Apps with Real-time collaboration
56 apps
Top Real-time collaboration apps ranked by the community
Microsoft 365 bundles Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive and Teams in a single subscription for individuals, families and businesses. Files sync across Windows, Mac, mobile and the browser, with co-authoring and Copilot AI features in eligible plans. Free web versions of the core apps are available with a Microsoft account.
9 Microsoft 365 alternativesPros
- Industry-standard Word, Excel and PowerPoint with their full features
- Co-authoring and OneDrive sync across all devices
- Free web versions of the core apps
Cons
- Full desktop apps require an ongoing subscription
- Copilot features are limited to eligible plans
- The sheer number of features can overwhelm simple needs
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryGoogle Workspace groups Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Meet into a browser-based suite built around real-time collaboration. The apps are free with a personal Google account, while paid business plans add custom-domain email, more storage, admin controls and Gemini AI features. Documents can be edited offline and exported to Microsoft Office formats.
11 Google Workspace alternativesPros
- Smooth real-time co-editing in Docs, Sheets and Slides
- Free to use with a personal Google account
- Gmail, Drive, Calendar and Meet are tightly integrated
Cons
- Fewer advanced features than desktop Office apps
- Complex Office files may lose formatting on import
- Custom-domain email and admin tools require paid plans
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryONLYOFFICE is an office suite from Ascensio System with editors for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs and forms, built around Microsoft Office formats. The desktop and mobile apps are free, and the online editors can be self-hosted or integrated into Nextcloud and other platforms, with paid cloud and enterprise editions. It supports real-time co-editing, plugins and AI assistants.
12 ONLYOFFICE alternativesPros
- Strong compatibility with Microsoft Office formats
- Free desktop and mobile apps, plus self-hostable online editors
- Real-time co-editing and Nextcloud integration
Cons
- A self-hosted server needs technical setup
- Enterprise features and support require paid editions
- Fewer advanced features than Microsoft Office
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceZoho Workplace brings together Zoho Mail, Writer, Sheet, Show, WorkDrive, Cliq and Meeting in one suite for small and mid-sized businesses. It offers custom-domain email, shared team folders and online editors that open Microsoft Office files, with the Zia assistant built in. A free plan covers a handful of users, and paid plans add storage and admin features.
9 Zoho Workplace alternativesPros
- Mail, documents, storage and chat in one business suite
- Custom-domain email, with a free plan for small teams
- Integrates with the wider Zoho app ecosystem
Cons
- Editors are less capable than Microsoft or Google apps
- Office editors run in the browser, with no desktop versions
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesiWork is Apple's productivity suite made of Pages for documents, Numbers for spreadsheets and Keynote for presentations. The apps are free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, sync through iCloud and can be used in a browser on iCloud.com, including from Windows PCs. They focus on designed templates, support real-time collaboration and can import and export Microsoft Office files.
7 Apple iWork alternativesPros
- Free Pages, Numbers and Keynote with polished templates
- Keynote makes well-designed presentations easy to build
- Usable on iCloud.com, including from Windows PCs
Cons
- Office conversion can break complex layouts and formulas
- Numbers lacks the advanced spreadsheet features of Excel
- No native apps for Windows or Android
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesCollabora Online is an open source office suite from Collabora Productivity that runs LibreOffice technology in the browser, on your own server or through a hosting partner. It plugs into Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile and similar platforms for co-editing Office and OpenDocument files on infrastructure you control. A free development edition sits alongside paid supported versions and Collabora Office apps.
9 Collabora Online alternativesPros
- Open source online office suite you can host on your own servers
- Integrates with Nextcloud, ownCloud and Seafile for co-editing
- Keeps documents on infrastructure you control
Cons
- Interface feels dated next to Google Docs or Microsoft 365
- Self-hosting requires server setup and maintenance
- Supported production versions are paid
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceMicrosoft Word is the word processor in Microsoft 365 and the reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces. It offers styles, track changes, comments, mail merge, references and real-time co-authoring through OneDrive or SharePoint, plus Copilot drafting in eligible plans. Word runs on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, where a free version is available with a Microsoft account.
11 Microsoft Word alternativesPros
- The reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces
- Powerful styles, track changes, references and mail merge
- Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web
Cons
- Full desktop features require a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Dense interface packed with features most people never use
- Copilot features are limited to eligible plans
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesGoogle Docs is Google's online word processor, used for writing and editing documents together in real time. Comments, suggestion mode, version history and sharing links are built in, and files can be edited offline or exported as Word, PDF or OpenDocument. It is free with a Google account, with Gemini AI and business controls available through paid Google Workspace plans.
11 Google Docs alternativesPros
- Real-time co-editing with comments and suggestion mode
- Free with a Google account and accessible from any browser
- Version history makes every change recoverable
Cons
- Fewer layout and formatting options than desktop word processors
- Offline editing has to be set up in advance
- Gemini and business controls require paid Workspace plans
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPages is Apple's free word processor for Mac, iPhone and iPad, also usable in the browser through iCloud.com. It mixes word processing with page layout, offering designed templates for reports, flyers and books, plus EPUB export. Documents sync via iCloud, can be edited with others in real time and can be exported to Word or PDF.
9 Pages alternativesPros
- Free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with well-designed templates
- Combines word processing and page layout
- Exports to Word, PDF and EPUB
Cons
- Native apps only on Apple devices, others must use iCloud.com
- Word conversion can lose formatting in complex documents
- Fewer advanced features than Word for long documents
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesZoho Writer is a cloud word processor from Zoho for writing and co-editing documents in the browser or on mobile. Beyond editing, it handles mail merge, fillable forms and document automation, can send documents out for signature, and the Zia assistant helps with grammar and readability. It is free for individuals and included in paid Zoho Workplace plans for teams.
8 Zoho Writer alternativesPros
- Mail merge, fillable forms and document automation built in
- Sends documents for e-signature without another tool
- Free plan for individual users
Cons
- Less widespread, so collaborators may be unfamiliar with it
- Best value comes from buying into the Zoho ecosystem
- Fewer third-party templates and add-ons than Word or Google Docs
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesMicrosoft Excel is the spreadsheet in Microsoft 365, used in many organisations for budgets, financial models and data analysis. It offers hundreds of functions, pivot tables, charts, Power Query for importing and cleaning data, VBA macros and Python in Excel, plus Copilot in eligible plans. It runs on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, where a free version is available with a Microsoft account.
8 Microsoft Excel alternativesPros
- Standard tool for financial models and business analysis
- Power Query, pivot tables and macros handle complex data work
- Huge range of functions, templates and learning resources
Cons
- Full desktop features require a Microsoft 365 subscription
- The free web version lacks many advanced desktop features
- Advanced features have a steep learning curve
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesGoogle Sheets is Google's browser-based spreadsheet, made for working on the same file with others at the same time. It supports formulas, pivot tables, charts, connected data sources and add-ons, and Apps Script can automate tasks or link sheets to other Google services. It is free with a Google account; Gemini AI features and business controls come with paid Google Workspace plans.
11 Google Sheets alternativesPros
- Real-time co-editing works smoothly in the browser
- Free with a Google account, with easy sharing and comments
- Apps Script and add-ons automate tasks across Google services
Cons
- Slows down noticeably with very large datasets
- Fewer advanced analysis features than desktop Excel
- Gemini features require a paid Google Workspace plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesNumbers is Apple's free spreadsheet app for Mac, iPhone and iPad, also available in the browser on iCloud.com. Instead of one large grid, each sheet is a free-form canvas where tables, charts, text and images can be placed side by side. It includes several hundred functions, pivot tables and real-time collaboration through iCloud, and can import and export Excel files.
7 Numbers alternativesPros
- Free on Apple devices, with a browser version on iCloud.com
- Free-form canvas mixes tables, charts and text on one sheet
- Polished templates produce good-looking sheets with little effort
Cons
- Fewer advanced functions and analysis tools than Excel
- Excel files with macros or complex formatting do not convert cleanly
- No native apps for Windows or Android
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesAirtable combines the look of a spreadsheet with a relational database, letting teams link records across tables and view them as grids, kanban boards, calendars, galleries or forms. Interfaces, automations and AI features turn bases into lightweight internal apps for content calendars, product roadmaps or inventories. A free plan exists, with paid plans adding capacity and admin features.
12 Airtable alternativesPros
- Linked records give spreadsheet users real relational database power
- Grid, kanban, calendar, gallery and form views on the same data
- Interfaces and automations turn bases into lightweight internal apps
Cons
- Free plan limits on records and automations are reached quickly
- Paid seats get expensive for larger teams
- Complex bases can slow down and take effort to maintain
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryGrist is a relational spreadsheet from Grist Labs that combines a familiar grid with typed columns, linked tables and custom layouts. Formulas are written in Python, and granular access rules control who can see or edit each row or column. It is open source under Apache 2.0, can be self-hosted or run as a desktop app, and is also offered as a hosted service with a free tier.
8 Grist alternativesPros
- Formulas are written in Python, a big plus for technical users
- Granular access rules down to individual rows and columns
- Open source and self-hostable, with a desktop app option
Cons
- Less familiar than a classic spreadsheet for Excel users
- Smaller template and integration ecosystem than Airtable
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsBaserow is a no-code database from the Dutch company of the same name, with a spreadsheet-like interface, linked tables, multiple views and a REST API. It also includes an application builder and AI fields for turning data into internal tools. The core is open source under MIT and can be self-hosted; the cloud version, hosted in the EU, has a free plan and paid tiers.
8 Baserow alternativesPros
- Open source core that can be self-hosted at no cost
- Familiar spreadsheet-style interface with linked tables and views
- EU-hosted cloud option helps with GDPR requirements
Cons
- Smaller integration ecosystem than Airtable
- Some advanced features are reserved for paid plans
- Self-hosting requires server maintenance and updates
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsZoho Sheet is a cloud spreadsheet from Zoho for building and sharing spreadsheets with real-time co-editing, comments and cell-level change history. It handles pivot tables, data cleaning and imports from Excel and CSV files, while the Zia assistant suggests charts and answers questions about the data. It is free for individuals and part of paid Zoho Workplace plans for businesses.
8 Zoho Sheet alternativesPros
- Free for individuals, with real-time co-editing and comments
- Cell-level change history makes edits easy to trace
- Zia assistant suggests charts and answers questions about the data
Cons
- Fewer add-ons and third-party integrations than Google Sheets
- Most valuable for companies already using the Zoho ecosystem
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPowerPoint is the presentation app in Microsoft 365, whose .pptx format is the common exchange format for slides. It offers themes, animations and transitions, Designer layout suggestions, presenter view with speaker notes, live subtitles and recording, plus Copilot to draft decks in eligible plans. It runs on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, where a free version is available.
10 Microsoft PowerPoint alternativesPros
- The .pptx format is the standard for exchanging slides
- Extensive control over animations, transitions and layouts
- Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web
Cons
- The full desktop app requires a Microsoft 365 subscription
- The free web version lacks many advanced features
- Copilot deck drafting is only available in eligible plans
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesGoogle Slides is Google's web-based presentation app, designed for building decks with teammates in real time. It includes themes, speaker notes and presenter view, works offline and imports and exports PowerPoint files. It is free with a Google account; paid Google Workspace plans add Gemini AI features such as generating images and slides.
9 Google Slides alternativesPros
- Real-time co-editing and comments work smoothly in the browser
- Free to use with any Google account
- Imports and exports PowerPoint files
Cons
- Fewer animation and design options than PowerPoint or Keynote
- Complex PowerPoint decks can lose formatting on import
- Gemini AI features require a paid Workspace plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesKeynote is Apple's presentation app, free on Mac, iPhone and iPad and usable in a browser through iCloud.com. It is known for clean themes and smooth transitions such as Magic Move, and offers presenter view, live video feeds and remote control from an iPhone. Decks can be co-edited via iCloud and exported to PowerPoint, PDF or video.
9 Keynote alternativesPros
- Polished themes and smooth transitions such as Magic Move
- Free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with iCloud sync
- Exports to PowerPoint, PDF and video
Cons
- No native apps for Windows or Android, only the iCloud web version
- PowerPoint exports can shift fonts, layouts and animations
- Fewer third-party add-ons and integrations than PowerPoint
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesGamma generates presentations, documents, social posts and simple websites from a prompt, notes or an imported file, using a card-based layout instead of fixed slides. Content can then be refined with an AI agent, themes and templates, shared as a link with viewer analytics or exported to PowerPoint, Google Slides or PDF. A free plan with limited AI credits is available.
9 Gamma alternativesPros
- Generates decks, documents and simple sites from a prompt
- Card-based layouts adapt well to any screen size
- Shareable links with viewer analytics
Cons
- The free plan has limited AI credits
- The card format does not always translate well to PowerPoint
- Generated content often needs editing to be accurate and on-brand
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPitch is a presentation tool from Berlin-based Pitch Software, built for teams that create decks together, from sales proposals to investor updates. It offers shared templates and brand settings, comments and slide assignments, link sharing with engagement analytics, and an AI agent that drafts decks from prompts and files. It runs in the browser, on desktop and on mobile, with a free plan and paid team tiers.
9 Pitch alternativesPros
- Built for decks made as a team, with comments and slide assignments
- Brand settings and shared templates keep decks consistent
- Link sharing with analytics shows how viewers engage
Cons
- Fewer advanced animation options than PowerPoint or Keynote
- Advanced team features are reserved for paid plans
- Exporting to PowerPoint may not keep every design detail
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPrezi is a presentation tool known for its zoomable canvas, where topics are laid out on one large surface and the presentation moves between them instead of flipping linear slides. It also offers Prezi Video for appearing on camera next to your content, and AI help to turn text into a presentation. A free plan publishes presentations publicly with a watermark; paid plans add privacy and exports.
9 Prezi alternativesPros
- Zoomable canvas offers a non-linear alternative to slides
- Prezi Video puts you on camera next to your content
- AI help turns text into a first presentation draft
Cons
- Free plan presentations are public and watermarked
- Overused zoom effects can distract or disorient the audience
- Designing a good canvas takes longer than building classic slides
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesGoogle Drive is Google's file storage and sync service, included with every Google account and shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Files can be shared by link or with specific people, and documents open directly in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides for real-time co-editing. Desktop apps for Windows and Mac can mirror folders or stream files on demand.
12 Google Drive alternativesPros
- Real-time co-editing in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
- Free storage included with every Google account
- Strong search across files, including text inside PDFs and images
Cons
- Free storage is shared with Gmail and Google Photos
- No official desktop client for Linux
- No end-to-end encryption for personal accounts
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesOneDrive is Microsoft's file storage service, built into Windows and included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. It syncs folders across devices, can back up the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders, and lets several people edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files at the same time. A Personal Vault adds an extra verification step for sensitive files.
12 OneDrive alternativesPros
- Built into Windows and File Explorer, with files on demand
- Real-time co-editing of Word, Excel and PowerPoint files
- Storage comes bundled with Microsoft 365 subscriptions
Cons
- Windows nudges you into folder backup, which can relocate files unexpectedly
- No official Linux client
- The free plan offers little storage
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesZed is a code editor written in Rust by the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, with a GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects. It includes multiplayer editing, an agent panel that works with several AI models, edit predictions, Git tools, remote development over SSH and an extensions registry. Zed is open source under the GPL and runs on macOS, Linux and Windows; paid plans cover hosted AI usage.
12 Zed alternativesPros
- GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects
- Built-in multiplayer editing and an agent panel for several AI models
- Open source under the GPL
Cons
- Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
- Some IDE features are less mature than in established editors
- Hosted AI usage requires a paid plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategories
