Gobby

At a glance

• Editor score
  5.6 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Secure open-source text collaboration
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Real-time editing with group undo, cursors, and selections
  • Encrypted connections with perfect forward secrecy
  • Cross-platform desktop apps and an optional dedicated server

• Where it doesn't

  • Focused on text editing rather than full pair-programming communication
  • Desktop workflow may not suit teams seeking browser-based collaboration
  • Dedicated server use adds hosting and administration responsibility

Our verdict on Gobby

Gobby is a free, open-source desktop application for editing text together over a network. It is designed for teams, developers, and other users who need real-time collaboration across Windows, Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like systems. Sessions support lock-free editing, multiple documents, syntax highlighting, configurable text editing, integrated group chat, group undo, and visibility into remote cursors and selections. That makes Gobby a focused option for collaborative code or text work where participants want editing and conversation in the same session.

Security and access controls are central to its feature set. Gobby supports encrypted data transfer with perfect forward secrecy, password-protected sessions, and access-control lists. These controls give teams ways to restrict participation while keeping shared text and session traffic protected. An optional dedicated collaboration server can support hosted sessions, which may appeal to organizations that prefer more control over where collaboration is managed. Teams choosing that route should also be prepared to handle the operational responsibility associated with a dedicated server.

Gobby’s strongest fit is for users who value open-source software, cross-platform desktop access, and secure collaborative editing without a commercial plan structure. Its integrated chat and group editing tools cover the core needs of a shared text session, while syntax highlighting and multiple documents support more involved work. The product is narrower than a full pair-programming communication suite: its verified scope centers on collaborative text editing. Choose Gobby when secure, self-managed text collaboration is the priority; choose an alternative when your team needs a broader communication workflow around pair programming.

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Gobby pricing

Gobby fact sheet

Alternatives to Gobby

• CodeTogetherA strong fit for teams that collaborate across IDEs, terminals, and development servers.9.3
• DucklyAffordable IDE-to-IDE pairing with sharing, calls, and terminal collaboration.9.2
• DrovioA flexible remote collaboration tool for pairing in any IDE or app.9.0

See all Gobby alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

Gobby is listed in our Pair Programming Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 28 Sep 2026 · How we research and update