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XWiki

Self-hosted open-source Java wiki with WYSIWYG and wiki-syntax editing, nested pages, fine-grained rights and an extension and app ecosystem

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Our verdict

#2 of 7 in Self-hosted team wikis · Structured, knowledge-heavy wikis

Pros

  • Nested pages of any depth, spaces and several wikis in one install
  • Rights at wiki, space, page and object level
  • Live co-editing with co-editors' cursors, plus WYSIWYG and wiki-syntax editing
  • LGPL with no user limit or feature gate in the free edition

Cons

  • Needs a Java application server and a database
  • Interface looks dated and the learning curve is real
  • LDAP and OIDC sign-in come as extensions
  • Heavy customization makes upgrades harder

Choose if: You need unlimited nesting, structured data in pages, or a Confluence importer, and you have someone who can run Java software.

Skip if: Small teams without anyone who can administer a Java application.

Read the full review →

Rankings and alternatives

Self-hosted team wikis scores

Evaluated Nov 14, 2026 Evidence ↓
  • Writing experience · counts double 3

    3/5 means: A capable visual editor, but with a dated or complicated interface.

    Strong WYSIWYG and wiki-syntax editing, but reviewers call the interface dated and the learning curve real.

  • Simultaneous editing 4

    4/5 means: Live co-editing built in, but new or experimental.

    Real-time editing with co-editors' cursors; the newer BlockNote editor is still experimental.

  • Track record · counts double 5

    5/5 means: A decade or more in production, a large user base and a steady stable release line.

    One of the oldest wiki engines, with thousands of reported installations and a company behind it.

  • Structure and search 5

    5/5 means: As 4, with unlimited nesting, several wikis in one install and advanced search built in.

    Nested pages of unlimited depth, spaces, several wikis in one install, and advanced search.

  • Access control and sign-in (free edition) 4

    4/5 means: Fine-grained permissions plus directory and single sign-on in the free edition, with minor gaps.

    Rights at wiki, space, page and object level; LDAP and OIDC come as extensions.

  • Setup and upkeep · counts double 2

    2/5 means: Several services plus an identity provider, or an application server and database to manage.

    A Java application on a servlet container plus a database; self-hosting needs familiarity with Java application servers, and customizations complicate upgrades.

  • License and lock-in 5

    5/5 means: A fully open-source license (MIT, GPL, AGPL or LGPL) for everything in the free edition.

    LGPL; the free edition has no user limit or feature gate, and the company sells support.

  • Import, export and API 4

    4/5 means: Documented export and an API in the free edition, or plain-text storage; an importer from at least one other tool.

    REST API, and extensions for importing from Confluence and Office documents.

  • Extensions and customization 5

    5/5 means: A large extension ecosystem plus scripting or structured-data applications.

    Over 700 extensions and structured-data application building with in-page scripting.

Pricing

  • XWiki self-hosted (open source) Free No per-user fee or feature gate reported for the community edition; you pay for your own server and admin time. XWiki SAS sells separate cloud hosting and paid support, not assessed here.

From the vendor’s pricing page, checked Nov 14, 2026. That page is authoritative.

Evidence and sources

Self-hosted team wikis scores

Writing experience 1 quote
  • “XWiki is not for everyone. The learning curve is real. The UI will not win design awards. Setting up a self-hosted instance demands genuine technical investment.”
    EuropeanStack Editorial, reviewer at EuropeanStack · europeanstack.com/software/xwiki · published · checked
Access control and sign-in (free edition) 1 quote
Setup and upkeep 1 quote
  • “Self-hosting requires familiarity with Java application servers (Tomcat or Jetty), a database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MariaDB), and basic Linux administration. XWiki provides Docker images and installation guides to simplify the process.”
    europeanstack.com/software/xwiki · published · checked
License and lock-in 2 quotes
  • “All XWiki software is developed in Java and under the LGPL open source license.”
    xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome · checked
  • “The Community Edition is completely free with no user limits, no feature restrictions, and no time limits. You only need to provide your own server. XWiki Cloud starts at €3.60/user/month for managed hosting.”
    europeanstack.com/software/xwiki · published · checked

Facts

License 1 quote
Needs 1 quote
  • “Self-hosting requires familiarity with Java application servers (Tomcat or Jetty), a database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MariaDB), and basic Linux administration. XWiki provides Docker images and installation guides to simplify the process.”
    europeanstack.com/software/xwiki · published · checked

More from the sources

Limits and known issues 1 quote
  • “Quality varies — some extensions are maintained by XWiki SAS, others by community contributors with inconsistent update cycles. Always check the last-updated date before installing.”
    europeanstack.com/software/xwiki · published · checked
What users say 1 quote
  • “10+ years of experience w/ @confluence & I must say, I'm hard pressed to find anything that I need there, that @XWiki does not provide.”
    Patrick Masson, General Manager, Open Source Initiative · xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome · checked

Pricing

xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome · checked