Read the Docs vs Wiki.js
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?
Read the Docs
Documentation hosting platform you can self-host
VS
Wiki.js
Modern and powerful open-source wiki
| Feature | Read the Docs | Wiki.js |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Wikis & Documentation | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | Vue |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 8,373 | ★ 28,727 |
| First released | 2010 | 2017 |
| Replaces | GitBook, Confluence | Confluence, Notion |
Why pick each one
Choose Read the Docs if…
- Great for versioned project docs
- Automated build pipeline
Choose Wiki.js if…
- Flexible and full-featured
- Many auth options
- Good content management
Frequently asked questions
Is Read the Docs or Wiki.js better?
Wiki.js is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Read the Docs if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Read the Docs and Wiki.js free and open-source?
Yes. Read the Docs is licensed under MIT and Wiki.js under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Read the Docs and Wiki.js with Docker?
Read the Docs: yes. Wiki.js: yes.