Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DokuWiki VS Foam

Compare DokuWiki VS Foam and see what are their differences

DokuWiki logo DokuWiki

DokuWiki is a simple to use and highly versatile Open Source wiki software that doesn't require a database.

Foam logo Foam

Personal knowledge management and sharing on VSCode & GitHub
  • DokuWiki Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-16
  • Foam Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-06-28

DokuWiki features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    DokuWiki is known for its simple and straightforward installation process. It does not require a database, making it easy for users to set up and manage.
  • File-based Storage
    Instead of using a database, DokuWiki stores its data in text files. This makes it easy to backup, transfer, and maintain.
  • Extensibility
    DokuWiki has a wide range of plugins and templates available, which allows users to extend its functionality and customize its appearance.
  • Built-in Access Controls
    DokuWiki provides built-in access controls and authentication mechanisms, allowing administrators to manage user permissions effectively.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Friendly
    DokuWiki is designed to be SEO-friendly, making content more discoverable by search engines.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, DokuWiki is free to use and benefits from community contributions and support.

Possible disadvantages of DokuWiki

  • Limited Scalability
    Due to its file-based storage, DokuWiki may face performance issues as the amount of content grows significantly.
  • Learning Curve
    Though it is user-friendly, users without technical knowledge might still find it challenging to utilize advanced features or customize their wiki.
  • Basic Features
    While it covers the basics well, some users may find DokuWiki lacking in advanced features compared to other wiki software.
  • Plugin Dependency
    While extensibility is a pro, relying on plugins for additional functionality can lead to maintenance issues, especially if plugins become outdated or incompatible.
  • Less Professional Support
    As an open-source project, professional support is limited compared to commercial options. Users primarily rely on community support.

Foam features and specs

  • Open Source
    Foam is an open-source tool, which means it is free to use and allows for community-driven development and contributions. Users can modify the source code to fit their specific needs.
  • Markdown Support
    Foam uses Markdown, a lightweight and easy-to-read syntax, making it simple to create and manage notes. This also allows for easy integration with other Markdown-based tools and platforms.
  • Integration with Visual Studio Code
    Foam is designed to work seamlessly with Visual Studio Code (VS Code). This provides users with a powerful and familiar text editor environment, complete with extensions and customization options.
  • Graph View
    Foam includes a graph visualization feature that helps users see and navigate the relationships between their notes, making it easier to understand and manage complex information.
  • Bidirectional Links
    Foam supports bidirectional links, allowing users to create connections between notes in both directions. This enhances the note-taking experience by enabling a more interconnected and dynamic information structure.
  • Community and Documentation
    Foam has a growing community of users and contributors, as well as comprehensive documentation. This support network helps users troubleshoot issues, share tips, and improve their knowledge of the tool.

Possible disadvantages of Foam

  • Limited to VS Code
    Foam relies on Visual Studio Code as its primary environment. Users who prefer different text editors or platforms might find this limitation restrictive and less convenient.
  • Learning Curve
    Although Foam leverages Markdown, users may still face a learning curve, especially if they are not familiar with VS Code or the specific features and extensions required to maximize Foam's capabilities.
  • Performance with Large Datasets
    Foam can struggle with performance issues when handling large datasets or a high number of notes. This can lead to slow response times and inefficient workflows.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Foam is primarily designed for desktop use within VS Code, which means that mobile support is limited. Users looking for a seamless cross-platform experience might find this aspect lacking.
  • Customization Complexity
    While Foam offers a high degree of customization, setting up and configuring the tool to meet personal preferences and workflows can be complex and time-consuming for some users.

Analysis of DokuWiki

Overall verdict

  • DokuWiki is a well-regarded choice, particularly for users who need a straightforward and reliable wiki solution without the overhead of a database. It is suitable for both personal use and small to medium-sized enterprises seeking an efficient documentation system.

Why this product is good

  • DokuWiki is considered a good option for its simplicity and ease of use. It is a versatile and lightweight wiki software that doesn't require a database, making it easy to install and maintain. It uses plain text files, which simplifies backups and data portability. DokuWiki also supports a range of plugins and templates, allowing for customization, and it includes features like version control, access control lists, and multilingual support.

Recommended for

    DokuWiki is recommended for individuals or organizations looking for a simple, no-database wiki system. It is especially suitable for small teams, educational projects, personal knowledge management, and internal company documentation that prioritizes ease of use and low maintenance.

Analysis of Foam

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Foam is a good tool for those seeking an open-source environment for note-taking and knowledge management, particularly if they appreciate an approach based on markdown files and integration within a powerful text editor like Visual Studio Code. Its flexibility and user-driven customization make it suitable for users who enjoy tweaking and optimizing their workspace according to their workflow.

Why this product is good

  • Foam is a personal knowledge management and sharing system inspired by Roam Research, offering an open-source solution built on top of Visual Studio Code. It provides users with capabilities to create and interlink notes using markdown files, offering flexibility and customization suited to personal preferences. Foam supports features like backlinking, graph visualization of notes, and integration with VS Code extensions, making it a robust tool for managing interconnected information effectively.

Recommended for

  • Individuals preferring markdown-based note-taking systems
  • Developers familiar with Visual Studio Code
  • Users who appreciate open-source software and community-driven projects
  • People interested in managing complex, interconnected knowledge bases

DokuWiki videos

Dokuwiki Tutorial: Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Dokuwiki: Quick Walk Through

Foam videos

These panels DESTROYED my STUDIO....REVERB? - ArrowZoom Foam Review

More videos:

  • Review - Arrowzoom Foam Review
  • Review - Ryobi Foam Blaster VS. Amazon Foam Cannon | Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DokuWiki and Foam)
WiKis
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
46 46%
54% 54
Knowledge Base
55 55%
45% 45
Knowledge Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare DokuWiki and Foam

DokuWiki Reviews

Top 12 Self-hosted Wiki Engines for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
DokuWiki is an open-source wiki software that stands out for its simplicity and versatility. Key features include ease of installation and use, low system requirements, built-in access control lists, support for over 50 languages, and device independence. It doesn't require a database, making it easier to maintain and back up. DokuWiki is extensible with a large variety of...
Source: medevel.com
The 10 Best Self-hosted Wiki Software for Linux System
Dokuwiki is a highly flexible and easy-to-use open source wiki software that does not require a database. Many users love it due to its ease to use and fluent syntax. The lack of limitations, backup, and installation make it the favorite of any user who wishes to maintain a collaborative website.
Best 11 Open-source Free Wiki Engines for teams and enterprise in 2022
DokuWiki is a popular PHP-based open-source wiki that has been standing for years. It offers a multilingual support as it packed by a large community of experienced users and developer from all over the world.
Source: medevel.com
The Best 20 Wiki Software For Your Business& Internal Knowledge for 2022
DocuWiki is a versatile open-source wiki tool that is noted for its clean and readable syntax. Feature-packed and easy to install, this software can be used to build a corporate wiki, private notebook, and software manual. Its built-in access controls and authentication connectors make it a perfect choice for enterprises looking for a solid security system. Creating a...
17 open source wiki engine/software
DokuWiki is a lightweight, standards compliant free PHP Wiki engine that allow you to create any kind of documentation. It has a simple yet powerful syntax which makes sure the data files remain readable outside the Wiki and eases the creation of structured texts. All data stored in plain text files โ€“ no database backend are required.

Foam Reviews

We have no reviews of Foam yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Foam seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 48 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DokuWiki mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of DokuWiki yet. Tracking of DokuWiki recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Foam mentions (48)

  • Migrating from DokuWiki to Obsidian
    I've been using foam instead of obsidian for my personal knowledge base. It works rather well. And it's completely free and ultimately just markdown. While I might wish it was djot, I don't wish hard enough to make that so myself https://foambubble.github.io/foam/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • I Use Obsidian
    I gave up on Obsidian and just use Foam (https://foambubble.github.io/foam/) and/or vimwiki. I just canโ€™t get into overwrought, arbitrarily designed organization schemes or proprietary apps (Foam-managed content is just plain Markdown, so I can easily do without itโ€”it provides the absolute bare minimum for easy linking of notes without proprietary markup). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Use a Work Journal to Recover Focus Faster and Clarify Your Thoughts
    If you're interested in an open-source, free equivalent, check out VSCodium (open-source version of VSCode), and FOAM (VSCode plugin - https://foambubble.github.io/foam/). In a new project, create a `docs/` folder, and start with `docs/notes.md`. When you want to branch out to other files & links, you can type [[MyTopic]] and FOAM will automatically create MyTopic.md, and will allow you to click on the link and... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Vscode setup with Foam and Logseq for Digital Note Taking
    Source: (1) A personal knowledge management and sharing system for VSCode - Foam. https://foambubble.github.io/foam/. (2) A personal knowledge management and sharing system for VSCode. https://github.com/foambubble/foam. (3) Loam - Visual Studio Marketplace. https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ciceroisback.loam. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Request: VSCode extension that allows users to edit .cavas files
    Foam[0], memo[1], Markdown Memo[2], md-graph[3] file/directory display plugin [4] ----- misc related links: https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-vscode-editor-elevate-your-code-editing-experience-in-obsidian/69057/2 https://forum.obsidian.md/t/vs-code-plugin-the-best-of-both-worlds/6358 https://jukkaniiranen.com/2022/01/canvas-app-source-code-editing-with-vs-code-in-your-browser/... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing DokuWiki and Foam, you can also consider the following products

MediaWiki - MediaWiki is a free software wiki package written in PHP, originally for use on Wikipedia.

Obsidian.md - A second brain, for you, forever. Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

XWiki - A powerful Open Source collaborative platform enhancing collaboration and communication.

Logseq - Logseq is a local-first, non-linear, outliner notebook for organizing and sharing your personal knowledge base.

TiddlyWiki - a non-linear personal web notebook

Roam Research - A note-taking tool for networked thought