Etherpad

Application512MB+ RAM

Real-time collaborative document editor — like a multiplayer notepad in the browser

Download Server Compass View Documentation

applicationdocsetherpadopen-sourceself-hosteddocker

Deploy Etherpad in 3 Steps

Connect Your VPS

Add your server credentials to Server Compass

Select Etherpad

Choose from our template library

Deploy & Configure

Fill in settings and click Deploy

No Docker knowledge required

After Deployment

After deploying Etherpad with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup

Visit the application URL — you should see a button to create a new pad

Visit /admin and log in as admin to install plugins or change settings

Configure public/private pad behavior in settings

Optionally set up a reverse proxy with HTTPS

Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.

Etherpad FAQ

Common questions about self-hosting Etherpad

How do I deploy Etherpad with Server Compass?

Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Etherpad from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.

What are the system requirements for Etherpad?

Etherpad requires a minimum of 512MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.

Can I migrate my existing Etherpad data?

Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Etherpad backup and restore procedures.

How do I update Etherpad to the latest version?

Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Etherpad image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.

Is Etherpad free to self-host?

Etherpad is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.