Dokuwiki - selfhosted wiki and the alternatives
I was using Dokuwiki as a personal knowledgebase
Dokuwiki is a selfhosted wikipedia which can be hosted easily on premises and not requiring any databases. I was running it dockerised, on my pet kubernetes cluster.
Personal wiki is like wikipedia you host just for yourselves. It is serving similar purpose to preserve knowledge, using similar interface and when you edit your articles you are using similar formatting language - Markdown.
This is exactly how dockuwiki locally hosted website is styled like. Yes, the content will by yours.
I liked Dokuwiki the most because it was such a small no database system, could backup files easily and later view them as usual text files, without wiki system as a proxy editor and viewer.
Let’s see what alternatives for on-premises wiki’s we have now…
Dokuwiki TL;DR
- DokuWiki excels in simplicity and privacy but lacks modern features.
- Alternatives offer trade-offs between scalability, user experience, and customization.
- Hosting Providers like GreenGeeks can simplify setup but should be evaluated for cost and reliability.
Introduction to Self-Hosting Personal Wikis
Self-hosting personal wikis allows individuals and small teams to maintain knowledge repositories, documentation, and collaborative spaces without relying on third-party platforms. This approach offers full control over data, customization, and cost-effectiveness, though it requires technical setup and maintenance. Popular use cases include personal note-taking, project documentation, and small-team collaboration.
You can treat is as a knowledgebase if you’d like: A knowledge base is a centralized, structured repository of information, resources, and solutions designed to help users find answers to questions, troubleshoot issues, and gain insights independently. It’s a self-service online library, often used to support customer service or internal operations by providing easy access to relevant information. Usually it includes FAQs, troubleshooting guides, how-to articles, product documentation, policies, and other relevant information. And it has a Structure: Organized and searchable, often using categories, tags, and search functionality to help users find what they need.
Key Considerations for Self-Hosting a Wiki When evaluating self-hosted wiki systems, the following factors are critical:
- Scalability: Ability to handle growth in users, content, or complexity.
- Ease of Use: Simplicity of setup, maintenance, and user interface.
- Security: Data protection, access controls, and vulnerability management.
- Customization: Plugin support, extensibility, and integration with other tools.
- Resource Requirements: Server hardware, bandwidth, and storage needs.
Overview of Popular Self-Hosting Wiki Systems
Several systems are available for self-hosting wikis, each tailored to specific needs:
| System | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DokuWiki | Lightweight, file-based, no database required. | Personal wikis, small teams, documentation. |
| Wiki.js | Modern interface, Git/Markdown support, real-time collaboration. | Large teams, enterprise environments. |
| BookStack | Structured hierarchy (books/chapters), WYSIWYG editor. | Organized documentation, small-to-medium teams. |
| MediaWiki | Highly scalable, powers Wikipedia. Requires database and technical expertise. | Large-scale projects, knowledge bases. |
| Confluence | Enterprise-focused, integrates with Atlassian tools. | Organizations using Jira, Slack, etc. |
| TiddlyWiki | Personal note-taking hybrid, self-contained HTML files. | Individual users, lightweight workflows. |
| Nuclino | Cloud mostly, real-time collaboration, AI features. | Modern teams requiring AI integration. |
DokuWiki: Features and Capabilities
DokuWiki is an open-source, self-hosted wiki written in PHP. Key features include:
- Flat-File Storage: No database required; content is stored in plain text files.
- Lightweight: Minimal resource usage, ideal for personal or small-team use.
- Extensibility: Plugin repository for adding features like access controls, search, and syntax highlighting.
- Simplicity: Easy to install and maintain, with a focus on documentation and collaboration.
Comparison of DokuWiki with Other Self-Hosting Wikis
| Feature | DokuWiki | Wiki.js | BookStack | MediaWiki |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scalability | Limited (best for small projects) | High (supports large teams) | Moderate (structured content) | High (enterprise-level) |
| User Interface | Dated, minimalistic | Modern, intuitive | User-friendly (WYSIWYG editor) | Complex, customizable |
| Database Dependency | No (flat files) | Yes (supports databases) | No (flat files) | Yes (MySQL, PostgreSQL) |
| Collaboration Tools | Basic (version control, access roles) | Real-time collaboration, comments | Structured collaboration (books) | Advanced (discussion, extensions) |
| Learning Curve | Low | Moderate | Low | High |
Pros and Cons of Using DokuWiki for Self-Hosting
Pros:
- Simplicity: No database, easy to install and back up.
- Cost-Effective: Free and open-source, minimal server requirements.
- Customization: Plugin ecosystem for adding features.
- Privacy: Full control over data and hosting environment.
Cons:
- Limited Scalability: Not suitable for large teams or complex workflows.
- Outdated UI: Interface and design lag behind modern alternatives.
- Technical Requirements: Requires server access for file-based editing.
- Limited Advanced Features: Lacks AI integration, real-time collaboration, and modern UI elements.
Security and Customization in DokuWiki
- Security:
- Uses PHP-based authentication and role-based access controls.
- Flat-file storage reduces database vulnerabilities but requires server-level security measures (e.g., firewalls, encryption).
- Regular updates and plugins help mitigate risks.
- Customization:
- Highly customizable via plugins (e.g., syntax highlighting, search, and import/export tools).
- Themes and templates allow limited UI adjustments.
Setup and Maintenance Requirements for DokuWiki
I was using standard dokuwiki docker image, running it containerided on kubernetes, but one can run it plain, installing PHP and web server.
- Setup:
- Requires a web server (Apache, Nginx) and PHP (5.6+).
- No database installation needed; files are stored locally.
- One-click installers available on platforms like GreenGeeks Hosting.
- Maintenance:
- Regular updates to address vulnerabilities.
- Manual backups required (since no built-in backup system).
- Technical expertise for advanced configurations (e.g., plugins, security hardening).
Community Support and Documentation for DokuWiki
- Community:
- Active but smaller compared to MediaWiki.
- Extensive plugin repository and forums for troubleshooting.
- Documentation:
- Comprehensive guides for installation, configuration, and plugin use.
- Limited tutorials on advanced customization or modern UI enhancements.
Alternatives to DokuWiki for Self-Hosting Wikis
- Wiki.js: Modern, Git-integrated, and scalable for large teams.
- BookStack: Structured, user-friendly, ideal for organized documentation.
- MediaWiki: Best for large-scale knowledge bases but complex to manage.
- Confluence: Enterprise-focused with Atlassian integrations.
- TiddlyWiki: Lightweight, self-contained, and ideal for personal note-taking.
Is DokuWiki a Good Choice?
DokuWiki is a strong candidate for self-hosting personal wikis, particularly for:
- Individuals or small teams requiring simplicity and minimal resource usage.
- Documentation-heavy workflows (e.g., manuals, project notes, internal knowledge).
- Users prioritizing privacy and full control over data.
However, it may not be suitable for:
- Large teams or complex collaborative projects requiring real-time features or advanced scalability.
- Users seeking modern interfaces or AI-driven tools (e.g., Nuclino, Confluence).
Recommendation:
- Choose DokuWiki if simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and lightweight infrastructure are priorities.
- Consider alternatives like Wiki.js or BookStack for teams needing modern features or structured documentation.
Conclusion
DokuWiki remains a viable and reliable option for self-hosting personal wikis, especially for users who value simplicity and minimalism. Its flat-file architecture, ease of setup, and open-source nature make it ideal for small-scale use cases. DokuWiki is an excellent self-hosted wiki solution if you want something lightweight, easy to maintain, and highly extensible—especially for personal use, small projects, or small teams.
However, if you need a sleek modern interface or enterprise features, requiring advanced collaboration, scalability etc, you may want to consider alternatives like Wiki.js, BookStack, or Confluence may be more appropriate, but for many self-hosted scenarios, DokuWiki remains a top recommendation.
