Gollum

Self-Hosted

Open-source Git-based wiki engine

Overview

Gollum is a lightweight, Git-backed wiki engine that stores content in plain text or markup files (Markdown, AsciiDoc, etc.). It integrates seamlessly with Git for version control, enabling collaborative editing with history tracking, diffs, and rollbacks. Deployable via RubyGems, Docker, or source code, it works on any system supporting Ruby. Features include page linking, search, syntax highlighting for code, and custom CSS/themes. Ideal for teams or individuals needing a simple, self-hosted wiki without complex dependencies—perfect for documentation, knowledge bases, or project notes.

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:
  gollum:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: gollum
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Git-based version control for wiki pages
Supports multiple markup languages (Markdown, AsciiDoc)
Lightweight deployment via Docker or RubyGems
Built-in search and page linking
Customizable themes and CSS

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Gollum hard to install?

Docker deployment is straightforward (pull the image and run), making it easy for most users. Manual installation requires Ruby and RubyGems, which may need basic technical knowledge, but guides are available in the documentation.

? Is it a good alternative to Atlassian Confluence?

Yes, for small teams or individuals needing a lightweight, Git-integrated wiki with minimal overhead. However, it lacks Confluence’s advanced enterprise features like user roles, rich media embedding, or workflow tools.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely—Gollum is open source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host without any licensing or subscription costs.

Top Alternatives

Atlassian Confluence Search Google

Microsoft SharePoint Wiki Search Google

Notion (wiki features) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Wikis

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Git-integrated version control with full history tracking
⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosted solution
⊕ No subscription fees (100% open source)

Cons

⊖ No WYSIWYG editor (relies on markup syntax)
⊖ Requires basic Ruby knowledge for manual deployment (Docker eases this)
⊖ Limited advanced features (e.g., user roles) compared to enterprise wikis