cryptpad vs docs
Collaborative documents compared: cryptpad and docs
cryptpad and docs both support real-time collaboration and can be self-hosted. cryptpad emphasizes browser-side encryption and a broad suite of collaborative tools, while docs focuses on structured documents and knowledge management.
cryptpad: Collaborate on Documents with End-to-End Encryption
CryptPad is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted collaboration suite for editing documents in real time. It runs in a web browser and can be self-hosted, keeping document contents encrypted from the server.
docs: Collaborative Editing with BlockNote.js and Yjs
La Suite Docs is a web-based collaborative editor built on BlockNote.js and Yjs for writing, organizing, and sharing structured knowledge in real time. It is designed for teams that need data ownership and self-hosting.
| cryptpad | docs | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | JavaScript | Python |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Stars | 8k | 17k |
| Forks | 873 | 679 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 31, 2026 | Oct 28, 2026 |
Key differences
- cryptpad encrypts user data in the browser before sending it to the server; docs describes access controls and data control through self-hosting.
- cryptpad includes documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, kanban boards, code, rich text, and whiteboards; docs centers on structured documents, subpages, and searchable content.
- cryptpad is written in JavaScript and licensed under AGPL-3.0; docs is written in Python and licensed under MIT, with some advanced features depending on packages that are not MIT-compatible.
- cryptpad provides Docker files and published Docker images; docs offers Kubernetes and Docker Compose self-hosting options, while its documented local setup is for development and testing.
- cryptpad describes a three-month release cycle and recommends up-to-date instances; docs is not archived, though repository activity alone does not establish production readiness.
Choose cryptpad if you…
- need browser-side encryption for collaborative content.
- want a suite that includes tools such as spreadsheets, forms, kanban boards, and whiteboards.
- plan to self-host and can account for instance configuration and trust in the code served.
Choose docs if you…
- want structured documents with subpages and searchable knowledge.
- need features such as live cursors, comments, granular access control, or offline editing.
- want to self-host with Kubernetes or Docker Compose and can review deployment and licensing requirements for advanced features.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.