Proton Drive's Docs Is the New Encrypted Google Docs

Proton, the Swiss company known for creating the end-to-end encrypted Proton Mail program, is pushing forward with a new Docs program that promises to be as secure and user-friendly as the Mail and Drive programs.

In an announcement sent to Lifewire, the company unveiled the new Docs program as part of the Proton Suite of encrypted applications. Docs is part of Proton Drive, which has seen updates for iPhone Photos and new encrypted sharing features in recent weeks.

It should come as no surprise to anyone who follows Proton that this is the newest addition to its suite of secure programs. The company acquired Standard Notes in April 2024 and promised at the time that it wanted to make the program more freely available to Proton users.

Proton promises the new Docs feature "provides a robust alternative to existing document editors like Google Docs, ensuring that privacy and security are paramount—without compromising on vital features" and is as easy to use as Google Docs. However, Proton says it's commitment to "never harvesting user data for any purpose" makes it far more secure than Google's version of the program.

The new Docs program will feature Rich Text editing, comments, and collaboration and will allow for embedded images. If you want to collaborate with someone who is not a Proton user, they'll need to create a free account, but once they're connected, you'll be able to see who is viewing or editing the document—including seeing the edits they are making—in real time. Proton also promises that Docs will be compatible with "multiple formats, including Microsoft .docx."

The Docs program is expected to roll out "over the coming days" and will be available to all Proton users, meaning you won't need to have a premium account to use the new program. Proton promises that more improvements are headed for Docs, too, "starting with increased collaboration tools to make it easier than ever to create and edit content with your team."