Bookstack vs MediaWiki: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Bookstack and MediaWiki comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Bookstack
Self-hosted wiki platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • BookStack is an open-source platform for organizing and storing information
- • It provides a simple wiki-style interface with books, chapters, and pages
MediaWiki
Collect, organize, and share knowledge with a powerful, multilingual, and extensible wiki platform.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Free and open-source wiki software for knowledge collection and organization.
- • Powers Wikipedia and thousands of other websites and organizations.
| At a Glance |  Bookstack |  MediaWiki |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Documentation | Documentation |
Rating | 78/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Bookstack | MediaWiki |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 78 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | DocumentationWriting Apps | DocumentationKnowledge Base |
How Bookstack and MediaWiki Compare
Bookstack
Self-hosted wiki platform
Free tier available · 78/100 score
MediaWiki
Collect, organize, and share knowledge with a powerful, multilingual, and extensible wiki platform.
Free
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MediaWiki is free. Bookstack is freemium.
Go with: MediaWiki
Want the highest-rated option?
Bookstack scores 78/100. MediaWiki is unrated.
Go with: Bookstack
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Bookstack
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Bookstack is freemium. MediaWiki is free. Go with MediaWiki if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are documentation tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Bookstack
- Higher score: 78/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
MediaWiki
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Bookstack (78/100) is our pick. That said, MediaWiki is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bookstack or MediaWiki better?
Bookstack scores 78/100 in our evaluation. Bookstack is freemium and MediaWiki is free.
What are Bookstack and MediaWiki used for?
Bookstack: Self-hosted wiki platform. MediaWiki: Collect, organize, and share knowledge with a powerful, multilingual, and extensible wiki platform..
What does Bookstack cost vs MediaWiki?
Bookstack is freemium (free tier + paid plans). MediaWiki is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.