#google docs alternatives

[wanderinginksplot]

Not trying to make any claims or make anyone panic, but I don't like the way things are going with Google Docs. I'm looking for a new place to store works.

Does anyone have any recommendations for something I can have on my phone and my computer that lets me write offline? Obviously, data security is the main thing, but it would be nice if it was free! 😅

[lieutenant-amuel]

Hello Tumblr community.

Can somebody please recommend me good google documents alternatives?

I really, really want to quit google documents (and google in general) but I cannot find a good substitute that would meet my main requirements. I need it to be available on mobile devices and have a comment feature when I share my documents with other people (not view, not edit, I need comments).

If you can help me, you’ll forever be my lifesaver.

[sanktaleksander]

Does anyone know any good alternatives for housing your fics besides Google Docs? Obviously Google is shit and there is always the looming threat of them taking some issue with your content and just zapping it from existence but my space is almost full as well and fuck if I’m gonna pay those assholes anything. It would be great if this was a platform I could also use for actually writing fics as well as saving them. Thanks in advance 🖤

[bisexualbaker]

[Image: Screencap from Ellipsus' website asking how the user first learned about them; the first option in the drop-down menu is "Tumblr".]

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!

[inhayara]

an alt to gdocs for computers is libre office. if you only write on mobile i bet you can search for alternatives online

oh thanks anon! i normally only write in my notes app on mobile and then transfer it to desktop so I’ll be sure to check that out

[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]

Hello! Been following you for a while and just an avid fan of your writing style and ficlets. You mentioned in your post that you're seeking out google docs alternatives for your works, and I'm sorry if this comes off as nosy but may I ask you what encouraged you to find a different software?

I tried to do some research beforehand but came up blank, does this have to do with AI learning by any chance?

Hey anon! Thank you so much for the kind words!

You're not being nosy at all! I have been hearing rumblings about increased privacy issues with Google, particularly having to do with scraping works to train their AI.

It's worth noting that these claims are all unsubstantiated at the moment. Most people say that you only have to worry about public documents, and even then, it only applies if you opt in to the service.

Still, I'll admit that I'm a little worried about the way things are going. I have about 1.5 million words across dozens of documents on Google docs, and that's not even including old school assignments and various personal documents. Privacy has been an issue with Google for a long time, but if I'm going to finally move away from Docs, I'll need as much time as possible to get everything switched over.

Thank you for asking! Sorry if this came off a little 'tin-foil hat'-ish!

[notartisticdraw]

UNDERTALE PUPPET AU

Hey, fellas. Considering Goulash’s backstory, I’m going to be making a new Underale AU revolving around the concept of puppets/muppets/dolls/marionettes. This is partially inspired by the desire to give Goulash a heavy fascination with puppets and partially by the want to give him an interesting and cohesive backstory.

Goulash never officially meets his parents, Fresh and Greaser (or at least knows who they are if they collide), nor does he ever have the luxury of childhood, instantly conceived as a parasite that infiltrates adult bodies due to their greater power and soul strength compared to children—though this doesn’t mean Goulash never had adult figures to help guide him.

Regardless, I thought a puppet-themed AU would also be a great idea revolving around Goulash due to his parasitic nature and how well themes of manipulation, alternative control, and hostage could easily go hand-in-hand with puppets. Though presented as a child-friendly AU where the entire Undertale cast is replaced with various differentiating puppet versions of themselves, the AU is nothing short of horrifying and sinister, with underlying manipulative themes stitched into the seams.

The AU is still in the newborn stages. All you need to know is that there are going to be five (or three) new characters out of the entire original cast that will serve as Goulash’s “caregivers” or “guidance.” I also wanted to brainstorm a creative name for this AU since I’m pretty sure Underpuppet and Puppettale have already been taken. Plus, I wanted it to be something innovative and interesting.

It could also be an AU that many could separate Goulash’s story from if anyone just wanted to have fun with the silly, horror puppet AU. I wouldn’t mind.

***

(Video by Aloof_cold_Hands (Tik Tok & Instagram)) This is the primary inspiration for the AU. I hopefully plan on remaking this video involving Goulash and his caregivers

***

This will also greatly inspire the AU, revolving around its darker themes. Other inspirations will include Welcome Home, the Muppets, Don't Hug Me I'm Scared, Hello Puppets, etc.

[aka-indulgence]

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

[umemiyan]

i'm kinda digging this ellipsus thing so far. i moved some of my wip docs over there to give it a try and i like how writer-centric it is vs. google not just bc of the interface but also bc they have a thing where you can see all the features they're working on or planning on adding based on user submissions and it's just. nice

[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.

[skibasyndrome]

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

[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))

[runawaymun]

turning off spell and grammar check on Google Docs. It has gotten so bad. (Trying to replace hummed with hummel????? I'm sorry? Many such cases. I can't even remember all the ones off the top of my head but all of the suggestions now are nonsensical or just flat out incorrect. Half the time it's not even a real word that it's suggesting to me. I hate that they decided to replace it with dumbass AI machine learning rather than, you know, using actual grammar and spelling rules).