Quip

Best Self-hosted Alternatives to Quip

A curated collection of the 5 best self hosted alternatives to Quip.

Quip is a collaborative productivity suite from Salesforce combining documents, spreadsheets, checklists and team chat. It supports real-time co-authoring, inline comments, task assignments and integration with Salesforce CRM.

Alternatives List

#1
AFFiNE

AFFiNE

All-in-one, privacy-focused workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases with real-time collaboration and multimodal AI assistance.

AFFiNE screenshot

AFFiNE is an open-source, local-first knowledge OS that combines documents, whiteboards and multi-view databases into a single hyper-fused workspace. It offers cross-platform clients (web, desktop, mobile) and real-time collaboration while emphasizing privacy and self-hosting options.

Key Features

  • Unified canvas merging rich text, visual whiteboards and multi-view databases into one editable space.
  • Multimodal AI assistant for writing, drawing, summarization, slide generation and brainstorming.
  • Local-first storage and real-time synchronization for collaborative editing across clients.
  • Cross-platform distribution with desktop (Electron-based) apps and mobile clients, plus a web demo.
  • Built on a polyglot stack including TypeScript frontends, Rust-based data engine (OctoBase/Cargo toolchain), CRDT sync foundations and modern frontend tooling.

Use Cases

  • Team knowledge bases and product wikis that need rich visual boards and structured databases in one workspace.
  • Design and ideation sessions combining freeform whiteboarding with embedded documents and assets.
  • Personal and team note-taking with templates, real-time collaboration and local-first data ownership.

Limitations and Considerations

  • Plugin/third-party block ecosystem is still maturing; a more extensive plugin marketplace and third-party block ecosystem is planned but not yet fully available.
  • An Enterprise Edition is referenced as forthcoming; some enterprise features (SSO, advanced admin/audit) are not yet published in the Community Edition.

AFFiNE targets users who want a privacy-focused, extensible alternative to siloed doc and whiteboard tools. It is suitable for individuals and teams that prefer self-hosting, local-first storage and a single hyper-fused workspace for creative and structured work.

63.2kstars
4.4kforks
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#2
Etherpad

Etherpad

Etherpad is a web-based real-time collaborative editor with chat, rich-text formatting, and a plugin framework for customization and integrations.

Etherpad screenshot

Etherpad is a web-based editor that lets multiple people write and edit the same document at the same time. It focuses on fast real-time collaboration and can be extended to fit many workflows via a large plugin ecosystem.

Key Features

  • Real-time collaborative editing with live cursor/author colors
  • Built-in chat alongside the editor for in-context discussion
  • Rich-text editing capabilities (formatting and structured content)
  • Extensible plugin framework to add features and integrations
  • HTTP API for managing pads, users, and groups; includes OpenAPI definition
  • Data export options and embeddable usage for integration into other apps
  • Multi-language interface support

Use Cases

  • Team meeting notes and collaborative drafting sessions
  • Classroom or workshop live note-taking and shared exercises
  • Embedding collaborative editors into existing web applications via API

Limitations and Considerations

  • Advanced functionality (authentication methods, additional editor features, conferencing) often requires installing and maintaining plugins
  • For production deployments, a dedicated database is recommended instead of the default development-oriented storage

Etherpad is a mature choice for organizations that need lightweight, browser-based collaboration with real-time editing. Its API and plugin system make it suitable both as a standalone editor and as a component embedded into larger platforms.

18.1kstars
3kforks
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#3
CryptPad

CryptPad

CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted collaboration suite with real-time editors, file storage, and sharing, designed to keep document contents private from servers and admins.

CryptPad screenshot

CryptPad is a web-based collaboration suite that provides real-time editors and a drive-like workspace with end-to-end encryption. Documents are encrypted in the browser before being stored or shared, reducing server-side access to content.

Key Features

  • End-to-end encrypted editors for collaborative work in real time
  • Multiple app types, including rich text, code, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, kanban, and whiteboards
  • CryptDrive-style file organization with folders and shared documents
  • Link-based sharing to collaborate without requiring recipients to create an account
  • Designed to minimize sensitive data exposure to operators (zero-knowledge-style content storage)

Use Cases

  • Privacy-focused alternative to cloud office suites for teams, schools, and organizations
  • Secure collaboration on meeting notes, project planning boards, and shared spreadsheets
  • Sharing files and documents via links without exposing personal identifiers

Limitations and Considerations

  • While content is encrypted, clients must still trust the server to deliver honest application code (risk of active attacks)
  • Security depends on instance configuration and keeping deployments up to date

CryptPad combines familiar collaboration workflows with strong privacy properties, making it well-suited for groups that need real-time editing without giving a provider access to document contents. It can be used as a full collaboration workspace for documents, boards, and shared files.

7.4kstars
802forks
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#4
Colanode

Colanode

Open-source, local-first Slack and Notion alternative combining team chat, rich docs, databases, and file management with offline-first sync and self-hosting.

Colanode screenshot

Colanode is an open-source, local-first collaboration workspace that combines team chat and a Notion-style knowledge base in a single product. It offers offline-first editing with background sync, aiming to keep teams productive while retaining control over their data.

Key Features

  • Real-time chat for teams, including direct messages and channels
  • Rich text pages for notes, documentation, and wikis
  • Structured databases with custom fields and views (table, kanban, calendar)
  • Local-first workflow: writes and reads happen from a local SQLite database, then sync to the server
  • Real-time collaborative editing using CRDTs (Yjs) for pages and database entries
  • File storage and sharing within workspaces
  • Self-hosted server that can support multiple workspaces and clients (web and desktop)

Use Cases

  • Replace Slack + Notion for small teams with a single integrated workspace
  • Maintain an internal wiki and project knowledge base with real-time collaboration
  • Run an offline-friendly team workspace for unreliable network environments

Limitations and Considerations

  • Concurrent multi-user editing is focused on pages and database records; messages and file operations use simpler non-CRDT models
  • The web app may be in early-preview state depending on deployment choice and version

Colanode is a strong fit for teams that want an integrated chat-and-docs workspace with offline-first behavior. It is designed for self-hosting while still providing a modern collaboration experience across web and desktop clients.

4.6kstars
272forks
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#5
Tracim

Tracim

Tracim is an open-source collaboration suite offering threaded conversations, file sharing with versioning, collaborative pages, tasks and workspace organization.

Tracim screenshot

Tracim is a modular team collaboration platform that unifies conversations, file storage, documentation and basic project management in organized workspaces. It provides threaded discussions, versioned files and collaborative pages to centralize team activity and knowledge.

Key Features

  • Threaded conversations and real-time team communication organized by spaces
  • File sharing with versioning and full history for documents and attachments
  • Collaborative pages and documentation support for knowledge management
  • Task and project organization inside spaces with simple project management primitives
  • Multilingual interface and content support
  • Workspace-based permissions and history/audit of content changes

Use Cases

  • Small to medium teams needing a unified workspace for chat, documents and files
  • Documentation and knowledge base hosting with versioned pages and history
  • Project collaboration where files, discussions and tasks must be tracked together

Limitations and Considerations

  • Upstream Docker images for the latest releases are reportedly restricted to paying customers, which can complicate easy deployment of cutting-edge releases
  • The project maintains multiple licenses across components, which may require review for redistribution or commercial use
  • The development and release processes are under active rework, so release cadence and distribution methods may change

Tracim is suitable for organizations that want an integrated, open collaboration environment combining chat, file drive and documentation. It emphasizes versioning, structured workspaces and multilingual support for team collaboration.

264stars
38forks
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Why choose an open source alternative?

  • •Data ownership: Keep your data on your own servers
  • •No vendor lock-in: Freedom to switch or modify at any time
  • •Cost savings: Reduce or eliminate subscription fees
  • •Transparency: Audit the code and know exactly what's running