#google docs alternative

[nvrfknlrnd2rd]

okay so google drive is being a lil sketchy w AI stuff and it frankly makes me just uncomfy enough to look for an alternative.

the one that i have landed on (for now) is obsidian bc it works nicely for what i typically use google docs for (outside of academic stuff for college) and the reviews on the app store were MUCH better than evernote, which i also considered. so here are a list of what i consider pros and cons

pros

the organization! the style of organization works really well for me personally, with folders and the ability to link to other notes. this helps me keep character development and world building uncluttered during the process

tagging! you can set tags within each file, or vault, in order to better find notes or graphics. i haven't explored this a ton yet BUT it seems promising especially when files get bigger and more complicated

themes! you can customize the colors and themes inside the app (im using 80s neon rn) which isnt super critical for me but is helpful for people who benefit from being able to change that (i personally just enjoy it)

free use of like 99% of the app! the app itself is free and no app features are "off limits" without payment. vvv

cons

does NOT sync automatically. you CAN sync between devices but it is an $8 monthly subscription which i just cant afford on top of other monthly payments rn. maybe one day. (other payment plan is a $50/year fee for commercial use and priority support)

a little complicated. theres no real tutorial so anything beyond basics i've figured out by hitting buttons until they did something. if youre up for a little trial n error learning or asking other people about it, its fine

[unicornlovers10]

Do you guys (gender-neutral) know of a good alternative to Google Docs? I've been using it for years and I want to move my writing off of it. Because Google is planning to start this, and I don't want that to happen to my writing. Even if it's in a really rough state.

I should also explain my current writing system (as of August 2023). This is extremely simplified by the way, also there is some overlap between different programs/apps.

~My current writing system~

Google Docs: Online backup of drafts, random lore tidbits, practice drafts, chapter outlines, story arc outlines, character sheets, basic worldbuilding, etc. The bulk of my writing stuff happens here.

LibreOffice: Everything that Google Docs does but offline

Pluot: Lore, detailed worldbuilding, character sheets, story arc outlines, chapter outlines

Notion: Visualizing timelines, compiling everything into a "wiki"

Also, just to let you know, I'm on a pretty strict budget. So I can't afford the super-expensive programs or subscription services. I'd prefer to use something that's free, or super cheap.

[kippykasey]

A Google Docs alternative is LibreOffice (found here: www(.)libreoffice(.)org/ without all the parentheses) My computer guy actually introduced me to what I've recently learned is the previous version of that, OpenOffice! That one is really more like the store brand Microsoft Word; it's okay, it just kinda feels... off when using it. I haven't gotten the chance to use LibreOffice yet, but I hear nice things!

Ooo I totally forgot about OpenOffice. I used it a lot in like 2012ish. I'll have to check into LibreOffice. Thanks!

[deadal3x]

Help

Hey y'all, Currently trying to find a good, free Alternitve to Google Docs after learning about the whole "Google is stealing user data from drive users to train AI!" rumor. (I say Rumor because I do not know how true it is.)

I'd love recommendations, as long as they're free and can cross save across devices. (I'd also love a dark mode, but it's not required lol)

Thanks!!

[the960writers]

Alternatives to google docs

For various reasons, this is now a hot topic. I'm putting my favorites here, please add more in your reblogs. I'm not pointing to Microsoft Word because I hate it.

Local on your computer:

1.

LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org/), Win, Linux, Mac.

Looks like early 2000 Word, works great, imports and exports all formats. Saves in OpenDocumentFormat. Combine with something like Dropbox for Cloud Backup.

2.

FocusWriter (https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/) Win, Linux.

Super customizable to make it look pretty, all toolbars hide to be as non-distracting as possible. Can make typewriter sounds as you type, and you can set daily wordcount goals. Saves in OpenDocumentFormat. Combine with something like Dropbox for Cloud Backup.

3.

Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview) Win, Mac, iOS

The lovechild of so many writers. Too many things to fiddle with for me, but I'm sure someone else can sing its praises. You can put the database folder into a Dropbox folder for cloud saving (but make sure to always close the program before shutting down).

Web-based:

4.

Reedsy bookeditor (https://reedsy.com/write-a-book) Browser based, works on Firefox on Android. Be aware that they also have a TOS that forbids pornography on publicly shared documents.

My current writing program. Just enough features to be helpful, not so many that I start fiddling. Writing is chapter based, exports to docx, epub, pdf. You can share chapters (for beta reading) with other people registered at Reedsy.

5.

Novelpad (https://novelpad.co/) Browser based.

Looks very promising, there's a youtuber with really informative videos about it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHN8TnwjG1g). I wanted to love it, but the editor didn't work on Firefox on my phone. It might now, but I'm reluctant to switch again.

------

So, this is my list. Please add more suggestions in reblogs.

[hjbender]

Hey Bender, what was that writing program you recently posted about that was an alternative to google docs? My computer died today and when i get a new one i think i wanna make a switch to something that DOESNT have the authority to spontaneously lock me out of all my work and train Ai by stealing it

Proton! Specifically, Proton Docs, which is currently a feature of Proton Drive. Pretty much exactly like Google but without the bullshit.

I've been using Proton Mail for a while now, but for the longest time there was no real alternative to GDocs, especially in terms of accessibility across multiple devices (PC, phone, etc). Now there is, and I'm really happy about it. Give it a try and see if it works for you.

[julijbee]

so i finished the dlc.

[wanderinginksplot]

Can anyone tell me if there's an app/offline writing functionality? I do a lot of writing on airplanes and I would love a Docs alternative that wouldn't make me rewrite everything once I'm back on the ground.

Since the whole thing with NaNoWriMo has gone down, I've noticed that one of their former sponsors, Ellipsus, has cut contact with NaNoWriMo because they do not support their stance on AI; I didn't know what Ellipsus was, but upon further research I've found that they are a writing platform that works a lot like Google Docs and Microsoft Word, only with a heavier leaning on the story-writing aspect and connecting with other writers - and they also completely denounce any use of AI, both in the writing process itself and in the use of their platform. I really appreciate that.

Since this is the case (and since I've noticed Google has begun implementing more AI into their software), I've decided to give Ellipsus a try to see if it's a good alternative to Google Docs (my main writing platform). It's completely free and so far, I've found it simple to use (although it is pretty minimal in its features), and I really like the look of it.

I figured I'd spread the word about this platform in case any of you writers would want to give it a try, and if you do, let me know how you like it!

[nvrfknlrnd2rd]

im doing some reading about the whole google, ai, data scraping situation (articles mostly) in my pursuit of a suitable substitute bc holy balls i just want to write my silly little stories without the anxiety of it being STOLEN making it impossible.

that being said, here's an article that helped me at least sort of understand whats going on as well as offering some alternatives

i have not tried any of the programs suggested yet so if you have and have anything to note about them, please leave them in the replies so i can read them <3 this situation w google sucks but at least im learning about different word processors out there

[aka-indulgence]

ok so google docs doesnt recognize when i press ctrl+i or anything anymore, my day is ruined

[elephant-in-the-pride-parade]

This has been a good tool so far (I participated in the Beta). Theres some key differences from Google docs that took some getting used to. And some major perks that for me, made Ellipsus a worthwhile service to try switching to.

The Major Draw for me was their anti-AI stance

This is a tool made by creators who know fanfiction writing well, and designed intentionally as an alternative to tools like Google Docs that are increasingly embracing LLM integration with their products. Ellipsus is new, but its road map is promising. They are designing their tool as a word processor that will protect works from LLM use - and the version history is a great tool to show your development process - to prove that you wrote your work from conception to final product.

Other Major Positives I've discovered through participating in the Beta

Chat and Comments - Ellipsus has two ways to talk to your collaborators and so thats really nice if youre brainstorming an idea vs seeing a beta comment on a particular sentence

The interface is really nice to look at. And it's easy to navidate between all the tools and features.

The Export options seem designed with AO3 in mind. In addition to the option to export your main document from Ellipsus to PDF, you can also copy the whole thing as either rich text or html - perfect for transfering to AO3

Focus mode is a treat

And in general I have found the developers to be extremely responsive to suggestioms. perhaps that will change with a larger userbase to manage, but it was still a real selling point to me.

Ellipsus vs. Google Docs - Differences I needed to Adjust to:

The drafts feature is how your betas can edit and comment on a document. Rather than accept and reject each change, Ellipsus currently gives you a compare versions feature - it is still easy to see what your beta changed but you need to do the work of changing it back if you don't agree.

Sharing a link gives read access only - you need to have someone's email address to add them as a collaborator (editor or co-author)

Ellipsus doesn't (yet) have the option to sort your works into different folders but theyve made so many good updates just within the beta time period that I wouldn't be surprised if it was in the cards for the future.

If I frequently switch between desktop and mobile, ocasionally I will see that the mobile version has not yet seen the desktop changes - this has only happened a couple times. Probably has to do with the draft still being open on my desktop

My largest document on Ellipsus now has 3 chapters of beta comments, several drafts, and 50,000 words. Thus far no issue with lag on desktop or mobile.

After nine months in closed beta, we’re ready to lift the waitlist and invite anyone to try Ellipsus! 🪩

Are you tired of:

... Large docs that lag?

... Bouncing between tools to collect feedback from editors and betas?

... Large corporates and looming LLMs?

Then Ellipsus might be just what you’re looking for. :)

Give us a try and let’s shape the future of collaborative creative writing, together. ✨

[yasmeensh]

Finally got to paint something a little more proper for my project. Paleolithic kids see a dragon come down from the sky 🐉

a few more doodles of my OCs Tam Kujo below >>

drew this one in the span of three days during class time :p. A few lines here and there while I wait for the prof to set up the slides and start the class. Kept going until I felt like not adding anymore.

two more

[skibasyndrome]

anyone else ever feel like a bit of a fraud for their creative creations?

[s-n-arly]

Hey, are there any alternatives for google.doc?

It depends on what you're using Google Docs for. If it's a word processor, I really love the Libre Office suite. It's got a match for everything in the Microcrap Office suite and it doesn't piss me off the way Word does. If you are using Google Docs for collaboration and sharing, it's probably the easiest and cheapest option, especially if you are sharing with people not on the same network and you want to have access to the same documents at the same time. If you don't need access simultaneously, you can ship a text document (doc/docx/odt/etc) via email and use track changes to identify who made what changes. Microsoft has One Drive, which is supposed to be good for file sharing, but it is not. It sucks and made me want to poke out my eyes with sticks.

Hope this helps.

[arsonisticpotato]

I have an oc problem...

This is Marilyn Drake, the 5 years older sister of Tim. She is super cool and gay, and is an absolute BEAST when it comes to mechanics and tech. I finally have a backstory and AU for her, so if you wanna see that, just lemme know~

(And if you saw my other post about her, no you didn't <3) ((I don't like it))

[live-laugh-ukotoa]

shh chat don't tell anyone