Google Workspace

Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Google Workspace

A curated collection of the 11 best self hosted alternatives to Google Workspace.

Google Workspace is a cloud-based productivity and collaboration suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Calendar, Chat) plus admin tools for businesses and organizations to communicate, create, store, and manage work.

Alternatives List

#1
Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat

Self-hosted team chat platform with channels, DMs, voice/video, rich integrations, and omnichannel customer support features.

Rocket.Chat screenshot

Rocket.Chat is an open-source communications platform for team messaging and customer engagement. It provides persistent chat (channels and direct messages), collaboration features, and enterprise-grade controls, and can be extended via apps, integrations, and APIs.

Key Features

  • Public/private channels, direct messages, threads, reactions, mentions, and file sharing
  • Omnichannel inbox for customer support (live chat widget, queueing/routing, agents, transcripts)
  • Audio/video meetings and screen sharing (deployment-dependent), plus voice messages
  • Federation support (Rocket.Chat Federation) to connect separate Rocket.Chat servers
  • Strong administration features: roles/permissions (RBAC), audit logs, retention policies, and compliance tooling (plan-dependent)
  • SSO/identity integrations (e.g., SAML/OIDC/LDAP) and granular access controls
  • Extensive integrations and automation: webhooks, REST APIs, bots, and a marketplace/app framework
  • Multi-platform clients (web, desktop, mobile) and localization support

Use Cases

  • Internal team chat for organizations that need control over deployment and data
  • Customer support and sales chat using an embedded website live-chat widget
  • Cross-organization collaboration via federation between independently operated servers

Limitations and Considerations

  • Some advanced security/compliance and omnichannel features may be gated by licensing/plan
  • Real-time performance and search depend on sizing and backing services (notably MongoDB)

Rocket.Chat is a mature, widely deployed Slack alternative that combines team chat with customer messaging workflows. It is best suited to organizations that want extensibility, admin controls, and optional omnichannel support in one platform.

44.3kstars
12.9kforks
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#2
Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet

Self-hostable video conferencing with browser-based meetings, screen sharing, chat, moderation tools, and optional end-to-end encryption.

Jitsi Meet screenshot

Jitsi Meet is a video conferencing application for running secure, real-time meetings in the browser and via mobile apps. It’s part of the Jitsi ecosystem and is commonly deployed with Jitsi Videobridge for scalable SFU-based conferencing.

Key Features

  • Browser-based meetings (no dedicated desktop client required)
  • WebRTC audio/video conferencing with SFU architecture via Jitsi Videobridge
  • Screen sharing, in-meeting chat, and meeting links/room URLs
  • Moderator controls (mute/kick participants, manage permissions)
  • Lobby / waiting room and password-protected rooms (deployment-dependent)
  • Recording and live streaming integrations (commonly via Jibri)
  • Optional end-to-end encryption mode (deployment/client support dependent)
  • Calendar and directory integrations and configurable UI/branding (deployment-dependent)

Use Cases

  • Internal team meetings for organizations that need control over deployment and data path
  • Online classes, community calls, and webinars with moderated rooms
  • Embedded video meetings inside existing web apps via the Jitsi Meet External API

Limitations and Considerations

  • Horizontal scalability and features like recording/streaming typically require additional components (e.g., Videobridge scaling, Jibri) and careful capacity planning.

Jitsi Meet provides a flexible, widely deployed conferencing stack with strong WebRTC foundations and an extensible architecture. It is well-suited for organizations needing a customizable meeting experience and integration options while keeping operational control.

28.3kstars
7.7kforks
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#3
Wiki.js

Wiki.js

A Node.js-based wiki for team documentation and knowledge bases with Markdown, rich editor, permissions, Git sync, and multiple authentication options.

Wiki.js screenshot

Wiki.js is a modern wiki and documentation platform designed for teams to create, organize, and publish internal knowledge and technical documentation. It focuses on a clean authoring experience (Markdown and visual editing), flexible content organization, and enterprise-style access controls.

Key Features

  • Markdown editor and visual (WYSIWYG) editing experience for pages
  • Powerful content organization with navigation, pages, and hierarchy
  • Fine-grained access control with roles and permissions
  • Authentication integrations (e.g., local auth and external identity providers)
  • Version history and page revisions with restore/compare capabilities
  • Git-based storage/synchronization options for backing content with repositories
  • Search functionality for quickly finding content across the wiki
  • Extensible architecture with modules/integrations (e.g., storage, auth, rendering)

Use Cases

  • Internal company wiki for SOPs, onboarding, and team knowledge sharing
  • Engineering documentation portal for runbooks, architecture docs, and APIs
  • Project documentation site with controlled access for stakeholders

Limitations and Considerations

  • Some advanced capabilities depend on configuring modules (auth/storage/search) and may require additional services
  • Major version upgrades can require migration planning due to platform changes

Wiki.js is well-suited for organizations that want a polished documentation experience with strong permissions and integration options. Its modular approach makes it adaptable to different infrastructures, from small teams to larger environments with SSO and Git-backed workflows.

27.6kstars
3.1kforks
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#4
Etherpad

Etherpad

Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor for notes and documents, featuring live multi-user editing, version history, and an extensible plugin system.

Etherpad screenshot

Etherpad is a web-based, real-time collaborative text editor for teams to co-author notes and documents in the browser. It focuses on low-friction collaboration: share a pad link, edit together, and keep track of who changed what.

Key Features

  • Real-time multi-user editing with per-author colors and attribution
  • Built-in chat alongside the pad for in-context discussion
  • Revisions and time-slider playback to review and restore past versions
  • Import/export and copy/paste support (commonly including HTML/text and document formats via plugins)
  • Extensible plugin system (authentication/authorization, import-export, UI, integrations)
  • HTTP API for programmatic pad creation and content management
  • Embeddable pads for integrating collaborative editing into other websites/apps
  • Internationalization (multiple UI languages)

Use Cases

  • Collaborative meeting notes and agendas with live editing
  • Drafting and reviewing documents, specs, and checklists in small teams
  • Embedding collaborative notes into internal tools, portals, or LMS pages

Limitations and Considerations

  • Rich document formatting and office-suite features are limited compared to full collaborative office suites; advanced features often depend on plugins.

Etherpad is well-suited for lightweight, real-time co-editing where speed, simplicity, and extensibility matter. Its revision history, chat, and API make it a practical component for team workflows and integrations.

18kstars
3kforks
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#5
Overleaf

Overleaf

Self-hosted Overleaf Community Edition for collaborative LaTeX editing, real-time PDF preview, version history, and project sharing for teams and classrooms.

Overleaf screenshot

Overleaf is a web-based collaborative LaTeX editor (Community Edition) for writing, compiling, and managing TeX documents in the browser. It provides a shared workspace where multiple authors can edit the same project, track changes, and produce PDFs via an integrated compile pipeline.

Key Features

  • Real-time collaborative LaTeX editing with synchronized cursors and change updates
  • One-click LaTeX compilation with in-browser PDF preview
  • Project-based workspace for files, folders, and assets (figures, bibliographies)
  • Version history (project history) and restore points for tracking edits over time
  • Git integration support (via Git bridge in Overleaf tooling/ecosystem) for syncing projects with repositories
  • User/project sharing and access controls suitable for teams, labs, and classes
  • Template-based project creation (common paper formats and journal/conference styles)

Use Cases

  • Collaborative academic writing (papers, theses) with co-authors editing concurrently
  • Teaching LaTeX in classrooms with shared assignments and templates
  • Producing technical documentation with citations, figures, and reproducible builds

Limitations and Considerations

  • Full feature parity with Overleaf’s hosted offering depends on edition/configuration; some enterprise/hosted-only capabilities may not be included in Community Edition.

Overleaf Community Edition is well-suited for organizations that want a browser-first LaTeX workflow with collaboration, preview, and history in a single interface. It is commonly used in research groups and education environments to standardize templates and simplify collaboration.

17.1kstars
1.8kforks
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#6
Mail-in-a-Box

Mail-in-a-Box

Turn a fresh Ubuntu server into a complete mail server with webmail, DNS, spam filtering, automatic TLS, and an easy-to-use admin control panel.

Mail-in-a-Box screenshot

Mail-in-a-Box is an opinionated all-in-one setup that turns a fresh Ubuntu server into a working email system for your domain(s). It bundles the core components needed to run mail reliably (sending/receiving, security, spam filtering, DNS, and webmail) and manages them through a simple web-based control panel.

Key Features

  • One-command installation on a supported Ubuntu release (designed for a clean VPS)
  • Admin control panel for users, aliases, domains, and service status
  • Integrated webmail (Roundcube) plus IMAP/SMTP support for desktop/mobile clients
  • Built-in DNS server/management to publish required records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, etc.)
  • Automatic TLS certificates via Let’s Encrypt (ACME) for HTTPS/IMAPS/SMTPS
  • Spam filtering and basic anti-abuse tooling (e.g., greylisting/antispam integration)
  • Contact/calendar sync support via CardDAV/CalDAV (via bundled groupware components)

Use Cases

  • Host email for a personal domain or small organization without outsourcing to a provider
  • Replace hosted email suites for basic mail + webmail needs
  • Provide mailboxes and aliases for multiple domains from a single server

Limitations and Considerations

  • Opinionated stack and OS support: intended for a specific Ubuntu version on a clean server
  • Advanced enterprise features (large-scale clustering, complex compliance tooling) are not the primary focus

Mail-in-a-Box is a practical choice when you want a complete, integrated mail setup with sane defaults and a straightforward admin experience. It emphasizes simplicity and a cohesive configuration over modular, pick-and-choose assembly.

15.1kstars
1.5kforks
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#7
Mailcow

Mailcow

All-in-one, Docker-based email server stack with SMTP/IMAP, anti-spam, web UI administration, DKIM, and automated TLS via ACME.

Mailcow screenshot

Mailcow is an integrated mail server suite that bundles the components required to run a modern email system behind a single Docker Compose deployment. It provides a web-based administration interface to manage domains, mailboxes, aliases, and policies while shipping a pre-integrated stack for delivery, IMAP access, security, and monitoring.

Key Features:

  • Full mail stack via Docker Compose (SMTP, IMAP, web UI, filtering, databases, caches)
  • Web admin UI for domains, mailboxes, aliases, forwards, and quotas
  • Anti-spam and anti-virus pipeline (Rspamd + ClamAV integration)
  • DKIM signing and DMARC reporting support (stack-integrated)
  • Automated TLS certificates via ACME/Let’s Encrypt and integrated reverse proxy
  • SOGo groupware/webmail integration (calendar/contacts/groupware capabilities)
  • Rate limiting and policy controls to help protect against abuse
  • Built-in logging/metrics components for basic observability of mail services

Use Cases:

  • Host email for one or multiple custom domains with mailbox and alias management
  • Replace managed email hosting for small organizations needing administrative control
  • Provide an integrated mail + groupware stack for teams (mail, calendars, contacts)

Limitations and Considerations:

  • Operational complexity is higher than “SMTP relay only” solutions; correct DNS (SPF/DKIM/DMARC, rDNS) and deliverability tuning are required.
  • The stack is tightly coupled to Docker Compose; advanced customization may require deeper familiarity with the containerized components.

Mailcow is suitable for operators who want a pre-wired, production-oriented email stack with a central admin UI and common security features included. It focuses on integrating proven mail components into a cohesive deployment rather than reinventing the underlying protocols and servers.

11.9kstars
1.6kforks
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#8
BigBlueButton

BigBlueButton

Open-source virtual classroom for web conferencing with whiteboard, screen sharing, breakout rooms, recordings, and LMS integrations.

BigBlueButton screenshot

BigBlueButton is a web conferencing system designed for online learning and virtual classrooms. It provides real-time audio/video meetings plus teaching-focused collaboration tools such as whiteboarding, polls, and breakout rooms, with integrations commonly used in education.

Key Features

  • WebRTC-based real-time audio/video with moderator controls
  • Interactive whiteboard and multi-user annotations (slides/PDF)
  • Screen sharing with presenter controls
  • Breakout rooms for small-group activities
  • Public and private chat, emoji/status, and participant management
  • Polling and presentation tools for live instruction
  • Session recording and playback (with published recording formats)
  • API-first meeting management (create/join/end, metadata, hooks)
  • Learning-platform integrations (commonly Moodle and others via plugins)

Use Cases

  • Live online classes, tutoring, and office hours
  • Webinar-style lectures with moderated Q&A and polls
  • Group work sessions using breakout rooms and shared whiteboard

Limitations and Considerations

  • Server sizing and media performance depend heavily on concurrency and recording usage; deployments often require dedicated tuning and bandwidth planning.

BigBlueButton focuses on teaching workflows rather than general-purpose meetings, making it a strong fit for schools and training providers that need classroom features and LMS integration. Its API and extensible ecosystem also make it suitable for embedding virtual classrooms into custom learning platforms.

9kstars
6kforks
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#9
CryptPad

CryptPad

Privacy-focused collaborative office suite with end-to-end encryption for docs, spreadsheets, forms, and file storage.

CryptPad screenshot

CryptPad is a privacy-first collaborative workspace for creating and editing documents online with end-to-end encryption. It provides a browser-based suite of office-style apps plus encrypted file storage, designed so the server cannot read your content.

Key Features

  • End-to-end encrypted collaboration where document contents are encrypted in the browser
  • Real-time co-editing with share links and granular sharing options (e.g., view/edit)
  • Multiple app types: rich text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, kanban boards, code/markdown, whiteboard, forms, and polls
  • Encrypted Drive for organizing files and documents (folders, uploads, and shared content)
  • Optional accounts; supports sharing without requiring recipients to sign up
  • Version history and change tracking features (vary by app)
  • Team/shared spaces for organizing collaborative work
  • Import/export options for common formats (varies by app)

Use Cases

  • Collaborative writing and internal documentation for privacy-sensitive teams
  • Collecting responses using encrypted forms/polls without exposing content to the server
  • Secure project coordination using kanban/notes with share-by-link access

Limitations and Considerations

  • Feature parity with mainstream office suites varies by app (advanced formatting and compatibility can be limited)
  • Search/indexing of content is constrained by the encryption model

CryptPad is a strong fit for organizations and communities that want practical online collaboration while minimizing trust in the hosting server. It combines a broad set of document tools with encrypted storage and link-based sharing for flexible collaboration workflows.

7.2kstars
791forks
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#10
Mox

Mox

All-in-one SMTP/IMAP mail server with web admin, spam filtering, DKIM/DMARC, and automatic TLS via ACME—designed for simpler, safer email hosting.

Mox screenshot

Mox is an all-in-one email server focused on being easier to run and safer by default than traditional “glue-it-together” mail stacks. It provides SMTP submission/receiving and IMAP access, a built-in admin web interface, and sensible defaults for modern email authentication and deliverability.

Key Features

  • Integrated SMTP server (incoming + submission) and IMAP server
  • Built-in admin web UI for managing domains, accounts, and operational settings
  • Automatic TLS certificate provisioning via ACME
  • Modern email authentication and policy support (DKIM signing, SPF/DMARC evaluation)
  • Spam filtering controls (including common DNSBL-style checks) and delivery safeguards
  • Mailbox storage and indexing handled by Mox (no external IMAP/SMTP components required)
  • Operational tooling for diagnostics/logging and safer configuration changes

Use Cases

  • Host email for a personal domain or small organization with a single, cohesive server
  • Replace a multi-component Postfix/Dovecot stack with an integrated setup
  • Run a mail server with modern authentication defaults for better deliverability

Limitations and Considerations

  • Not a full groupware suite (no calendars/contacts as a primary feature)
  • Self-hosted email deliverability depends on correct DNS and IP reputation

Mox aims to reduce complexity by shipping a cohesive mail server with an admin UI and modern defaults. It’s best suited for operators who want a straightforward, integrated email stack while retaining control over their domains and accounts.

5.3kstars
176forks
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#11
Radicale

Radicale

A fast, lightweight CalDAV/CardDAV server for syncing calendars, contacts, and tasks with standard clients, featuring filesystem storage and flexible authentication.

Radicale screenshot

Radicale is a minimalist CalDAV and CardDAV server that lets you sync calendars, address books, and tasks with standards-compliant clients (e.g., Thunderbird/Lightning, DAVx⁵, macOS/iOS, GNOME). It focuses on being easy to deploy and administer while still providing the core DAV features needed for personal or small team groupware.

Key Features

  • CalDAV and CardDAV support for calendars, contacts, and VTODO tasks
  • Stores data as plain files on disk (human-readable, easy to back up and version)
  • Built-in web interface for browsing collections (optional) and DAV discovery
  • Flexible authentication/authorization options (e.g., htpasswd, remote user, custom backends)
  • Per-user collections and permissions via configuration
  • Works behind reverse proxies; supports TLS via a fronting web server
  • Runs as a standalone WSGI application; integrates with common process managers

Use Cases

  • Sync a personal calendar/contacts/tasks across phones and desktops using DAV clients
  • Provide lightweight DAV groupware for a family or small organization
  • Host DAV data in a git-backed directory for audit/history and simple restores

Limitations and Considerations

  • Primarily targets DAV sync; it is not a full “groupware suite” (no email/chat modules)
  • Sharing/ACL capabilities depend on configuration and client support and may be less ergonomic than full suites

Radicale is a good fit when you want a small, standards-based DAV server that is easy to host, keeps data in straightforward files, and interoperates with many existing calendar/contact clients. It prioritizes simplicity and transparency over an all-in-one collaboration platform.

4.3kstars
491forks
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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