Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Roam Research VS Docsify.js

Compare Roam Research VS Docsify.js and see what are their differences

Roam Research logo Roam Research

A note-taking tool for networked thought

Docsify.js logo Docsify.js

A magical documentation site generator.
  • Roam Research Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-22
  • Docsify.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-28

Roam Research features and specs

  • Bidirectional Links
    Roam Research offers bidirectional linking, allowing users to seamlessly connect notes and create a web of interrelated knowledge, making it easier to see connections between different ideas.
  • Graph Visualization
    The platform provides a graph visualization that helps users see the relationships between their notes, aiding in understanding the overall structure and connections within their knowledge base.
  • Block-Based Structure
    Notes are composed of blocks, which can be easily moved, edited, or linked individually, providing a flexible and granular way of organizing information.
  • Daily Notes
    Roam Research encourages the use of daily notes, helping users maintain a regular journaling practice and providing a default space for capturing ideas each day.
  • Extensive Tagging
    Users can tag blocks and pages, enabling a robust organizational system that helps in the easy retrieval and filtering of information.
  • Markdown Support
    Roam Research supports Markdown, allowing users to format their notes efficiently with familiar syntax.
  • Offline Mode
    Offers offline functionality, which allows users to access and edit their notes even without an internet connection.

Possible disadvantages of Roam Research

  • Learning Curve
    The flexibility and extensive features of Roam Research can make it initially overwhelming for new users to learn and adapt.
  • Cost
    Roam Research is relatively expensive compared to other note-taking apps, which could be a barrier for some users.
  • Performance
    As the database grows, some users may experience performance issues, such as slower loading times or lag, particularly with extensive graphs and numerous linked notes.
  • Lack of Native Mobile App
    While Roam Research does have a mobile-friendly website, it lacks a native mobile app, which can be a disadvantage for users who prefer app-based functionality on their smartphones.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Some users have raised privacy concerns since notes are stored in the cloud, and there's no built-in end-to-end encryption for data protection.
  • Limited Collaboration Features
    Roam Research currently lacks robust collaboration features, making it less ideal for team projects or shared note-taking.
  • Export Options
    The export options are somewhat limited, which can make it challenging for users to migrate their notes to other platforms if needed.

Docsify.js features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Docsify.js is simple to set up and use. It allows for the creation of documentation directly from Markdown files without the need for a complicated build process.
  • Real-time Update
    With Docsify.js, changes to documentation can be seen in real-time. This is particularly useful for collaborative work where updates need to be immediately reflected.
  • Customizable
    Docsify offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to tweak the look and feel of their documentation through themes, plugins, and custom scripts.
  • No Build Process
    Unlike many other documentation tools, Docsify renders Markdown files on the fly, which means you don't need a separate build step to see changes.
  • Lightweight
    Docsify is lightweight and doesn't require much in terms of dependencies, making it fast and efficient to use.
  • SPA Architecture
    Docsify uses a Single Page Application (SPA) architecture, which provides smooth navigation and a better user experience.

Possible disadvantages of Docsify.js

  • SEO Challenges
    Since Docsify relies on client-side rendering, it can be more challenging to ensure that search engines properly index the content of your documentation.
  • Performance
    For very large documentation projects, the lack of a static site generation can lead to performance issues, especially on initial load.
  • Less Suitable for Complex Docs
    Docsify might not be the best choice for very complex or large-scale documentation projects due to its simple and lightweight nature.
  • Limited Built-in Features
    While Docsify is customizable, it has limited built-in features compared to more comprehensive documentation tools like Docusaurus or GitBook.
  • Dependency on JavaScript
    Docsify is heavily reliant on JavaScript, which means that users with JavaScript disabled won't be able to view the documentation properly.

Analysis of Roam Research

Overall verdict

  • Roam Research is a powerful tool for users who value knowledge synthesis and interconnected note-taking. While it can have a steep learning curve and might be considered overkill for simple note-taking tasks, it excels for individuals looking for a dynamic and flexible information management system.

Why this product is good

  • Roam Research is often praised for its unique approach to note-taking and knowledge management. It uses a networked thinking system, allowing users to create bidirectional links between notes. This helps in drawing connections between different pieces of information and fosters a deeper understanding of complex topics. Users appreciate its ability to replicate the way the human brain naturally forms associations. Additionally, Roam's outliner format appeals to those who prefer structured, hierarchical notes over traditional linear note-taking styles.

Recommended for

  • Researchers and academics who need to manage complex information and data sources.
  • Writers and content creators who benefit from connecting different ideas and organizing thoughts.
  • Individuals who enjoy using a nonlinear, networked approach to note-taking.
  • Personal knowledge managers who want to enhance their learning and idea development processes.

Analysis of Docsify.js

Overall verdict

  • Docsify.js is generally considered a good option for generating lightweight and easily maintainable documentation sites. Its ability to instantly render markdown files and provide a seamless, smooth browsing experience makes it a suitable choice for developers who prioritize simplicity and efficiency. However, it may not be the best choice for more complex documentation needs that require a sophisticated build process or static site generation with pre-rendering capabilities.

Why this product is good

  • Docsify.js is a popular tool for generating documentation websites due to its simplicity and ease of use. It does not require a build process, transforming markdown files on the fly into a fully-fledged documentation site. This live-preview feature can save time and reduce complexity for developers who want quick results without heavy configuration. Docsify.js is also highly customizable and supports a range of plugins and themes, allowing users to tailor their documentation's appearance and functionality to their specific needs.

Recommended for

    Docsify.js is recommended for projects that require straightforward, no-fuss documentation with minimal setup and configuration. It's especially suitable for small to medium-sized projects, open-source libraries, or internal documentation sites where real-time updates and markdown simplicity are valued. Developers who prefer working with markdown and need a tool that allows them to quickly get documentation up and running will likely find Docsify.js to be an excellent choice.

Roam Research videos

This Note-Taking App is a Game Changer - Roam Research

More videos:

  • Review - ROAM Research: Our First Impressions
  • Review - A quick overview of Roam Research

Docsify.js videos

No Docsify.js videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Roam Research and Docsify.js)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Documentation
0 0%
100% 100
Knowledge Management
100 100%
0% 0
Knowledge Base
73 73%
27% 27

User comments

Share your experience with using Roam Research and Docsify.js. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

Roam Research Reviews

Supercharge Your Productivity: Three Recommended Tools for Thought
Side note: Those who follow me may be surprised Iโ€™d choose Tana over Roam Research. I have extraordinary love for Roam โ€” it was my introduction to this amazing TfT world! โ€” but Tana is a more powerful environment.
Source: medium.com
Logseq vs Roam Research vs Obsidian: which one should you choose?
Recommending Logseq over Roam Research is easy if you are someone who is searching for a free alternative to Roam Research. You get almost feature-parity between both services and are not missing out on anything essential. But if the price is not a factor, and you just want to select the best note-taking app between the two, here are some reasons why you should select Logseq...
Source: medium.com
Obsidian vs. Roam vs. LogSeq: Which PKM App is Right For You?
Roam doesnโ€™t have plugins like Obsidian, but you can embed scripts and code directly into Roam to extend its capability. One of the most popular Roam โ€œextensionsโ€ is called Roam42. Roam 42 gives you a lot of extra stuff Roam doesnโ€™t support by default, like:
11 Best Notepad.pw Alternatives To Use
Roam Research is an auto-back-linked-wiki that helps people to be more productive. Bi-directional links allow you to create pages as you type. When you visit those pages it lists all bullets in which you have mentioned the tag. You can build a network of interconnected notes, which is not linear or hierarchical.
Source: notepad.link
Best Next-Level Note Apps for 2021
Roam Research is a note-taking app for networked thought, creating groups of information and making knowledge associations naturally. Arguably, the comprehensive app made bi-directional linking popular for note-taking apps. Roam Research enables users an organized and personalized overview over all the notes taken. Known for their high user satisfaction, users new to these...
Source: zenkit.com

Docsify.js Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Roam Research should be more popular than Docsify.js. It has been mentiond 104 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.

Roam Research mentions (104)

  • The Fall of Roam
    Hey thank you for replying! I understand what the screenshots are saying and this makes it clear that it was a misunderstanding and that NO ONE ACCESSED YOUR GRAPH(S). Please let me explain Lets start with your first screenshot: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/g9jv8eh1ugi5qda0c6azx/08112020RoamScreenshot.PNG?rlkey=y90tpdoifxp8zd1bouj1mnkt5&e=1&st=lstp2y6f&dl=0 If you take a look at this screenshot, it shows that... - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Taking Notes with Joplin
    I'm somewhat surprised that 44 comments in, it looks like I'm the first to mention Roam: https://roamresearch.com/ It obviously wasn't the first note taking app, and it's very much not Free, but the nature of its linking sparked Obsidian and Logseq's growth. I've been a happy paid user since the early days. The biggest reason I stick with it is that it supports both being E2E encrypted and synchronising,... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Building a Knowledge System That Enhances Rather Than Replaces Thought
    Excellent article. IMHO it tackles the gist of what personal knowledge management should be about. True learning/understanding (and intellectual depth for that matter) seems like something that (due to neurocognitive reasons) cannot possibly be achieved only through the process of reading, but is rather a function of the reader's quality of elaboration on what has been read. This inherently requires the reader's... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • How do I render HTML (and render hyper links in particular) in the field of a card
    Many of my cards include links back to my notes in https://roamresearch.com/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Philosophy of Science 101: What Is the Problem of Induction?
    Popper's criterion in a vacuum could seem to be exclusionary, but his philosophy of science involves his underrated idea of evolutionary epistemology. That all theories, seemingly pseudoscientific and the rest, compete to explain something, testable or not. Explanation is the most fundamental aspect, the rival statements compete to solve some problem in terms of how and why. Read Popper's Ch. 1. Conjectural... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
View more

Docsify.js mentions (19)

  • Ask HN: Best self-hosted wiki solution in 2025? Mediawiki or something else?
    I had wanted to use Gitbook for blog/wiki[0] but then discovered that it's not opensource anymore. After not finding anything for a long while finally found something close that will work for me: Docsify[1]. Docsify is git-backed but not a static site generator. Instead it reads the markdown as-is and renders to HTML/DOM (don't know the details) in the browser. I had 2 problems with it, first the sidebar... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • ๐Ÿš€ Fast Static Site Deployment on AWS with Pulumi YAML
    I built a fast, responsive, and lightweight static documentation site powered by Docsify, hosted on AWS S3 with a CloudFront CDN for global distribution. The entire infrastructure is managed using Pulumi YAML, allowing me to declaratively define and deploy resources without writing any imperative code. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Cookbook for SH-Beginners. Any interest? (building one)
    Okay new plan, does anyone know how to do this docsify on github? I obviously am a noob on github and recently on reddit. I'd like to help where I can but my knowlegde seems to be my handycap. I could provide you a trash-mail, if you need one, but I need a PO (product owner) to manage the git... I have no clue about this yet (pages and functions and stuff). Source: about 2 years ago
  • Cookbook for SH-Beginners. Any interest? (building one)
    Good idea. Instead of bookstack, I recommend something like Docsify The content is all in Markdown and can be managed in a git repo. Easy to deploy the whole website to any simple static HTTP server - or even Github pages. This way you can review contributions and have good version control. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Any Sugestions for Proceures Documentation?
    The tools to author it aren't that important, frankly. Ask your audience what they're most comfortable using and try to meet them there. If the stakeholders are technical, you have more options. If they aren't, I hope you like Google Docs or Word, because if you give them anything other than that or a PDF, they'll probably complain. At worst, yeah, write it in a long Markdown text file and use tools like pandoc to... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Roam Research and Docsify.js, you can also consider the following products

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.

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

Notion - All-in-one workspace. One tool for your whole team. Write, plan, and get organized.

Docusaurus - Easy to maintain open source documentation websites

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

DocFX - A documentation generation tool for API reference and Markdown files!