SummaryThis paper solves the robust output synchronization problem for a group of linear agents subject to constant disturbances on directed graphs. A new distributed control protocol with integral action is first proposed with the assumption that each agent has access to its own state. Then, an observer‐based implementation of the control protocol is illustrated for the case that the agents do not have access to their states. Compared with existing methods, the new distributed protocol does not require exchanging of the controller states or output states among neighboring agents. Finally, simulation results of a group of low‐speed experimental unmanned aerial vehicles show the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.