Compare software

BookStack vs Notion: catalog facts
BookStack	Notion
Free The open-source software is available without a license fee. Hosting, hardware and…	Freemium Free tier for individuals; paid plans add team features and higher limits.
Web, Self-hosted	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Fixed hierarchy makes large documentation sets easy to navigate Granular permissions plus LDAP, SAML and OIDC sign-in	Highly flexible structure covers notes, databases, and project boards in one app Real-time collaboration for team use
PHP, MySQL and a web server are required; there is no single-binary option The rigid structure gets in the way if you want a free-form wiki	Flexibility comes with a learning curve to set up well Can feel heavier and slower than single-purpose notes apps
Self-hosted, Web application	Downloadable app, Web application
Open source	Closed source
License: MIT	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.