CryptPad

CryptPad is an open source, zero-knowledge encrypted collaboration suite developed by XWiki SAS, a French software company based in Paris. The project began in 2016 as a research initiative focused on building collaborative editing tools where the server never has access to the content being edited. CryptPad has since grown into a full-featured productivity suite that offers an encrypted alternative to Google Docs and other cloud-based office tools, funded in part by European research grants including NGI and the European Commission's Horizon programme.

The platform includes a rich text editor, spreadsheets, presentations, Kanban boards, a whiteboard, forms and surveys, and a code/markdown editor, all with real-time collaboration and zero-knowledge encryption. Documents are encrypted in the browser before being sent to the server, meaning that even CryptPad's operators cannot read user content. Users can create and share documents without creating an account, making it exceptionally easy to get started. CryptPad also supports teams with shared drives, access controls, and document history.

CryptPad is headquartered in Paris, France, with its flagship instance hosted on French infrastructure. The entire codebase is open source under the AGPL license, and organizations can self-host their own CryptPad instances for complete control over their data. CryptPad has become a trusted tool among journalists, activists, researchers, and privacy-conscious organizations across Europe who need collaborative editing without exposing their content to any third party. For teams seeking a GDPR-compliant alternative to Google Docs, Evernote, or Notion that guarantees mathematical privacy through encryption rather than mere policy promises, CryptPad is a uniquely compelling option.