Yjs CRDT
UnclaimedBuild collaborative applications with shared data types that sync automatically and work offline.
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Simplifies building complex real-time collaborative features
Biggest con
Requires understanding of CRDT concepts for advanced use cases
TL;DR - Yjs CRDT
- Enables real-time collaboration with automatically syncing shared data types.
- Supports offline functionality and is network agnostic for decentralized systems.
- Offers a rich ecosystem with integrations for editors, frameworks, and persistence layers.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is Yjs CRDT?
Yjs is a Conflict-free Replicated Data Type (CRDT) library designed to simplify the creation of collaborative applications. It provides 'Shared Types' that behave like standard data types but automatically synchronize across multiple users in real-time. This allows developers to build interactive, multi-user experiences without complex synchronization logic.
The library offers offline support, enabling applications to function without a constant internet connection and sync data once connectivity is restored. Yjs is also network agnostic, meaning it doesn't require a central server for coordination, promoting decentralized, faster, and more fault-tolerant systems. It integrates with various technologies through a rich ecosystem of bindings for popular editor libraries and web frameworks, connection protocols, and persistence layers, making it a versatile solution for real-time collaboration.
Available on: Web
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Simplifies building complex real-time collaborative features
- Provides robust offline capabilities for uninterrupted user experience
- Flexible and scalable due to its network-agnostic and decentralized nature
- Extensive ecosystem with many integrations and language bindings
- High performance and fault tolerance
Cons
- Requires understanding of CRDT concepts for advanced use cases
- While the library is free, some hosted services in the ecosystem may be paid
- Initial setup and integration with specific frameworks might have a learning curve
Key Features
Automatic synchronization of shared data typesOffline support with local database persistenceNetwork agnostic communication (e.g., WebSockets, WebRTC)Awareness CRDT for user presence featuresBindings for popular editors (e.g., Prosemirror, Tiptap, CodeMirror) and UI frameworksPersistence layers for various databases (e.g., IndexedDB, LevelDB, Redis)Language bindings for Rust, Ruby, Swift, WebAssembly, Python, ElixirDemos for various collaborative use cases (e.g., text editor, drawing, code editor)
Pricing
Free
Yjs CRDT is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
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Yjs CRDT FAQ
How does Yjs handle real-time collaboration without relying on a central server for coordination?
Yjs is designed to be network agnostic, meaning it does not require a central server for coordination. This decentralized approach contributes to faster synchronization, improved scalability, and enhanced fault tolerance in collaborative applications.
What specific mechanisms does Yjs offer for implementing 'awareness features' in collaborative applications?
Yjs provides an 'Awareness CRDT' within its client layer specifically for implementing awareness features. This allows applications to track and display the presence or activity of other users in real-time.
Can Yjs integrate with existing rich-text editors and UI libraries to make them collaborative?
Yes, Yjs offers a rich ecosystem of ready-to-use integrations and bindings for popular editor libraries and web frameworks. These bindings enable existing UI libraries and rich-text editors to become collaborative with Yjs.
What options are available for persisting shared state in Yjs applications?
Yjs supports persistence of shared state in various databases through its persistence layer. This includes integrations with y-indexeddb, y-leveldb, and y-redis, allowing developers to choose the most suitable storage solution.
Are there language bindings available for Yjs beyond JavaScript?
Yes, Yjs has been ported to several other languages. The Yjs ecosystem includes language bindings such as Yrs, Yrb, Yswift, Yffi, Ywasm, Y_ex, pycrdt, Y-Octo, and Ycs, allowing developers to use Yjs in different programming environments.
Source: yjs.dev