BookStack vs Read the Docs
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
BookStack
Simple self-hosted documentation and wiki platform
VS
Read the Docs
Documentation hosting platform you can self-host
| Feature | BookStack | Read the Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Wikis & Documentation |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | PHP | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 18,974 | ★ 8,373 |
| First released | 2017 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Confluence, Notion | GitBook, Confluence |
Why pick each one
Choose Read the Docs if…
- Great for versioned project docs
- Automated build pipeline
Frequently asked questions
Is BookStack or Read the Docs better?
BookStack is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Read the Docs if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are BookStack and Read the Docs free and open-source?
Yes. BookStack is licensed under MIT and Read the Docs under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run BookStack and Read the Docs with Docker?
BookStack: yes. Read the Docs: yes.