CKEditor 4
by CKEditor 4
What CKEditor 4 is
CKEditor 4 is a browser-based WYSIWYG component for editing HTML documents and fragments in browser applications. Users format text and add rich media through editor controls, with changes displayed as they work. Documented features include image insertion, tables, embedded media, code snippets, formulas, spell checking, PDF export, autocomplete, mentions, emoji, and source editing.
Developers can customize it with plugins, widgets, and skins. Official framework integrations are available for React, Angular, Vue.js, and jQuery, and the documentation describes compatibility with Electron and webpack. Download packages include Basic with 17 plugins, Standard with 48, and Full with 72; an online builder can create custom versions. CKEditor 4 is a browser component rather than a standalone desktop application. The standard package is free under applicable open-source or commercial license terms. CKEditor 4 reached end of life in June 2023, and standard releases no longer receive features, bug fixes, or security updates. Continued LTS support requires a license key and purchase of the Extended Support Model; pricing is on request.
Who it suits
It suits developers adding HTML editing to browser applications for website content, emails, or form entries. Teams needing continued security fixes should consider the paid LTS support option and its license requirements.
What it does well
- Includes editing tools for tables, media, formulas, and code.
- Offers 17-, 48-, and 72-plugin download packages.
- Supports integrations for React, Angular, Vue.js, and jQuery.
- Developers can customize it with plugins, widgets, and skins.
What to know first
- Standard releases no longer receive security updates.
- The product reached end of life in June 2023.
- LTS support requires a license key and paid support model.
- It is not a standalone desktop application.
Limits
The free standard package is the v4.22.1 release dated 2023-06-30 and receives no further standard features, bug fixes, or security updates. Security fixes through December 2029 require the paid Extended Support Model, a license key, and commercial licensing.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CKEditor 4 LTS / Extended Support Model | Security fixes for vulnerabilities · Uninterrupted access to functionality until December 2029 · Commercial licensing | On request |
| CKEditor 4 standard package | Open-source or commercial license, depending on applicable terms · standard release v4.22.1 dated 2023-06-30 | Free |
| CKEditor 4 Extended Support Model | Contact sales for pricing · Paid LTS package · access to essential security fixes · support stated through December 2029 on the product page | On request |
As ckeditor.com lists them, read 21 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the CKEditor 4 website
- Choose a Basic, Standard, or Full package, or use the online builder
- Install the selected browser component in your application
- Add official framework integration for React, Angular, Vue.js, or jQuery when applicable
- Customize with plugins, widgets, or skins using the SDK documentation
- Apply server-side filtering to untrusted content
Verdict
CKEditor 4 provides an extensive set of HTML editing features and customization options for browser applications. Its end-of-life status makes the LTS terms and server-side filtering guidance important considerations.
Questions
Is CKEditor 4 free?
Yes. The standard package is listed as free under applicable open-source or commercial license terms. Paid Extended Support Model pricing is available by contacting sales.
Which platforms does it support?
CKEditor 4 is a web and self-hosted API component for browser applications. It is documented as compatible with Electron and webpack.
What integrations are available?
Official framework integrations are available for React, Angular, Vue.js, and jQuery.
Can developers customize it?
Yes. Plugins, widgets, and skins can be used for customization, with SDK guides in the documentation.
Does CKEditor 4 still receive updates?
Standard releases ended with the June 2023 end of life and no longer receive features, bug fixes, or security updates. Extended Support Model customers can receive essential security fixes through December 2029.
Facts from CKEditor 4's own pages
- Downloads
- The download page offers Basic, Standard, and Full packages with 17, 48, and 72 plugins respectively, plus an online builder for custom versions. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editing features
- It lets users format text and add rich media through editor controls, with changes shown as they edit. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- End of life
- CKEditor 4 reached end of life in June 2023; the maker says standard releases no longer receive features, bug fixes, or security updates. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Extended support
- The CKEditor 4 LTS package requires a license key and is available to customers who purchase the Extended Support Model. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Developers can customize CKEditor 4 with plugins, widgets, and skins, for which the documentation provides SDK guides. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Extension support
- Yes · ckeditor.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Feature range
- Documented features include image insertion, tables, embedded media, code snippets, formulas, spell checking, PDF export, autocomplete, mentions, emoji, and source editing. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2012 · ckeditor.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · ckeditor.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Boston, United States; Warsaw and Poznań, Poland · ckeditor.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Hosting
- The documentation describes CKEditor 4 as a browser component rather than a standalone desktop application. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Official framework integrations are available for React, Angular, Vue.js, and jQuery; CKEditor 4 is also documented as compatible with Electron and webpack. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- CKEditor 4 downloads are subject to applicable open-source or commercial license agreements. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker history
- CKSource says the CKEditor project began in 2003 and that CKSource was officially launched in 2006. · cksource.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CKEditor 4 is a browser-based WYSIWYG editor for editing HTML documents and fragments. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The maker says editor filters are not security filters and recommends filtering untrusted content server-side to reduce XSS risk. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- web · ckeditor.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Who it is for
- The maker describes CKEditor 4 as a component for browser applications that need to edit HTML content such as website content, emails, or form entries. · ckeditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where CKEditor 4 stands on Freedom251
- Text Editors#22 of 82