Open Source Alternatives to Atlassian Confluence for Enterprises
Introduction
Many companies are currently still using Atlassian Confluence as a knowledge management and documentation platform. With the end of support for the on-premises version and increasing requirements for data protection, GDPR and control over proprietary data, IT managers are increasingly looking for open source alternatives.
In this article, we present three remarkable self-hosting solutions: Docmost, BookStack and Wiki.js – all available with professional support and hosting from WZ-IT. All three are open source, allow hosting in your own data center or in EU locations and offer companies an alternative to Confluence - with full control over data, infrastructure and cost structure. Our team of experts at WZ-IT also explains why we opted for BookStack in our own environment and what criteria were used in the selection process.
Criteria for Selection
When evaluating the alternatives, it was particularly important to us:
- Self-hosting capability - operation on own infrastructure or in EU clouds.
- User-friendliness - equally understandable for specialist and technical teams.
- Functionality - e.g. versioning, rights and group management, full text search.
- Integration & extensibility - e.g. REST API, diagram support.
- GDPR/data protection aspect - no uncontrolled data exports to third countries, hosting options in the EU.
These criteria formed the basis of our detailed analysis of the three open source solutions.
1. Docmost
Manufacturer / License model Docmost is an enterprise-ready open source wiki, licensed under AGPL-3.0. (GitHub)
Architecture & application scenarios Self-hosting or own cloud, including real-time collaboration. According to the manufacturer, it supports teams with high requirements - e.g. aerospace, ITAR-compliant environments. (Docmost)
Technological basis & community aspect A modern system with real-time editor, diagram support (Drawio, Mermaid) and import options. (Docmost) Still younger project status than some established solutions, therefore community use possible with a view to maturity.
Main advantages
- Real-time editing of multiple users on the same page. (Docmost)
- Import from Confluence, Notion etc. - migration made easier. (Docmost)
- Enterprise features such as LDAP/SSO, granular access (depending on edition).
Possible restrictions
- Relatively young solution compared to established open wikis - smaller community size.
- Some Enterprise functions are subject to a charge or "only" included in the Enterprise Edition.
Conclusion For companies with a focus on real-time collaboration and high compliance requirements (e.g. ITAR, GDPR), Docmost can be a very modern alternative. Find out more about our Docmost Hosting and Installation Services.
2. BookStack
Manufacturer / License model BookStack is completely open source under MIT license. (BookStack)
Architecture & application scenarios Ideal for small to medium-sized teams that need a structured, easy-to-use knowledge platform. Content is organized in a "Books → Chapters → Pages" model. (Opensource.com)
Technological basis & community aspect Based on Laravel (PHP) with database support (MySQL/MariaDB). Installation possible both manually and Docker-based. (Laravel News) An active community and many deploy scripts available.
Main advantages
- Very intuitive interface - low barrier to entry for non-technical users.
- Full-text search, revisions, integration with auth providers (LDAP, OAuth) possible. (Opensource.com)
- Free of charge and modifiable - ideal self-hosting option without license commitment.
Possible restrictions
- Less designed for very large enterprise wikis with thousands of users or complex permissions. Reddit users report that BookStack is "lighter" than Confluence or XWiki. (Hacker News)
- Extension options somewhat more limited than for projects with a huge plug-in ecosystem.
WZ-IT Recommendation At WZ-IT, we use BookStack because of its user-friendliness, clear structure and open source license, among other things. It is very well suited for knowledge and documentation platforms in companies with 50-500 users. Discover our BookStack Managed Hosting Services.
Related Articles to BookStack:
- BookStack vs. Confluence: The Open Source Alternative for Enterprises
- BookStack in Knowledge Management for Healthcare
3. Wiki.js
Manufacturer / License model Wiki.js is open source under AGPL-v3. (Wikipedia)
Architecture & application scenarios Based on Node.js, Wiki.js supports many databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite), Git integration optional, Markdown and WYSIWYG editor. (Wiki.js) Particularly suitable for tech-savvy teams and developer organizations.
Technological basis & community aspect – Modern stack (Node.js) with a strong focus on performance and developer friendliness. – Large number of integrations and often perceived in the market as a "wiki for developers". Reddit users reported good experiences. (Reddit)
Main advantages
- Flexible content: Markdown, AsciiDoc, Visual Editor. (Wiki.js)
- Git backups and version control possible - ideal for technical teams.
- Access controls, auth providers (GitHub, LDAP etc.) are supported.
Possible restrictions
- Operation and setup somewhat more technical than with BookStack - entry level for non-technical teams may be higher.
- Navigation or UI habits can have a different effect compared to the classic Confluence setup.
Find out more about our Wiki.js Installation and Support Services.
Comparison at a Glance
| Solution | Focus | Technology Stack | Advantage for Companies | Possible Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Docmost | Real-time collaboration, modern | Node.js/Spa | Very modern UI, import Confluence/Notion | Younger project ecosystem |
| BookStack | Simple, structured wiki | PHP/Laravel | Easy to use, low barrier to entry | Limited enterprise extensibility |
| Wiki.js | Developer-friendly, Markdown/Git focus | Node.js, many DBs | Flexible, version control, Git integration | Somewhat technical entry |
Why We at WZ-IT Opted for BookStack
The decision-making process at WZ-IT was particularly characterized by:
- User-friendliness: Specialist departments should also be able to maintain content without training.
- License-free: Completely open source with no usage restrictions.
- Operation & maintenance: Clear installation, Docker setup available, stable operation possible.
- GDPR/data sovereignty requirement: Hosting in own infrastructure or EU cloud.
BookStack met these requirements very well and is therefore used in our environment. At the same time, we are keeping an eye on Docmost and Wiki.js, especially if real-time collaboration or developer-centered documentation become more important in the future.
Conclusion
Open source wikis offer companies an attractive alternative to Confluence: they enable self-hosting, full data control and low license costs. Depending on the requirements - real-time collaboration, simple structure or developer focus - a different solution is suitable: Docmost, BookStack or Wiki.js.
If you need support with the selection, migration or operation of a wiki platform - contact us. We will support you from consulting to installation and operation.
📅 Free initial consultation with WZ-IT: Make an appointment 📧 Email: [email protected]
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Sources & Further Links
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