MediaWiki

Self-Hosted

Open-source wiki platform powering Wikipedia

Overview

MediaWiki is a robust, scalable open-source wiki software used globally (including Wikipedia) for collaborative content creation. It supports version control, rich text editing, and extensibility via thousands of plugins. Deployment options include self-hosting on LAMP/WAMP stacks, Docker containers, or managed hosting. Key features like granular user permissions, multilingual support, and content moderation make it ideal for teams, communities, or knowledge bases. It’s highly customizable with themes and extensions for analytics, media management, and more.

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

Key Features

Collaborative editing with version history
Extensible via 1000+ plugins/extensions
Multilingual support for global communities
Granular user permission controls

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is MediaWiki hard to install?

Installation requires a LAMP/WAMP stack or Docker. Beginners can use Docker images for simplified setup, while manual installs need basic server knowledge. Many hosting providers also offer one-click installation options to reduce complexity.

? Is it a good alternative to Confluence?

Yes—MediaWiki is free and open-source, unlike Confluence's paid model. It’s more extensible but has a steeper learning curve for non-technical users. Ideal for teams prioritizing data ownership over Confluence’s polished UI and integration ecosystem.

? Is it completely free?

MediaWiki is 100% free under the GNU GPL license—download, use, modify, and distribute at no cost. However, self-hosting may incur server/hosting expenses, and some premium extensions or managed hosting services could have fees.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Wikis

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data ownership (self-hosted)
⊕ Extensive plugin ecosystem for customization
⊕ Proven scalability (used by Wikipedia)
⊕ No subscription fees

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server admin skills for setup
⊖ Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
⊖ Needs regular maintenance (updates, security patches)
⊖ Default UI feels outdated without themes