HedgeDoc vs Pad
Comparing two open source alternatives to Notion . Use the comparison below to decide which one fits your needs.
HedgeDoc
AGPL-3.0Real-time collaborative markdown note editor you can self-host — write together with rich formatting and seamless sharing.
Pad
Apache-2.0Local-first project management for developers and AI agents, with a CLI, web UI, SQLite backend, and native skills for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and more.
Side-by-side comparison
| HedgeDoc | Pad | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| GitHub Stars | 7,363 | 120 |
| Forks | 584 | 21 |
| Open Issues | 269 | 20 |
| Last Commit | Aug 11, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 |
| First Released | Mar 27, 2019 | Mar 26, 2026 |
| Categories | ||
| Tags |
Similar open source alternatives
AppFlowy
Open source Notion alternative that brings projects, wikis, and teams together with AI while keeping you in control of your data.
Notion
HelixNotes
A fast, privacy-first local markdown note-taking app built with Tauri and SvelteKit. Your notes stay as plain .md files on your device.
Obsidian
Etherpad
Open-source real-time collaborative text editor you can self-host.
Google Docs
Jotty
Lightweight self-hosted app for managing personal file-based notes and checklists.
Notion
Plane
Open-source project management platform — an alternative to Jira, Linear, Monday, and ClickUp.
Jira
ONLYOFFICE
Self-hosted office suite with real-time collaboration.
Google Docs