BookStack vs Wiki.js: Which Wiki to Self-Host?
Quick Verdict
BookStack is better for most teams that want a straightforward, well-organized wiki. Its Shelves → Books → Chapters → Pages hierarchy is intuitive, the WYSIWYG editor works well, and setup is simpler. Wiki.js wins if you need Git-based content sync, multiple editor types, or more flexible page organization.
Overview
BookStack is a PHP/Laravel wiki platform with a fixed hierarchical structure (Shelves → Books → Chapters → Pages). Built-in WYSIWYG and Markdown editors, role-based access control, and a clean UI. Backed by a solo developer with consistent updates.
Wiki.js is a Node.js wiki platform with flexible page organization, three editor types (Markdown, WYSIWYG, HTML), Git storage sync, and multiple search engine backends. Maintained by a small team with a major v3.0 rewrite in development.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | BookStack | Wiki.js |
|---|---|---|
| Content structure | Shelves → Books → Chapters → Pages | Flat paths (folder-like) |
| Editors | WYSIWYG + Markdown | Markdown + WYSIWYG + HTML |
| Git sync | No | Yes (push/pull to Git repo) |
| Search | Built-in full-text | PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, Algolia |
| Authentication | Built-in + LDAP + SAML + OIDC | Built-in + LDAP + OAuth2 + OIDC + SAML |
| Diagrams | draw.io integration | Mermaid + PlantUML + draw.io |
| API | REST API | GraphQL API |
| Multi-language UI | 30+ languages | 40+ languages |
| PDF export | Built-in | Via module |
| Image gallery | Built-in | Per-page uploads |
| Access control | Role-based (granular) | Group-based (granular) |
| Language | PHP (Laravel) | Node.js |
Installation Complexity
BookStack requires PHP, Laravel, and a MariaDB/MySQL database. Using the LinuxServer.io Docker image simplifies this to two containers (BookStack + MariaDB). Setup takes 5-10 minutes. Default credentials work immediately.
Wiki.js requires Node.js and PostgreSQL. Docker setup is two containers (Wiki.js + PostgreSQL). The setup wizard runs on first access. Slightly more configuration needed for advanced features (Git sync, search engines).
Both are straightforward to deploy. BookStack is marginally simpler because there’s less to configure.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Resource | BookStack | Wiki.js |
|---|---|---|
| RAM (idle) | ~150 MB | ~150 MB |
| RAM (loaded) | 200-400 MB | 300-500 MB |
| CPU (idle) | Low | Low |
| Docker image size | ~300 MB | ~400 MB |
Similar resource profiles. Neither is demanding. Both run comfortably on a Raspberry Pi 4 or any small VPS.
Community and Support
BookStack has ~16,000 GitHub stars and a dedicated community forum. Development is consistent — one developer with a reliable release cadence. Documentation is thorough and well-maintained.
Wiki.js has ~33,000 GitHub stars. The community is larger in raw numbers but the project is in a transition period (v3.0 rewrite underway). Development on v2.x has slowed as the team focuses on v3.
Use Cases
Choose BookStack If…
- You want a structured wiki with clear organization (books, chapters)
- You prefer a simple, polished WYSIWYG editor
- You need granular permission control per book/chapter/page
- You want built-in PDF export
- Your team needs an intuitive wiki that requires minimal training
- You don’t need Git-based content management
Choose Wiki.js If…
- You want Git sync for content backup and version control
- You need multiple editor types (Markdown, WYSIWYG, raw HTML)
- You want flexible page organization (not locked into a hierarchy)
- You prefer Elasticsearch or Algolia for search
- You need diagram support (Mermaid, PlantUML) built into the editor
- You want the ability to edit content via Git commits
Final Verdict
BookStack is the better choice for most team wikis. The structured hierarchy makes content discoverable, the editor is polished, and the permission system is intuitive. It’s the “it just works” option for documentation.
Wiki.js wins for technical teams that treat documentation like code — Git sync, Markdown-first editing, and diagram-as-code support make it a strong choice for developer documentation. But for general-purpose team wikis, BookStack’s structure and simplicity are advantages, not limitations.
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