Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MediaWiki VS XWiki

Compare MediaWiki VS XWiki and see what are their differences

MediaWiki logo MediaWiki

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

XWiki logo XWiki

A powerful Open Source collaborative platform enhancing collaboration and communication.
  • MediaWiki Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-23
  • XWiki Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-21

MediaWiki features and specs

  • Open Source
    MediaWiki is free and open-source software, allowing users to modify the source code to fit their specific needs without incurring licensing fees.
  • Scalable
    MediaWiki is designed to handle large-scale projects, making it suitable for enterprise-level documentation as well as large communal knowledge bases like Wikipedia.
  • Version Control
    Each edit in MediaWiki is stored, allowing users to track changes, revert to previous versions, and see the edit history, which is crucial for collaborative environments.
  • Extensive Documentation
    MediaWiki comes with comprehensive documentation, making it easier for developers and users to get started and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
  • Multilingual Support
    MediaWiki supports multiple languages, enabling the creation of content in various languages, useful for global organizations.
  • Extensible
    MediaWiki is highly extensible via plugins and extensions, allowing users to add functionalities tailored to their specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of MediaWiki

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up and configuring MediaWiki can be complex and time-consuming, potentially requiring technical expertise.
  • Maintenance
    MediaWiki requires regular maintenance, including updates, backups, and performance tuning, which can be resource-intensive.
  • Learning Curve
    For users not familiar with wikis or MediaWiki syntax, the learning curve can be steep, requiring training or time to become proficient.
  • Performance
    MediaWiki can become resource-intensive as the database grows, potentially requiring robust server resources to maintain performance.
  • Limited Features Out-of-the-Box
    While highly extensible, the core installation of MediaWiki has limited features, requiring additional plugins to add necessary functionalities.
  • Security Vulnerabilities
    As with any widely-used software, MediaWiki may be targeted for security vulnerabilities, necessitating regular updates and security patches.

XWiki features and specs

  • Open Source
    XWiki is an open-source platform, which means it is free to use and has a community of developers continuously improving it.
  • Extensibility
    The platform is highly extensible with a wide range of plugins and macros, making it customizable based on user needs.
  • Collaboration Features
    Supports collaborative editing, real-time notifications, and workflow management, enhancing team productivity.
  • Flexible Permissions
    Provides detailed permission management, allowing administrators to control access at various levels (page, space).
  • Structured Data Management
    Allows users to create applications within the wiki to manage structured data efficiently.
  • Version Control
    Includes versioning capabilities, enabling users to track changes and revert to previous versions when necessary.
  • Multilingual Support
    Offers support for multiple languages, making it suitable for global teams.
  • Integration
    Capable of integrating with various third-party applications and services, like LDAP, Active Directory, and more.

Possible disadvantages of XWiki

  • Complex Setup
    Initial installation and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, especially for non-technical users.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, new users might face a steep learning curve.
  • Resource Intensive
    Can be resource-intensive, requiring significant server resources to run efficiently, particularly for large installations.
  • Limited Hosting Options
    While there is a cloud offering (XWiki Cloud), users may find fewer hosting options compared to other popular wiki solutions.
  • User Interface
    The user interface, while functional, may not be as modern or intuitive as some newer wiki platforms.
  • Community Support
    While there is a community support system, it might not be as robust as commercial support options available with other platforms.
  • Documentation Quality
    Some users may find the official documentation lacking in certain areas, making troubleshooting harder.
  • Upgrades and Maintenance
    Regular upgrades and maintenance can be necessary to keep the system secure and up-to-date, which may be cumbersome for small teams without dedicated IT staff.

Analysis of MediaWiki

Overall verdict

  • MediaWiki is a highly effective platform for creating and managing collaborative and information-centric websites. Its stability, scalability, and active community support make it a solid choice for individuals and organizations seeking a comprehensive wiki solution.

Why this product is good

  • MediaWiki is a robust, open-source wiki platform originally developed for Wikipedia. Its extensibility and large collection of modules allow users to customize and expand their wikis according to specific needs. The wide community and comprehensive documentation make it approachable for developers and administrators seeking a reliable content management system. Furthermore, MediaWikiโ€™s strong version control and permission system are advantageous for collaborative environments, ensuring that information is managed efficiently and securely.

Recommended for

  • Organizations needing robust documentation platforms
  • Communities aiming to develop collaborative knowledge bases
  • Developers seeking a highly customizable and extensible CMS
  • Educational institutions requiring structured content management

Analysis of XWiki

Overall verdict

  • Yes, XWiki is a good option for those seeking a sophisticated and adaptable wiki solution that can be customized to meet specific needs. Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization and community-driven improvements.

Why this product is good

  • XWiki is a robust and flexible open-source wiki platform that offers powerful features for collaboration and knowledge management. It supports advanced features like scripting, data management, and a highly customizable user interface, making it suitable for both individual and enterprise use. Its compatibility with various databases and support for extensions further enhance its utility.

Recommended for

  • Organizations looking for a robust collaboration and documentation platform.
  • Teams that require extensive customization and integration capabilities.
  • Developers and IT professionals who prefer open-source solutions with community support.
  • Businesses seeking a platform for knowledge management and enterprise-level intranets.

MediaWiki videos

Using A Self Hosted MediaWiki As A Private Documentation Server with Visual Editor

More videos:

  • Review - MediaWiki vs. Confluence

XWiki videos

XWiki: a case study on managing corporate and community interests 14 years of Open Source in a Smalโ€ฆ

More videos:

  • Review - XWiki, a free, open source, self hosted Wiki that has all the features of Confluence at minimal cost
  • Review - From 0 to Intranet in 20 minutes with XWiki - Anca Luca

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MediaWiki and XWiki)
WiKis
52 52%
48% 48
Knowledge Base
49 49%
51% 51
Note Taking
49 49%
51% 51
Content Collaboration
56 56%
44% 44

User comments

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Reviews

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

MediaWiki Reviews

Top 12 Self-hosted Wiki Engines for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Released in 2002, MediaWiki replaced the initial UseModWiki software used by Wikipedia. It evolved with Wikipedia's growth, introducing features like namespaces, watchlists, and user talk pages. It's been adopted by many organizations for their wikis due to its robust and scalable nature.
Source: medevel.com
The 10 Best Self-hosted Wiki Software for Linux System
MediaWiki is an outstanding self-hosted Wiki software for editing rich multimedia and developing collaborative projects. It is based on the Open Source Technology Project (OST), which allows the distribution of software modules. The main difference between MediaWiki and other wiki software is that MediaWiki uses a lightweight wiki markup, which is easier to learn in the...
Best 11 Open-source Free Wiki Engines for teams and enterprise in 2022
MediaWiki is an open-source Wiki engine that runs Wikipedia. It is the oldest system in the list and some may consider it the king of Wiki engines. It supports almost all available languages as it is easy to install and use.
Source: medevel.com
The Best 20 Wiki Software For Your Business& Internal Knowledge for 2022
MediaWiki is a free wiki software that runs platforms like Wikipedia and Wiktionary. It helps in collecting and managing knowledge and making it available to your target audience. Customizable and reliable, this wiki tool requires server maintenance and installation. The best part about MediaWiki is that it provides translation services that help you localize the wiki in...
17 open source wiki engine/software
MediaWiki is a free and open source server based wiki engine written in PHP developed by Wikipedia. MediaWiki is an extremely powerful, scalable software and a feature-rich wiki implementation, that uses PHP to process and display data stored in its MySQL database. Pages use MediaWikiโ€™s wiki-text format, so that users without knowledge of XHTML or CSS can edit pages easily...

XWiki Reviews

Top 12 Self-hosted Wiki Engines for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Developed in Java and licensed under LGPL, XWiki serves as a versatile platform for creating collaborative applications using the wiki paradigm. However, it is worth noting that its intricacy and the requirement for Java proficiency may pose certain challenges for less technically inclined users.
Source: medevel.com
The 10 Best Self-hosted Wiki Software for Linux System
XWiki is a mindblowing open source wiki software. It is a Java-based enterprise wiki software. It has many professional features such as File Management, Blog, Comments & Notes, and many more. There are many templates and more than 600 plugins available for XWiki. It also has a WYSIWYG editor similar to BookStack.
Best 11 Open-source Free Wiki Engines for teams and enterprise in 2022
XWiki is an open-source wiki engine for enterprise. It focuses on productivity, collaboration, and simplicity.
Source: medevel.com
The Best 20 Wiki Software For Your Business& Internal Knowledge for 2022
XWiki is an advanced open-source wiki software used by small organizations as well as large firms to create first-generation and second-generation wikis. While the first generation wikis are majorly for content collaboration, the latter are for blogs, forums, and task management. With over 600 extensions, themes, and macros, XWiki helps you succeed in creating wonderful wikis.
17 open source wiki engine/software
Xwiki is a fully-featured open Source Wiki engine and Content-Oriented Application Platform for the Enterprise. Itโ€™s also a second generation wiki software offering the ability to install and develop small applications inside wiki pages and it also offer both a generic platform for developing collaborative applications using the wiki paradigm and products developed on top of...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing MediaWiki and XWiki, you can also consider the following products

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

Wiki.js - An open source, modern and powerful wiki app built on Node.js, Git, and Markdown.

TiddlyWiki - a non-linear personal web notebook

Confluence - Confluence is content collaboration software that changes how modern teams work

BookStack - An open source knowledge management application that's focused on ease of use.

Nuclino - Nuclino works like a collective brain, helping teams bring all their knowledge, docs, and projects together in one place. It's a modern, simple, and blazingly fast way to collaborate.