What is CryptPad?
CryptPad is a collaborative office suite in which everything is encrypted in your browser before it leaves your device. The people running the service cannot read your documents. It is open source and made by the French company XWiki SAS, and CryptPad.fr is the flagship instance run by the development team.
The suite covers rich text, spreadsheets, code and Markdown, kanban boards, slides, whiteboards and forms, plus team drives, a calendar and sharing. Changes sync live between collaborators. Guest use is supported, and registering for a free account keeps your documents in one place, so it suits people who want a private alternative to the big online office suites.
Main Features
- End-to-end encryption in the browser
- Rich text, spreadsheets, code and Markdown editors
- Kanban boards, slides, whiteboards and forms
- Real-time collaboration
- Team drives and a calendar
- Open source and can be self-hosted
- Public instances run by other organisations
How to Get Started with CryptPad
- Go to cryptpad.fr.
- Pick the type of document you want to create.
- Register for a free account if you want a saved drive.
- Share the link with collaborators to edit together.
CryptPad Pricing
CryptPad can be used free on a public instance, or self-hosted at no cost. CryptPad.fr sells paid plans from 5 to 100 euros a month for more storage and priority support. Hosted instances for organisations start from 1,500 euros a year.
Who Should Use It?
- Privacy-conscious individuals
- Journalists, NGOs and activists who handle sensitive material
- Schools and teams that want an alternative to big tech suites
- Organisations that want to run their own instance
CryptPad Alternatives
- Standard Notes is an encrypted notes app with a focus on privacy.
- Bitwarden is an open source password manager with a free plan.
- Simplenote keeps plain text notes synced across your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CryptPad free?
Yes, on a public instance or when self-hosted. CryptPad.fr also sells paid plans for more storage and support.
Can CryptPad staff read my documents?
No. Content is encrypted in the browser, so administrators do not see it.
What can I create?
Rich text documents, spreadsheets, code and Markdown, kanban boards, slides, whiteboards and forms.
Do I need an account?
Guest use is available. Registering gives you an account that keeps your documents in one place.
Can I host it myself?
Yes. CryptPad is open source and the project publishes documentation for self-hosting.