Etherpad vs Google Docs

Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that runs on a server its users control. It attributes edits to authors and preserves revisions; its timeslider lets users review changes character by character and reverse them. Editing includes chat and rich-text tools, while plugins can add comments, images, tables, drawing, video chat, math, code highlighting and authentication. Optional AI is available through plugins, and users can choose the model and infrastructure or leave AI disabled. Etherpad is free and open source under Apache 2.0, with an open data format; the maker says it has no telemetry. An HTTP API covers pad content, authors, groups, sessions and chat, and plugin support includes OAuth, LDAP and OpenID authentication. Apps are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, alongside support for modern browsers. Installation instructions require Git and Node.js 24 or later. Deployment documentation includes reverse proxy and HTTPS termination options, as well as Kubernetes. The project dates to 2009 and is maintained by a small volunteer team, with community contact through Discord and email. The site names schools, public institutions, civic projects, newsrooms and teams needing document authorship history among its users.

Google Docs is an online document editor for creating content and collaborating with others. It includes templates, smart canvas building blocks, smart chips, pageless mode, and document tabs. Collaborators can edit and comment together, assign tasks, manage permissions, and restore earlier versions. Gemini in Docs can draft documents using information from Drive, Gmail, and Chat. Docs can create meeting notes from Calendar events and supports electronic signatures and contract templates. Microsoft Word and PDF files can be imported, while Word files can be edited while preserving the original. Documents can be created, accessed, and edited offline. Docs connects with Gmail, Drive, Sheets, Calendar, Chat, and Meet. Anyone with a Google Account can create documents, although some features require a Google Workspace plan. It runs in web browsers and on Android and iOS devices. A free plan and 14-day trial are listed; paid Workspace plans start at 7 USD per user per month with annual billing. Google says data is encrypted by default.