Docmost vs Zettlr
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Docmost
Open-source collaborative wiki and documentation
VS
Zettlr
Markdown editor for writers, researchers, and Zettelkasten users
| Feature | Docmost | Zettlr |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 96 · Excellent | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 21,773 | ★ 13,577 |
| First released | 2024 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Confluence, Notion | Notion, Obsidian |
What are Docmost and Zettlr?
Docmost
Docmost is an open-source collaborative documentation and wiki software for teams to create and organize knowledge. It targets organizations seeking a self-hosted Confluence alternative. It is deployed via Docker with PostgreSQL.
- Real-time collaborative editing
- Spaces and nested pages
- Permissions and SSO
- Diagrams and embeds
Zettlr
Zettlr is a desktop Markdown editor designed for academic writing and Zettelkasten note management, with citation support and internal linking. While desktop-first, it works on plain Markdown folders that can sync between machines.
- Zettelkasten linking
- Citation manager support
- Multi-format export
- Folder-based projects
Docmost vs Zettlr: key differences
Both projects are written in TypeScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Docmost versus GPL-3.0 for Zettlr. Zettlr is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Docmost. Zettlr is the more established project (first released 2017), while Docmost arrived in 2024. Docmost lists first-class Docker deployment; Zettlr does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Docmost if…
- Clean modern interface
- Good team collaboration
- Active development
Watch out for
- Young project
- Requires Postgres
Choose Zettlr if…
- Strong academic features
- Plain Markdown files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- No native sync server
Frequently asked questions
Is Docmost or Zettlr better?
Neither is universally better. Docmost has the larger community, while Zettlr is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Docmost and Zettlr free and open-source?
Yes. Docmost is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Zettlr under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Docmost and Zettlr with Docker?
Docmost: yes. Zettlr: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Docmost or Zettlr?
Zettlr has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Docmost. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.