The field of online office tools sees in 2025 the arrival of a new offer that shakes up the giants established for years. Proton, the renowned Swiss company known for its commitment to security and privacy, unveils Proton Sheets, an online spreadsheet aiming to compete directly with Google Sheets. At the crossroads of advanced collaboration and data security strengthened by unbreakable encryption, this new tool is aimed at both professionals and individuals concerned with protecting their sensitive information while benefiting from a smooth and modern collaborative work experience. This launch confirms the strategic shift Proton is taking, expanding its Workspace offering to meet the growing demands for digital privacy.
For several years, Google Sheets has dominated the online spreadsheet market thanks to its ease of use, numerous features, and perfect integration into the Google ecosystem. Yet, this hegemonic position raises increasing concerns related to data protection, especially in a context where cybersecurity threats multiply and privacy regulations tighten. Proton’s response fits into this dynamic, aiming to offer a powerful tool that is also respectful of personal data, with an unprecedented technical approach to cryptography that ensures even the provider cannot access the content of the spreadsheets. This strong choice transforms Proton Sheets into a true digital fortress, which could well tip the balance in 2025 and beyond in the landscape of collaborative office suites.
- 1 Proton Sheets, a serious competitor to Google Sheets thanks to unbreakable encryption
- 2 Advanced collaboration and enhanced user experience in Proton Sheets
- 3 Integration in the Proton Workspace universe: a complete and coherent office suite
- 4 Proton Sheets, a lever for a new era of privacy in office tools
- 5 New features of Proton Workspace in 2025, beyond the secure spreadsheet
Proton Sheets, a serious competitor to Google Sheets thanks to unbreakable encryption
Proton Sheets strikes hard by integrating a level of security rarely seen in the world of online spreadsheets. At the heart of its offer is strict end-to-end encryption, which encrypts not only user data but also their metadata such as file names, document structures, and even information related to collaborative work. This approach prevents any third party, including Proton itself, from accessing stored data, which is a considerable advance compared to classic offers where at least some elements remain visible to provider servers.
For many companies and users who have long hesitated to move their operations to the cloud because of data security risks, Proton Sheets offers a robust technical answer. The cryptography used guarantees confidentiality that drastically reduces the probability of leaks, hacks, or unauthorized access. This is particularly crucial for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, or legal activities, where a single incident can have serious consequences.
- End-to-end encryption: guarantees that only authorized parties can decrypt the data.
- Protection of metadata: file names, versions, and other information are also encrypted.
- Compliance with Swiss privacy: advantageous legal framework for data protection.
- Impossible for Proton to access the sheets: strengthens user trust.
- Compliant with European regulations: GDPR and other standards are fully respected.
A comparative table highlights these points against mainstream solutions:
| Feature | Proton Sheets | Google Sheets | Microsoft Excel Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Yes | No | No |
| Protection of metadata | Yes | No | Partial |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Import/Export XLS, CSV formats | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free service for Proton accounts | Yes | Yes (Google Drive) | Yes (basic version) |
Privacy thus becomes a strong argument against the domination of Big Tech, showing that it is possible to combine productivity and data security without compromise.
Advanced collaboration and enhanced user experience in Proton Sheets
Beyond security, Proton Sheets also focuses on a rich user experience to facilitate collaborative work, essential in modern professional environments. The solution naturally supports real-time collaboration, like Google Sheets, allowing multiple people to edit the same file simultaneously with instant updates visible to all.
This fluidity offered by Proton often exceeds expectations, notably because all collaborative work is performed under the cover of strong encryption. The tool also integrates classical functions like comments, notifications, and a modification history, essential for effective project management. All of this is harmonized in a clear and modern interface, very ergonomic, which facilitates ease of use even for less experienced users.
Proton’s developers have also worked on maximum compatibility with standard market formats. Nothing better to reduce costs and migration complexity: Proton Sheets flawlessly imports and exports CSV and XLS files, allowing companies to retain their existing spreadsheets without tedious transformation.
- Secure real-time collaboration: every participant sees modifications instantly.
- Advanced comment management: clear interactions between team members.
- Detailed history: allows reverting to previous versions without data loss.
- Compatible with XLS and CSV: fluidity in file exchanges.
- Intuitive interface: reduces learning time.
Several user feedbacks from companies that adopted Proton Sheets report rapid adoption and notable satisfaction regarding ease of integration into their usual workflows. The switch from a traditional system or a Google solution to this new spreadsheet occurs with minimal friction, strengthening Proton’s argument for a complete, secure, and agile solution.
| Aspect | Google Sheets | Proton Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-user synchronization time | Instant | Almost instant with encryption |
| Version management | Good | Developed with cryptography details |
| User interface | Familiar and widespread | Modern, clean, intuitive |
Integration in the Proton Workspace universe: a complete and coherent office suite
With Proton Sheets, the Swiss company does not limit itself to a simple spreadsheet. It is an important link in the broader strategy to expand and strengthen the Proton Workspace suite. After the well-received launch of its text editor Proton Docs, this new component allows offering a complete, secure suite organized around a single vision: guaranteeing data protection while providing efficient and collaborative tools.
For individual users, Proton plans to add features like a shared reader in the Duo and Family plans. This possibility seems ideal to facilitate document sharing between household heads, friends, or small groups. The simplified management that results promises to protect data in a private environment, without sacrificing simplicity or fluidity of exchanges.
On the business side, Proton offers Business plans with robust options for multiple shared readers for teams. These features are designed to meet complex organizational needs, allowing fine control of access, audit of modifications, and enhanced security thanks to integrated encryption. In summary, the deployment is done strategically so that each user has the right tool while benefiting from a high standard of confidentiality.
- Coherent suite with Proton Docs and Drive: a harmonized ecosystem.
- Shared readers for family and professional use: flexibility in use.
- Advanced permission management: precise control over data access.
- Activity audit: complete collaboration tracking.
- Adapted to different user types: individual, family, business.
The table below summarizes the new features according to subscription types:
| Plan | Sharing features | Target use |
|---|---|---|
| Duo | A shared reader | Couples, small groups |
| Family | A shared reader | Families and friends |
| Business | Multiple shared readers | Professional teams |
Proton Sheets, a lever for a new era of privacy in office tools
The release of Proton Sheets marks a turning point in the history of online office suites. For years, Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel Online have dominated a market where privacy seemed a secondary or accessory criterion. Thanks to Proton, data security and trust in the cloud now come to the forefront.
This change is explained by a global context where cybersecurity multiplies challenges: massive leaks, industrial espionage, and increasingly strict regulations push users to rethink their habits. Proton materializes this evolution by offering a credible alternative to these giants who often collect and exploit data to feed their advertising or other economic models.
- Drastic reduction of data leak risk thanks to rigorous encryption.
- Free offer for Proton Drive customers which encourages rapid adoption.
- Ethical commitment from Proton regarding privacy as a core value.
- Dedicated and evolving technical support to accompany companies.
- Support of international standards and data sovereignty.
The question is no longer just about choosing between Excel or Google Sheets, but about integrating into practices a tool combining advanced collaboration and unbreakable security. Early feedback confirms that Proton Sheets attracts an audience aware of the stakes, ready to migrate to benefit from guaranteed confidentiality without compromise.
| Key criteria | Impact of Proton Sheets | Situation before 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption in European companies | Increasing thanks to increased trust | Mostly Google Sheets and Excel |
| Cloud-related leak rates | Significant decrease | Still concerns many solutions without full encryption |
| Strengthening digital sovereignty | Increased usage of European solutions | Domination by American providers |
New features of Proton Workspace in 2025, beyond the secure spreadsheet
Proton does not stop innovating with a simple spreadsheet. Its Workspace service portfolio expands in 2025 with numerous transversal features that enhance the overall user experience and data security wherever one works.
Proton Drive, for example, welcomes an improved SDK that speeds up file loading and downloading, supporting smooth use even with heavy documents. Proton Pass also gets a makeover with a more efficient autofill feature, thus facilitating password management and access security. The integration of Lumo, the AI chatbot, is expanding and will soon enable personalized image generation, making this assistant indispensable in daily management.
Regarding browsing protection, Proton VPN now offers five additional free servers located in strategic areas such as Mexico, Switzerland, and Singapore. This geographic reinforcement aims to broaden coverage and optimize privacy while offering increased performance to service users.
- Improved SDK for Proton Drive: speed and stability.
- Enhanced Proton Pass: improved autofill.
- Lumo AI chatbot: soon able to create images.
- Extended VPN: five new free servers in key countries.
- Native integration with Proton Sheets and Docs for a homogeneous environment.
| Service | New feature | User benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Proton Drive | New SDK | Optimized file transfer |
| Proton Pass | Autofill | Easier access security |
| Lumo (AI chatbot) | Image generation | Creative and efficient assistance |
| Proton VPN | Added servers | Better coverage and anonymity |
