DokuWiki vs MediaWiki – Which Is Better for Self-Hosted Wikis?
Detailed comparison of DokuWiki vs MediaWiki. Find out which self-hosted wiki software is best for your documentation needs.
DokuWiki vs MediaWiki – Which Is Better for Self-Hosted Wikis?
When it comes to open-source, self-hosted wiki software, two names dominate the conversation: MediaWiki and DokuWiki. MediaWiki is the juggernaut that powers Wikipedia, known for its scalability and complex feature set. DokuWiki is the lightweight contender, beloved by developers for its simplicity and file-based structure.
Choosing between them defines how your team will document knowledge for years to come. In this guide, we break down the differences to help you decide. For a broader look at all wiki options including cloud tools, see our Ultimate Wiki Software Comparison Guide.
The Fundamental Difference
The biggest technical difference lies in how they store data:
- MediaWiki uses a Database (MySQL/MariaDB). This allows it to handle millions of pages and complex queries but requires database management skills.
- DokuWiki uses Plain Text Files. Every page is a text file on your server. This makes backups as simple as zipping a folder, but can limit performance at massive scales.
Hosting Requirement
Both run on PHP, but DokuWiki is easier to host since it doesn't need a database. However, for production use, we recommend a robust VPS from Hostinger for either option to ensure speed and security.
MediaWiki: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Infinite Scalability: Designed for the largest wiki in existence.
- Granular Permissions: Complex user rights management.
- Rich Ecosystem: Thousands of extensions available.
Cons
- Complex Setup: Requires database configuration.
- Steep Learning Curve: "Wikitext" syntax is not user-friendly for non-technical users.
- Heavy: Resource intensive compared to DokuWiki.
DokuWiki: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Zero Database: incredibly easy to move, backup, and restore.
- Access Control Lists (ACL): Simple yet powerful built-in user management.
- Developer Friendly: Since data is text, you can edit pages using scripts or grep through them.
Cons
- Limited Scale: Not suitable for tens of thousands of pages.
- Visuals: Default themes look dated (though customizable).
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose MediaWiki if:
- You are building a public wiki (like Wikipedia).
- You expect to have thousands of contributors.
- You need complex database query features.
Choose DokuWiki if:
- You are building internal documentation for a small team.
- You want easy maintenance and backups.
- Your team prefers Markdown-like syntax.
If neither of these sounds appealing and you just want a tool that works out of the box without server management, consider cloud alternatives like Notion or ClickUp. These modern tools offer wiki functionality with zero setup time.
To see how DokuWiki and MediaWiki stack up against modern cloud tools, read our Best Wiki Software Comparison.
Still Undecided?
See the full breakdown of features, pricing, and use cases for the top wiki tools.
View Comparison Guide