Wiki.js vs DokuWiki: Which Self-Hosted Wiki?
Quick Verdict
Wiki.js is the better choice for most new installations. It has a modern UI, multiple editor options, built-in Git sync, and strong authentication support. DokuWiki wins on simplicity — no database required, flat-file storage, and two decades of battle-tested stability. If you want zero-maintenance documentation storage, DokuWiki. If you want a modern wiki experience, Wiki.js.
Overview
Wiki.js is a modern wiki platform built with Node.js and Vue.js. It uses PostgreSQL for storage, supports multiple editor types (Markdown, WYSIWYG, HTML), and integrates with Git for version-controlled documentation. Current stable version is 2.5. Wiki.js site
DokuWiki is a classic wiki engine built with PHP. It stores all content in plain text files — no database required. It uses its own wiki syntax (similar to MediaWiki) and has a massive plugin ecosystem built over 20 years. DokuWiki site
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wiki.js | DokuWiki |
|---|---|---|
| Content storage | PostgreSQL database | Plain text files (no database) |
| Editor | WYSIWYG, Markdown, HTML (per-page) | Wiki syntax (toolbar-assisted) |
| Markdown support | Native | Via plugin |
| WYSIWYG editor | Yes | Via plugin (limited) |
| Search | Full-text (PostgreSQL) | File-based full-text |
| Git sync | Built-in bidirectional | Manual or plugin |
| Authentication | Local, LDAP, OIDC, OAuth2, SAML | Local, LDAP, OAuth (plugins) |
| ACL permissions | Path-based rules | Namespace-based ACLs |
| Plugin ecosystem | Moderate | 1,000+ plugins |
| Themes | Built-in dark/light | 100+ community templates |
| API | GraphQL | XML-RPC and REST (plugin) |
| Revision history | Yes | Yes |
| Media manager | Yes | Yes |
| PDF export | Yes | Via plugin |
| Multilingual UI | 40+ languages | 50+ languages |
| Runtime | Node.js | PHP |
| Database | PostgreSQL required | None (flat files) |
| Docker image | ghcr.io/requarks/wiki:2.5 | lscr.io/linuxserver/dokuwiki |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| First release | 2017 | 2004 |
Installation Complexity
DokuWiki is one of the simplest wikis to deploy. No database setup required — it stores everything in text files. The LinuxServer.io Docker image needs only PUID/PGID and a volume mount. After starting, complete setup via the web installer.
Wiki.js requires PostgreSQL, which adds another container to manage. The initial setup has more configuration options (authentication providers, editor defaults, search settings). More powerful, but more to configure.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | Wiki.js | DokuWiki |
|---|---|---|
| RAM (idle) | ~150-200 MB | ~50-80 MB |
| RAM (active) | ~300-500 MB | ~100-150 MB |
| CPU | Moderate | Very low |
| Disk | ~500 MB (app) + PostgreSQL | ~100 MB (app) |
| Database | PostgreSQL (separate container) | None |
| Scalability | Better for large wikis (1,000+ pages) | Slows with very large wikis |
DokuWiki is significantly lighter. It can run on a Raspberry Pi with minimal resources. Wiki.js needs more memory for the Node.js runtime and PostgreSQL.
Community and Support
Wiki.js has 25,000+ GitHub stars and an active community. Documentation is comprehensive. Development on v2.x has slowed with v3.0 in progress.
DokuWiki has a 20-year track record, extensive documentation, a large forum community, and 1,000+ plugins. It’s one of the most mature wiki platforms available. Updates are less frequent but the software is extremely stable.
Use Cases
Choose Wiki.js If…
- You want a modern, polished UI
- You need Git-synced documentation
- Your team uses Markdown
- You need OIDC/SAML single sign-on
- You’re building a large wiki (1,000+ pages)
Choose DokuWiki If…
- You want zero database maintenance
- You need maximum simplicity and stability
- You want extensive plugin customization
- You’re comfortable with wiki syntax
- Resources are constrained (Raspberry Pi, small VPS)
- You need reliable backup (just copy text files)
Final Verdict
Wiki.js for modern teams. The UI is polished, editors are flexible, and Git sync is a killer feature for developer teams. The trade-off is complexity — PostgreSQL management, more memory usage, and a slower v2.x development pace.
DokuWiki for simplicity. Twenty years of stability, no database to manage, and backups are literally copying a directory. The UI is dated, but the plugin ecosystem compensates for missing features. If you value reliability over aesthetics, DokuWiki is the safer bet.
FAQ
Can I migrate from DokuWiki to Wiki.js?
There’s no official migration tool. DokuWiki stores pages as text files with its own syntax, which can be converted to Markdown with community scripts. Expect some manual cleanup, especially for plugins and custom syntax.
Is DokuWiki still actively maintained?
Yes, though releases are infrequent. DokuWiki follows a slow, stable release cycle. The codebase is mature — there’s less to fix or change compared to newer projects. The plugin ecosystem continues to see updates.
Which is better for a small team wiki?
For a team under 10 people with basic needs, DokuWiki’s simplicity wins. No database to manage, minimal resources, and it just works. For teams that want a more polished experience, Wiki.js is worth the extra setup.
Can DokuWiki use Markdown?
Via a plugin, yes, but it’s not the native syntax. DokuWiki’s own syntax is well-documented and simpler than MediaWiki markup, but it’s not Markdown. If Markdown is a hard requirement, Wiki.js is the better choice.
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