Alternatives to DokuWiki
File-based wiki, no database needed
DokuWiki is one of 9 apps in Team wikis; its Alt Score is still building. It is licensed under GPL-2.0 and free. None of its 12 checklist rows are verified yet.
Small teams, IT departments, and organizations that need a simple, low-maintenance documentation or knowledge-base wiki, especially where installing and managing a database isn't desired.
A wiki engine that stores all pages as plain text files, so there's no database to set up or maintain. It keeps a full revision history of every page, supports namespaces and access control lists for permission management, and includes built-in indexed search. Its simple markup syntax and large library of community plugins and templates let you extend functionality and change appearance.
You install DokuWiki on a webserver with PHP (no database setup required), then create and edit pages through a browser using DokuWiki's lightweight markup syntax, organizing content into namespaces and controlling access via the built-in user/group permission system.
Why people leave DokuWiki
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How DokuWiki compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Team wikis checklist | DokuWiki | Outline | BookStack | Confluence | Wiki.js | Nuclino |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
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| License | ||||||
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| Markdown support | ||||||
| Real-time collaboration | ||||||
| Page permissions | ||||||
| Version history | ||||||
| Search quality | ||||||
| Self-hostable | ||||||
| Public publishing | ||||||
| Comments & review | ||||||
| API access | ||||||
| Import from competitors | ||||||
| Diagrams support | ||||||
| SSO / SAML |
Every fact and feature listed for DokuWiki is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License GPL-2.0 verified 2026-07-11
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991
https://github.com/dokuwiki/dokuwiki/blob/master/COPYING -
Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-11
the GNU General Public License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free software--to make sure the software is free for all its users.
https://github.com/dokuwiki/dokuwiki/blob/master/COPYING -
Status active verified 2026-07-11
Librarian" [56.2]"
DokuWiki 2025-05-14b
https://github.com/dokuwiki/dokuwiki/releases
FAQ
Yes. BookStack, Confluence and Wiki.js have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Outline, BookStack and Wiki.js — every license claim links its source.