Many people review one long document
Up to 100 people can edit a Google Doc at once, with Commenter access, up to 40 named versions, and anyone with the link opening without login.
HTML tools you own, or shared documents
Stay with Google Docs for free group writing, commenting, and .docx or .pdf exports, or choose Hyperclay when you want custom tools as HTML files you own.
| Hyperclay | Google Docs | |
|---|---|---|
| Owning your data | Each page is one HTML file on an open spec that runs anywhere. (better here) | Your content remains yours on your Google account; export everything with Google Takeout. |
| Export | Downloads as one working HTML file, or one zip of your whole workspace. | Exports .docx, .pdf, .odt, .rtf, .txt, .html, zipped HTML, .epub, and .md. |
| Offline | HTML Clay, a free desktop app, edits and saves .htmlclay files offline in any browser. (better here) | Computer offline needs Chrome or Edge with an extension; phones mark each file. |
| Custom interface | Build custom layouts, calculators, boards, and forms in HTML, CSS, and ClayJS. (better here) | Document pages; Apps Script adds menus, dialogs, and sidebars running 6 minutes max. |
| Collaboration | Saved edits appear live for everyone without refreshing or losing page focus. | Up to 100 people edit at once, with Commenter access and named versions. (better here) |
| Permissions | Public or private HTML files, revocable edit links without login, and Maker workspaces. | Viewer, Commenter, or Editor roles for invited people, your organization, or link holders. (better here) |
| AI editing | Comment or press Cmd+J to edit text, layout, and code on paid plans. (better here) | Gemini in Docs drafts, rewrites, proofreads, and summarizes on Workspace Standard and Plus. |
| Integrations and API | Pages serve JSON at a stable URL and connect to local tools. | The Docs API creates and edits documents; Apps Script runs on Google servers. |
| Price | Free $0; Personal is $48/year billed yearly or $6/month billed monthly. | Free for personal accounts; Workspace Business Starter is $7/user/month billed yearly. (better here) |
When Google Docs is the better choice
You deliver files in office formats
Google Docs exports directly to .docx, .pdf, .odt, .rtf, .txt, and .epub, whereas we build and export web pages and apps as HTML files.
You want free cloud docs everywhere
A personal Google account includes Google Docs free with 15 GB of shared storage, plus native iPhone, iPad, and Android apps with offline file access.
When Hyperclay is the better choice
Your document wants to become software
Start from Freelance rate calculator to build calculators, forms, or tools that save inputs into the HTML file itself and download as one app that runs anywhere.
You need more than linear pages
Start from Kanban, edit directly on the page or through the visual CMS sidebar, and share a live URL where saved changes appear without refreshing.
You want offline files without Chrome
Start from Writer and keep your drafts as single .htmlclay files on Mac, Windows, or Linux with the free HTML Clay app, with no browser extension.
Moving over
Bring your Google Docs across
Download any Google Doc as .md or HTML, and import either format straight into Hyperclay. Uploading a Markdown file, or a zip of Markdown files, turns each one into a Block editor document while keeping images and links between files working. From there you can publish it at your own URL or reshape it with ClayJS.
FAQ
Can I use Hyperclay for plain writing like Google Docs?
Yes. Start from Writer, Journal, or Block editor to write in the browser with rich text formatting for bold, links, and lists, and none of the toolbar is saved into your file. Every save creates a version you can restore with one click.
How does offline editing differ from Google Docs?
On a computer, Google Docs offline works only in Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension set up while online. Rename a downloaded Hyperclay file to .htmlclay and HTML Clay opens it offline in any desktop browser on Mac, Windows, or Linux, saving straight to disk with no account.
Can people edit my file without creating an account?
Yes. Send a secret share link or QR code to let someone open and edit an HTML file without signing up, and revoke the link anytime. People editing the same file see saved changes merged in element by element without losing focus.
Who can see files and images I upload to Hyperclay?
Your HTML files are public at their URL unless you set them to private, and listing in our Discover gallery is off by default. Keep one limitation in mind: uploaded images and files stay public at their own URLs even when the HTML file using them is private.
How do Hyperclay and Google Workspace compare on price?
Google Docs is free with a personal Google account, and Google Workspace plans billed yearly cost $7 per user monthly on Business Starter, $14 on Standard, and $22 on Plus. We host 10 HTML files free, or charge $48/year billed yearly on Personal and $120/year billed yearly for 4 people on Maker.
Start free with ten HTML files
Host 10 HTML files free, or pay from $48/year billed yearly with a full refund in 30 days.