HedgeDoc

HedgeDoc is a free, open-source editor for collaborative Markdown notes, diagrams and slide presentations, available in the browser or as a self-hosted service. It is best for Markdown-comfortable teams that want shared editing under their own deployment; the key trade-offs are the missing built-in PDF export and a limit on running multiple server instances against one database.

Overview

Sharing a note link enables real-time collaboration, and unlimited revisions let users revisit changes or restore an earlier version. Guest access makes it possible to involve collaborators without requiring every participant to be a named teammate. HedgeDoc stays focused on Markdown documents rather than offering a broader suite of document workflows, and it has no comments feature.

Self-hosting gives teams control over deployment, with a ready-to-use bundle and official Docker image available. The project’s FAQ cautions against running multiple HedgeDoc servers on the same database because the server process is not entirely stateless. That makes the deployment a better fit for a single-instance setup than a horizontally scaled service.

Key features

Collaboration and access control

HedgeDoc 1.x provides six note permissions: Freely, Editable, Limited, Locked, Protected and Private. Only the note owner can change a note’s permission, so owners retain control of access, but they need to choose settings carefully when sharing sensitive or collaborative work. Without comments, feedback must be incorporated into the note or handled elsewhere.

Presentations, diagrams and embeds

Markdown notes can be presented as slides through reveal.js, while support for graphs, diagrams and embedded content gives documents ways to explain information beyond prose. This makes HedgeDoc useful for teams that already write in Markdown and want notes and lightweight presentations in one workflow. It is less suited to readers who need a standalone presentation tool or a more general document editor.

Integrations and deployment choices

Authentication integrations include LDAP, OAuth, SAML, GitHub, GitLab, Keycloak, Mattermost, Nextcloud and Microsoft Entra ID. Image uploads can use filesystem, Imgur, S3, MinIO, Azure or Lutim storage. Docker images support amd64 and arm64. Administrators can configure HSTS and Content Security Policy; the project warns that disabling CSP significantly reduces application security.

Built-in PDF export is disabled following security vulnerabilities involving the headless Chromium instance used to generate PDFs. Browser print-to-PDF is the suggested workaround, but it is less convenient than an integrated export option.

Pricing

HedgeDoc is open source under the AGPL 3.0 license and has one free plan, HedgeDoc, priced at $0. It includes real-time editing, unlimited version history and guest access. There are no comments, and the plan’s web coverage does not include a native app. For teams that can host and maintain the service, the zero-price plan avoids a paid seat commitment; the cost is managing the deployment yourself.

Platforms

HedgeDoc is available on the web and as self-hosted software. Its official Docker image supports amd64 and arm64, while the web interface is the product’s native app coverage. The source code is licensed under AGPL 3.0.

Who it's for

Choose HedgeDoc if your team is comfortable writing Markdown, values real-time collaboration and revision recovery, and wants control over where the service runs. Its permissions, authentication integrations and image-storage options suit teams configuring a shared deployment. Look elsewhere if built-in PDF export, comment threads, native desktop apps or multiple application instances sharing one database are requirements.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Real-time editing, guest access and unlimited revisions support collaborative work without a paid plan.
• Pro: Markdown presentations, diagrams and embedded content extend shared notes into visual explanations and slide decks.
• Pro: Self-hosting, broad authentication integrations and multiple image-storage backends give administrators deployment choices.
• Con: Built-in PDF export is disabled, leaving browser print-to-PDF as the workaround.
• Con: The service should not be run as multiple instances against the same database, limiting that deployment pattern.
• Con: No comments or native app coverage means feedback and desktop use need other tools or a browser.

Alternatives

StackEdit is another free, open-source web editor if you want a browser-based Markdown option; no paid plans or usage limits are stated on its maker’s pages. PanWriter is worth considering if you want a free, open-source editor for Linux, macOS or Windows rather than a web-only tool.

HackMD may fit teams that prefer a web-based freemium service with a Free plan capped at three teammates, three invitees, three custom templates, 20 GitHub pushes per month and 1 MB per image. MarkText is a free, open-source alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows with no account or subscription.

Ghostwriter is a free, open-source GPL v3.0 option for Linux, macOS and Windows. Dillinger is another free web option, with no signup, paywall or usage limits. Zettlr offers free, open-source software for Linux, macOS and Windows without payment to download. Muesli is a free, AGPL-3.0 open-source alternative spanning web, self-hosted, API and desktop platforms.

For a broader shortlist, see Markdown editors, Writing Apps, Collaborative Document Software, Document Collaboration Software and Note-taking apps.

Verdict

HedgeDoc is a strong choice for Markdown-oriented teams that want free live collaboration, revision recovery and control through self-hosting. Its presentation and access features add useful range without requiring a paid plan. Choose another tool if dependable built-in PDF export, comment threads or a multi-instance deployment are central to your workflow.