- Proton Drive, Proton Docs, and Proton Sheets form a cloud-based office suite with end-to-end encryption for files, documents, and spreadsheets.
- Docs and Sheets allow real-time collaboration, permission control, and import of standard formats such as CSV, XLS, and Office documents without compromising privacy.
- The ecosystem integrates with other Proton services (Mail, VPN, Calendar, Lumo), offering a security-focused alternative to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
- The community is driving new features such as presentations and apps desktop, while Proton prioritizes polishing the Docs and Sheets base while maintaining its zero-access model.
If you're concerned about the privacy of your data but don't want to give up working comfortably in the cloud, the new services: Proton Docs, Proton Drive, and Proton Sheets They're probably just what you were hoping for. Proton, the Swiss company known for its secure email service Proton Mail and VPN, is building a complete office suite with storageText documents and spreadsheets, all protected by end-to-end encryption.
In this article we will calmly break it down what are Proton Docs, Proton Drive and Proton SheetsHow they work, what advantages they offer over alternatives like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, and why they are generating so much excitement among individual users, professionals, and companies that don't want their data to end up feeding algorithms of Artificial Intelligence uncontrolled.
What is Proton Drive and why has it become so popular?
Proton Drive is the cloud storage service with end-to-end encryption from Proton. At first glance it's quite similar to other popular drives: you save files and folders, organize them by projects, share them with links, have mobile apps and browser access… but under the hood the story is very different.
The key is that All content is encrypted on your device before being sent to the cloud.This includes files, folders, filenames, metadata, and now, documents created with Proton Docs and spreadsheets created with Proton Sheets. Neither Proton nor third parties can see what you store, even if someone were to gain access to their servers.
This zero-access architecture fits with the company's overall philosophy, which operates from Switzerland and adheres to one of the strictest privacy laws in the worldUnlike many large tech companies, Proton emphasizes that it does not use your data to track you, profile you, or train artificial intelligence models.
Another strong point of Proton Drive is its secure sharing toolsYou can create password-protected public links, set expiration dates, or disable access to a link with a single click if you no longer want anyone to be able to open it. The person receiving the link doesn't even need a Proton account to download the file.
In practical terms, the applications for iPhone, iPad and Android ofrecen encrypted backups of photos and fileswith background syncing and very solid performance. For many privacy-conscious people, the simple fact of being able to do backup Automatically accessing your photos without Apple or Google having access to your content is already a radical change.
Regarding storage, Proton offers a free plan with 5 GB storage and paid options that increase the limit. A popular example is Proton Unlimited, which includes 500 GB of Drive, advanced Proton Mail, and Proton VPN, designed for those who want to protect almost their entire digital footprint with a single ecosystem.
Proton Docs: encrypted text documents in the cloud
Proton Docs is the online word processor integrated into Proton DriveTheir goal is very clear: to offer an alternative to Google Docs y Microsoft Word in the cloud, but without sacrificing privacy. Everything you write, comment on, or share within Docs is protected with end-to-end encryption.
The user experience is designed to be familiar to anyone who already uses a modern text editorYou have formatting tools, styles, lists, export options, and the essential functions needed on a daily basis to write reports, papers, contracts, internal documentation, or collaborative content.
One of the great attractions of Proton Docs is the collaboration in real timeYou can invite teammates, edit simultaneously, exchange comments, and work on the same version of the document, just like in other online office suites. The difference is that this content can only be read by authorized users: not Proton, advertisers, or third parties.
Regarding access, Proton Docs runs directly from the browser, within the Proton Drive environment, and It's part of the free plan with basic editing functionalities. It can open common document formats, including .doc files. Microsoft Office, view them, edit them and save them in the encrypted Drive space.
To share a document, you can establish viewing or editing permissionsIf you share with people who already have a Proton account, collaboration is seamless. If the recipient doesn't use Proton, the system may prompt them to create an account to ensure that the encrypted exchange remains secure end-to-end.
From a corporate security perspective, Proton emphasizes that it will not use user documents to neither for training artificial intelligence models nor for big data analysisThis is something that increasingly worries companies and professionals who work with sensitive information and do not want that information to end up in the hands of third parties.
Proton Sheets: encrypted spreadsheets to compete with Google Sheets and Excel
Proton Sheets is the spreadsheet tool integrated into Proton Drive which completes the office suite along with Proton Docs. It is presented as a direct alternative to Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel online, but with privacy as the central focus of its design.
Like the rest of the company's ecosystem, Proton Sheets is protected by end-to-end encryption applied by defaultThis means that the data you enter into cells, charts, tables, file names, and associated metadata remains unreadable to anyone who does not have the access keys, including Proton itself.
Behind the launch of Sheets lies the concern of many organizations about how large platforms manage corporate data. Numerous companies fear that financial information, business projections, or customer lists uploaded to the cloud could be used for... train AI systems or are subject to surveillanceThis is especially sensitive in jurisdictions with less stringent data protection laws than Switzerland.
On a functional level, Proton Sheets opts for a interface very similar to traditional spreadsheetsso that the learning curve is minimal. The idea is that, if you're already used to working with Excel or Google Sheets, you'll be able to navigate Proton Sheets' sheets, cells, and functions with ease in a matter of minutes.
The application supports commonly used formulas, it allows create charts and tables to visualize data It also features real-time collaboration tools. Similar to Docs, permissions can be managed so that other users can only view or also edit shared spreadsheets within the secure Proton Drive environment.
To facilitate migration from other platforms, Proton Sheets allows Import and export files in standard formats such as CSV and XLSThis way, you can upload your existing spreadsheets, automatically encrypt them when storing them in Drive, and continue working on them without fear of them falling into the wrong hands.
The deployment of Proton Sheets has been carried out gradually and the functionality It appears integrated into the Proton Drive interface itself.For users with an active account, Sheets is included at no additional cost within the same platform, reinforcing the idea of a complete and encrypted productivity suite under Swiss privacy regulations.
A complete ecosystem: how Docs, Drive, and Sheets combine
What's interesting about Proton isn't just each tool individually, but the... Integration between Proton Drive, Proton Docs, and Proton Sheets within a single, encrypted workspace. From a single account, you can manage your files, create text documents, develop spreadsheets, and share everything securely.
Proton Docs relies on the Proton Drive infrastructure to store encrypted documents and manage version historyWhen you edit a file, Drive keeps previous versions, allowing you to recover changes or revert mistakes without losing control over the security of the content.
For its part, Proton Sheets integrates as another piece of this environment, so that All your business data remains under the same encryption umbrellaYou can have the contract drafted in Docs, the spreadsheet with the costs, and the schedule of deadlines in Proton Calendar all in one folder, within a unified ecosystem.
For businesses, the combination of Drive, Docs, and Sheets means a real alternative to traditional office suitesBut with a radical focus on information protection. Permission management, control of shared links, and the ability to collaborate in real time without sacrificing end-to-end encryption fit perfectly with demanding regulatory compliance requirements.
In addition, Proton has been adding other pieces to the puzzle, such as a AI assistant with encrypted chats called LumoIt positions itself as a support tool without the usual privacy risks posed by many general-purpose smart assistants. The promise is to be able to take advantage of AI without turning your sensitive data into training material.
This ecosystem is reinforced by services such as Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton VPN, and even password management tools and wallets. cryptocurrencies, included in some plans. The underlying idea is that you can to secure everything from email to spreadsheets without jumping between providers with dubious privacy policies.
Plans, additional features, and benefits for advanced users
Beyond free accounts, Proton offers various paid plans, among which Proton Unlimited stands out as A very complete option for advanced users and small businessesThis plan combines expanded storage, secure email, VPN, and other privacy features under a single subscription.
At the email level, the unlimited plan includes up to 15 email addresses for different purposes, support for 3 custom domains, unlimited message sending, organization through folders, labels and filters, and disposable aliases to hide your primary address when sharing it with third parties.
In the area of productivity and organization, the following are offered 25 personal calendars Features include shareable files, synchronization between devices, encrypted file sharing, and the ability to access document version history, which is very useful when working as a team on the same content.
The privacy component is completed with 10 high-speed VPN connectionsaccess to services of streaming global, a password manager with capacity for 50 vaults, an integrated 2FA authenticator and the option to share services with up to 10 users, allowing you to create a small secure environment for family or team.
Some plans even include features related to cryptocurrencies, such as up to 10 portfolios with 10 accounts per portfolio and the possibility of sending Bitcoin via email, aimed at users who want to further increase their control over digital assets.
Regarding standalone storage pricing, Proton offers, in addition to the free 5GB tier, mid-range payment plans with 200 GB and higher-end options, so you can scale from basic personal use to intensive professional use without changing providers or giving up encryption.
Limitations, roadmap, and community expectations
Like any platform under active development, the ecosystem of Proton Docs, Proton Drive and Proton Sheets It is not without limitations and room for improvement. During its early stages, for example, Proton Docs did not include spreadsheets or presentations, which prevented it from completely replacing Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
With the official arrival of Proton Sheets, one of the major historical shortcomings has been considerably reduced, but there are still users who miss it. a presentation tool similar to PowerPoint or Google SlidesIn community forums, the Proton Slides petition has garnered thousands of votes, reflecting the desire for a 100% encrypted suite for all types of documents.
The company's CEO himself has acknowledged on several occasions the interest in Continue expanding Docs' capabilities before going furtherThe priority, according to Proton representatives, is to refine the text document and spreadsheet experience and ensure a solid foundation before launching new applications.
For a while, the community had to wait for Sheets to go from being a feature under study to a reality. Through various channels, members of the Proton team hinted that the spreadsheets «They would arrive soon.", fueling the anticipation. Today, with Sheets available and integrated into Drive, that much-demanded piece is now part of the range of tools.
Even so, there are still user reviews that indicate that Some advanced features of Docs and Sheets They still haven't reached the level of maturity of Word, Excel, or Google Docs, especially in aspects such as complex automations, macros, exact positioning of visual elements, or certain review options.
Another point to consider is that, due to end-to-end encryption, Loading speeds may be slightly slower This is more secure than other, less secure cloud services, as the encryption and decryption process adds an extra layer of work. For most users, this isn't a problem, but it's worth knowing if you're constantly moving large volumes of data.
In summary, many consider Proton Drive and its suite to represent a A very solid alternative for those who prioritize privacy over the number of featuresThe advantages are usually mentioned in relation to security, intuitive design, good mobile apps and the value proposition of the unlimited plan; among the disadvantages, the somewhat more limited set of functions and the lack (for now) of a presentation module are noted.
There is also debate in the community about the possibility of Proton launching in the future native desktop applications for Windows, Mac o Linux that allow the use of Proton Docs as a direct alternative to Word without relying so heavily on the browser. Currently, Proton hasn't announced full desktop clients for Docs and Sheets, but user interest in this area is clear.
The combination of Proton Docs, Proton Drive, and Proton Sheets already configures an encrypted online workspace that covers most daily needs document creation, storage and data work, especially attractive to those who value the confidentiality of their information more than having every advanced feature of traditional suites.
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