Known

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted publishing platform for content ownership

Overview

Known is an open-source, self-hosted blogging and publishing platform that empowers users to own their content. It supports markdown editing, media uploads (images, videos), custom domains, and social cross-posting. Deployable via Docker containers or traditional LAMP stacks, it offers flexibility for technical users. Key features include privacy controls, collaborative editing, and multi-channel publishing. Ideal for personal blogs, microblogs, or niche communities, Known lets you avoid third-party platforms while maintaining full control over your data and presentation.

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

Key Features

Markdown editing support
Full content ownership & privacy
Media uploads (images, videos)
Custom domain integration
Social cross-posting capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Known hard to install?

Known is manageable for users with basic server knowledge. It can be deployed via Docker (simplest option with docker-compose) or a LAMP stack. Official documentation provides step-by-step guides for both methods, so setup is straightforward if you follow instructions.

? Is it a good alternative to Medium?

Yes—Known is a great alternative if you want full control over your content. Unlike Medium (which hosts your work and monetizes it), Known lets you self-host, ensuring privacy and ownership. It lacks Medium’s built-in audience but offers more flexibility for customization.

? Is it completely free?

Known is 100% free and open-source. There are no licensing fees or subscriptions. You only pay for your hosting (e.g., VPS, cloud instance) if you choose to self-host; the software itself costs nothing.

Top Alternatives

Medium Search Google

WordPress.com Search Google

Substack Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Blogging Platforms

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ No third-party content lock-in
⊕ Flexible deployment (Docker/LAMP)
⊕ Open-source (customizable codebase)
⊕ Supports collaborative publishing

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server admin skills
⊖ Limited pre-built themes compared to SaaS tools
⊖ Smaller community than WordPress