Etherpad vs LyX

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.

LyX is a document processor for structured writing, combining TeX and LaTeX capabilities with a graphical interface. It suits work ranging from academic articles, theses, and books to letters, novels, plays, and film scripts. Its equation editor accepts point-and-click input or LaTeX commands and renders formulas on screen. For document organization, LyX includes labels, references, indexes, and bibliography tools, with advanced BibTeX support. Configurable converters handle imports and exports including LaTeX, PDF, PostScript, DVI, ASCII, HTML, OpenDocument, RTF, and MS Word. It supports multilingual documents, right-to-left writing, CJK writing systems, and Unicode. Basic links to Maple, Maxima, Octave, and Mathematica are available, while modules can add Noweb, Sweave, and LilyPond support. LyX works offline on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and supports track changes and external version control systems such as Git. It is free software under the GPL. Windows requires a TeX distribution; Mac installations require a TeX system such as MacTeX.