Documentation · head to head
MkDocs vs GitBook
MkDocs
Documentation
Static site generator for project documentation in Markdown
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
GitBook
Documentation
Hosted documentation platform with Git synchronisation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: MkDocs no built-in versioning, which Docusaurus provides and documentation teams eventually need; GitBook hosted, so you do not own the rendering pipeline and are subject to platform changes
- They diverge on capability: MkDocs covers Plain Markdown, GitBook covers Two-way Git sync.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MkDocs and GitBook 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 MkDocs
- Plain Markdown
- Single YAML config
- Material theme
- Live preview
Only in GitBook
- Two-way Git sync
- Visual editor
- Hosted and searchable
- Versioning and spaces
- Access control
- Publishing workflow
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
MkDocs
Free- MkDocsFree
- Full functionality
- Commercial use permitted
- Community support
GitBook
Free- FreeFree
- Public documentation
- Basic editing
- Community support
Which should you pick?
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.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is MkDocs or GitBook better?
- Neither clearly leads. MkDocs starts at Free and GitBook at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MkDocs or GitBook?
- MkDocs starts at Free and GitBook at Free.
- Does MkDocs or GitBook run on more platforms?
- MkDocs runs on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows. GitBook runs on Web, Cloud.
- Can I use MkDocs for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is MkDocs best used for?
- MkDocs is most often used for project documentation for teams that would rather not run a javascript toolchain, python projects keeping docs beside the code, documentation that must build fast in ci on every commit. Of those, project documentation for teams that would rather not run a javascript toolchain and python projects keeping docs beside the code are not what GitBook is typically brought in for.
- What can MkDocs do that GitBook cannot?
- MkDocs covers Plain Markdown, Single YAML config, Material theme, Live preview. GitBook covers Two-way Git sync, Visual editor, Hosted and searchable, Versioning and spaces.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
MkDocs: Is MkDocs free?
Yes, open source under the BSD licence. The Material theme has a free version and a paid Insiders edition.
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: 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: 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: Does MkDocs support versioned docs?
Not natively. Plugins such as mike add it, where Docusaurus includes versioning in core.
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.