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Etherpad

by Etherpad

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhoneLinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

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Etherpad's own site

What Etherpad is

Etherpad is a free, open-source real-time collaborative editor that runs on a server users control. It attributes keystrokes to authors, preserves revisions, and provides a timeslider for reviewing document history character by character and reversing changes. Editing includes chat and rich-text tools, while plugins can add comments, images, tables, drawing, video chat, math, code highlighting, authentication, and optional AI. AI can remain disabled, or users can choose the model and infrastructure through plugins. Etherpad’s code is Apache 2.0 licensed, its data format is open, and the maker says it has no telemetry. An HTTP API covers pad content, authors, groups, sessions, and chat; plugins support OAuth, LDAP, and OpenID authentication. Apps are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and it works in modern browsers. Installation requires Git and Node.js 24 or later. The project dates to 2009 and is maintained by a small volunteer team with Discord and email community contact.

Who it suits

It suits schools, public institutions, civic projects, newsrooms, and teams that need shared editing with clear authorship history. It also suits organizations wanting self-hosted governance and optional plugins.

What it does well

  • Real-time collaborative editing
  • Character-level revision history
  • Self-hosted deployment
  • Apache 2.0 open source
  • HTTP API and authentication plugins

What to know first

  • Installation requires Git and Node.js 24+
  • Maintained by a small volunteer team
  • Self-hosting requires a controlled server

Getting started

  1. Open the Etherpad website
  2. Choose a listed app or a modern browser
  3. For local installation, install Git and Node.js 24 or later
  4. Run Etherpad on a server you control
  5. Configure deployment with a reverse proxy, HTTPS termination, or Kubernetes if needed

Verdict

Etherpad combines collaborative editing, detailed revision history, and self-hosting with broad app and API support. Its installation and server responsibilities matter for organizations deploying it themselves.

Questions

Is Etherpad free?

Yes. Etherpad is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license.

Which platforms does Etherpad support?

It works in modern browsers and lists apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. API and self-hosted deployments are also supported.

Does Etherpad provide revision history?

Yes. It attributes edits to authors, preserves revisions, and provides a timeslider for character-by-character review. Changes can be reversed.

Can Etherpad use AI?

AI is optional through plugins. Users can choose the model and infrastructure or leave AI disabled.

What is required for local installation?

The installation instructions require Git and Node.js version 24 or later.

Facts from Etherpad's own pages

AI controls
AI is optional through plugins, and users can choose the model and infrastructure or leave AI disabled. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
API
Etherpad documents an HTTP API for operations including pad content, authors, groups, sessions, and chat. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Authorship and history
It attributes keystrokes to authors, preserves revisions, and provides a timeslider to review document history. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Collaborative editing
Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that runs on a server you control. · etherpad.org, 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, 5 Oct 2026
Desktop and mobile
The site lists a native app for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Editing features
The documentation lists real-time editing, chat, rich-text editing, and a plugin framework. · docs.etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Founded
2009 · etherpad.org, 28 Sept 2026
Installation
The installation instructions require Git and Node.js 24 or later and describe running Etherpad locally. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Installation requirement
The maker’s installation instructions require Git and Node.js version 24 or later. · etherpad.org, 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, 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, 5 Oct 2026
Languages
The site says Etherpad has been translated into 105 languages. · etherpad.org, 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, 5 Oct 2026
Open source
Etherpad's code is licensed under Apache 2.0 and its data format is open. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Plugins
Etherpad supports plugins, which can add features and integrations; the documentation describes installing them from npm. · docs.etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Privacy
The maker says Etherpad has no telemetry. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Privacy and governance
The site says Etherpad has no telemetry and lets administrators run it under their own governance. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Purpose
Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that attributes edits to authors and preserves document history. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Revision history
Its timeslider lets users review a document’s history character by character, and changes are reversible. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Self-hosting
Etherpad runs on a server its users control and is published under the Apache 2.0 license. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Support and maintenance
Etherpad is maintained by a small volunteer team and provides community contact through Discord and email. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026
Supported platforms
The maker lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS apps, and says Etherpad works in modern browsers. · etherpad.org, 5 Oct 2026

Where Etherpad stands on Freedom251

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