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Etherpad
Etherpad · founded 2009
What it is
Etherpad is a free, open-source collaborative editor for people who want to work on shared documents using a server they control. It attributes keystrokes to authors and preserves revisions; its timeslider lets users inspect a document’s history character by character and reverse changes. Editing includes chat and rich-text tools, with plugins available for comments, images, tables, drawing, video chat, math, code highlighting, authentication, and optional AI. Users can leave AI disabled or select the model and infrastructure through plugins. Etherpad is licensed under Apache 2.0, has an open data format, and its maker says it has no telemetry. It works in modern browsers and has listed apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Its HTTP API covers pads, authors, groups, sessions, and chat; authentication plugins support OAuth, LDAP, and OpenID. Local installation requires Git and Node.js version 24 or later. Deployment documentation includes reverse proxy, HTTPS termination, and Kubernetes options. The project dates to 2009 and is maintained by a small volunteer team.
For and against
For
- Attributes edits to authors and preserves revisions
- History can be reviewed and changes reversed
- Apache 2.0 license and open data format
- No telemetry, according to the maker
- Apps listed for desktop and mobile platforms
Against
- Local installation requires Git and Node.js 24 or later
- Maintained by a small volunteer team
The verdict
Etherpad offers collaborative editing with detailed revision history and flexible self-hosting. Its installation requirements and volunteer-led maintenance are worth considering alongside its broad platform and plugin support.
Who it suits
Etherpad can suit schools, public institutions, newsrooms, civic projects, and teams that need shared editing with authorship history. It is also relevant to organizations that want to control their server and governance.
On the record
- AI controls
- AI is optional through plugins, and users can choose the model and infrastructure or leave AI disabled.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- API
- Etherpad documents an HTTP API for operations including pad content, authors, groups, sessions, and chat.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Authorship and history
- It attributes keystrokes to authors, preserves revisions, and provides a timeslider to review document history.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Collaborative editing
- Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that runs on a server you control.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The maker documents production deployment behind a reverse proxy, with HTTPS termination and Kubernetes among the deployment options.docs.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Desktop and mobile
- The site lists a native app for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Editing features
- The documentation lists real-time editing, chat, rich-text editing, and a plugin framework.docs.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The installation instructions require Git and Node.js 24 or later and describe running Etherpad locally.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Installation requirement
- The maker’s installation instructions require Git and Node.js version 24 or later.etherpad.org · read 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.docs.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site names public institutions, schools, civic projects, newsrooms, and teams that need document authorship history among its users.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The site says Etherpad has been translated into 105 languages.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- License and maker
- The site identifies the copyright holder as The Etherpad Foundation and says Etherpad has been used since 2009.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Etherpad's code is licensed under Apache 2.0 and its data format is open.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Etherpad supports plugins, which can add features and integrations; the documentation describes installing them from npm.docs.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says Etherpad has no telemetry.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy and governance
- The site says Etherpad has no telemetry and lets administrators run it under their own governance.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that attributes edits to authors and preserves document history.etherpad.org · read 5 Oct 2026
