# Docmost: Free Open Source Alternative to Notion

**Docmost** is an open-source collaborative wiki and documentation software, designed as an alternative to popular tools like Notion and Confluence. It provides a platform for teams to create, share, and manage documentation and knowledge bases efficiently. With its open-source nature, Docmost offers flexibility and control over your data, making it an excellent choice for organizations looking to self-host their documentation solutions.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725417461556/94546ffd-303c-4928-b574-916a7262f298.png align="center")

### **Key Features of Docmost**

* **Collaborative Editing**: Multiple users can edit documents simultaneously, making it easy for teams to work together.
    
* **Rich Text Editor**: A user-friendly editor that supports various formatting options, making document creation intuitive.
    
* **Version Control**: Track changes and revert to previous versions of documents as needed.
    
* **User Management**: Add and manage users, assign roles, and control access to different parts of the documentation.
    
* **Integration**: Integrates with other tools and services to enhance functionality.
    

### **Installation Steps**

To install **Docmost**, Docker is the recommended method. Below are the steps to get **Docmost** up and running on your server.

#### **Prerequisites**

* Ensure Docker is installed on your server. You can follow the official Docker installation guide based on your operating system.
    

#### **Installation Steps**

1. **Setup the Docker Compose File**
    
    * Create a new directory for Docmost and download the Docker compose file:
        
        ```bash
        mkdir docmost
        cd docmost
        curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/docmost/docmost/main/docker-compose.yml
        ```
        
    * Open the `docker-compose.yml` file and replace the default environment variables:
        
        ```bash
        version: "3"
        services:
          docmost:
            image: docmost/docmost:latest
            depends_on:
              - db
              - redis
            environment:
              APP_URL: "http://localhost:3000"
              APP_SECRET: "REPLACE_WITH_LONG_SECRET"
              DATABASE_URL: "postgresql://docmost:STRONG_DB_PASSWORD@db:5432/docmost?schema=public"
              REDIS_URL: "redis://redis:6379"
            ports:
              - "3000:3000"
            restart: unless-stopped
            volumes:
              - docmost:/app/data/storage
          db:
            image: postgres:16-alpine
            environment:
              POSTGRES_DB: docmost
              POSTGRES_USER: docmost
              POSTGRES_PASSWORD: STRONG_DB_PASSWORD
            restart: unless-stopped
            volumes:
              - db_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
          redis:
            image: redis:7.2-alpine
            restart: unless-stopped
            volumes:
              - redis_data:/data
        volumes:
          docmost:
          db_data:
          redis_data:
        ```
        
    * Replace `APP_URL` with your chosen domain (e.g., `https://example.com`).
        
    * Generate a long random secret key for `APP_SECRET` using `openssl rand -hex 32`.
        
    * Replace `STRONG_DB_PASSWORD` with a secure password for the PostgreSQL database.
        
2. **Start the Services**
    
    * Ensure you are inside the `docmost` directory containing the `docker-compose.yml` file.
        
    * Run the following command to start the services:
        
        ```bash
        docker-compose up -d
        ```
        
    * Verify the installation by opening your web browser and navigating to `http://localhost:3000` or the domain that points to your server. You should see the Docmost setup page to configure your workspace and account.
        
3. **Post-Installation**
    
    * After a successful setup, you will become the workspace owner and can invite other users to join your workspace.
        
    * For additional configuration such as email setup or file storage, refer to the [**Docmost documentation**](https://docmost.com/docs/installation/).
        

### **Conclusion**

Docmost is a powerful and flexible tool for managing documentation and knowledge bases. Its open-source nature allows for customization and control, making it a great alternative to proprietary solutions like Notion. By following the installation steps above, you can quickly set up Docmost and start collaborating with your team.

**Homepage**

> [https://docmost.com/](https://docmost.com/)

**Github repo**

> [https://github.com/docmost/docmost](https://github.com/docmost/docmost)