Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Etherpad VS Zoho Docs

Compare Etherpad VS Zoho Docs and see what are their differences

Etherpad logo Etherpad

Etherpad is a highly customizable Open Source online editor providing collaborative editing in...

Zoho Docs logo Zoho Docs

Zoho Docs is an online document management software that lets you manage and store all your files on the cloud. Share, collaborate and access all your files on multiple devices.
  • Etherpad Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-26
  • Zoho Docs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-29

Etherpad features and specs

  • Real-Time Collaboration
    Etherpad allows multiple users to simultaneously edit a document in real-time, making it an excellent tool for collaborative work.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Etherpad allows users to modify and enhance the software according to their needs. This also promotes transparency and security.
  • Customizable
    Etherpad is highly customizable owing to its plugin architecture. Users can add various functionalities such as authentication, analytics, and formatting tools.
  • Easy to Use
    The interface is straightforward and user-friendly, making it simple even for non-technical users to start collaborating quickly.
  • Text Highlighting
    Each user's contributions can be highlighted in a different color, making it easy to track changes and contributions.
  • Version Control
    Etherpad provides a version history, allowing users to revert to previous versions of the document in case of errors or unwanted changes.

Possible disadvantages of Etherpad

  • Limited Formatting Options
    Etherpad lacks advanced formatting features, which might be a drawback for users needing to create complex documents.
  • Performance Issues
    With a large number of simultaneous users or extensive documents, Etherpad can sometimes experience lag and performance issues.
  • Hosting and Maintenance
    Being self-hosted, users are responsible for setting up and maintaining the server, which can be technically challenging for some.
  • Lack of Media Integration
    Unlike some other collaborative tools, Etherpad does not natively support embedding multimedia content such as images and videos.
  • Security Risks
    Without proper security measures, a self-hosted Etherpad instance could be vulnerable to attacks such as unauthorized access or data breaches.
  • Basic User Management
    Etherpad's user management is quite rudimentary, lacking advanced features like role-based permissions and detailed access controls.

Zoho Docs features and specs

  • Integration with Zoho Ecosystem
    Zoho Docs seamlessly integrates with other Zoho applications like Zoho CRM, Zoho Mail, and Zoho Projects, providing a unified experience for users already within the Zoho ecosystem.
  • Cloud Storage
    Zoho Docs offers versatile cloud storage options, allowing users to store and access files from any device with internet connectivity, ensuring collaboration and productivity.
  • Collaboration Tools
    It includes robust collaboration features such as real-time editing, sharing, commenting, and version control to enhance team productivity and communication.
  • Security
    Zoho Docs implements strong security measures like two-factor authentication, SSL encryption, and stringent access controls to protect user data.
  • Cost-Effectiveness
    Compared to some competitors, Zoho Docs can be more affordable, offering a range of pricing plans that cater to different business needs and budgets.
  • Offline Access
    Users can access and edit documents offline, which sync automatically when reconnected to the internet, ensuring productivity isn't hampered by a lack of connectivity.

Possible disadvantages of Zoho Docs

  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a steep learning curve due to the extensive features and capabilities, which can initially be overwhelming.
  • Interface Usability
    While functional, some users report that the interface is not as intuitive or visually appealing compared to competitors like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.
  • File Size Limitations
    There are limits on individual file sizes for upload. Large files may require alternative means of transfer or storage.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    Although integrated well within Zoho's suite, Zoho Docs offers fewer third-party integrations compared to more established platforms like Google Workspace or Microsoft Office 365.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users may experience occasional lags or performance issues, particularly with large files or when using complex features.
  • Customer Support
    Users have reported that Zoho’s customer support can be slow or less responsive compared to other services, potentially causing delays in issue resolution.

Etherpad videos

Etherpad Instructional Tool Review

More videos:

Zoho Docs videos

Using Zoho Docs for Peer Review

More videos:

  • Review - Getting Started With Zoho Docs - Webinar

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Etherpad and Zoho Docs)
Office Suites
51 51%
49% 49
Project Management
9 9%
91% 91
Document Management System
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Etherpad seems to be a lot more popular than Zoho Docs. While we know about 21 links to Etherpad, we've tracked only 1 mention of Zoho Docs. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Etherpad mentions (21)

  • Nextcloud: Open-Source Cloud Apps
    > Try Etherpad (https://etherpad.org/) He should better use OnlyOffice, Collabora or Cryptpad office suite. The Cryptpad server is the only one which is not a nightmare to install and setup. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Nextcloud: Open-Source Cloud Apps
    > What I need in my stack is a focused Google Docs alternative Try Etherpad (https://etherpad.org/) > I ended up going with Seafile for file backups and have been very happy with it I went through probably dozens of solutions and ended up with Syncthing for synchronization of data (it requires understanding how it works but once you do (usually an eureka kind of moment) this is a very powerful system. For me... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Software Possession for Personal Use
    I don't know if these will suit the latency requirements that you're outlining, but they might very well be what you're looking for. https://etherpad.org/ https://ethercalc.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Looking for suggestions on a self-hosted note app that can handle multiple users and collaboration?
    Check out etherpad. It's an awesome solution. It's got collaboration, and over 200 plugins. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Looking for simple, browser-based collaborative text editing software
    Etherpad Lite is basically selfhosted Google Docs, and it's pretty straightforward but can be extended with various plugins. https://etherpad.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Zoho Docs mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Etherpad and Zoho Docs, you can also consider the following products

Apache OpenOffice - Apache OpenOffice is an open source, office document productivity suite.

AODocs - AODocs is the document management solution recommended for G Suite. Secure your documents, structure your content, & automate your processes

CryptPad - CryptPad is a collaborative office suite that is end-to-end encrypted and open-source.

Docomotion - Docomotion offers tools for designing and generating all types of transactional and operational business documents.

Microsoft 365 - Boost your productivity with reliable access anywhere with services like email, calendar, file sharing, meetings, instant messaging, and Office Online

infoRouter - infoRouter is a EDMS that includes Workflow, Document routing, Electronic Forms, Scanning, Storage, Archiving, Indexing & Records Management