap inclusion : A weak signal that helps the URLs that are included in a sitemap become canonical.

Keep in mind that these methods can stack and thus become more effective when combined. This means that when you use two or more of the methods, that will increase the chance of your preferred canonical URL appearing in search results.

While we encourage you to use these methods, none of them are required; your site will likely do just fine without specifying a canonical preference. That's because if you don't specify a canonical URL, Google will identify which version of the URL is objectively the best version to show to users in Search .

Reasons to specify a canonical URL

While it's generally not critical to specify a canonical preference for your URLs, there are a number of reasons why you would want to explicitly tell Google about a canonical page in a set of duplicate or similar pages:

• To specify which URL that you want people to see in search results. You might prefer people to reach your green dresses product page through https://www.example.com/dresses/green/greendress.html rather than https://example.com/dresses/cocktail?gclid=ABCD .
• To consolidate signals for similar or duplicate pages. It helps search engines to be able to consolidate the signals they have for the individual URLs (such as links to them) into a single, preferred URL. This means that signals from other sites to https://example.com/dresses/cocktail?gclid=ABCD get consolidated with links to https://www.example.com/dresses/green/greendress.html if the latter becomes canonical.
• To simplify tracking metrics for a piece of content. With a variety of URLs, it can be more challenging for you to get consolidated metrics for a specific piece of content.
• To avoid spending crawling time on duplicate pages. You may want Googlebot to get the most out of your site, so it's better for it to spend time crawling new (or updated) pages on your site, rather than crawling duplicate versions of the same content.

Best practices

For all canonicalization methods, follow these best practices:

• Don't use the robots.txt file for canonicalization purposes.
• Don't use the URL removal tool for canonicalization. It hides all versions of a URL from Search.
• Don't specify different URLs as canonical for the same page using different canonicalization techniques (for example, don't specify one URL in a sitemap, but a different URL for that same page using rel="canonical" ).
• We don't recommend using noindex to prevent selection of a canonical page within a single site, because it will completely block the page from Search. rel="canonical" link annotations are the preferred solution.
• If you're using hreflang elements , make sure to specify a canonical page in the same language, or the best possible substitute language if a canonical page doesn't exist for the same language.
• When linking within your site, link to the canonical URL rather than a duplicate URL. Linking consistently to the URL that you consider to be canonical helps Google understand your preference.

Comparison of canonicalization methods

The following table compares the different canonicalization methods, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to maintenance and efficacy in different scenarios.

Send a rel="canonical" header in your page response.

Specify your canonical pages in a sitemap.

Use rel="canonical" link annotations

Google supports explicit rel canonical link annotations as described in RFC 6596 . rel="canonical" annotations that suggest alternate versions of a page are ignored; specifically, rel="canonical" annotations with hreflang , lang , media , and type attributes are not used for canonicalization. Instead, use the appropriate link annotations to specify alternate versions of a page; for example, link rel="alternate" hreflang for language and country annotations.

You can provide the rel="canonical" link annotations in two ways:

• The rel="canonical" link element in the HTML
• The rel="canonical" link HTTP header

We recommend that you choose one of these and go with that; while supported, using both methods at the same time is more error prone (for example, you might provide one URL in the HTTP header, and another URL in the rel="canonical" link element).

The rel="canonical" link element

A rel="canonical" link element (also known as a canonical element ) is an element used in the head section of HTML to indicate that another page is representative of the content on the page.

Suppose you want https://example.com/dresses/green-dresses to be the canonical URL, even though a variety of URLs can access this content. Indicate this URL as canonical with these steps:

• Add a <link> element with the attribute rel="canonical" to the <head> section of duplicate pages, pointing to the canonical page. For example: <html> <head> <title>Explore the world of dresses</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/dresses/green-dresses" /> <!-- other elements --> </head> <!-- rest of the HTML -->
• If the canonical page has a mobile variant on a separate URL, add a rel="alternate" link element to it, pointing to the mobile version of the page: <html> <head> <title>Explore the world of dresses</title> <link rel="alternate" media="only screen and (max-width: 640px)" href="https://m.example.com/dresses/green-dresses"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/dresses/green-dresses" /> <!-- other elements --> </head> <!-- rest of the HTML -->
• Add any hreflang or other elements that are appropriate for the page.

Use absolute paths rather than relative paths with the rel="canonical" link element. Even though relative paths are supported by Google, they can cause problems in the long run (for example, if you unintentionally allow your testing site to be crawled) and thus we don't recommend them.

Good example : https://www.example.com/dresses/green/greendress.html

Bad example : /dresses/green/greendress.html

The rel="canonical" link element is only accepted if it appears in the <head> section of the HTML, so make sure at least the <head> section is valid HTML .

If you use JavaScript to add the rel="canonical" link element, make sure to inject the canonical link element properly .

The rel="canonical" HTTP header

If you can change the configuration of your server, you can use a link HTTP response header with a rel="canonical" target attribute as defined by RFC5988 rather than an HTML element to indicate the canonical URL for a document supported by Search, including non-HTML documents such as PDF files.

Google supports this method for web search results only.

If you publish content in many file formats, such as PDF or Microsoft Word, each on their own URL, you can return a rel="canonical" HTTP header to tell Googlebot what is the canonical URL for the non-HTML files. For example, to indicate that the PDF version of the .docx version should be canonical, you might add this HTTP header for the .docx version of the content:

As with the rel="canonical" link element, use absolute URLs in the rel="canonical" HTTP header, and as per RFC2616 , use only double quotes around the URL.

Use a sitemap

Pick a canonical URL for each of your pages and submit them in a sitemap . All pages listed in a sitemap are suggested as canonicals; Google will decide which pages (if any) are duplicates, based on similarity of content.

Supplying the preferred canonical URLs in the sitemaps is a simple way of defining canonicals for a large site, and sitemaps are a useful way to tell Google which pages you consider most important on your site.

Use redirects

Use this method when you want to get rid of existing duplicate pages. All redirection methods — 301 and 302 redirects, meta-refresh , JavaScript redirects—have the same effect on Google Search, however the time it takes for search engines to notice the different redirect methods may differ.

For the quickest effect, use 3xx HTTP (also known as server-side ) redirects.

Suppose your page can be reached in multiple ways:

• https://example.com/home
• https://home.example.com
• https://www.example.com

Pick one of those URLs as your canonical URL, and use redirects to send traffic from the other URLs to your preferred URL.

Other signals

Apart from explicitly provided methods, Google also uses a set of canonicalization signals that are generally based on site setup: preferring HTTPS over HTTP, and URLs in hreflang clusters.

Prefer HTTPS over HTTP for canonical URLs

Google prefers HTTPS pages over equivalent HTTP pages as canonical, except when there are issues or conflicting signals such as the following:

• The HTTPS page has an invalid SSL certificate.
• The HTTPS page contains insecure dependencies (other than images).
• The HTTPS page redirects users to or through an HTTP page.
• The HTTPS page has a rel="canonical" link to the HTTP page.

Although our systems prefer HTTPS pages over HTTP pages by default, you can ensure this behavior by taking any of the following actions:

• Add redirects from the HTTP page to the HTTPS page.
• Add a rel="canonical" link from the HTTP page to the HTTPS page.
• Implement HSTS .

To prevent Google from incorrectly making the HTTP page canonical, avoid the following practices:

• Avoid bad TLS/SSL certificates and HTTPS-to-HTTP redirects because they cause Google to prefer HTTP very strongly. Implementing HSTS cannot override this strong preference.
• Don't include the HTTP version of your pages in your sitemap or hreflang annotations rather than the HTTPS version.
• Avoid implementing your SSL/TLS certificate for the wrong host-variant. For example, example.com serving the certificate for subdomain.example.com . The certificate must match your complete site URL, or be a wildcard certificate that can be used for multiple subdomains on a domain.

Prefer URLs in hreflang clusters

To help with sites' localization efforts, for canonicalization purposes Google prefers URLs that are part of hreflang clusters. For example, if https://example.com/de-de/cats and https://example.com/de-ch/cats reciprocally point to each other with hreflang annotations, but not to https://example.com/de-at/cats , the pages for de-de and de-ch will be preferred as canonicals instead of the /de-at/ page that doesn't appear in the hreflang cluster.

Read more about troubleshooting and fixing canonicalization issues .

Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License , and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License . For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies . Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Last updated 2024-03-18 UTC.