Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MkDocs VS Wiki.js

Compare MkDocs VS Wiki.js and see what are their differences

MkDocs logo MkDocs

Project documentation with Markdown.

Wiki.js logo Wiki.js

An open source, modern and powerful wiki app built on Node.js, Git, and Markdown.
  • MkDocs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-18

MkDocs is a fast, simple and downright gorgeous static site generator that's geared towards building project documentation. Documentation source files are written in Markdown, and configured with a single YAML configuration file. Start by reading the introductory tutorial, then check the User Guide for more information.

  • Wiki.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-24

MkDocs features and specs

  • User-Friendly
    MkDocs is designed to be easy to use, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise. It uses simple Markdown syntax for content creation and has a straightforward configuration file.
  • Static Site Generation
    MkDocs generates static HTML pages, which are fast to load and easy to deploy. This makes it a good choice for documentation sites that need to be scalable and secure.
  • Customizable Themes
    MkDocs supports custom themes, allowing users to tailor the look of their documentation to fit their branding and design requirements. The built-in themes like 'MkDocs' and 'ReadTheDocs' are visually appealing and functional.
  • Built-in Search
    MkDocs comes with built-in search capabilities, making it easy for users to find the information they are looking for within the documentation.
  • Integration with CI/CD
    MkDocs can be easily integrated into Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, enabling automated builds and deployments.

Possible disadvantages of MkDocs

  • Limited Plugin Ecosystem
    While MkDocs has some plugins available, its plugin ecosystem is not as extensive as some other static site generators. This might limit advanced customization options for some users.
  • Markdown Limitations
    MkDocs relies on Markdown for content creation, which can be limiting for users who need more complex formatting and features that Markdown does not support out of the box.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic usage is straightforward, leveraging advanced features such as custom themes, plugins, and configuration can have a steeper learning curve.
  • Performance on Large Sites
    For very large documentation sites, build times can become longer and navigation might not be as smooth as needed, which can affect the user experience.
  • Dependency on Python
    MkDocs is a Python-based tool, which means that users need to have a Python environment set up. This can be a barrier for users who are not familiar with Python or do not want to deal with additional dependencies.

Wiki.js features and specs

  • Open-Source
    Wiki.js is open-source software, which means it is free to use, and the source code is available for anyone to review, modify, and contribute to.
  • Modern Interface
    The platform features a sleek, modern interface that is user-friendly and customizable, employing responsive design that works well on various devices.
  • Markdown Support
    Wiki.js natively supports Markdown, which is a simple and efficient way to format text. This makes content creation quick and easy for users familiar with Markdown.
  • Extensibility
    The system supports numerous modules and extensions, allowing for high customization to suit the needs of different projects and teams.
  • Multi-Language
    It supports multiple languages, making it accessible and usable by a global audience without the need for additional translation tools.
  • Authentication Methods
    Wiki.js integrates with various authentication methods, including LDAP, OAuth, and even custom authentication, providing flexible security options.
  • Real-Time Collaboration
    With real-time collaborative editing, multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, improving efficiency and teamwork.
  • Content Management
    The platform includes robust version control and content management features, ensuring that all changes are tracked and reversible.
  • Search Functionality
    Advanced search functionality ensures users can quickly find the information they are looking for, enhancing the overall user experience.

Possible disadvantages of Wiki.js

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up Wiki.js can be more complex compared to other wiki solutions, requiring knowledge of JavaScript and server management.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues on larger installations, indicating that scalability might be a concern for very large deployments.
  • Limited WYSIWYG Editor
    The WYSIWYG editor is not as feature-rich as some other wiki platforms, which might be a drawback for users who prefer a more robust visual editing experience.
  • Dependency on Node.js
    Wiki.js requires Node.js to run, which could be a limitation for environments where installing and maintaining Node.js is not feasible.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    While the interface is modern and sleek, there can be a steeper learning curve for users who are not familiar with Markdown or the various configuration options.
  • Limited Plugin Ecosystem
    Compared to more established wiki platforms, Wiki.js has a relatively smaller plugin ecosystem, which could limit some functionalities out of the box.
  • Documentation Gaps
    Users have reported that the official documentation can be lacking in certain areas, making troubleshooting and advanced configuration more challenging.

MkDocs videos

Alternatives to MkDocs

More videos:

  • Review - Урок 5. Плагины для Питон Django vs studio code. (mkdocs + Markdown)

Wiki.js videos

WIKI.JS REVIEW + 1 CLICK INSTALL + DEMO TUTORIAL + $50 FREE TRIAL 👨‍💻

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How To Deploy Wiki.js on Ubuntu 18.04 With Nginx web server
  • Review - Tenha sua própria plataforma de wiki com o Wiki.js

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MkDocs and Wiki.js)
Documentation
69 69%
31% 31
WiKis
0 0%
100% 100
Documentation As A Service & Tools
Knowledge Base
44 44%
56% 56

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare MkDocs and Wiki.js

MkDocs Reviews

Introduction to Doxygen Alternatives In 2021
. User can host complete fixed HTML websites on Amazon S3, GitHub, etc. There’s a stack of styles offered that looks excellent. The built-in dev-server allows the user to sneak peek, as it has been written on documentation. Whenever users save modifications, it will likewise auto-reload and refresh the tab. MkDocs is a tool in the Tech Stack group of search engines.
Source: www.webku.net
Doxygen Alternatives
User can host full static HTML sites on Amazon S3, GitHub, etc. There’s a stack of themes available that looks great. The built-in dev-server allows the user to preview, as it has been written on documentation. Whenever users save changes, it will also auto-reload and refresh the tab. MkDocs is a tool in the Tech Stack group of search engines.
Source: www.educba.com
The most overlooked part in software development - writing project documentation
MkDocs calls itself a fast, simple and downright gorgeous static site generator that's geared towards building project documentation. It is Python-based. Documentation source files are written in Markdown and configured with a single YAML configuration file. On its Wiki page it provides a long list of themes, recipes and plugins making it a very attractive system for writing...
Source: netgen.io

Wiki.js Reviews

Top 12 Self-hosted Wiki Engines for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Wiki.js is an exceptional open-source wiki software that boasts impressive power and extensibility. Its remarkable key features include seamless compatibility with a variety of databases (such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL Server, SQLite), an extensive and user-friendly admin area, a performance-driven design utilizing Node.js, and a customizable appearance with both...
Source: medevel.com
The 10 Best Self-hosted Wiki Software for Linux System
The best thing is Wiki.js supports the maximum types of available databases, including MySQL and MariaDB. It has a built-in authentication feature that supports password encrypted file sharing. It allows integrating with other authentication services along with 2FA such as Google, GitHub, Microsoft, and many more. Wiki.js offers a wide range of features, which makes it one...
Best 11 Open-source Free Wiki Engines for teams and enterprise in 2022
Wiki.js is our first pick here because it is an enterprise-grade Wiki engine with dozens of features and options. It exceeds other engines in performance, features, and customizations.
Source: medevel.com
The Best 20 Wiki Software For Your Business& Internal Knowledge for 2022
Wiki.js is a modern version of traditional wiki platforms. It is an open-source wiki tool with an intuitive interface, easy installation process, and a bundle of features that make wiki creation a fun-filled experience. Based on Node.js, the software comes with a wide array of modules that can be turned on and off depending on which features you need and which ones you don’t.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Wiki.js seems to be a lot more popular than MkDocs. While we know about 68 links to Wiki.js, we've tracked only 2 mentions of MkDocs. 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.

MkDocs mentions (2)

  • Does anyone have an automated workflow to publish their notes to the web?
    I'm a software engineer, and before getting my rM2, I kept all of my notes in Markdown format. They're under source control (git), and I use mkdocs to build them into a static website. I have a CI pipeline set up so that whenever I push changes to my notes to GitHub/Gitlab/Sourcehut, they are automatically built and published to my site. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Quick and dirty mock service with Starlette
    Starlette is a web framework developed by the author of Django REST Framework (DRF), Tom Christie. DRF is such a solid project. Sharing the same creator bolstered my confidence that Starlette will be a well designed piece of software. - Source: dev.to / about 4 years ago

Wiki.js mentions (68)

  • Show HN: We built a FOSS documentation CMS with a pretty GUI
    Congrats on launching! Quick question: is this closer to WikiJS (https://js.wiki/), TinaCMS (https://tina.io/), Docusaurus (https://docusaurus.io/), or something else? - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Adding a simple light box in wiki.js
    Wiki.js is a self hosted, open source Wiki that has a lot of awesome functionality. Unfortunately it's lacking some small, but important UI features, like a light box, to enlarge downsized images to it's full size. And unless you want to add a link to each image, to open it in a new tab, you would probably go for a modal view here. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What are some good documentation OSS offerings
    Https://js.wiki/ is what we’ve decided to go with at my company. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • How do you host documentation for your spouse or other users?
    Can't think of anything that meets all the criteria, there's always some compromise, which might just be the way it is. For example I could 'self-host' otterwiki or wiki.js on a VPS for a pretty small monthly fee, which I could also use for other stuff that doesn't make sense for a home lab, but then I also need to deal with security since it's hosted on the internet. Or I could self-host and just accept that... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Documentation as Code for Cloud Using PlantUML
    I love PlantUML. I was always fond of it in my early days as a software engineer and still use it today, along with all the various ways to draw diagrams out there, whether it's through a web tool like draw.io or Miro or through markup like PlantUML and Mermaid. Some stuff I'd like to share with the rest: - PlantUML's default style has improved since the days of red/brown borders, pale yellow boxes, drop shadows... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing MkDocs and Wiki.js, you can also consider the following products

GitBook - Modern Publishing, Simply taking your books from ideas to finished, polished books.

TiddlyWiki - a non-linear personal web notebook

Doxygen - Generate documentation from source code

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

Docusaurus - Easy to maintain open source documentation websites

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