Etherpad
Etherpad supports collaborative document editing with visible authorship and lets users run their own server.
About Etherpad
Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor for documents. Each keystroke is attributed to its author and every revision is preserved. A timeslider lets users move through a document's full history, and author colours show who wrote each part of the text. The homepage describes it as run on the user's own server, and lists Wikimedia, public-sector institutions, schools, and newsrooms among its users.
Self-hosting requires git and Node.js 24 or later, and the homepage gives an install command for Linux and macOS. Publicly run instances are listed for trying the software without setting up a server. Extra features come from plugins, including comments, tables, drawing, and authentication options such as LDAP and OAuth. AI is an optional plugin that must be installed, and the homepage says it can be turned off. The homepage states there is no telemetry, but any privacy assessment depends on the plugins and external services a given instance uses.
Key features
- Real-time collaborative editing of shared documents
- Per-keystroke author attribution and preserved revision history
- Timeslider for stepping through a document's full history
- Author colours showing who wrote each part of the text
- Built-in full data export
- Optional plugins for comments, tables, images, drawing, and LDAP or OAuth login
Best for: Organisations, schools, and newsrooms that need to host their own collaborative editor and keep a visible record of who wrote what.
Good for
- Authorship and revision history are recorded for every change and can be reviewed in a timeslider.
- Self-hosting lets the operator control where document data is stored.
- AI is an optional plugin rather than a built-in feature, and the homepage says it can be turned off.
Watch out for
- Installing from source requires git and Node.js version 24 or later.
- Many features depend on separately installed plugins, so the available set varies by installation.
Etherpad at a glance
- Website
- etherpad.org
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Text Editors
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for Text Editors
Etherpad alternatives
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Etherpad FAQ
Can I try Etherpad without setting up a server?
Yes. The homepage lists publicly available instances run by people around the world that can be used without setting up a server.
Is AI built into Etherpad?
No. The homepage describes AI as a plugin that must be installed. It can be pointed at a chosen model, including a local one, and can be turned off.
Can I export my data from Etherpad?
The homepage states that full data export is built in.
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