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BookStack
BookStack · founded 2015
What it is
BookStack is a free, open-source platform for organizing and storing information on a self-hosted instance. It arranges content as Books, Chapters and Pages, with a WYSIWYG editor and an optional Markdown editor that includes live preview. Search works within a book or across the collection, and supports links directly to paragraphs. The editor also has diagrams.net drawing capability. Authentication options include OIDC, SAML2 and LDAP, alongside social-based secondary authentication; built-in MFA can be enforced by role and uses TOTP and static backup codes. Content can be exported as contained HTML, PDF, plain text, Markdown or Portable ZIP. Its REST API is described as supporting automation and content imports. Installing your own instance costs nothing under the MIT license, but setup requires PHP 8.2 or newer, MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6 or newer, Git, Composer 2.2 or newer and a PHP-compatible web server. Shared PHP hosting is not supported. Community support is free; paid support plans are also listed.
For and against
For
- Free, MIT-licensed self-hosted instance.
- Organizes information into Books, Chapters and Pages.
- Built-in MFA can be enforced by role.
- Exports to HTML, PDF, text, Markdown or ZIP.
- Supports OIDC, SAML2 and LDAP.
Against
- Requires specific server software and versions.
- Shared PHP hosting is not supported.
- Free community support has no response or resolution assurance.
The verdict
BookStack offers structured knowledge organization, search, authentication controls and multiple export formats without an installation fee. It requires self-hosting and compatible server components, so check those requirements before choosing it.
Who it suits
BookStack suits people or organizations that want to manage information on their own self-hosted platform. It is relevant for users who need structured pages, access controls and export options and can meet the installation requirements.
Plans and prices
BookStack self-hosted
MIT licensed · self-hosted
Read 1 Oct 2026 · bookstackapp.com
Community Support
Community discussions, Codeberg or Reddit · documentation and YouTube guidance · no assurance of response, support or resolution
Read 1 Oct 2026 · bookstackapp.com
Professional Support Plan
Email/help-desk support · installation and updating issues · high-priority bug triage
Read 1 Oct 2026 · bookstackapp.com
Enterprise Support Plan
Professional plan included · API integration and platform-extension assistance · up to 10 video-support hours per year
Read 1 Oct 2026 · bookstackapp.com
On the record
- API
- The project describes a growing REST API for automation and importing content.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Publishing audience
- bothbookstackapp.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Authentication
- BookStack supports OIDC, SAML2 and LDAP, plus social-based secondary authentication options.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Custom domain
- Yesbookstackapp.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Diagrams
- The page editor has built-in diagrams.net drawing capability.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Editor
- The page editor provides a WYSIWYG interface, with an optional Markdown editor that includes live preview.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Exports
- Content can be exported as contained HTML, PDF, plain text, Markdown or Portable ZIP.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Hosting limit
- BookStack does not currently support shared PHP hosting.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Installation requires PHP 8.2 or newer, MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6 or newer, Git, Composer 2.2 or newer and a PHP-compatible web server.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- BookStack is fully free and open, MIT licensed, and has no cost to download and install your own instance.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- MFA
- Built-in MFA can be enforced per role and includes TOTP and static backup codes.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Content is organized into Books, Chapters and Pages.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Product
- BookStack is a simple, self-hosted, easy-to-use platform for organising and storing information.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Search
- Content is fully searchable at book level or across all books, chapters and pages, with direct paragraph linking.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Security
- BookStack supports CSP headers to increase protection against malicious content and stores MFA secrets encrypted in the database.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- SSO support
- Yesbookstackapp.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- Official paid support services are provided by HTTP Functions Ltd., while community support is available through discussions, Codeberg, Reddit, documentation and YouTube.bookstackapp.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Version history
- Yesbookstackapp.com · read 20 Sep 2026
