Free, open-source alternatives to HackMD
Collaborative Markdown notes. 3 apps you can run yourself instead of HackMD, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
HedgeDocBest match
Realtime collaborative markdown notes on all platforms, formerly known as CodiMD and HackMD CE.
Etherpad
Highly customizable online editor providing collaborative editing in real-time.
CryptPad
Collaboration suite built to enable collaboration, synchronizing changes to documents in real time.
Side by side
Why replace HackMD?
HackMD works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to HackMD?
HedgeDoc is the closest open-source replacement for HackMD in our list. Etherpad and CryptPad are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to HackMD?
Yes. All 3 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.