Etherpad
Etherpad is a free, open-source real-time editor for people who want to collaborate on documents using a server they control.
What Etherpad is
Etherpad is a free, open-source real-time editor for people who want to collaborate on documents using a server they control. It attributes keystrokes to authors and preserves revisions; its timeslider lets users inspect the history character by character, and changes can be reversed. The editor includes chat and rich-text editing, and plugins can add tools such as comments, images, tables, drawing, video chat, math, code highlighting, and authentication. Optional AI is also available through plugins, with choices for model and infrastructure, or it can remain disabled. Etherpad uses the Apache 2.0 license, has an open data format, and its maker says it has no telemetry. An HTTP API covers pad content, authors, groups, sessions, and chat. The project lists apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and says it works in modern browsers. Local installation instructions require Git and Node.js 24 or later. Etherpad is maintained by a small volunteer team, with community contact through Discord and email.
Good
- Tracks authorship and preserves document revisions.
- History can be reviewed and changes reversed.
- Open source under the Apache 2.0 license.
- No telemetry, according to its maker.
- Apps are listed for desktop and mobile platforms.
Watch out
- Local installation requires Git.
- Local installation requires Node.js 24 or later.
- The project is maintained by a small volunteer team.
Who it suits
Etherpad suits institutions, schools, civic projects, newsrooms, and teams that need shared editing with author and revision history. It is especially relevant to users who want to run the editor under their own governance.
Verdict
Etherpad combines real-time collaboration with detailed revision history and self-hosting. It offers a broad plugin framework, but local setup requires the listed development tools.
The facts
Each one read from Etherpad's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI controls
- AI is optional through plugins, and users can choose the model and infrastructure or leave AI disabled.checked 5 Oct 2026
- API
- Etherpad documents an HTTP API for operations including pad content, authors, groups, sessions, and chat.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Authorship and history
- It attributes keystrokes to authors, preserves revisions, and provides a timeslider to review document history.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Collaborative editing
- Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that runs on a server you control.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The maker documents production deployment behind a reverse proxy, with HTTPS termination and Kubernetes among the deployment options.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Desktop and mobile
- The site lists a native app for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Editing features
- The documentation lists real-time editing, chat, rich-text editing, and a plugin framework.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The installation instructions require Git and Node.js 24 or later and describe running Etherpad locally.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Installation requirement
- The maker’s installation instructions require Git and Node.js version 24 or later.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The HTTP API can create and delete pads, manage access, read and set pad content, and embed pads in another website.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site names public institutions, schools, civic projects, newsrooms, and teams that need document authorship history among its users.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The site says Etherpad has been translated into 105 languages.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Etherpad's code is licensed under Apache 2.0 and its data format is open.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Etherpad supports plugins, which can add features and integrations; the documentation describes installing them from npm.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says Etherpad has no telemetry.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy and governance
- The site says Etherpad has no telemetry and lets administrators run it under their own governance.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that attributes edits to authors and preserves document history.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Revision history
- Its timeslider lets users review a document’s history character by character, and changes are reversible.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Etherpad runs on a server its users control and is published under the Apache 2.0 license.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support and maintenance
- Etherpad is maintained by a small volunteer team and provides community contact through Discord and email.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2009checked 28 Sep 2026
- License and maker
- The site identifies the copyright holder as The Etherpad Foundation and says Etherpad has been used since 2009.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Supported platforms
- The maker lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS apps, and says Etherpad works in modern browsers.checked 5 Oct 2026
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