Microsoft Word has been the default word processor in my workflow. However, as I started dealing with sensitive project data and client information, I craved a clean writing environment that prioritizes privacy and collaboration.

Enter HedgeDoc, the open-source web-based collaborative markdown editor that has changed my writing setup. By running it on my server, I achieved true data independence that Word could never offer.

The core problem with Word

It’s getting bloated

When I sit down to write in Word, I want simplicity and focus. Instead, I get a long list of buttons — including the mail merge tools, citation managers, and endless font options, among others. These are things I use maybe once a year.

The software is trying to be everything for everyone, and in doing so, it has become too heavy and fundamentally distracting for the core task of putting words on a page.

Instead of simplifying the core experience, Microsoft just piles on more complexity. The introduction of AI tools like Copilot is a perfect example of this philosophy.

Instead of stripping away the old, unused layers and giving me a streamlined interface, they bolt on a massive, highly sophisticated new feature.

Overall, Word feels like a resource hog. Every time I open it, I feel the weight of its entire history of features loading. It crashes more often, it takes longer to boot up, and it constantly reminds me that I’m running a massive piece of enterprise software just to type a blog post.

This is why HedgeDoc, with its clean Markdown focus, felt like such a relief. It forces me to focus on the structure and content of my writing.

HedgeDoc is easy to set up

Low system requirements

When people hear ‘self-hosted,’ they often picture spending an entire weekend with command lines, compiling code, and troubleshooting database connections.

However, thanks to Docker, that’s not the case here. HedgeDoc provides a simple, docker-compose.yml file. Once I had Docker running on my server, all I had to do was copy the file, change a few variables (such as my desired password and port), and then run a single command.

With just a few minutes, HedgeDoc was up and running. It is so efficient that it runs smoothly even on something as humble and low-powered as a Raspberry Pi. It’s built to be lean, fast, and accessible.

HedgeDoc has nailed the basics

Enough features for my workflow

Unlike Microsoft Word, which throws a thousand options at you before you even type your first word, HedgeDoc has perfectly nailed the essentials. The secret sauce is Markdown.

It means my focus is on the content and structure, not the complex toolbar. I never have to touch the mouse to format my text. This transition from a visual editor to a text-first workflow was the single biggest boost to my personal productivity.

HedgeDoc’s standard dual-pane view is brilliant. On the left, I have my plain-text markdown; on the right, I have a live, clean preview of the final document. This ensures that my formatting is correct without the distraction of a cursor or disappearing text, like in some other markdown editors.

While HedgeDoc is minimal, it is far from basic. It offers a surprising depth of features that cover most of my daily and professional writing needs.

I can also organize my notes with a simple Markdown separator and instantly switch into presentation mode. My document transforms into a clean, professional-looking slideshow in no time.

Other advanced features include the ability to include code blocks, generate complex UML or Mermaid diagrams, and more. The latter is quite helpful, as it lets me add detailed charts and diagrams in minutes.

I can also add tags and keywords to organize my documents like a pro. Overall, HedgeDoc stripped away 90% of Microsoft Word I never used and kept the 10% I needed, while adding the modern, collaborative features that Word still struggles with at times.

The collaboration experience is smooth

That was surprising

The collaborative experience in HedgeDoc isn’t just an add-on; it’s a core feature that is seamless and integrated. I simply share the document link, and anyone I send it to can start contributing.

We see each other’s cursors and text appears as we type. There is no syncing lag. It’s right up there with Google Docs.

HedgeDoc also maintains a clear revision history, which is quite helpful when someone accidentally deletes a paragraph or makes a bad change.

Overall, collaboration is now effortless, instant, and completely private on my own server.

Microsoft Word? Not again

After years of fighting with ribbon menus, formatting bars, and the constant digital anxiety that comes with a closed ecosystem, HedgeDoc felt like a breath of fresh air. The combination of its open-source transparency, effortless self-hosting, and the pure clarity of the markdown provides a peace of mind that no paid software can match.

For anyone serious about privacy and streamlining their digital toolkit, HedgeDoc is the clear winner. So what are you waiting for? Stop renting your word processor and start owning your workflow. Meanwhile, check out other self-hosting tools to boost your productivity in no time.