Alternatives to collabora + Nextcloud

this is a small list of the alternatives I found, usefull or not, for replacing our current solution for collaborative documents. Previously we used Google Docs, but for various reasons (mainly accessibility?) we decided to test other collab docs solutions. The list below is incomplete, but it starts to show a small landscape of what is available: On one side large projects aimed at enterprises with suscriber plans and tasty features, on the other hand projects aimed at trying to solve the realtime document collaboration dilema.

Current solution

The current solution nextCloud + collabora example allows for collaboration from any part of the world that can connect to a KDE service.

• 1. Pros
• Already integrated with [https://share.kde.org]
• Can be used from places where Google docs is banned
• works?

• 1. Cons
• Mayor In some cases document is reset to non editing state
• Strong lag

Alternatives

I'll be listing here all the alternatives found and the most promising will have a little more detail.

• Etherpad
• Google docs (can we go back to them?)
• Microsoft Office (another source of evil?)
• Cryptpad
• Wikiapp (phab and gitlab)
• OnlyOffice
• ZohoOffice
• Graphite Docs source code DEAD
• coda (https://coda.io/welcome)
• bit.ai (https://bit.ai/)

Etherpad

(https://etherpad.org/) Opensource realtime collaboration. Runs over node.js on local computer requiring install. It installs a server for documents, as such it needs a public ip to serve the files to anyone with the url. Each "pad" or document is very simple and on default installation there is no support for tables, images, or text styles (headers, code, fonts).

Missing functionality can be added using plugins to be closer to google docs functionality. however plugins didn't load after install

• + full control on what you want or need.
• = requires server setup for public access, unless you want all in localhost.
• - while installing plugins the server got corrupted and could not initialize. did not try to debug/uninstall
• - Another system to setup and mantain, but have full control of documents

Cryptpad

(https://cryptpad.fr/) Opensource, simple formatting text interface, no images supported without and account, but there is no need to use an email to get an account (just make sure you never loose your password!). Anyone can create a document even without and account and work in collaboration instantly. an account can be made an save into crypto cloud (1GB). Support inline comments.

• + Encrypted and open source (https://opencollective.com/cryptpad)
• = Edit access is given by link, so any edit link will work for life
• - Images can only be edited (add/del) by poster, but can be mover by anyone

test file https://cryptpad.fr/pad/#/2/pad/edit/U1TGr6vRF0+lFmJh012cUIid/

Wikiapp (gitlab/phabricator)

Usage of the integrated wiki functionality in phabricator or gitlab to have a collaborative document. It may not be as realtime as other options but it is a possibility. thoughts?

ZohoOffice

(https://www.zoho.com/es-xl/docs/) Free up to 25 users, needs an account, has application for phones. Solution is very complete for corporate/office clients. An email is provided to allow creation of a document. however to be of any real utility a suscription is needed.

Test doc: https://docs.zohopublic.com/file/ghhb4a997ac515967446e8aeef9f4f510e82e

OnlyOffice

(https://www.onlyoffice.com/) There is a community edition (GNU AGPL v.3) that can be installed as a docker image. functions include all documents basics. Only a max of 20 users at a time as is, but problably if hacked more connections can be added? (however it may probably be artifitially limited)

• Versions comparisson https://github.com/ONLYOFFICE/DocumentServer#onlyoffice-document-server-editions

Bit.ai

(https://bit.ai/) Nice clean interface but documents cannot be publicly shared, you need to be invited to the team to see. Guest access behind paywall 15 USD month

Coda

(https://coda.io/welcome) Nice complete editor, other funtions for meetings, however need account and payment for full shareability. Integrates with google docs (not the best as some regions are google banned).