Many teams started using Confluence in tandem with Jira but are unsatisfied with the project management experience or use cases beyond basic knowledge management.
In this article, we’ll cover the best Confluence alternatives, highlighting how each suits a different type of company. We’ll cover key features, pricing, and the ideal use case for each option on the list.
What is Confluence?
Confluence is a knowledge management and team collaboration platform designed by Atlassian. It includes various features that help you document and share information about software tools or products.
You may also be familiar with Atlassian’s Jira, another collaboration tool from the same company. But Jira and Confluence are different tools with widely disparate use cases — Jira is designed for Agile project management, while Confluence focuses more on documentation.
Key features
Knowledge management and software documentation — create, collaborate on, and organize wikis or other internal documents
Version control
Wiki and page templates
Advanced page hierarchy
Goals, project, and communication tools like team chat and team spaces
Main use cases
Mainly used by development teams that use Jira for documentation and related collaboration
Knowledge management and wiki creation
Project management
What does Confluence lack compared to its competitors?
With a G2 average rating of 4.1, Atlassian Confluence has a decent customer reputation. Most users are satisfied with its documentation features. For creating a wiki with your team, it’s a decent option.
However, it’s unsuitable for every use case, especially for more advanced knowledge management interfaces. Users accustomed to intuitive user interfaces also raise concerns about the web and mobile app experience in general.
Here are a few recurring complaints we noticed while going through user reviews of Confluence:
There are only static tables and no built-in spreadsheet feature for storing and re-using data across multiple documents.
The user interface is clunky and difficult to navigate between different tools — maybe because it is one of the earliest tools on the market.
The mobile app experience is lacking.
Collaboration features leave much to be desired.
The age of the platform is shown by the clunkiness of grandfathered-in features, the slow speed, etc. Backward compatibility can often lead to disjointed experiences as new features are added separately from the core tool.
Some advanced features are only available through paid plugins.
This is only a quick overview of the limitations of Confluence; depending on your use case, you may experience other issues.
10 best Confluence alternatives for better content collaboration and more in 2024
This section explores alternatives to Confluence for internal knowledge bases, wikis, collaboration, and workflow management. We’ve chosen not to include traditional file storage systems, as most organizations today need to collaborate with remote team members.
We’ve highlighted the ideal use case for each alternative in the title and common use cases to help you find a suitable option for your situation.
1. Lark: Best overall Confluence alternative
Lark is a true all-in-one project management platform with full-fledged knowledge management and document collaboration tools. Lark offers a full-fledged wiki with advanced permissions, rich content (easily leveraging data from other Lark tools), powerful search, and pain-free migration from Confluence.
You can collaborate on the wiki directly, or use the comprehensive Lark Docs suite to plan and organize information — with built-in chat, exportable tables and spreadsheets, and more.
What makes Lark different is that these aren’t separate tools that you need to work hard to get to work together. Lark Base functions as the foundation, connecting tools for wide-ranging use cases like wikis, team calendars, collaborative docs, spreadsheets, goal tracking, approval workflows, and more.
The versatility and seamless collaboration tools makes Lark a uniquely good alternative to Confluence. For example, you can live-edit documents or wikis from within video meetings.
This makes it much easier to collaborate meaningfully. Real-time editing without communication can often lead to writing on top of each other.
Our powerful universal search functionality also helps your teams become more productive by reducing time spent searching for specific pages or sections of content.
Key features
Advanced wiki for internal knowledge management and user guides
Document management complete with collaborative editing, version history, Markdown support, and more
Data management
Low-code platform powering endless customization options
Built-in workspace
Messaging unification — get email, chat, and form-based issue reports in the same inbox
Localization tools, including AI-powered translations in Lark Messenger and automatically translated captions
Full-context search feature across messaging and document records
Pros
More intuitive interface with better tools for collaboration helps your teams work more efficiently
Maintain your Jira workflow with Lark’s Jira integration through Jira Master
Create everything from simple wikis to product roadmaps with specifically designed tools
Cons
Costs slightly more than Confluence per user (but will help you save significantly if you replace tools like Google Workspace and Slack)
Pricing
The regular business plan costs $12 per user per month and gives you access to the powers of:
Confluence
Slack
Gmail/Google Workspace
Zoom
Notion
Asana/ClickUp (or other project management platforms)
With access to all this in one platform, Lark’s pricing can mean big savings for many companies. And if you can replace Atlassian Confluence and another SaaS tool with a single integrated platform, the benefits go beyond just cost savings.
Centralizing information and communication stops data silos from developing and makes search tools more useful.
Plus, if you have less than 50 team members, you can get started with our robust free plan. It even includes many additional features you have to pay for in Confluence, like external collaboration and automation workflows.
Another thing that separates Lark from the pack is our commitment to customer service — we offer 24/7 online support even to our free users (in multiple languages).
2. GitBook: Best option for software development wikis for teams that use GitHub
GitBook is a knowledge management solution designed specifically for development teams. It allows you to create wikis based on your GitHub repo, making it easy to document new version releases and more.
It’s a suitable option for individual developers and small teams that use GitHub repos for their projects.
Key features
Knowledge management with document version history and more
Deep integration and synchronization with GitHub and a wide range of integrations with other tools
Collaborative editing
Pros
Integrates natively with GitHub and other software development tools and platforms
The minimalistic interface makes it easy to use and get started
Wide range of shortcuts help speed up the documentation process, especially for experienced programmers who are used to using shortcuts while coding
Cons
Significantly more expensive than Confluence without extensive features beyond knowledge management
Can be challenging to merge documentation from multiple owners
Pricing
GitBook offers a limited freemium plan for individual users without access to collaboration tools. Paid plans start at $8 per user per month and give you access to advanced access controls, content feedback tracking, and more.
3. Zoho Learn: Best for basic knowledge management for SMBs
Zoho recently integrated Zoho Wiki, their wiki platform, with their learning management software into Zoho Learn. With the ability to create a wiki and step-by-step interactive courses and tutorials, Zoho Learn is a solid option for internal knowledge management. You can, for example, use it to create onboarding materials for new employees.
Key features
Knowledge base including real-time collaborative editing, version history, and more
Live chat and other communication tools integrated
Learning management system for interactive and video courses — create onboarding programs for new employees
Pros
Collaboration on documents is made easier with tools like live chat
Easy to use and set up because of its basic features
Affordable option for small businesses that want a tool to train new employees and document processes
Cons
Not reliable for extracting information from existing documents
Limited features and templates for knowledge bases
Pricing
The free plan only allows up to five users and a single gigabyte of storage — if you use screenshots or other visuals in your documentation, this will be quickly used up.
Paid plans start at $1 per user per month for the express plan (you need this to get access to version history). That makes it a significantly cheaper Confluence alternative than most others on this list (and in general).
4. Google Docs: Best alternative for Google Workspace users
If you already use Google Workspace, or you’re looking for a basic free option, Google Docs and Google Drive together can be a basic knowledge management solution.
You can use it effectively for internal processes, such as creating, reviewing, and editing content that you will later publish elsewhere. But it’s no replacement for an interactive wiki for end users.
Key features
Document management with advanced version history and access controls
Live document collaboration
File management and sharing controls through Google Drive
Pros
Easy to get started with — the interface is probably familiar to your employees and team members already
A variety of templates available online can help you document processes and projects
Cons
Browsing and document hierarchy options are not great
Viewing and browsing files in Google Docs uses much more memory than visiting a regular wiki, making the experience slower (and risks tab freezes)
Knowledge management templates
Pricing
Free plans with limited storage (up to 15 GB per user) are available. Pricing starts at $6 per user to access better support, more robust security features, business email addresses, and more storage.
5. Basecamp: Best collaboration platform for small businesses
Basecamp is a project management platform that includes collaboration and document collaboration tools. Its document tools aren’t perfect for creating a knowledge base, but it offers solid features for live editing and creating documents with your team.
If you use Confluence to manage or document plans and projects, Basecamp could be a viable alternative.
Key features
Collaborative tools, including chat, message boards,
Project management, including to-do lists, notifications, deadlines, progress tracking, and more
Document management, including live editing
Pros
Easy to get started with, as the interface is similar to document editing tools you already know.
Part of an integrated suite of collaboration tools, making it easy to work together on documents.
With a single platform dedicated to each project, it's easy to avoid data silos
Cons
Does not have a dedicated knowledge base tool; working with docs can quickly become clunky as your team scales
For smaller teams, it is more expensive than more polished project and knowledge management tools
Pricing
Pricing starts at $15 per user per month or $299 per month for the pro unlimited plan, which allows unlimited users. Basecamp offers a 30-day free trial of the plan of your choice.
6. ClickUp: Best for workflow management
ClickUp is a project and task management platform with document collaboration tools. If your organization mainly uses Confluence to document workflows as part of an onboarding process, ClickUp may be a better option.
You can assign tasks with step-by-step checklists, create automated workflows that notify managers at key moments (like when it seems a task may be delayed due to a lack of progress), and more.
Key features
Task management tools, including card creation, assignments, checklists, notifications, and progress tracking
Real-time chat (separated by channels or teams)
Document management with version control
Pros
Manage projects effectively with tailored tools and features
Create automated workflows that minimize errors by building in reviews and other measures, which is good for content management
Create knowledge bases for specific projects and teams
Cons
Steep learning curve for setting up automated workflows correctly; If done incorrectly, it can lead to miscommunication and ineffective collaboration
Mobile app experience can be glitchy and slow, especially on Android devices
Pricing
ClickUp offers a free plan with limited features and only 100 MB of storage per user, but unlimited users.
The standard plan with unlimited storage, projects, documents, and advanced features like Gantt Charts and time tracking starts at $7 per user per month.
Want to learn more about how ClickUp compares against other project management solutions? Read our comparisons on Asana vs. ClickUp and ClickUp vs. Monday.
7. Wiki.js: Best open source solution for knowledge management
If you’re looking for an open-source alternative, Wiki.js may be your best choice. You can install it on your server to host your company website.
Key features
Version control
Markdown support
Access and sharing controls
Pros
User interface is sleek, and creating your first wiki is easy
Runs fast thanks to the node.js environment (although this depends on your server and setup)
Offers significant customization options (as you’re hosting the platform yourself)
Cons
Installation can be complicated for users who aren’t familiar with server environments
Platform is still dealing with several bugs (although they are being reported and dealt with since it’s open source, it can take time)
Doesn’t include any collaboration software features
Pricing
While the software is free to use, you must pay for private hosting. If you already have an on-site server or pay for a virtual one, all you have to do is install the software without extra costs.
If you don’t have a server or want to run the wiki on a separate virtual machine, this typically costs around $6 monthly.
8. Slack: Best for chat-based collaboration
Slack may be a viable alternative to Confluence if your workflow is more centered around chats and threads. It does not offer specific knowledge base tools, but the recently released “Slack Canvas” can act as project-specific directions and documents.
While collectively working on a Canvas in a channel is easy, it lacks features like version control and content organization tools.
Key features
Canvas is a basic collaborative document you can work on in specific channels, groups, or direct messages. (With paid plans, you can also create unlimited additional canvases.)
Team and individual chat
Audio and video calls and meetings (Slack Huddles)
Universal search
Pros
Offers reliable and fast search of your entire workspace, including Canvases
Offers a wide range of chat and collaborative features
Many smaller teams can also use Slack channels as a project management tool by using pinned posts and assigning tasks in a Canvas (Think individual sales teams or marketing teams)
Cons
For a knowledge base, Slack is not an adequate alternative to Confluence
Despite its focus on communication and collaboration, Slack doesn’t offer live collaboration tools like digital whiteboards
Pricing
A free plan is available, but you are limited to a single Canvas per channel and conversation. You also can’t hold audio or video calls with groups. Your message history is also limited to 90 days.
Paid plans that include group meetings and unlimited Canvases start at $8.75 per user per month.
If you’re looking for more powerful project management software, these resources may help:
9. Papyrs: Simplest knowledge management and intranet tool
Papyrs is a simple knowledge management and intranet tool designed for small teams with little technical expertise. It can be a good platform for creating educational material for your internal team, like an internal wiki.
The wiki editor is simple and intuitive, making it easy to add and edit various content sections, including navigation links, tables, images, and more.
Key features
Internal wiki tools with version control, hierarchy, and more
Intranet communication features like company event calendars, message boards, and more
Markdown support
Advanced navigation options with folders, preview cards, and more
Pros
Very easy to set up and get started with
User experience of the WYSIWYG editor is smooth and without issues
Can easily customize the navigation to your company's needs
Cons
Downside of its simplicity is that it lacks certain advanced features, such as access controls
Limited communication and collaboration features
Pricing
Papyrs is one of the few options on this list that doesn’t offer per-user pricing. Instead, it offers a variety of tiered plans. It starts with the Team Wiki plan, which offers up to 20 users for $89 per month.
If you want to use a custom domain, you need the Company Wiki plan, which costs $347 monthly.
10. SharePoint: Best for enterprise document management
Microsoft SharePoint is a file and document sharing and collaboration platform designed for enterprises and large organizations. In the new Office 365 version, you can create and manage “sites,” essentially knowledge bases with communication channels for different teams within your organization.
Beyond the built-in message board and communication options, SharePoint integrates natively with MS Teams.
Key features
SharePoint Team Sites — essentially an online intranet for sharing and managing documents and resources
Creation of sites automatically creates a shared email address
Microsoft Teams integration — new teams automatically create document folders in SharePoint
Pros
Seamless integrations with the rest of Microsoft Office tools, including Teams, OneDrive, and more
Streamline communication and documents for specific teams and projects
Use with email to control access to sensitive files compared to attachments
Cons
Platform is complex and requires a steep learning curve to set up correctly; in some parts of the interface, clunky elements from previous versions remain
For use as a knowledge base, the interface isn’t that intuitive
Pricing
Microsoft 365 plans that include SharePoint start at $12.50 per user per month. While this is significantly more expensive than Confluence plans, your organization may already be paying for MS 365. In that case, replacing Confluence with SharePoint would help you save money.
Why does Lark come out on top in a direct comparison with Confluence?
What makes Lark an excellent Confluence alternative is that it provides a better knowledge management experience while also offering a much wider range of features for collaboration and project management.
Plus, Lark Wiki includes a built-in import tool you can use to import all the data from your Confluence knowledge bases. This helps make the transition as smooth and fast as possible.
Here are a few stand-out features that Lark offers (and Confluence doesn’t):
Fully-featured document management, including spreadsheets and data management (that you can use across documents and spaces).
Whereas Confluence has a reputation for slow and glitchy mobile apps, we have invested heavily in creating a robust mobile experience at Lark. As a result, Lark has a 4.9/5 rating in the Apple App Store.
Unified messaging across email and chat to streamline bug management.
Endless customization is possible through a built-in no-code platform.
Uniquely integrated experience across tools and channels.
Lark is a Superapp, a true multipurpose platform for all your productivity and collaboration needs, including knowledge management. It goes far beyond the scope of Confluence while remaining easy to use for new users.
Will it take some getting used to for previous Confluence users? Of course, it’s a transition. But once you get set up and running, your workflows will speed up, and you’ll have no issues with data silos or miscommunication.
Get more than a knowledge base with Lark
Confluence is a good solution for basic knowledge management needs, but it’s not a full-fledged collaboration platform like Lark.
If you need a way to create and manage wikis for your software, Confluence is the solution for you.
But if you want a platform that can help you manage projects, track progress on company-wide goals, and facilitate cutting-edge real-time collaboration, look no further than Lark.
It’s the ultimate all-in-one solution for companies looking to streamline their workflows. Get started with our free plan (for up to 50 users) to experience the difference for yourself.
