Summernote vs Tiptap
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library that adds a simple rich-text (WYSIWYG) editor to web pages.
Open source · MIT
A headless rich text editor framework for JavaScript apps, with no built-in look.
The short answer
Choose Summernote if you need…
- Web developers adding a simple formatted-text editor to an existing site
- Teams already using jQuery or Bootstrap who want a drop-in editor
- Admin panels or CMS-style forms where users write formatted content
- Projects that need an MIT-licensed editor with no fees
Choose Tiptap if you need…
- Developers building a custom text editor into a web product
- Teams using Vue, React, or plain JavaScript who want one editor across frameworks
- Projects that need full control over the editor's design
- Developers who want to add their own custom blocks or nodes
Side-by-side
| Summernote | Tiptap | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 11.8k | 38.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 7 months ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
Summernote
Summernote is a JavaScript library that lets a website show a rich-text editor, the kind with bold, lists and formatting buttons, in place of a plain text box. You add a script and a stylesheet to a page, place an empty div, and call one function to turn it into an editor. It is built on jQuery and works with Bootstrap 3, 4 and 5.
Tiptap
Tiptap is an editor component you add to a web app so users can write formatted text, such as bold, lists, and headings. It is headless, meaning it ships without a ready-made user interface, so you design the look yourself. It is built on the ProseMirror library and extended through add-ons called extensions.
Best for
Summernote
- Web developers adding a simple formatted-text editor to an existing site
- Teams already using jQuery or Bootstrap who want a drop-in editor
- Admin panels or CMS-style forms where users write formatted content
- Projects that need an MIT-licensed editor with no fees
Tiptap
- Developers building a custom text editor into a web product
- Teams using Vue, React, or plain JavaScript who want one editor across frameworks
- Projects that need full control over the editor's design
- Developers who want to add their own custom blocks or nodes
Strengths
Summernote
- Simple setup: include JS and CSS, add a div, and initialize it
- MIT licensed and free to use
- Works with Bootstrap 3, 4 and 5 and has a plugin ecosystem listed in a companion repository
Tiptap
- Headless design gives full control over appearance and behavior
- Built on the established ProseMirror library and works across frameworks
- Large extension ecosystem with over 100 extensions listed in the docs
Not ideal for
Summernote
- Projects that do not use jQuery, since the README says Summernote is built on it and that adds a dependency
- Anyone needing built-in server-side HTML sanitizing, since the README warns that the server must filter the HTML itself
- Non-developers looking for a finished writing app; this is a component to embed, not a standalone program
Tiptap
- Non-developers who want a ready-made editor with no coding, because it requires building the interface yourself
- Projects that need the advanced paid features, since Pro Extensions require a valid subscription
Trade-offs
Summernote
- Depends on jQuery, which may be unwanted in modern projects
- The README warns that user-entered HTML can contain scripts, so you must sanitize content on the server
Tiptap
- Advanced features such as collaboration, commenting, and AI are in paid Pro Extensions that need a subscription
- Without a UI, you must write more code to get a finished editor
- Setup details beyond the README are only in the external documentation
Getting started
Summernote
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/summernote/summernote.gitTiptap
Install the agent skill (optional, from README)
npx skills add ueberdosis/tiptap --skill tiptapFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Summernote and Tiptap?
Summernote: A JavaScript library that adds a simple rich-text (WYSIWYG) editor to web pages. Tiptap: A headless rich text editor framework for JavaScript apps, with no built-in look. Summernote suits web developers adding a simple formatted-text editor to an existing site, while Tiptap suits developers building a custom text editor into a web product.
Are Summernote and Tiptap free?
Summernote: Free and open source. Tiptap: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Summernote or Tiptap?
Summernote is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Tiptap is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Summernote or Tiptap more popular?
Tiptap has more GitHub stars (38.9k) than Summernote (11.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Summernote and Tiptap?
Other options people compare them with include Trix, wangEditor, pell, Milkdown, Lexical.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.