Proton Docs / collaboration suite
(folders and docs similar to GoogleDocs)
Proton mail needs some collaborative word processor and spreadsheet in a drive where people can securely work on it but only the person who owns the files can keep them and no one can download them or copy them.

Introducing Docs in Proton Drive – collaborative document editing that’s actually private: https://proton.me/blog/docs-proton-drive
With Docs you can:
- Write with privacy — Create and edit documents within Proton Drive, knowing your contents are only accessible to you and those you choose to share with.
- Share and invite anyone — Invite other users to view or edit your documents with a single click.
- Collaborate in real-time — Changes are reflected immediately, ensuring every contributor always sees the most up-to-date version.
- View cursors and presence indicators — See who else is viewing or editing the document, enhancing teamwork and communication.
- Leave comments and replies — Add comments to share feedback without editing the document. Comments are visible to all collaborators, keeping everyone in the loop.
- Import and export with ease — You can upload .docx documents, edit them, and download in various formats like .docx, .txt, .md, and HTML.
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[Deleted User] commented
Now with the acquisition of Standard Notes I think there is room to expand its features with PowerPoints and Documents. It already has Spreadsheets. Then it would start being an alternative for Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (or Googles services). I think that would be a great addition for individuals but of course also businesses.
I personally need an Office program and since I can't sync my documents from MS Office automatically with Proton Drive, this would kill two birds with one stone.
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Huey commented
Just commenting to slightly revise -- and name Etherpad as a good open source alternative to Skiff Pages (which I don't actually think ever released their code).
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Hi commented
I mean, with the purchase of Standard Notes, Proton could easily do this. Standard Notes has a rich text editor and a (albeit too basic) spreadsheet, so the team likely could make a full encryption syncing (learning Proton's version of encryption) office suite of docs, a full spreadsheet that can actually have lots of rows and other full features, a presentation slides, and a forms (I guess cryptpad does forms too but Proton duplicates things at times anyways like Proton Pass with other password managers out there).
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Huey commented
With the recent acquisition of Standard Notes, it seems like Proton has plans to do what was done with SimpleLogin: maintain the original service while also integrating a version of it into the Proton workflow. I speculate that something like "Proton Notes" - built off the Standard Notes code - is on the horizon. And if so, I really hope Proton also pays attention to the open-source code of CryptPad and (the now-defunct) Skiff Pages and makes real-time collaboration possible. This will put Proton Drive on-par with Google Drive - except, of course, it will be E2E encrypted. This would be a game-changer and would definitely attract more users.
I don't share other users' concerns about Standard Notes needing to look more "modern." It honestly looks modern enough to me (especially Standard Notes spreadsheets - the dark mode is great and unique for those). I think more people are looking for a Google Drive alternative than something like Obsidian/LogSeq/Notion; but if Proton does go for building out something in the vain of Obsidian/LogSeq/Notion, I think it should come after building out real-time collaboration - which should be the priority.
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alspals commented
I would love a collaboration with CryptPad, a la simplelogin and standard notes. Their encrypted collaboration suite is used a lot in the activism space.
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B. commented
Cooperation between Proton and the Document Foundation (LibreOffice) might be the better option.
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Vetrarnott commented
I vote not at all, because this is a large additional feature and would unecessarily take away from optimizing existing features. It would be better for Proton to facilitate connecting ProtonDrive to OnlyOffice.
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Michael Jones commented
It would be nice to have bi-directional file/folder sharing much like Google drive, where the sharer would add a protonmail members email address to the shared folder which would allow them to add/delete files for collaborations.
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Eriko commented
I vote "Not at all" for this request. LibreOffice + Drive client works great. I would rather see all Proton Drive users migrate to LibreOffice first, because LO needs more traction to compete with MS and Google.
Ideally there would be a cooperation between Proton and the Document Foundation, perhaps the latter could develop online editors with Proton Drive storage?
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Bert Michael Connor commented
It would be great if we could open and edit Word and Excel documents directly in Proton Drive without having to download them first. You know, something like how Office 360 works, but still private and secure like everything else in Proton. I think it would be super handy so we don't have to jump from one app to another or worry about privacy when using other platforms for editing. It would just make things more straightforward and keep the whole security vibe we love about Proton.
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Reg B commented
The ultimate goal is to have office-style features similar to what I currently have on G%gle Drive, which desperately needs to leave because of their recent 'bait and switch' plan update on users.
Spreadsheets are crucial; they are second only to working with documents.
If an "office suite" of tools were available, including a spreadsheet feature, it would be fantastic. Perhaps collaborating with Airtable or a similar service to create an integration could fulfil this need for spreadsheets, which I'm confident are in high demand for me and others.
By doing so, we could establish a nearly complete working ecosystem that is not reliant on G%gle for documents, spreadsheets, and other Windows suite providers at Offc33&5.
*typos on those big tech providers as i don't want to mention them.
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uvC commented
The doc/spreadsheet editor by itself would eliminate the need for other services like Google/MS?
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Tyler commented
I would rather see Proton devote their resources toward their existing product suite.
Plenty of other alternatives exist to Microsoft Office and Google, yet the adoption is not there since no one can make a true replacement. There is always a feature to two missing. This is a result of the fact that those companies have far greater resources to devote to those products than any competitor.
I like privacy, but I will continue to use MS office since nothing even comes close if you are someone who uses the more advanced features.
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R commented
Make the suite more complete by adding a word processor, a spreadsheet app, a presentation app and a pdf reader/editor (and perhaps a taks/todo program). Preferably one that works in the cloud and offline as a standalone app. Integrated with Proton Drive and Mail.
Instead of inventing the wheel, Onlyoffice would perhaps be something to look at.
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Mich commented
I need a file that I can share with coworkers and they need to be able to access and modify the files in this folder from their own proton account. The current link system is a hassle. A link should only be shared once so the file can be mapped on their proton drive account and be shown as a shared folder. Permissions for the people I share the file with would be great too, like see only, see and modify etc..
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AZ commented
I'm another Skiff user sadly looking around for something to replace Skiff Pages.
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Peter Koulogeorge commented
Skiff just sold their business and will be shutting down their pages service. Proton really should add a function for long form notes and writing. I am seriously going to miss Skiff's encrypted pages. I think it would be a bog hit for Proton and contribute to people not needing to even have both a Google account (for Docs) and and Proton account (for everything else)
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Dave Annis commented
I want to completely get off Google. However, the document system that they have withing their Google Drive is amazing! If you can make something like that, I'd pay for it!
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Dave Annis commented
Proton Documents: for documents, spreadsheets, and slide presentations. Create something like Google has where people can collaborate online. Perhaps use LibreOffice as a base, or team up with them?
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Shane Terpstra commented
This is pretty much the only reason I can't get rid of Dropbox. If I could share files/folders with others in my organization at least so that the files/folders appear in their Proton Drive, I could ditch Dropbox.