Summernote

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedWebWindows

What Summernote is

Summernote is a free, MIT-licensed WYSIWYG editor for building website editing interfaces. The project describes it as a lightweight 100KiB editor built around Bootstrap, with support for Bootstrap 3.x.x through 5.x.x. A Lite version can run without Bootstrap, although it requires jQuery. Its configurable toolbar can provide text formatting, lists, colors, links, pictures, videos, tables, fullscreen mode, and HTML CodeView. Initialization options let developers tailor toolbar and popover controls. Summernote runs in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can be deployed from precompiled CSS and JavaScript downloads or from source obtained through GitHub. Documentation lists integrations for Django, Rails, Angular, and React. CodeView includes front-end XSS filtering options; the documentation also calls for server-side checks for thorough attack prevention. The site links to a Discord community and GitHub project for support, suggestions, and contributions. Summernote is intended for web developers who want a ready-to-use editor rather than creating one from scratch.

Who it suits

Summernote suits web developers adding editable website content with Bootstrap-based controls. It also fits teams using Django, Rails, Angular, or React integrations, or developers who prefer a Lite setup without Bootstrap.

What it does well

Free under the MIT license
Lightweight 100KiB description
Supports Bootstrap 3.x.x through 5.x.x
Toolbar includes media, tables, fullscreen, and HTML CodeView
Works across major browsers and Windows, macOS, and Linux
Integrations documented for Django, Rails, Angular, and React

What to know first

Lite version still requires jQuery
Thorough XSS protection also needs server-side checks
No mobile platform is listed

Limits

The Lite version requires jQuery even when Bootstrap is omitted. CodeView's front-end filtering does not replace server-side security checks.

Getting started

Open the Summernote website
Download the compiled CSS and JavaScript or obtain source code through GitHub
Use the Bootstrap-based editor, or choose Lite without Bootstrap and include jQuery
Configure toolbar and popover options during initialization
Deploy it in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge on a supported operating system

Verdict

Choose Summernote if you need a free, customizable WYSIWYG editor for website integration. Its broad browser, operating-system, Bootstrap, and framework coverage are useful for varied web stacks. Look elsewhere if you need protection handled entirely in the editor or a setup that does not rely on jQuery in Lite mode.

Questions

Is Summernote free?

Yes. Summernote has a free plan and is distributed under the MIT license.

Which browsers and operating systems does it support?

The site lists Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, plus Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Can Summernote work without Bootstrap?

Yes. The Lite version works without Bootstrap but requires jQuery.

What editing tools can the toolbar provide?

Options include formatting, lists, colors, links, pictures, videos, tables, fullscreen, and HTML CodeView.

How can developers get Summernote?

They can download precompiled CSS and JavaScript or obtain source code through GitHub.

Does it integrate with web frameworks?

Documentation lists third-party integrations for Django, Rails, Angular, and React.

Facts from Summernote's own pages

Audience: The team says it aims to create a web editor for seamless website integration and contributes in spare time outside daily jobs. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Bootstrap support: The homepage lists support for Bootstrap 3.x.x through 5.x.x, and the documentation also describes a Lite version that works without Bootstrap. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Bootstrap versions: Summernote supports Bootstrap versions 3.x.x through 5.x.x. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Browser and OS support: The homepage lists Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers, and Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Browser support: The site lists Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge as supported browsers. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Customization: The toolbar and popovers can be customized with initialization options. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Download and deployment: Users can download compiled CSS and JavaScript or source code, or clone or fork the project on GitHub. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Downloads: The project offers precompiled CSS and JavaScript downloads and source code through GitHub. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Editor features: The toolbar can include text formatting, lists, colors, tables, links, images, videos, fullscreen, and HTML code view. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Editor tools: Toolbar options include text formatting, links, pictures, videos, tables, fullscreen, and HTML CodeView. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Extension support: Yes · summernote.org, 21 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · summernote.org, 21 Sept 2026
Integrations: The documentation lists third-party integrations for Django, Rails, Angular, and React. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users: The team says its goal is to provide web developers with a ready-to-use WYSIWYG editor so they do not have to build one from scratch. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
License: Summernote is distributed under the MIT license. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Operating systems: The site lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported operating systems. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Product: Summernote describes itself as a simple WYSIWYG editor for websites, built on Bootstrap. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Summernote is a simple WYSIWYG editor for websites. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Security: CodeView provides front-end XSS filtering options, and the documentation says server-side checks are still needed to prevent attacks thoroughly. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Size: The site describes Summernote as lightweight at 100KiB. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Standalone mode: The Lite version can be used without Bootstrap and requires jQuery. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The site links to a community Discord and GitHub project. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support and contributions: The team welcomes contributions and suggestions, and the site links to a Discord community. · summernote.org, 11 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: Windows,macOS,Linux; Safari,Chrome,Firefox and Edge · summernote.org, 21 Sept 2026

Where Summernote stands on Freedom251

Rich Text Editor Software#23 of 37
Text Editors#52 of 82