Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Wiki.js VS Notion

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

Wiki.js logo Wiki.js

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

Notion logo Notion

All-in-one workspace. One tool for your whole team. Write, plan, and get organized.
  • Wiki.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-24
  • Notion Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12

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.

Notion features and specs

  • All-in-One Workspace
    Notion combines note-taking, task management, databases, calendars, and collaboration features in a single platform, reducing the need for multiple tools.
  • Highly Customizable
    Users can tailor Notion to fit their specific workflow with customizable templates, pages, and databases, making it versatile for various use cases.
  • Collaboration Features
    Notion offers seamless collaboration with real-time editing, comments, mentions, and shared workspaces, enhancing teamwork and productivity.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Notion is available on multiple platforms, including web, desktop, and mobile, providing flexibility and accessibility from anywhere.
  • Integration Capability
    Notion supports integrations with various third-party applications like Google Drive, Slack, and Trello, allowing for a more interconnected workflow.

Possible disadvantages of Notion

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and customization options, new users might find Notion challenging to learn and navigate initially.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report that Notion can become slow or experience lag, especially with large databases and complex pages.
  • Offline Limitations
    While Notion offers some offline capabilities, its functionality is significantly reduced without an internet connection, which can be inconvenient for some users.
  • Pricing for Teams
    Though Notion offers a free version, its premium plans can be expensive for larger teams, which may be a constraint for startups or small businesses.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any cloud-based service, there are potential privacy and data security concerns, especially for users handling sensitive information.

Analysis of Wiki.js

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Wiki.js is a strong option for individuals and organizations looking for a dynamic and fully-featured wiki platform. It is well-suited for users who are comfortable with technical setup and prefer a self-hosted solution.

Why this product is good

  • Wiki.js is considered a good choice due to its modern interface, extensive features, and flexibility. It supports multiple editing formats and can integrate with various authentication systems. Additionally, it is open-source, which allows for customization and can be self-hosted, providing control over data.

Recommended for

  • Tech-savvy users who want control over their data.
  • Organizations looking for a customizable and integrable wiki solution.
  • Teams that require support for multiple authentication methods.

Wiki.js videos

WIKI.JS REVIEW + 1 CLICK INSTALL + DEMO TUTORIAL + $50 FREE TRIAL ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ป

More videos:

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

Notion videos

The Most Powerful Productivity App I Use - Notion

More videos:

  • Review - I switched to Notion for a week... Here's what happened!
  • Review - Notion is Truly an All-in-One Productivity Tool (App Review)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Wiki.js and Notion)
WiKis
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Knowledge Base
100 100%
0% 0
Project 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 Wiki.js and Notion

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 donโ€™t.

Notion Reviews

  1. jk22
    ยท consultant at GFI ยท
    Notion has helped in documenting our business

    It's been very very helpful to streamline different people on our team, especially remote workers to help them understand what's going on in our business without 100s of meetings.

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Ui is very attractive|Easy to use|Great for collaboration|Good customer service|Free to use
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Steep learning curve
  2. Ramesh Kumar
    ยท Product Manager at Aerial ยท
    Extremely helpful- made life easier

    My remote-first start-up has eliminated more than 200+ hours of meetings and 1000s of mismanaged documents because our entire communication happens through Notion.

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Clean ui|File sharing|Modular
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Learning curve
  3. Boyd Richardson
    ยท Writer at SE ยท

    As someone who's always on the lookout for the perfect productivity app, I was excited to try out Notion. It promises to be an all-in-one tool for everything from note-taking to project management to personal wikis.

    From the moment you open Notion, you can tell that it's different from other productivity apps. The interface is sleek and modern, and it's easy to navigate. The app is divided into pages, which can be customized with different templates to fit your needs. You can create to-do lists, databases, wikis, calendars, and more.

    One of the things I love about Notion is the ability to create relationships between pages. For example, you can create a database of your favorite books and then link to a page with your book reviews. Or you can create a to-do list and link to a page with notes about the task. This feature makes it easy to keep all of your information in one place and to connect related items.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Microsoft Loop
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Highly customizable|All in one|Collaboration|Cross platform
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Steep learning curve

Top 10 Productivity Apps for MacOSย 2025
Okay, I know, I know. Notion is probably the most predictable pick for a productivity app list. But hereโ€™s the thing: Itโ€™s popular for a reason. Notionโ€™s flexibility, customisation, and overall smooth user experience make it a standout, no matter how many times it pops up on productivity lists. Whether youโ€™re organising tasks, taking notes, or creating databases, Notion lets...
Source: dev.to
Top 10 Notion Alternatives for 2025 and Why Teams Are Choosing Ledger
If you're looking for a Notion alternative that supports real, scalable teamwork, you're not alone. Whether youโ€™ve outgrown Notion or are just exploring more robust, team-friendly platforms, hereโ€™s a breakdown of the top 10 alternatives in 2025โ€”and why Ledger is becoming the go-to choice for modern teams.
How Tight-Knit Teams Get More Done with Innovative Project Management Tools
Notion: More than a task manager, it acts as a knowledge base. You can store guidelines, references, wikis, and to-do lists all under one roof.
Source: medium.com
11 Popular Knowledge Management Tools to Consider in 2025ย 
Notion AI (Optional Add-on) โ€“ $8 per user/month (billed annually). Available for all plans (including the free plan)
Source: knowmax.ai
11 Best Google Keeps Alternatives for 2024
Unlike other note-taking apps, Notion stands out for its endless customization. Itโ€™s like an all-in-one workspace structured by pages and blocks.
Source: upbase.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Notion should be more popular than Wiki.js. It has been mentiond 441 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.

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 / about 1 year 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 / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What are some good documentation OSS offerings
    Https://js.wiki/ is what weโ€™ve decided to go with at my company. - Source: Hacker News / over 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: almost 2 years 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 / about 2 years ago
View more

Notion mentions (441)

  • Cool SHIT you can do with docker
    Two of the most popular open source note taking app are affine (basically notion but open source) and obsidian (which stores notes in markdown). - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (October 2024)
    Notion | https://notion.so | Android Engineer | SF | hybrid (in office 2x a week) | Full time
      Level: Mid/Mid+ (4-6yrs experience).
    - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Karyam: Simples everyday writing app
    Advanced Notion and Google Doc writing editor. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • My blog post workflow
    I manage my non-work and work-adjacent tasks in Notion. Whenever I have an idea, regardless of how big or small or silly or achievable it is, I'll add it to Notion, and use labels to categorise it by type of output (e.g. blog, silly project, website update). Today I wanted to write a short post for my site. I clicked on the filtered blog post view, and selected this one (because I hoped it would be a quick one!). - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • 6 AI tools that feels illegal to know๐Ÿค–
    Notion.so redefines workspaces. With its intelligent organization and collaboration features, it's more than a productivity toolโ€”it's a digital haven. Discover the art of streamlined and efficient teamwork. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Wiki.js and Notion, 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.

Trello - Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

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

Asana - Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

TiddlyWiki - a non-linear personal web notebook

Evernote - Bring your life's work together in one digital workspace. Evernote is the place to collect inspirational ideas, write meaningful words, and move your important projects forward.