[2][3] JOE is available for most major Linux distributions,[4][5][6][7][8][9] open-source BSD systems[10][11][12] and Apple's macOS via package managers such as Homebrew.

There is also a variant called "rjoe", which is restricted in that it allows one to edit only the files specified on the command line (which can be useful to enforce the principle of least privilege).

JOE was among the default editors in the early popular Linux distributions,[13][14][15][16] which gave it some prominence and helped build a user base.

[17][18] It continues to be included as an option in Linux distributions, sometimes in the critical role as a "rescue mode" editor.

The development was taken over by a new group of enthusiasts in 2001, led by Marek Grac, who released 2.9 and several later versions, introducing a standardized build system and fixing many bugs.