pad.ws is an open-source, self-hosted collaborative text editor designed for real-time editing and seamless collaboration. It enables multiple users to simultaneously create, edit, and share documents through a simple and intuitive web interface, making it ideal for teams, classrooms, or any group needing to work together on text-based content. Built with modern web technologies, pad.ws emphasizes privacy and data ownership by allowing users to host their own instance, ensuring that sensitive information remains under their control.
The project, available on GitHub, offers straightforward deployment and configuration options, supporting features such as multiple pads, user management, and real-time synchronization through websockets. With its lightweight footprint and focus on ease of use, pad.ws provides a robust alternative to proprietary collaborative editing platforms, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a secure, private, and customizable collaborative writing tool.