Google Drive & Docs

Nextcloud

Nextcloud is an easy-to-use service that provides a range of optional add-ons, such as: file storage, document editing, calendars, contacts, video calling, text-chat. You can view the full list of add-ons at the Nextcloud app store.

Nextcloud is the most popular self-hosted productivity platform with many large customers (for example the German government uses it for all official business).

The Nextcloud software is open source and free, so any website owner can set up their own Nextcloud site. If you don’t have a website but you want to use Nextcloud, you can sign up for an account at the sites below.

Once you’ve got a Nextcloud account set up, you can use the Android and iPhone apps to upload files or manage your storage space. (Many people use the app to upload photos from their phone, for example.)

(Note that Nextcloud sites often use the brands and logos of the companies that run them, but they all run on Nextcloud software, so they all work with the Nextcloud phone app. Most of them offer free accounts up to a certain storage limit, then charge a fee if you want to store more than that.)

CryptPad

CryptPad is a collection of open source and privacy-friendly collaboration tools. They let you easily create documents, presentations, sheets, polls and more in your browser. Based on the “zero knowledge” concept, no one except you (and whoever you give your access keys to) can access your data.

The service is free up to a certain storage limit, with paid accounts for additional storage. You can even use the free service without registering if you want to. It’s worth registering though, as you can keep your documents permanently online this way.

Etherpad

Etherpad is an online text editor that can be used collaboratively. Just share the link to a pad and everyone involved can make and see changes in real-time.

As it is open source, there are many available instances online. They all work without registration or login.

Syncthing

Syncthing is a program to easily synchronize folders across two or more computers. Instead of uploading your files to a central server for sharing them, Syncthing sends files directly from one computer to the other.

To do this, Syncthing assigns an ID to the computer it is running on. Share this ID with your friends, or enter it on your other devices, to sync folders. After confirmation on both sides, changes in a folder are synced in real time.