Etherpad
Highly customizable online editor providing collaborative editing in real-time.
- GitHub stars
- 18,586
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Latest release
- v3.3.8
11 October 2026 - Last commit
- 12 October 2026
- Runs on
- Node.js, Docker
Commits per month, last 12 months
958 commits
Replaces
Paid products Etherpad can stand in for.
How to self-host Etherpad
Etherpad runs on Node.js and Docker. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.
- Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
- Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
- Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
- Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.
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Questions
Is Etherpad free?
Yes. Etherpad is open source under the Apache-2.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.
Can I self-host Etherpad?
Yes. Etherpad runs on Node.js and Docker. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.
What does Etherpad replace?
People use Etherpad instead of Dropbox Paper, HackMD or Google Docs.
Is Etherpad still maintained?
The last change to Etherpad's code was on 12 October 2026, with 958 commits in the last 12 months.
Topics
App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.