Etherpad vs Google Docs

Etherpad

• Institutions that must keep drafts on their own servers
• Documents where who wrote what, and when, has to stay visible
• Quick shared note-taking on a public instance
• Developers embedding a collaborative editor in another application

Google Docs

• People and teams who draft and review documents together in a browser
• Organizations that already pay for Google Workspace
• Collecting edits and comments from collaborators outside the company

Etherpad

• The project runs no hosted service: you set up a server, which needs git and Node.js 24 or later, or use a public instance run by someone else.
• The core ships small, so comments, tables, images and sign-in through OAuth, LDAP or OpenID all come from plugins.
• The desktop app is a v0 beta, and its repository says the Android app is not on Google Play and the iOS build has not been exercised.
• It is maintained by a small volunteer team, and the site lists no paid support.

Google Docs

• There is no standalone paid Docs plan; the business version comes only as part of Google Workspace, with Gmail, Drive and Meet.
• Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not in Business Starter; both start at Business Standard, $14 per user / month on a 1-year commitment.
• Offline editing on a computer works only in Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension installed.
• Google lists Docs for web browsers, Android, iPhone and iPad; no Windows or Mac desktop app is listed.

Etherpad

Real-time editing with author colors

Several people type in the same pad at once. Every keystroke is attributed to its author and shown in that author's color.

Timeslider history

Every revision is preserved. The timeslider plays a document's history back character by character, and saved revisions can be restored.

Plugins

Hundreds of community plugins add comments, images, tables, drawing, video chat, math, code highlighting and OAuth, LDAP or OpenID authentication.

AI only as an optional plugin

No AI is built in. An administrator can install an AI plugin and point it at a model of their choosing, including a local one, or leave it out entirely.

HTTP API and embedding

An HTTP API with an OpenAPI description manages pads, groups, authors and sessions, and embed parameters control how a pad looks inside another page.

Runs on your own server

Installs on Linux, macOS or Windows with Node.js 24 or later, or from a Docker image, and stores pads in MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB, SQLite and other databases.

Google Docs

Co-editing, comments and version history

Several people can edit one document at the same time, leave comments and assign action items. Earlier versions can be opened and restored, and sharing settings control who can view, comment or edit.

Smart chips and building blocks

Typing @ inserts people, files, calendar events and dropdown menus, or building blocks such as meeting notes, email drafts and review trackers.

Document tabs and pageless mode

A document can be split into tabs for each part of a project or report, and pageless mode removes page breaks for continuous writing.

Gemini in Docs

Drafts and restyles documents from prompts, drawing on a user's Drive, Gmail and Chat. Among Business editions it starts at Business Standard; Starter does not include it.

Word and PDF files

Microsoft Word documents can be edited directly without making a copy, or converted to Docs format. PDF files can be imported and worked on as well.

Offline editing

Documents can be opened, created and edited without a connection. On a computer this requires Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension.

Etherpad

• Etherpad$0

  The full editor, installed on your own server, with the plugin system, the HTTP API and built-in data export.

Google Docs

• Personal Google Account$0

  Create, edit and share documents in a browser or the mobile apps, with comments, version history and offline access.

• Business Starter$7

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($8.40 flexible)

  Google Workspace with Docs and 30 GB of pooled storage per user. Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not included.

• Business Standard$14

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($16.80 flexible)

  2 TB of pooled storage per user. The lowest Business edition with Gemini in Docs and eSignature with Docs and PDFs.

• Business Plus$22

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($26.40 flexible)

  Everything in Standard with 5 TB of pooled storage per user, plus Vault, eDiscovery and advanced endpoint management.

• EnterpriseCustom

  No minimum or maximum user count, with data loss prevention, context-aware access and data regions; priced through Google sales.

Etherpad

No public discounts listed.

Google Docs

• Annual discount

  Save 16% with a 1-year commitment

  Business Starter is $7 per user per month on the Annual/Fixed-Term Plan against $8.40 on the Flexible Plan. Standard drops from $16.80 to $14 and Plus from $26.40 to $22.

• Nonprofit

  Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0

  Eligible nonprofits get Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0, or Business Standard at $3.50 and Business Plus at $6.16 per user per month on a 1-year commitment.

• Education

  Education Fundamentals at no charge

  Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, which includes Docs, is available at no charge to qualifying institutions.