It is used either via its native web-interface, making access platform-independent, or by using different supported groupware clients, such as Kontact, Novell Evolution, or Microsoft Outlook.

Authentication can be done against the own user accounts in SQL as well as LDAP, mail server, Active Directory (AD), CAS, SAML 2.0/Shibboleth/SimpleSAMLphp and others.

In 2000 development on the project phpgroupware began, which was based on webdistro; and in 2003 the EGroupware fork was born.

There is an EGroupware constitution, adopted in 2005, which guarantees freedom and security to the community and establishes admin elections.

E-Share-Option: Since version 14.2 EGroupware Filemanager offers a filesharing option for an easy data exchange.

It enables the usage of EGroupware on tablets and supports swipe gestures and an adaptation of the format while turning the device.

The module smallPART (video-based learning tool) now supports tests and exams with single-choice, Multiple choice and open text questions.

Other included/connected applications: EGroupware is being developed in PHP and therefore platform independent (Linux, Windows, BSD Server).

Authentication can occur via private user accounts in SQL or LDAP, or an external system, for example Mailserver or Active Directory Server (ADS).