Compare
How does ReefOffice compare to Proton, Big Tech and self-hosting?
Most private workspace tools focus on email and files in a shared service. ReefOffice runs files, CRM, invoicing, document management and automation on an EU VM reserved for your organisation. Here is the honest, side-by-side picture.
Last reviewed: August 2026
| What matters | ReefOffice | Proton Workspace | Google / Microsoft 365 | Elestio (managed, per-app) | Cloudron (self-host) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isolated environment per organisation | ✓ An EU VM reserved for your organisation | ✗ Their multi-tenant cloud | ✗ Their cloud | ~ Managed instance on their infra | ✓ Your VPS, but you run it |
| Portability (open source + full export) | ✓ OSS stack, take it and self-host | ~ Open-source clients; hosted service with exports | ✗ Proprietary | ~ OSS apps, their platform | ✓ OSS apps |
| CRM + invoicing | ✓ Dolibarr, included | ✗ | ~ Add-ons / extra cost | ~ Deploy it yourself | ~ Install it yourself |
| Document management + OCR | ✓ Paperless-ngx, included | ✗ | ~ Basic | ~ | ~ |
| Workflow automation | ✓ ReefCoral recipes, managed | ✗ | ~ Power Automate (extra) | ✗ | ~ |
| Private AI chat | ✓ Bring your own API key or add Managed AI; Dedicated AI requires a design review | ~ Lumo, their cloud | ~ Depends on the selected product, contract and settings | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI agent (autonomous, with memory) | ~ Hermes uses governed, approved actions; advanced modes are phased | ✗ Lumo is chat only | ~ Copilot/Gemini: cloud, data scanning concerns | ✗ | ✗ |
| End-to-end zero-access encryption | ~ At rest + zero-access vault; air-gap option | ✓ Proton's core strength | ✗ | ✗ | ~ |
| EU-based, outside US CLOUD Act | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ~ Depends on region | ~ Your choice of host |
| Pricing model | ✓ Flat rate, up to 10 named users | ✗ Per user / month | ✗ Per user / month | ✗ Per app instance | ~ Licence + your VPS |
| Runs without a technical person | ✓ Fully managed, no terminal | ✓ | ✓ | ~ Developer-oriented | ✗ You manage the box |
Yes = supported · Partial = supported with caveats · No = not offered. Proton's true end-to-end encryption is marked as a Proton win.
See how the home-page price comparison is calculated →Go deeper
ReefOffice vs Proton Workspace
Same privacy mission, different product: encrypted SaaS collaboration vs a managed business back office in a reserved environment. Full breakdown ->
Proton Workspace alternatives
Building a shortlist? The honest options for a private, EU-based workspace, and where each fits ->
The short version
- • Proton: best if you want true end-to-end encrypted email and collaboration as a SaaS, priced per user.
- • Google / Microsoft: deepest features, but Big-Tech data practices and US jurisdiction.
- • Self-hosting (Cloudron, DIY): full control, but you become the sysadmin.
- • ReefOffice: managed business back office on an EU VM reserved for your organisation, flat price within the plan limit, portable formats.
Try a managed private business back office
A reserved EU VM for files, document management, CRM, invoicing and automation, set up and maintained for you.