Etherpad
Open-source real-time collaborative text editor you can self-host.
Open source alternative to:
Etherpad is one of the original open-source real-time collaborative text editors, predating Google Docs and pioneering the concept of simultaneous multi-user document editing. It allows multiple people to edit a document at the same time in their browser, with each user assigned a different color to identify their contributions.
Etherpad is lightweight, fast, and highly extensible through a rich plugin ecosystem. Plugins add features like code highlighting, chat, document export (PDF, Word, HTML), revision history, and integration with external services. It is widely used by universities, governments, newsrooms, and organizations that need a simple, self-hosted collaboration tool.
Licensed under Apache-2.0, Etherpad is one of the most widely deployed open-source collaborative editors in the world with over 18,000 GitHub stars. It can be deployed via Docker and requires minimal resources, making it an excellent choice for organizations looking for a simple Google Docs alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Etherpad compare to Google Docs for real-time editing?
Etherpad pioneered simultaneous browser-based multi-user text editing before Google Docs, with each collaborator assigned a different color to identify their edits. It is lightweight and fast, focused on collaborative writing rather than full office features. That simplicity is why it remains widely used at universities, governments, and newsrooms.
Can I add features to Etherpad through plugins?
Yes, Etherpad has a rich plugin ecosystem that adds code highlighting, chat, document export to PDF, Word, and HTML, revision history, and integrations with external services. Plugins can be installed from the admin interface or through the plugin API. This extensibility lets you tailor the editor to your workflow.
What resources do I need to self-host Etherpad?
Etherpad requires minimal resources and can be deployed via Docker, making it easy to run even on a small server or VPS. It is licensed under Apache-2.0 and free to use. The modest hardware footprint is a big advantage over heavier collaborative office suites.
Repository details
Updated 8/12/2026, 3:00:17 PM
View RepositoryRepository activity
Compare Etherpad with
Similar open source alternatives
ONLYOFFICE
Self-hosted office suite with real-time collaboration.
Google Docs
CryptPad
CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted, zero-knowledge collaborative office suite. Write, edit, and share documents, sheets, and code without servers reading them.
Google Docs
HedgeDoc
Real-time collaborative markdown note editor you can self-host — write together with rich formatting and seamless sharing.
Google Docs
LibreOffice
A powerful free and open source office suite with word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.
Microsoft 365
Collabora Online
Collabora Online is a powerful open-source office suite built on LibreOffice. Edit documents, sheets, and slides together in self-hosted environments.
Google Docs