HedgeDoc review
A focused, self-hosted workspace for real-time Markdown collaboration.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
HedgeDoc is an open-source, web-based collaborative Markdown editor for teams and other groups that need shared notes under their own control. Multiple people can create and edit notes in real time, while presentation mode, graphs, diagrams, embedded content, permissions, and revisions extend the core writing workflow. The project is community-driven and licensed under AGPLv3, making it a fit for organizations that want to operate the software themselves rather than adopt a conventional subscription product.
Its strongest differentiator is the combination of Markdown collaboration and publishing-oriented features. Presentation mode is powered by reveal.js, and notes can include graphs, diagrams, and embedded content. Permission controls cover owners, signed-in users, and guests, while revisions provide access to older note versions. The API supports Markdown and note export, which gives teams a defined path for moving content into other workflows. These capabilities make HedgeDoc more suitable for technical documentation, shared planning, and structured knowledge work than for teams seeking a broad office suite.
Deployment and identity options are central to the product’s fit. Teams can deploy HedgeDoc on their own server using installation bundles or Docker images, with LDAP, SAML, OAuth2, and GitHub authentication options available. That combination supports organizations with existing identity systems and a preference for retaining control over hosted data. HedgeDoc is a strong choice for Markdown-first collaboration, self-managed infrastructure, and presentation-ready notes. Teams that need a wider document-editing environment or a product centered on native applications should consider a different category fit.
HedgeDoc pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Real-time collaborative Markdown editing with note revisions
- Permissions for owners, signed-in users, and guests
- Docker deployment with LDAP, SAML, OAuth2, and GitHub authentication
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on Markdown rather than general-purpose rich documents
- Self-hosting places deployment responsibility on the team
- Web-based access is the stated native app option
HedgeDoc fact sheet, pricing and score →
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