Discover the Top Self-Hosted Notion Alternative: Docmost

Docmost is an advanced, open-source platform tailored for the creation and dissemination of documentation, notes, and knowledge bases. Much like Notion, this tool facilitates real-time collaboration and offers rich formatting options, diagrams, comments, and a comprehensive version history. The standout feature of Docmost, however, is its self-hosting capability, providing users with unparalleled control over their data, privacy, and customization options.

Understanding Docmost: A Solution for Teams

Acting as a personal collaborative wiki, Docmost emphasizes user-friendliness while offering robust features for teams, including:

Data Management: You have complete control over your server and data, eliminating concerns about vendor lock-in and privacy issues while allowing for personalized security protocols.
Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple users can simultaneously edit documents, enhancing team communication and efficiency.
Markdown Support: Enjoy a sleek interface allowing you to write in Markdown, with live previews of your work.
User Role Management: Assign roles to regulate who can view or edit particular pages and spaces.
Organizational Tools: Utilize spaces, nested pages, and groups to arrange documentation systematically.
Diagram Integration: Easily embed diagrams created with Draw.io, Excalidraw, or Mermaid directly within your documentation.
Version Tracking and Search: All changes are monitored, complemented by a powerful search function to locate content swiftly.

If you seek a self-hosted solution for managing your notes and tasks, Docmost could be precisely what you require.

Comparative Analysis: Docmost vs. Notion

The following table delineates a concise comparison of features between Docmost and Notion, highlighting their respective strengths.

Advantages of Self-Hosting Docmost

Opting to self-host Docmost empowers you with the autonomy to determine how and where your content is stored. This choice frees you from potential vendor pricing and formatting constraints while maintaining your privacy standards. Moreover, Docmost allows for seamless integration with internal tools, ensuring your team’s workflow can adapt and scale according to their specific needs, without compromise.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deploying Docmost with Docker

To begin your Docmost deployment, ensure Docker and Docker Compose are correctly installed and running on your machine. Start by establishing a project directory and navigate to it using:

mkdir docmost && cd docmost

Next, download the docker-compose.yml file from the Docmost GitHub repository with this curl command:

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/docmost/docmost/main/docker-compose.yml

Open the docker-compose.yml file using an editor, such as Nano:

nano docker-compose.yml

Generate a secure APP_SECRET by executing the following command in your terminal:

sudo openssl rand -hex 32

Next, configure your environment variables, including APP_URL, APP_SECRET, DATABASE_URL, and REDIS_URL.

Initiate Docmost using Docker Compose:

sudo docker compose up -d

This command retrieves the necessary images and activates three containers: Docmost, PostgreSQL, and Redis:

Finally, navigate to your specified APP_URL in your web browser to access Docmost.

The setup wizard will assist you in creating your initial workspace and user. Complete the required fields and click the Create workspace button to initiate your first Docmost workspace.

Your workspace will be established within your team’s space, facilitating collaboration and documentation.

Utilizing Docmost: Key Functionalities

Let’s look at some fundamental use cases for the Docmost platform, covering aspects such as team collaboration, knowledge management, real-time editing, and self-hosted documentation.

Create and Edit a Page

To create a new page in Docmost, simply click on New Page from the sidebar. Once you specify a page title, you can start writing using Markdown syntax:

You can also select specific text to add headings, lists, tables, and code blocks with ease.

Embedding Diagrams

Docmost facilitates the embedding of diagrams from applications such as Draw.io, Excalidraw, and Mermaid. For instance, you can attach files with a.drawio or.svg format and embed them in your pages using traditional Markdown image syntax as follows:

![Diagram](./path-to-your-drawio.svg)

Organizing with Spaces and Nested Pages

In the Docmost environment, a Space functions as a primary folder for collecting related pages. For example, you might establish spaces for categories such as Computing, Reviews, or How-To guides. To create or manage spaces, click on Space settings found under your current space name (e.g., General).This will open the space management interface, featuring two tabs: Settings and Members.

The Settings tab allows you to modify the appearance and functionality of the space. Here are some customizable elements:

Space Name: Update the title of your space (e.g., change from “General” to “MTE Docs”).
Slug: This unique URL segment represents your space and is auto-generated based on the name, although it can be personalized.
Description: Include a brief summary outlining the purpose of the space.

Within the Members tab, you can view a list of individuals or teams who have access to this space. Each participant has an assigned role:

Can edit: Allows users to edit content but restricts them from managing settings.
Full access: Permits complete access, including editing, managing member roles, and configuring space settings.

Use the dropdown menu next to a user’s name to change their role, and utilize the three-dot menu to manage individual users. Additionally, you can click Add space members to invite new collaborators.

What Makes Docmost Unique

Docmost stands out by allowing users to work with various content types, including tables, LaTeX formulas, and rich embeds, all within one cohesive editor. The platform simplifies organization of pages through a drag-and-drop interface, ensuring a tidy workspace as your documentation expands.

Additionally, it efficiently tracks every modification, allowing for easy restoration of previous versions in case of accidental deletions. When searching for specific information, the robust full-text search ensures rapid access, even in extensive projects.

Grouping users by roles or teams while managing access permissions enhances collaboration, especially for larger teams. As your projects evolve and your team expands, leveraging a tool like Docmost can prove invaluable, optimizing teamwork, organization, and data control.

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