Google Docs is a cloud based document editor from Google. Developed by Google
License: Free
Etherpad (EtherPad)Archived copy EtherPad Open Source Release, Google Code is a web-based collaborative real-time editor, allowing authors to simultaneously edit a text document, and see all of the participants edit in real-time, with the ability to display each authors text in their own color. Developed by The Etherpad Foundation
License: Open Source
Google Drive - Docs offers a more comprehensive suite of tools and features, especially for users already embedded in the Google ecosystem, while Etherpad provides a lightweight, open-source alternative that emphasizes simplicity and real-time collaboration.