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Editor.js
What it is
Editor.js is a free, self-hosted block-style editor that structures content as JSON. Rather than treating a document as one undivided field, its workspace separates material into blocks such as paragraphs, headings, images, lists and quotes. Blocks are supplied through plugins, and developers can create their own using its API. The getting-started guide includes examples such as headers, link embeds, images, checklists, lists, embeds and quotes. JSON output can be used to render content for web and mobile clients, Facebook Instant Articles, Google AMP or audio. The site says the output can be sanitized, validated and processed on a backend. Installation options include npm or Yarn, a CDN, and a local project file. Read-only mode is supported when every block tool in use also supports it. Configuration can localize interface text, tool names, tools and block tunes. Editor.js supports JavaScript and TypeScript, is released under the Apache 2 License, and is made by CodeX, a non-profit team. The free plan is free; there is no free trial.
For and against
For
- Free plan costs nothing.
- Plugin blocks can be extended through its API.
- JSON output can be validated and processed on a backend.
- Supports JavaScript and TypeScript.
- Media handling includes images, attachments and embeds.
Against
- There is no free trial.
- Read-only mode depends on each block tool supporting it.
- Real-time collaboration is not available.
The verdict
Editor.js offers a free, extensible way to create block-structured content and return it as JSON. Teams should account for self-hosted deployment and check block-tool support when they need read-only use.
Who it suits
Editor.js suits developers building structured content workflows who want JSON output and plugin-based blocks. It may also fit projects that need localized editor controls or self-hosted deployment.
Plans and prices
Free and open source
self-hosted JavaScript library · no subscription plans stated
Read 15 Oct 2026 · editorjs.io
Free and open-source
Read 4 Oct 2026 · editorjs.io
On the record
- Available tools
- The project lists heading, quote, image, nested list, checklist, link embed, YouTube/Vimeo/Instagram embeds, table, code, raw HTML, attachments, marker and inline-code tools.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Block model
- Documents are assembled from separate paragraph, heading, image, list and quote blocks supplied by plugins.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Block structure
- Its workspace uses separate blocks for content such as paragraphs, headings, images, lists, and quotes.editorjs.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Clean output
- Saving produces JSON block data instead of a large HTML document.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company founded
- LinkedIn lists CodeX as founded in 2015 with 11–50 employees.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Core API
- The API exposes block insertion, deletion, movement and rendering, selection, toolbar, sanitizer, caret, event-listener and save methods.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Core interactions
- The editor includes arrow navigation, copy and paste, and cross-block selection behavior.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Data handling
- The site says its JSON output is easy to sanitize and can be validated and processed on the backend.editorjs.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Default content tool
- Only the Paragraph block is included in the core package; other blocks must be installed and registered separately.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Development requirements
- Building from source requires Node.js, Yarn and Git, followed by repository cloning and yarn build commands.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Blocks are powered by plugins, and the site says developers can create their own using its API.editorjs.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Independent ecosystem score
- EditorStack rates the ecosystem 7.5 out of 10 and says community tool quality and TypeScript coverage vary.editorstack.cc · read 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Developers can install through npm, Yarn, jsDelivr CDN or a local editor.js file.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Internationalization
- The i18n configuration supports UI, tool-name, tool and block-tune translations, plus right-to-left layout.editorjs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The main repository is released under Apache-2.0.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- License
- The site says Editor.js is released under the Apache 2 License.editorjs.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Limit: collaboration
- Hysen Labs marks collaborative editing as absent from the shipped feature set and still part of the roadmap.hysenlabs.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: email output
- EditorStack reports that email-safe HTML requires a renderer written and maintained by the implementer.editorstack.cc · read 15 Oct 2026
The review
Editor.js is a self-hosted editor for applications that need content organized into discrete blocks and returned as JSON. It is best for developer-led projects that can choose and maintain their own tools. Its structured output is useful; it is not a hosted publishing service or a real-time collaboration editor.
Overview
Editor.js separates paragraphs, headings, images, lists, and quotes into individual blocks rather than treating a document as one text field. The resulting JSON can be validated and processed on a backend, then rendered for web or mobile clients and destinations such as Facebook Instant Articles, Google AMP, or audio. That flexibility makes it a fit for applications with their own content workflows, not teams looking for a turnkey publishing platform.
CodeX, a non-profit team, makes Editor.js. It is released under the Apache 2 License, supports JavaScript and TypeScript, and is self-hosted. Those choices avoid a software subscription, but the project team remains responsible for deployment and integration.
Key features
Block tools and extensions
The getting-started guide includes header, link embed, image, checklist, list, embed, and quote tools. Blocks are plugin-powered, and developers can create their own through the API. This is valuable when an application needs a particular content structure; it also means teams must select and maintain tools rather than rely on a fixed, fully managed feature set.
Structured data and editing modes
Editor.js describes its JSON output as easy to sanitize and suitable for backend validation and processing. Read-only mode is supported, but every block tool in use must support it too. Teams that need read-only display should check their chosen tools before building around that mode.
Localization and media
The configuration can localize editor interface text, tool names, tools, and block tunes. Table editing is supported, and media handling includes images, file attachments, and embeds such as YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, Gfycat, Instagram, and Twitter. Installation options include npm or Yarn, a CDN, and a local project file, giving developers several ways to integrate it into a project.
Pricing
Editor.js has one free and open-source plan at no cost. There is no free trial because the software is free. That makes it suitable for projects seeking a no-cost editor, but free software does not remove the work of self-hosting or maintaining the block tools the application needs. No real-time collaboration is included, so teams needing shared live editing should look elsewhere.
Platforms
Editor.js is listed for web, Android, and iOS, with self-hosted deployment and JavaScript and TypeScript support. Its JSON output can be used to render content for web and mobile clients. It is not a hosted service, so deployment remains with the project team.
Who it's for
Editor.js suits developers building applications that need structured content, backend processing, or rendering across different destinations. It is especially useful when a team wants to shape the available blocks around its own content model. It is a weaker fit for nontechnical publishers seeking a ready-to-use service, or teams that require built-in real-time collaboration.
Pros and cons
- Structured JSON output: Content can be validated and processed on a backend or rendered for multiple destinations.
- Extensible block model: Plugins and an API let developers add tools tailored to an application.
- Free and open source: The Apache 2 License and free plan avoid a software subscription.
- Self-hosted deployment: Teams must handle deployment and integration themselves.
- Read-only depends on tools: Each selected block tool must support read-only mode.
- No real-time collaboration: Projects requiring shared live editing need another option.
Alternatives
Rich Text Editor Software is a useful category overview for comparing editors.
- AiEditor is another option with a free plan and Android, iOS, self-hosted, and web platforms.
- CKEditor 5 may suit teams seeking a freemium editor with a free trial and paid Essential plan at $160 a month, with monthly and annual billing options.
- Remirror is another free editor available for Android, iOS, self-hosted, and web use.
- Froala Editor is a paid alternative with a free trial and Android, iOS, self-hosted, and web platforms.
- BlockNote is a freemium option with a free plan, developed by engineers led by Matthew Lipski, Nick Perez, and Yousef El-Dardiry.
- MDXEditor is a free web-based React component for authoring Markdown, with features enabled through plugins.
- Pell is a free editor for self-hosted and web use.
- Plate is a freemium, self-hosted and web option with a free plan that includes all plugins.
Verdict
Choose Editor.js for a developer-led application that needs free, self-hosted, block-structured content and JSON output. Its extensible model is the main reason to pick it; the need to manage deployment and tool compatibility is the main reason to look elsewhere, especially when real-time collaboration matters.
