Documentation · head to head
GitBook vs MkDocs
GitBook
Documentation
Hosted documentation platform with Git synchronisation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
MkDocs
Documentation
Static site generator for project documentation in Markdown
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GitBook hosted, so you do not own the rendering pipeline and are subject to platform changes; MkDocs no built-in versioning, which Docusaurus provides and documentation teams eventually need
- They diverge on capability: GitBook covers Two-way Git sync, MkDocs covers Plain Markdown.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GitBook and MkDocs actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Documentation).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in GitBook
- Two-way Git sync
- Visual editor
- Hosted and searchable
- Versioning and spaces
- Access control
- Publishing workflow
Only in MkDocs
- Plain Markdown
- Single YAML config
- Material theme
- Live preview
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GitBook
- Documentation written by product and support staff as well as engineersnot MkDocs
- Public product docs that need hosting, search and access control managednot MkDocs
- Teams wanting Git history without forcing everyone into a repositorynot MkDocs
MkDocs
- Project documentation for teams that would rather not run a JavaScript toolchainnot GitBook
- Python projects keeping docs beside the codenot GitBook
- Documentation that must build fast in CI on every commitnot GitBook
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GitBook
- Hosted, so you do not own the rendering pipeline and are subject to platform changes
- Git sync is powerful but conflicts between browser and repository edits are confusing to resolve
- Pricing scales per user, which gets expensive where many people contribute occasionally
- Less customisable than a static site generator you control end to end
MkDocs
- No built-in versioning, which Docusaurus provides and documentation teams eventually need
- Extending past the theme means writing Python plugins
- Markdown only, so embedding interactive components is not the model
Pricing, plan by plan
GitBook
Free- FreeFree
- Public documentation
- Basic editing
- Community support
MkDocs
Free- MkDocsFree
- Full functionality
- Commercial use permitted
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose GitBook if
- You need two-way git sync.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Cloud.
- You also want visual editor.
Choose MkDocs if
- You need plain markdown.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows.
- You also want single yaml config.
Questions people ask
- Is GitBook or MkDocs better?
- Neither clearly leads. GitBook starts at Free and MkDocs at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GitBook or MkDocs?
- GitBook starts at Free and MkDocs at Free.
- Does GitBook or MkDocs run on more platforms?
- GitBook runs on Web, Cloud. MkDocs runs on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows.
- Can I use GitBook for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GitBook best used for?
- GitBook is most often used for documentation written by product and support staff as well as engineers, public product docs that need hosting, search and access control managed, teams wanting git history without forcing everyone into a repository. Of those, documentation written by product and support staff as well as engineers and public product docs that need hosting, search and access control managed are not what MkDocs is typically brought in for.
- What can GitBook do that MkDocs cannot?
- GitBook covers Two-way Git sync, Visual editor, Hosted and searchable, Versioning and spaces. MkDocs covers Plain Markdown, Single YAML config, Material theme, Live preview.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
GitBook: Is GitBook free?
There is a free tier for public documentation, with paid team plans above it. Check current rates with the vendor.
MkDocs: Is MkDocs free?
Yes, open source under the BSD licence. The Material theme has a free version and a paid Insiders edition.
GitBook: How does Git sync work?
Changes made in the browser commit to the connected repository, and commits to the repository appear in GitBook, so both editing routes stay in step.
MkDocs: MkDocs or Docusaurus?
MkDocs is simpler and faster to adopt, especially for Python teams. Docusaurus offers versioning, internationalisation and React components, which matter once documentation grows.
GitBook: GitBook or Docusaurus?
GitBook is hosted and lets non-technical people write directly. Docusaurus is free and fully controllable but assumes contributors work in a repository.
MkDocs: Does MkDocs support versioned docs?
Not natively. Plugins such as mike add it, where Docusaurus includes versioning in core.