HedgeDoc

Self-Hosted

Open-source collaborative markdown editor for real-time team work

Overview

HedgeDoc enables real-time collaborative editing of markdown documents, supporting math equations (LaTeX), diagrams (Mermaid, PlantUML), code blocks, and embedded media. It’s self-hostable via Docker (simplified setup) or Node.js, integrates with OAuth providers (GitHub, GitLab), and keeps data private on your server. Ideal for meetings, technical documentation, or collaborative writing—no reliance on third-party services.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  hedgedoc:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: hedgedoc
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Real-time multi-user markdown editing
Support for math, diagrams, and code blocks
Easy Docker deployment for self-hosting
OAuth integration for secure authentication

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is HedgeDoc hard to install?

No—HedgeDoc offers a Docker image for quick, low-configuration deployment. Traditional setup via Node.js is also possible, but Docker is recommended for most users due to its simplicity.

? Is it a good alternative to Google Docs?

Yes—for users prioritizing markdown, self-hosting, and technical content. It excels at collaborative editing of docs with math, code, or diagrams, though it lacks Google Docs’ WYSIWYG features and broad ecosystem.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—HedgeDoc is open-source under the AGPLv3 license. You can use, modify, and self-host it without any cost; there are no paid tiers for the self-hosted version.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Note-taking & Editors

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (data stays on your server)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Rich technical formatting options
⊕ Simple setup with Docker

Cons

⊖ Requires server infrastructure to host
⊖ UI less polished than some SaaS alternatives
⊖ Limited offline editing capabilities