BookStack

Self-Hosted

Open-source wiki platform for organizing documentation and knowledge bases

Overview

BookStack is a self-hosted wiki designed for creating, organizing, and collaborating on documentation, notes, and knowledge bases. It uses a hierarchical structure (books → chapters → pages) for easy content management, supports markdown/WYSIWYG editing, and allows rich media embedding. Deployment is simple via Docker, Docker Compose, or LAMP stack setups. Features include role-based access control, revision tracking, content export (PDF/Markdown), and a clean, intuitive interface—ideal for teams, projects, or personal use.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  bookstack:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: bookstack
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Hierarchical content organization (books → chapters → pages)
Markdown and WYSIWYG editing with rich media support
Role-based access control for team collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is BookStack hard to install?

No—BookStack offers simple deployment via Docker (single container or Compose) or LAMP stack. Official docs provide step-by-step guides, making it accessible even for beginners with basic server knowledge.

? Is it a good alternative to Confluence?

Yes—BookStack is a lightweight, self-hosted alternative to Confluence, focusing on simplicity and privacy. It lacks some enterprise features like advanced workflows but excels at intuitive content organization for small to medium teams.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—BookStack is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host without any licensing fees or paid tiers.

Top Alternatives

Confluence Search Google

Notion Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Wikis

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosted solution
⊕ Straightforward deployment options (Docker/LAMP)
⊕ Intuitive interface for all skill levels

Cons

⊖ Requires server setup (no managed SaaS option)
⊖ Limited third-party integrations compared to enterprise tools
⊖ Advanced customization may need coding knowledge