Confluence
12 months free
Proton Sheets is a secure online spreadsheet application that allows you to create, edit, and share spreadsheets while protecting your data. Designed by Proton, it features end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and authorized individuals can access the content. Ideal for both professional and personal use, Proton Sheets combines ease of use with complete privacy.
Designed for modern collaboration, Proton Sheets allows multiple users to work together in real time, managing data, tables, and calculations without compromising security. Integrated into the Proton ecosystem, it offers a confidential alternative to traditional spreadsheets, with no data exploitation or advertising, while remaining accessible from any device.
Easy-to-use spreadsheets :
Empower your team to easily analyze data, minimize errors, and make smarter decisions faster.
Proton Sheets is a top choice for anyone who values data privacy. Developed by the Swiss team at Proton, renowned for its digital security solutions, this tool combines the features of a modern spreadsheet with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your calculations, analyses, and sensitive data remain private.
This privacy-first approach does not compromise operational efficiency. Proton Sheets offers an intuitive interface that allows users of all skill levels to create complex spreadsheets, analyze data, and collaborate as a team without compromising security. The tool integrates seamlessly into the Proton ecosystem, enabling perfect synergy with Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and the other services in the suite.
Proton Sheets ’ unique positioning addresses the growing needs of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that handle sensitive financial data, customer information, or strategic analyses. Unlike traditional cloud solutions that can access your data, Proton ensures that even its own servers cannot decipher the contents of your spreadsheets.
This unique combination of professional features and maximum security makes Proton Sheets an especially smart choice for professionals who refuse to compromise between efficiency and privacy when managing their critical data.
Absolute privacy through native encryption: Unlike traditional spreadsheets, where your calculations are transmitted in plain text, Proton Sheets encrypts your data as soon as it’s entered. Not even Proton can read your spreadsheets. This is essential security for freelancers who manage client budgets, contact lists, or sensitive strategic analyses.
Familiar interface for a quick transition: The tool uses the same visual design and functionality as Google Sheets and Excel. You’ll feel right at home, allowing you to start working immediately without the need for a lengthy training period. Basic formulas and navigation are designed to be intuitive from the very first use.
Secure collaboration when it counts: You can share your spreadsheets with colleagues while retaining full control over access. The system allows multiple users to work on a document together with end-to-end encryption maintained throughout. It’s the perfect solution for small teams that need to coordinate their data without exposing it to third parties.
Seamless integration with the Proton ecosystem: Your spreadsheets are stored directly in your Proton Drive space and can be easily shared via Proton Mail. This synergy creates a smooth and secure workflow, where every document remains protected without you having to manually manage complex encryption keys.
A credible alternative to the tech giants: Proton Sheets lets you break free from your reliance on Google or Microsoft without sacrificing essential analytical capabilities. You’ll have access to the standard calculation functions, charts, and filters you need to manage your day-to-day operations while staying true to your data protection values.
Guaranteed accessibility and mobility: The tool is accessible via your browser or the Proton Drive mobile app. You can view or edit your spreadsheets on the go, with an interface that adapts to your screen size. This flexibility ensures uninterrupted service, whether you’re in the office or at a client’s location.
Limitations of advanced calculation features: While standard formulas are certainly available, expert Excel users may find the tool somewhat lacking for complex tasks. Sophisticated macros, highly advanced pivot tables, and certain rare statistical functions do not yet match the capabilities of traditional software.
Less fluid real-time synchronization: Because data is constantly encrypted, collaborative editing does not yet offer the same instant responsiveness as Google Sheets. When making very rapid, simultaneous changes, you may occasionally experience slight delays or version conflicts that require manual resolution.
Lack of third-party integrations: For now, Proton Sheets operates as a standalone platform. You won’t be able to automatically connect your spreadsheets to tools like Zapier or external CRMs to populate your cells in real time. This means you’ll have to manually import and export data if you rely on an ecosystem of interconnected tools.
Slowdowns with large databases: As soon as your table exceeds a few thousand rows and contains numerous nested formulas, the interface may become sluggish. The local decoding process places a heavy load on your device’s resources, making the tool less suitable for processing large volumes of data (Big Data).
Adjustments required for complex imports: Although importing .xlsx files works, certain formatting elements or formulas specific to Microsoft Office may be altered. It is often necessary to perform a quick manual cleanup after migrating a complex document from another platform.
Proton Sheets takes a straightforward approach, offering a generous free plan and paid plans that integrate seamlessly into Proton’s comprehensive ecosystem. Unlike other solutions, you pay for the full suite of Proton services, not just the spreadsheet.
The pricing is particularly attractive if you're looking for a comprehensive, secure productivity solution that combines encrypted email, cloud storage, and collaboration tools. Here are the details of the available plans:
| Plan | Rates | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 1 GB of storage, Proton Mail, Proton Drive, limited Proton Sheets |
| Mail Plus | €3.99/month | 15 GB of storage, custom domains, full access to Proton Sheets |
| Drive Plus | €3.99/month | 200 GB of storage, secure sharing, all Proton Sheets features |
| Proton Unlimited | €9.99/month | 500 GB of storage, Proton VPN Premium, the entire Proton suite |
| Family | €19.99/month | 6 users, 3 TB of shared storage, all Proton services |
The free plan lets you try out Proton Sheets with basic features that are sufficient for simple personal projects. You get end-to-end encryption and can create basic spreadsheets, but you’re limited to 1 GB of storage, which is shared across all Proton services.
Mail Plus and Drive Plusare priced the same but have different focuses. Mail Plus emphasizes email features with custom domains, while Drive Plus focuses on storage, offering 200 GB of space. In both cases, you get full access to Proton Sheets with no functional restrictions, which offers excellent value for users who primarily need a secure spreadsheet.
Proton Unlimitedis the most well-rounded plan for professionals. With 500 GB of storage and access to Proton VPN Premium, you get a comprehensive suite of productivity and security tools. The price remains competitive compared to rival solutions when you consider all the included services.
The Family planis designed for families or small teams who want to share a secure space. With 6 user accounts and 3 TB of shared storage, it makes it easy to manage family budgets, collaborative projects, or shared documents while maintaining a high level of security.
A notable advantage of Proton is its discount policy discount annual subscriptions. By opting for annual billing, you typically receive a 20% discount, bringing the monthly cost of Proton Unlimited down to approximately €7.99 per month. This approach makes Proton’s suite of services particularly attractive for long-term professional use.
Unlike solutions such as Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel Online, which charge separately for storage and advanced features, Proton offers a transparent all-in-one approach. You know exactly what you’re paying for, and there are no unpleasant surprises from hidden fees or add-ons.
Upgrading from a free planto a paid plan is a seamless process. Your existing data is automatically transferred, and you retain access to all your files. This seamless transition is a major advantage for users who want to try Proton Sheets before committing financially.
It’s also worth noting that Proton offers a 30-day money-back guaranteeon all its paid plans. This guarantee allows you to test all of Proton Sheets’ features in a real-world setting without any financial risk. If the service doesn’t meet your expectations, you can get a full refund.
For organizations and businesses, Proton offers customized pricing plans with advanced administrative features. These plans include centralized user management, customizable security policies, and priority support. The pricing for these business solutions varies depending on the number of users and the organization’s specific needs.
1️⃣ If you are a freelancer or consultant:
For your occasional collaboration needs and ease of use, Google Sheets remains the most practical option. Its ease of sharing with clients, instant synchronization, and access from any browser make it an ideal choice for presenting quotes, tracking your projects, or analyzing your performance. Notion is also an excellent option if you want to centralize your spreadsheets with your project notes and client documentation. Its all-in-one approach allows you to create sophisticated relational databases while maintaining an intuitive interface. For freelancers who handle sensitive data and prioritize confidentiality, Cryptpad offers an open-source alternative with end-to-end encryption, ideal for collaborating on confidential projects without compromising the security of your clients’ information.
2️⃣ If you are a startup:
Airtable is often the go-to choice for startups that need flexibility. Its ability to transform tables into full-fledged business applications makes it easy to manage your leads, product roadmap, or human resources using multiple views and powerful automations. Google Workspace is a cost-effective and collaborative solution perfect for growing teams, with native integration with all other Google tools and advanced sharing features. For tech startups that prioritize performance and data analysis, Microsoft Excel Online offers more advanced analytical capabilities than Sheets—including Power Query and sophisticated pivot tables—while maintaining the cloud accessibility necessary for a distributed team.
3️⃣ If you are a small business or an SME:
For a balanced approach between features and cost, LibreOffice Calc offers a free and comprehensive alternative that can meet most of your accounting and management needs. Its Excel-compatible file format makes it easy to share data with external partners. Zoho Sheet is an excellent option for small and medium-sized businesses looking to integrate their spreadsheets into a comprehensive business management ecosystem, with native connections to their CRM, accounting, and HR tools. For companies that handle large volumes of data or have advanced analytical needs, the full version of Microsoft Excel remains must-have its VBA macros, Power BI decision-making tools, and proven robustness for complex financial reporting calculations.
Otherwise, these other software programs may also be a good alternative to Proton Sheets.
