# Outline vs Wiki.js

> Pick Outline if you want a fast, Notion-like team knowledge base with real-time editing; pick Wiki.js if you want a classic, fully open-source wiki with Git sync and many auth options.

## Verdict

Outline gives teams a polished, real-time collaborative editor and Slack-style integrations, but it is licensed under BSL 1.1 and needs PostgreSQL, Redis and an SSO or email login provider. Wiki.js is AGPL-licensed, supports Markdown and visual editors, Git-backed storage and a long list of auth modules, which suits documentation sites and teams that want a traditional wiki.

- Best for Outline: Product and engineering teams that want a modern, collaborative knowledge base
- Best for Wiki.js: Documentation wikis that need Git sync, flexible auth and a permissive self-host story

## Key differences

| Aspect | Outline | Wiki.js |
|---|---|---|
| License | Business Source License 1.1 (source available, with a restriction on offering it as a competing service) | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language/stack | TypeScript (Node.js and React) | Node.js with a Vue frontend |
| Database | PostgreSQL and Redis; files on local disk or S3-compatible storage | Wiki.js 2: PostgreSQL (recommended), MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL Server or SQLite |
| Authentication | Requires an auth provider such as Slack, Google, Microsoft, OIDC, or email magic links via SMTP | Built-in local accounts plus many modules: LDAP, SAML, OAuth2, OIDC, Google, GitHub and more |
| Standout features | Real-time collaborative editing, nested collections, Slack integration, API | Markdown, WYSIWYG and raw HTML editors, Git storage sync, page-level permissions |
| Release status | Stable releases on a regular cadence | 2.x is the stable line; the 3.0 rewrite is in beta and not recommended for production |

## GitHub numbers

| Metric | Outline | Wiki.js |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 40,818 | 29,010 |
| Forks | 3,605 | 3,321 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 2,031 | 202 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Latest release | v1.10.1 | 3.0.0-beta.628 |
| License | BSL 1.1 | AGPL-3.0 |
| License type | Source-available | Open source |
| Language | TypeScript | Vue |
| Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| Repository | https://github.com/outline/outline | https://github.com/requarks/wiki |

App pages: [Outline](https://appsgit.com/apps/outline), [Wiki.js](https://appsgit.com/apps/wiki-js)

## FAQ

### Is Outline open source?

Outline's code is public but licensed under the Business Source License 1.1, which is source available rather than OSI open source. Self-hosting for your own team is allowed.

### Can I use Outline without Slack or Google login?

Yes. Outline supports generic OIDC providers and email magic-link sign-in when SMTP is configured, so you can run it with your own identity provider.

### Should I install Wiki.js 2 or 3?

Use Wiki.js 2 for production. Version 3 is a beta rewrite, and the project itself marks it as not for production use.

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Canonical page: https://appsgit.com/compare/outline-vs-wiki-js
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