OpenMSP
BookStack logo

BookStack

Documentation and Password Management

Open Source
Free Tier
Self-hosted
OpenMSP Score
85
85
Reddit Impact Score
Github Score
207M
18KStars
2KForks
5KCommits
MIT LicenseLicense
Jul 6, 2026Last commit

Alternative Vendors

Passbolt
Passbolt
Bitwarden Inc.
Bitwarden Inc.
KeePass
KeePass

Commercial Alternatives

IT Glue
IT Glue
Hudu
Hudu
Keeper Security
Keeper Security
Passportal
Passportal
BookStack is a free and open-source wiki platform that provides a simple, self-hosted, easy-to-use platform for organizing and storing information. It offers a user-friendly interface with a hierarchical organization system of shelves, books, chapters, and pages.
image media
1 / 2

Key Features

Intuitive Book Structure

Organizes content using familiar book metaphors - Shelves, Books, Chapters, and Pages - making it easy for users to understand and navigate documentation hierarchies.

Dual Editor Support

Provides both WYSIWYG and Markdown editors with live preview functionality, catering to different user preferences and technical skill levels.

Advanced Search and Linking

Full-text search across all content with ability to link directly to any paragraph, keeping documentation connected and easily discoverable.

Enterprise Authentication

Supports multiple authentication methods including LDAP, SAML2, OAuth2/OIDC, and social providers, with role-based permissions and MFA support.

Built-in Diagramming

Integrated diagrams.net (draw.io) support for creating professional diagrams and flowcharts directly within documentation pages.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Free and Open Source

MIT licensed with no cost, providing full access to source code and freedom to modify and distribute

Easy to Use

Intuitive interface that requires only basic word-processing skills, making it accessible to non-technical users

Rich Feature Set

Comprehensive functionality including multi-language support, theming, API access, and extensive customization options

Active Development

Regular updates and improvements with responsive community support and maintainer involvement

Cons

Limited Structure Flexibility

Fixed four-level hierarchy (Shelves > Books > Chapters > Pages) cannot be customized or extended beyond this structure

Self-Hosting Required

Requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain server infrastructure, including database and web server management

Limited Plugin System

No traditional plugin architecture, customization requires direct code modification or theme system usage

Feature Comparison

Comments

Max ThompsonNetSecure Solutions

Max Thompson • NetSecure Solutions

Jun 23, 2025

Simple wiki solution

BookStack handles our documentation needs. Self-hosted and free. Good for small to medium teams.

Julian ChavezTechFlow Solutions

Julian Chavez • TechFlow Solutions

Jun 18, 2025

Great for documentation

BookStack organizes our client docs well. Easy to use and deploy. Perfect for internal knowledge base.

Freja SorensenProTech Global

Freja Sorensen • ProTech Global

Jun 17, 2025

Clean documentation platform

BookStack keeps procedures organized. Book structure makes sense. Easy for techs to find information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

OpenMSP is The MSP Knowledge Hub & Community Platform designed specifically for Managed Service Providers seeking to optimize their technology stack, reduce vendor costs, and discover open-source alternatives. We combine a comprehensive vendor directory, open-source solution catalog, and integrated community discussions to help MSPs make informed decisions.
Yes, completely free. Browse vendors and tools, read comparisons, and join community discussions - no cost, no registration required. OpenMSP is community-supported and focused on empowering MSPs to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency through open-source technology.
We help MSPs identify cost-effective alternatives to expensive commercial solutions, provide transparent vendor information, and connect you with proven open-source alternatives. Our platform enables MSPs to make informed decisions about their technology investments.
No account required for browsing vendors, reading comparisons, or accessing community content. Creating a free account with SSO (Microsoft, Google, or Slack) allows you to participate in discussions and save your favorite tools.

Platform Information

OpenMSP is currently community-supported. We focus on providing value to the MSP community first. Any future monetization will keep the core platform free for MSPs while maintaining our independence and commitment to unbiased information.
We focus exclusively on MSP needs with transparent vendor information and open-source alternatives. No vendor partnerships or sponsored listings - just honest, community-driven information to help MSPs make better technology decisions. Our biggest value is our community where MSPs help each other with questions, setup guidance, and sharing real-world experiences.
Our community of MSP professionals helps verify and update information. We also maintain direct research on tools and vendors to ensure accuracy. Community members can report outdated information, and we work to keep everything current.
OpenMSP was founded by Michael Assraf, who has extensive experience in the MSP industry and product leadership. As the former CEO & Founder of Vicarius, Michael grew a startup from $0 to $9M ARR with 500+ customers and deep experience working with MSPs, partners, and fundraising. OpenMSP represents his commitment to empowering the MSP community through better technology decisions and cost optimization.

Open-Source Tools & Alternatives

We assess tools based on active development, community size, documentation quality, production deployments by MSPs, and available support options. Tools must meet strict criteria for reliability and enterprise readiness.
Many open-source projects offer multiple support options including community forums, commercial support from vendors, professional services, and our community discussions where experienced MSPs share implementation guidance.