Confluence is a solid tool—but it's not the only game in town. If your team is outgrowing it, struggling with its limitations, or just looking for a better fit, you've got options. This guide breaks down the top Confluence alternatives to help you find a solution that works with your team, not against it.

What you'll learn in this section:

• The best Confluence alternatives for 2025, including paid, free, and open source options

• Key features to look for in a collaboration and documentation tool

• The top open source alternatives for more control and flexibility

• How popular tools like Notion, Google Docs, and Jira stack up against Confluence

• Tips for choosing the right platform based on your team's size, budget, and workflow

Let's explore what else is out there—and help you find the right tool to take your team's collaboration to the next level. After all, a Deloitte study found that 73% of employees in collaborative environments report improved performance, and 60% say it sparks innovation.

What Is a Good Replacement for Confluence?

A good Confluence replacement should offer real-time collaboration, seamless integrations, and intuitive knowledge management that fits your team's workflow and budget.

The right alternative depends on what you're looking to improve—whether it's simplifying your interface, enhancing integrations, cutting costs, or boosting real-time collaboration. For example, if your team wants AI-driven knowledge management with enterprise search and integrated wikis, Guru is a standout choice, especially since AI systems have been linked to a 40% improvement in project turnaround times.

On the other hand, Notion or ClickUp might be better if you need an all-in-one workspace with task management baked in. The key is to assess your priorities and explore tools that excel where Confluence may fall short.

Key Features to Look for in a Confluence Alternative

When considering a shift from Confluence, it's crucial to keep an eye out for a few core capabilities that can make or break your team's collaborative efforts—in fact, one Salesforce report found that 86% of business leaders attribute workplace failures to a lack of collaborative teamwork.

• Collaborative Document Creation and Editing: Real-time collaboration features are key. Look for platforms with collaborative editing that allow multiple teams and users to write and edit documents simultaneously.

• Task and Project Management: Your project managers will thank you—an integrated task management system helps in aligning content creation with project timelines and deliverables.

• Integration with Other Tools: The best alternatives seamlessly blend into your existing tech stack, enhancing productivity without the need for constant switching between applications.

• Customization and Flexibility: Each team has its own workflow. Customizable platforms ensure that the tool adapts to your needs, not the other way around.

• Pricing and Affordability: Budget constraints are real. It's essential to find a tool that offers the best value for your team members' specific requirements.

Quick comparison framework

Factor: Team Size
Why It Matters: Affects collaboration needs and complexity
What to Look For: Scalable user management, role-based permissions

Factor: Budget
Why It Matters: Determines feature access and long-term viability
What to Look For: Transparent pricing, value per user

Factor: Integrations
Why It Matters: Seamless workflow without tool switching
What to Look For: Native apps for Slack, Teams, browsers

Factor: Ease of Use
Why It Matters: Faster adoption and reduced training time
What to Look For: Intuitive interface, minimal learning curve

Top 14 Confluence Alternatives

If Confluence isn't quite cutting it for your team anymore, you're in luck—there's no shortage of powerful alternatives out there. Whether you need a more intuitive interface, deeper integrations, or better alignment with your workflow, the right solution is within reach. Here are 14 standout tools worth exploring, each with unique strengths to match different team needs and collaboration styles.

1. Guru

• Best for: Creating an AI-powered Source of Truth that unifies company knowledge and delivers verified answers everywhere work happens

• Key features: Cited permission-aware answers, AI search and chat, Deep company research, Browser extension, Integrations with Slack, Teams, Chrome, Salesforce, and Google Drive

• Ideal team: Enterprises needing a governed, AI-driven knowledge platform to keep information accurate and accessible across tools

2. Notion

• Best for: All-in-one workspace combining docs, tasks, and databases

• Key features: Customizable templates, real-time collaboration, flexible organization

• Ideal team: Startups and creative teams wanting workspace flexibility

3. Document360

• Best for: Specialized knowledge base for product and support documentation

• Key features: Markdown editor, version control, team analytics, multilingual support

• Ideal team: Customer support and product teams building documentation at scale

4. SharePoint

• Best for: Enterprise collaboration integrated with Microsoft 365

• Key features: Document libraries, web parts, Teams integration, Office apps

• Ideal team: Large enterprises using Microsoft 365 ecosystem

5. Google Docs and Google Sites

• Best for: Simple collaboration within Google Workspace

• Key features: Real-time editing, voice typing, Drive integration, site customization

• Ideal team: Teams embedded in Google ecosystem

6. Nuclino

• Best for: Lightweight knowledge base and collaboration

• Key features: Various view options, instant search, markdown editing

• Ideal team: Small teams needing fast, intuitive documentation

7. Slite

• Best for: Centralized team documentation hub

• Key features: Organizational channels, threaded comments, Slack integration

• Ideal team: Remote teams seeking minimalistic documentation

8. Dropbox Paper

• Best for: Collaborative workspace integrated with Dropbox

• Key features: Task management, timeline tracking, multimedia support

• Ideal team: Teams using Dropbox for file management

9. Quip

• Best for: Document collaboration with Salesforce integration

• Key features: Embedded spreadsheets, real-time editing, CRM data sync

• Ideal team: Sales and support teams using Salesforce

10. Tettra

• Best for: Internal knowledge base with minimal setup

• Key features: Simple content creation, Slack notifications, categorization

• Ideal team: Teams relying heavily on Slack

11. Bookstack

• Best for: Open-source structured documentation

• Key features: WYSIWYG editor, book/chapter structure, role-based access

• Ideal team: Tech-savvy teams wanting customizable documentation

12. Slab

• Best for: Team knowledge with strong integrations

• Key features: Unified search, topic tags, GitHub/Slack integrations

• Ideal team: Tech and product teams

13. ClickUp

• Best for: All-in-one productivity platform

• Key features: Custom dashboards, nested docs, goal tracking, 1,000+ integrations

• Ideal team: Cross-functional teams unifying project management and docs

14. Bullet

• Best for: Modern knowledge sharing interface

• Key features: Real-time collaboration, smart templates, advanced permissions

• Ideal team: Small to mid-sized teams wanting user-friendly documentation

Confluence alternatives - free

No budget for a Confluence alternative? No problem! If you're exploring free alternatives to Confluence that haven't been covered in the top 14 list, there are several other options worth considering. Each of these platforms offers unique features and capabilities that might be just what your team needs for effective collaboration and knowledge management.

1. MediaWiki
Highlights: The software behind Wikipedia, offering powerful wiki capabilities for content management and collaboration.
Features: Extensive customization options through themes and extensions, strong community support, and a robust revision history feature for tracking changes.

2. DokuWiki
Highlights: A simple and versatile wiki specifically designed for creating documentation of any kind.
Features: No database required, making it easy to maintain and backup; syntax highlighting for code; and access control lists for managing user permissions.

3. TiddlyWiki
Highlights: A unique non-linear notebook for capturing, organizing, and sharing complex information.
Features: Highly portable single HTML file, extensive customization through plugins, macros, and themes; and active community for support.

4. Wiki.js
Highlights: Modern and powerful open-source wiki software that aims to be the ultimate knowledge base solution.
Features: Supports Markdown and HTML content, integrated search engine, responsive design for all devices, and Git-backed storage for version control.

5. Foswiki
Highlights: A web-based platform that allows teams to collaborate and share information securely and efficiently.
Features: Inline editing of pages, version control for tracking changes and reverting to previous versions, and a flexible plugin system for extending functionality.

6. MkDocs
Highlights: A static site generator geared towards building project documentation.
Features: Documentation source files written in Markdown, a variety of themes and plugins for customization, and easy deployment to a host or server.

7. Kanban board tools
Highlights: Kanban boards are visual project management tools that help teams organize and track their work using cards and columns.
Features: Various free tools include Kanban boards in their feature set—these are ideal for visualizing workflows, though they aren't direct Confluence replacements.

8. Zoho Wiki
Highlights: A straightforward tool from Zoho designed for teams to create and share knowledge.
Features: Easy page management, access control, customization, and integration with other Zoho tools.
Note: While Zoho has shifted focus to Zoho Learn, Wiki is still available as a basic internal documentation tool.

9. Hugo
Highlights: A fast, open-source static site generator that's ideal for technical documentation.
Features: Markdown-based content, blazing-fast build times, and a large theme ecosystem tailored to documentation and developer needs.

Each free alternative serves different team needs:

• Wiki tools: MediaWiki, DokuWiki for structured documentation

• Static generators: Hugo, MkDocs for technical docs

• Flexible options: TiddlyWiki, Wiki.js for customizable knowledge bases

Note that free options often require more technical setup than paid alternatives.

Confluence Alternatives - Open Source

The best open source Confluence alternatives include Wiki.js, Bookstack, Joplin, and TiddlyWiki—each offering a unique approach to knowledge management with full control over customization and hosting.

Wiki.js is ideal for technical teams needing a powerful, Git-integrated wiki; Bookstack provides a more structured, book-like format perfect for non-technical users; Joplin serves as a secure, markdown-friendly note-taking tool with cross-device sync; and TiddlyWiki is a highly flexible, portable solution suited for personal or niche documentation.

You can learn more about each of these tools in the free Confluence alternatives section above.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative to Confluence

Choosing a Confluence alternative depends on your team's size, technical needs, and budget. Here are the key factors to evaluate:

• Team Size and Collaboration Needs: The tool should scale with your team and match their level of technical know-how.

• Budget and Pricing: Ensure the costs align with your budget over the long term.

• Ease of Use and Learning Curve: A user-friendly tool is important. There's often a disconnect between leadership and employees—while 90% of C-suite executives are satisfied with their company's tech, only 68% of staff feel the same way. Consider the time investment required to get your team up to speed.

• Integrations with Existing Tools: Your new choice should enhance your current workflow, not complicate it. Choose an alternative with a wide range of integrations.

• Customization and Scalability: The platform should accommodate your team's growth and evolving needs.

Exploring Confluence competitors opens up a world of possibilities for enhancing team collaboration. By focusing on your team's specific needs and considering the factors outlined above, you can select a platform that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Dive into the world of collaboration tools and discover the perfect fit for your team.

Find the right Confluence alternative for your team

Whether you’re looking for more flexibility, better collaboration, or a cleaner interface, there’s a Confluence alternative that fits how your team works. From open-source tools to enterprise-grade AI platforms, the right choice can transform how your organization shares and trusts knowledge.

Guru, your company’s AI Source of Truth, takes collaboration beyond documentation. It connects all your tools and data, delivers cited, permission-aware answers wherever work happens, and keeps information accurate automatically.

Curious how Guru compares? Watch our demo to see how the AI Source of Truth makes knowledge management smarter, faster, and built for modern teams.