Best Wiki Hosting Software
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Wikis can be edited by using a web Browser without any extra add-ons or extension. There are many great Wiki platforms or Wiki engines available.

We compare four wiki programs currently listed in the Softaculous Wikis catalog: MediaWiki, DokuWiki, PmWiki, and WikkaWiki. Which is the best one for you to create your own wiki website? The decision is yours. With our hosting plans, you are free to try one, or try them all.

Which Wiki Software Should You Choose?

MediaWiki is a strong choice for large, structured, collaborative wikis and projects that need a mature extension ecosystem. DokuWiki is well suited to documentation and knowledge bases that benefit from plain-text file storage without a database. PmWiki is a lightweight, actively maintained flat-file wiki with extensive customization through Cookbook recipes. WikkaWiki remains available in Softaculous, but its listed release is from April 2020, so verify compatibility and maintenance expectations before using it for a new production site.

Wiki Software Comparison

How to Choose Wiki Software

Choose according to how the wiki will be used, not only by popularity. Compare public versus private access, number of editors and readers, revision history, permissions, authentication, search, uploads, templates, extensions, categories, inter-page linking, multilingual support, APIs and integrations, database versus flat-file storage, backups, import/export options, maintenance activity, expected content size, and traffic.

Wiki vs Knowledge Base vs Documentation Site

Essential Wiki Features to Compare

Database Wiki vs Flat-File Wiki

Neither architecture is automatically faster, safer, or better. The right choice depends on the software, workload, administration model, backup process, extensions, search requirements, and scale.

Private Wiki vs Public Wiki

A public wiki is designed for information that can be viewed openly and may need search-engine indexing, moderation, anti-spam controls, and carefully managed contributor permissions. A private wiki emphasizes authentication, authorization, confidential-information handling, account lifecycle management, backups, and access logging where supported.

Blocking search-engine indexing is not a substitute for access control. Confidential content should be protected by the wiki application's authentication and permission system and by appropriate server security.

Self-Hosted Wiki Software

Softaculous Auto Install For Wiki

Setting up wiki software doesn't have to be a complicated process. With Softaculous Auto installer, website owners can install popular wiki applications in just a few clicks directly from their hosting control panel. The automated installer handles the setup process, including database configuration and application deployment, saving time and reducing the technical knowledge required. This makes it easier to launch a knowledge base, documentation portal, or collaborative wiki site quickly while keeping software updates and management simple.

The Wiki applications can be easily installed through cPanel. Or RSH Web Services will be glad to install any of these Wikis for you.

Watch our video about Wiki Hosting Services on YouTube

MediaWiki

MediaWiki is free, open-source wiki software written in PHP and originally developed for Wikipedia. It is designed for collaborative, highly structured wikis and has a large ecosystem of extensions and skins. MediaWiki 1.46 is the current stable branch as of September 2026; the MediaWiki project recommends using supported stable, legacy, or LTS branches in production.

Current MediaWiki 1.46 requirements include PHP 8.3 or newer plus a supported database such as MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite. Always verify the requirements for the exact branch you install because supported versions change over time.
MediaWiki Hosting

DokuWiki

DokuWiki is a PHP-based wiki aimed especially at documentation, developer teams, workgroups, and small organizations. It stores wiki content in plain-text files rather than requiring a database and can be extended with plugins and templates. Softaculous lists a current 2026 release. Verify the current DokuWiki requirements and plugin/template compatibility before installation or upgrade.
DokuWiki Hosting

PmWiki

PmWiki is a flat-file wiki system for collaborative creation and maintenance of websites. Administrators can customize appearance with skins and add functionality through Cookbook recipes. PmWiki is actively maintained: version 2.7.6 was released in September 2026. Current requirements state PHP 7.0 or later, while the project strongly recommends a currently supported stable PHP version; recipe and skin compatibility should also be checked when upgrading PHP.
PmWiki Hosting

WikkaWiki

WikkaWiki is a lightweight PHP wiki engine that uses MySQL to store pages. It remains listed in the current Softaculous Wikis catalog, but Softaculous lists version 1.4.2 with an April 2020 release date. Because that release is substantially older than the current MediaWiki, DokuWiki, and PmWiki releases, verify PHP/MySQL compatibility, project maintenance, security expectations, and migration options before choosing WikkaWiki for a new production deployment.
WikkaWiki Hosting

WordPress Wiki & Knowledge Base Options

WordPress plugins in this category serve different purposes. Some create a knowledge base or wiki-like content structure inside WordPress, while others only add Wikipedia previews, tooltips, embeds, or wiki-style internal links. Do not treat those functions as interchangeable.

EazyDocs

EazyDocs is an actively maintained WordPress documentation and knowledge-base builder. Its WordPress.org changelog includes 2026 releases and ongoing feature, security, accessibility, and performance work.

BasePress Docs

BasePress creates one or more documentation knowledge bases inside WordPress with sections, articles, search, themes, and administrative tools. WordPress.org lists a current 2026 update, making it a more appropriate option to evaluate for a new WordPress knowledge base than abandoned plugins.

Yada Wiki

Yada Wiki adds a wiki post type, custom tags and categories, an index, table-of-contents options, and wiki-style links between pages. Verify its current WordPress compatibility and update history before production deployment.

Wikipedia Preview

Wikipedia Preview, developed by the Wikimedia Foundation, displays contextual Wikipedia previews when visitors interact with configured links. It can enrich existing content, but it does not turn WordPress into a collaborative wiki or full knowledge-base system.

WP Wiki Tooltip

WP Wiki Tooltip retrieves information from a configured MediaWiki installation and displays it in tooltips. This is a content-enhancement tool rather than a replacement for standalone wiki software or a dedicated WordPress knowledge-base plugin.

Older or narrowly focused plugins previously listed on this page should be evaluated individually in the WordPress.org directory before installation. Check the last update date, tested WordPress version, support activity, security history, and whether the plugin's purpose actually matches a wiki or knowledge-base requirement.

Wiki Hosting Requirements

Hosting requirements depend on the wiki and version. Verify the required PHP or other runtime, database engine and version where applicable, PHP extensions, web-server configuration, HTTPS, storage, uploaded-media limits, email, scheduled jobs, memory, caching, search/indexing requirements, and expected concurrent users before installation.

For example, MediaWiki 1.46 currently requires PHP 8.3 or newer and a supported database, while PmWiki's current requirements state PHP 7.0 or later and recommend using a PHP version that still receives security updates. Requirements change, so use the official documentation for the exact release you deploy.

Wiki Security Best Practices

• Run a supported wiki release and supported server software.
• Update extensions, plugins, skins, and templates after appropriate testing.
• Remove abandoned or unnecessary add-ons.
• Use HTTPS for logins, editing, and administration.
• Use strong unique passwords and multi-factor authentication where supported.
• Apply least-privilege permissions and restrict anonymous editing when it is not required.
• Protect administrator accounts, configuration files, database credentials, and API keys.
• Review upload permissions and allowed file types.
• Use spam and abuse controls on public collaborative wikis.
• Monitor relevant logs and maintain tested backups away from the live installation.

Wiki Backup & Recovery Best Practices

A complete wiki backup depends on its architecture. For database-backed systems such as MediaWiki, protect the database, uploaded media, configuration, extensions, skins, and custom code needed to reconstruct the installation. For flat-file systems such as DokuWiki and PmWiki, protect the content/data directories, uploads or media, configuration, plugins/recipes, and templates or skins.

Keep multiple recovery points, store at least one copy separately from the live server, create a fresh backup before upgrades, and test restoration periodically. Revision history and uploaded media can become significant parts of a mature wiki's storage footprint.

What Affects Wiki Performance & Scaling?

There is no reliable universal speed ranking for wiki engines. Real performance depends on software version, page count, revision history, concurrent visitors and editors, search, extensions, templates, database or file-system behavior, media, caching, server resources, and configuration.

How to Start a Self-Hosted Wiki

1. Define the purpose: Decide whether the site is a public wiki, private company wiki, documentation portal, or knowledge base.
2. Choose software: Match collaboration, permissions, search, storage architecture, and extension needs.
3. Verify maintenance: Check the current release, supported versions, security guidance, and project activity.
4. Verify hosting requirements: Confirm runtime, database, extensions, storage, memory, email, and search requirements.
5. Configure a domain or subdomain: Choose a stable URL structure before creating large numbers of internal links.
6. Enable HTTPS: Protect logins, editing sessions, and administration.
7. Install and configure the wiki: Use Softaculous when the desired current version is available or follow official installation documentation.
8. Set permissions: Create roles for administrators, editors, readers, and public contributors as appropriate.
9. Plan structure and governance: Define categories, page naming, templates, ownership, and review practices.
10. Configure and test backups: Confirm that both content and application configuration can be restored.
11. Test before launch: Verify editing, search, permissions, uploads, mobile use, links, performance, and recovery.

Planning Your Wiki Structure & Content Governance

• Start with a small set of clear top-level topics or categories.
• Establish page-naming conventions and consistent terminology.
• Use descriptive page titles and meaningful headings.
• Link related pages contextually and consolidate duplicate topics.
• Create templates for recurring page types when they improve consistency.
• Define contributor, reviewer, moderator, and administrator responsibilities.
• Use citations or source references when the subject requires evidence.
• Record ownership or review responsibility for important operational documentation.
• Review stale content and redirect renamed public pages instead of leaving broken links.

For AI and LLM discovery, clear terminology, self-contained explanations, descriptive headings, consistent entities, useful internal links, and maintained authoritative pages are more valuable than repeating keywords. Revision history, citations, ownership, and review dates can also help human readers evaluate whether information is current and trustworthy.

Wiki SEO Best Practices

For a public wiki, use descriptive page titles, logical internal linking, a clear heading hierarchy, crawlable navigation, stable canonical URLs, useful introductions, descriptive image alternatives, and redirects when pages are renamed. Consolidate thin or duplicate pages, keep important information current, and manage indexing of utility, duplicate, user, search, or administrative pages according to the wiki software's capabilities.

SEO is generally not the goal for a private wiki. Private information should be protected with authentication and authorization rather than relying on robots directives or the absence of search-engine links.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wiki Hosting

What is the best wiki software for a knowledge base?

The best choice depends on the size, editing model, storage preference, permissions, and integrations you need. MediaWiki suits large collaborative wikis, DokuWiki is strong for documentation without a database, and PmWiki offers a lightweight customizable flat-file approach. Browse the RSH blog index for additional hosting, software, security, and website-management guides.

What is the difference between a wiki and a knowledge base?

A wiki emphasizes collaborative editing, interconnected pages, and revision history. A knowledge base emphasizes organized, searchable answers and reference information and may restrict editing to staff. The two models can overlap: wiki software can power a knowledge base, and some knowledge-base tools provide collaborative editing features.

Is MediaWiki or DokuWiki better for a private wiki?

Both can be configured for controlled access, but they use different architectures. MediaWiki is database-backed and offers a large extension ecosystem, while DokuWiki stores content in plain-text files without requiring a database. Compare authentication, permissions, search, extensions, backup workflow, and scale rather than choosing by popularity alone. The RSH support center provides additional hosting and application guidance.

What should I look for in wiki hosting?

Verify compatibility with the exact wiki version, including PHP or other runtime requirements, database support, extensions, storage, memory, HTTPS, email, uploads, search, backups, and expected traffic. Also consider how easily resources can be adjusted as the wiki grows. The hosting FAQ covers databases, backups, security, migrations, and other hosting considerations.

How much hosting does a wiki need?

A small text-focused wiki can require modest resources, while large public wikis may need more memory, CPU, database capacity, search resources, caching, and storage. Revision history, media files, extensions, concurrent users, and search can all increase requirements. Measure the actual workload and scale resources when needed rather than relying on a generic size recommendation.

Can I create a private company wiki?

Yes. Choose software with suitable authentication and permissions, then restrict access to approved users or groups. Use HTTPS, least-privilege roles, strong credentials, multi-factor authentication where supported, backups, and account-removal procedures. Search-engine blocking alone does not make confidential content private. The website security guide covers additional protective measures.

Is a flat-file wiki better than a database wiki?

Not universally. Flat-file systems such as DokuWiki and PmWiki can simplify some storage and backup workflows because content is file-based. Database-backed systems such as MediaWiki can support complex data relationships and large collaborative environments. Performance, security, scaling, search, and administration depend on the specific software and configuration, not the storage model alone.

How do I secure a self-hosted wiki?

Use supported software, install updates, remove unused extensions, require HTTPS, protect administrator accounts, apply least-privilege permissions, secure configuration and database credentials, control uploads, and use anti-spam measures for public editing. Maintain tested backups as part of the security plan. The hosting security guide provides additional server and website safeguards.

How should I back up a wiki?

Back up everything needed to reconstruct the installation. Database-backed wikis generally require the database plus uploads, configuration, extensions, skins, and customizations. Flat-file wikis require their content/data directories plus media, configuration, plugins or recipes, and templates. Keep a copy away from the live server and test restoration. The website backup guide explains complete backup and recovery planning.

Can I move an existing wiki to another host?

Yes, but the migration process depends on the wiki architecture and version. Preserve content, revision history, users, uploads, configuration, extensions, and the database where applicable. Confirm destination-server compatibility before changing DNS, and test the transferred wiki first. The website migration checklist covers planning, backups, testing, redirects, DNS, and post-migration checks.

Should I use standalone wiki software or a WordPress knowledge-base plugin?

Standalone wiki software is usually a better fit when collaborative editing, revision history, wiki-style linking, specialized permissions, or a large independent knowledge repository are central requirements. A WordPress knowledge-base plugin can be convenient when documentation should share an existing WordPress site's users, design, and administration. The WordPress knowledge-base plugin guide helps compare that approach.

Hosting a Self-Hosted Wiki

Before deploying a wiki, verify the exact software version and server requirements, then plan HTTPS, permissions, updates, backups, monitoring, and recovery. RSH Web Services offers wiki web hosting with cPanel and Softaculous access for supported applications.

Summary

Choosing wiki software starts with the information model and editing workflow. MediaWiki, DokuWiki, and PmWiki are actively maintained choices with different architectures and strengths, while WikkaWiki remains available in Softaculous but has a much older listed release. Compare maintenance status, permissions, search, extensions, storage architecture, backup requirements, and hosting compatibility before deployment.

A useful wiki also depends on structure and governance: clear page names, consistent terminology, contextual internal links, ownership, revision history, source references where appropriate, and regular stale-content review. For public wikis, add sound SEO practices; for private wikis, prioritize authentication and access control rather than search visibility.

Author Bio: Mark Cole

Digital content writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative copy. With over 9 years of international copy writing experience and...

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