BookStack is an open-source, self-hosted Documentation platform. It’s a dynamic web application (PHP + MySQL), where users can edit content in a WYSIWYG or Markdown editor. Content is stored in a database (My SQL or MariaDB) and served dynamically.
Features
- Built-in search
- User and role management
- Version history
- Visual hierarchy (Books > Chapters > Pages)
- Supports .pdf export
- Supports modularization (templates)
- Diagram capabilities
Introduction Video
Bookstack vs Static Site Generators
| Feature | BookStack | Static Site Generators |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Requires PHP & Database (MySQL) | Any static web host |
| Content Storage | In database | Markdown files in repo |
| Collaboration | Built-in editing UI | Git-based collaboration |
| Permissions | Granular user & role management | Depends on hosting platform |
| Build Process | Dynamic serving | Build static site before deploy |
| Search | Built-in | Depends on generator/plugin |
| Versioning | Internal version history | Git history |
| → BookStack is closer in spirit to Atlassian Confluence than to a static site generator. |