Saros

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Score7.0

Rank#4 of 26

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows

Summary

Saros is an open-source IDE plugin for collaborative software development. It synchronizes text-file edits so several participants with write access can work in shared files at the same time. Follow mode lets someone track another team member’s navigation and edits, while session awareness shows where others are working and what they have changed. Built-in instant messaging supports group and one-to-one chat; the documentation recommends using a separate voice or audio conferencing tool. Documented integrations are Eclipse and IntelliJ-platform IDEs, and sessions use an XMPP/Jabber account. Teams can host their own server to keep session communication within their network. The homepage describes sessions of up to five team members, but Saros/I release notes specify a two-participant limit. Saros/I also shares only one module, which must have exactly one content root, and does not include sub-modules. Collaboration needs higher bandwidth and lower latency than ordinary chatting, and public chat servers may be too slow for smooth use. Saros is free and open source, with no paid plans listed.

Who it is for

Saros suits software teams using Eclipse or IntelliJ-platform IDEs who need to edit shared files together. Teams that need voice or audio communication should plan to use a separate tool.

What is good

Concurrent editing for participants with write access
Follow mode shows another member’s navigation and edits
Includes group and one-to-one instant messaging
Self-hosting can keep session communication within a network

What to know first

Requires an XMPP/Jabber account for sessions
No built-in voice audio or screen sharing
Saros/I release notes limit sessions to two participants
Saros/I sharing excludes sub-modules

Verdict

Saros offers shared editing, participant awareness, chat, and self-hosting at no charge. Check the participant and module limits for Saros/I, and consider network latency before choosing it for a team.

Saros plans and pricing

All plans

Saros Free Completely open source; no paid plans or price listed saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on pair programming software

Editor support: Eclipse; IntelliJ IDEA and IntelliJ-platform IDEssaros-project.org
Voice audio: Nosaros-project.org
Screen sharing: Nosaros-project.org
Integrated chat: Yessaros-project.org
Self-hosted option: Yessaros-project.org

Facts

Purpose: Saros is an open-source IDE plugin for distributed collaborative software development.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Real-time editing: It synchronizes collaborative text-file editing among participants.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Concurrent writers: Participants with write access can edit shared files at the same time.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Follow mode: Follow mode lets a participant observe another team member’s navigation and editing activity.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Awareness: During a session, users can see where others are working and what they have changed.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Communication: Saros provides instant messaging and supports multi-user or one-to-one chat; its documentation recommends using a separate VoIP or audio conferencing tool.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Integrations: The documented IDE integrations are Eclipse and IntelliJ-platform IDEs, and sessions use an XMPP/Jabber account.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Platforms: Saros is distributed as IDE plugins for Eclipse and IntelliJ-platform IDEs; the installation guide lists Eclipse 4.8 or newer and IntelliJ 2019.2.3 or newer.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Self-hosting: Users can host their own server and keep session communication within their network.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Security and privacy: The project recommends setting up an own XMPP server for company use or sessions with more than one peer; it does not state a security certification on the pages reviewed.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Session limit: The homepage says a session can include up to five team members, while the Saros/I release notes limit that plugin to two participants.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
IntelliJ limitations: Saros/I currently shares only one module, which must have exactly one content root, and does not include sub-modules when sharing.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users to its GitHub issue tracker to report bugs.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026
Connection requirements: Saros requires higher bandwidth and lower latency than normal chatting, and public chat servers may be too slow for smooth operation.saros-project.org · 2 Oct 2026