Appendix 4: Sample Writing and Editing Platforms
| Platform | Synchronous editing | Version control | Suggest mode / track changes | Comments | Transfer comments to new doc | Do they sell your data? | Technical requirements | Cost to user |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptpad | Yes | Yes | Yes | Only for paid versions. | ? Possibly for paid versions | No | Computer with internet, familiarity using networked platforms like Google Workspace | None, but paid services available |
| NextCloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | No | Choose a free host | None, but paid services available |
| OnlyOffice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | No | Home server setup | None, but paid services available |
| Obsidian Sync | Yes | Yes | No (community plugin could be developed) | No (community plugin could be developed) | No (community plugin could be developed) | No | Writing in markdown, installing plugins | Low monthly fee |
| Zettlr or obsidian | Yes | No. Add git to workflow for version control | No (community plugin could be developed) | No (community plugin could be developed) | No (community plugin could be developed) | No | Writing in markdown, installing plugins, using git for version control | None |
| Microsoft 365 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | License | Medium monthly fee |
| Google Workspace | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Computer with internet | None, but paid services available |
See the Platforms section for more discussion on choosing platforms.
