Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Campsite

La Suite Docs is a collaborative editor for notes, wiki pages, and internal documentation that helps teams turn documents into structured knowledge. It focuses on real-time co-editing, organized pages, and secure sharing.

Key Features

• Real-time collaborative editing powered by CRDT-based synchronization
• Block-based rich-text editor with slash commands and Markdown input
• Granular access control for documents and workspaces
• Subpages to organize content into navigable knowledge structures
• Offline editing with automatic sync when back online
• Export to multiple formats (with optional components depending on licensing)
• Built-in AI actions for rewriting, summarizing, translation, and typo fixing

Use Cases

• Team knowledge base and lightweight internal wiki
• Collaborative meeting notes and project documentation
• Shared writing workspace for public-sector or enterprise teams needing access controls

Limitations and Considerations

• Some export capabilities rely on optional components that may introduce GPL-licensed dependencies depending on build configuration

La Suite Docs is a strong fit for organizations that want an editor-first documentation tool with live collaboration and structured knowledge building. It can be deployed in production using containerized setups, and scales to larger installations when paired with appropriate infrastructure.

HedgeDoc (formerly CodiMD) is an open-source, web-based Markdown editor focused on real-time collaboration. It enables teams to co-edit notes in the browser, share note links, and work together on text, diagrams, and presentations.

Key Features

• Real-time collaborative editing in the browser
• Markdown-based notes with support for diagrams and embedded content
• Presentation mode for Markdown slides
• Simple note permission controls for sharing and editing
• Revision history with the ability to review and revert changes
• Designed to run with low system requirements

Use Cases

• Team meeting notes and collaborative documentation
• Workshops, classes, and live note-taking sessions
• Creating Markdown slide decks for internal presentations

Limitations and Considerations

• HedgeDoc 2 is a rewrite and the development branch may not include all features compared to the stable 1.x releases

HedgeDoc is well-suited for groups that want a fast, link-shareable collaborative editor with Markdown-centric workflows. It combines realtime editing with practical publishing features like revisions and presentation mode for everyday knowledge sharing.

Tailchat is an open source “noIM” (not only instant messaging) team collaboration app that combines chat with an extensible platform for integrating tools and workflows. It supports multi-group workspaces, panels for organizing topics, and a plugin-centered approach for customization.

Key Features

• Real-time messaging with multiple message types (text, links, mentions, images, files) and reactions
• Workspace and group structure with panels to organize conversations by topic
• Inbox-style notifications for mentions and plugin events
• Plugin center for extending the UI and embedding tools (e.g., whiteboards, conferencing, utilities)
• Bot and open platform integrations via simple URL requests or OpenAPI apps
• Built-in RBAC permission system with roles and permission points that plugins can extend
• Optional AI assistant features such as rewriting, simplifying text, and summarizing chat history
• Multi-platform support with web-based UI and dedicated clients for native capabilities

Use Cases

• Replacing Slack/Discord-style chat for teams that want deeper customization
• Building an internal collaboration hub by embedding third-party tools through plugins
• Adding automation and notifications from external systems using bots and OpenAPI

Limitations and Considerations

• The third-party developer interfaces and plugin APIs may still evolve and can introduce breaking changes over time

Tailchat fits teams that want a modern chat experience but also need a flexible integration and extension model. Its plugin system and RBAC design make it suitable for both small groups and larger, structured organizations.

Converse.js is a modern, feature-rich XMPP (Jabber) chat client that runs entirely in the web browser. It can be deployed as a full-page web app or embedded into existing websites as an overlay or inline widget.

Key Features

• Multiple UI modes: full-page app, overlay chat boxes, or embedded components
• Direct messages and multi-user chat rooms (MUC)
• OMEMO end-to-end encryption (server support required)
• Message features such as corrections, retractions, moderation, reactions, and styling
• HTTP File Upload support for file sharing (server support required)
• Desktop notifications and presence/status indicators
• Extensive XMPP protocol support (wide range of XEPs)
• Plugin-based architecture for customization and extensions
• Internationalization with many community translations

Use Cases

• Add an embeddable chat widget to a community or support website backed by an XMPP server
• Provide a browser-based client for an organization’s existing XMPP/Jabber infrastructure
• Host secure group chat rooms with moderation features for teams or public communities

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature availability depends on the connected XMPP server and enabled XEP support (for example, OMEMO, file upload, URL previews)

Converse.js is a strong option for anyone needing a standards-based web chat client with flexible embedding options. Its broad XMPP support and extensibility make it suitable for both simple deployments and deep integrations.

Stoat is an open-source chat and community platform (formerly known as Revolt) that provides text channels, direct messages, role/permission controls, moderation tools, and rich media support. The project is implemented as a modular Rust backend with companion services and a web-native client, designed for self-hosting and community-focused deployments.

Key Features

• Modular Rust-based backend split into multiple crates (REST API, WebSocket events, file server, proxy, daemons) for separation of responsibilities and scalability.
• Deployable with Docker Compose and Nix; includes Dockerfile and compose examples for local and production deployment environments.
• Integrates common infra components documented in the repo: MongoDB for primary storage, Redis for transient/cache needs, MinIO (S3-compatible) for file storage, and RabbitMQ for messaging/queues.
• Provides WebSocket and REST APIs, presence and event servers, a file server with S3-compatible storage handling, and Tenor proxy support for GIFs.
• Web and desktop clients are supported; the repository and docs reference a web client workflow (build with Node/Yarn tooling) and platform downloads.
• Fine-grained permissions, moderation and bot support aimed at community management; emphasis on privacy and GDPR-aligned practices.

Use Cases

• Host community servers for gaming, hobby, or interest groups requiring channel-based chat and moderation tools.
• Private team or organization chat deployments with self-hosted infrastructure and custom integrations.
• Custom deployments that need S3-compatible file storage, event-driven messaging, and WebSocket-based real-time updates.

Limitations and Considerations

• Real-time voice/video features have historically been limited or under active development; audio/voice support may be experimental or staged and can require additional infrastructure (example configs reference LiveKit).
• Federation with external networks is not implemented by default and has been indicated as low priority; cross-server federation is not a built-in feature.
• Self-hosting requires multiple supporting services (MongoDB, Redis, MinIO, RabbitMQ) and moderate operational knowledge; resource and orchestration planning is necessary for larger deployments.

Stoat is a production-focused, open-source alternative to proprietary chat platforms, built primarily in Rust with container-first deployment patterns. It targets communities and teams that want control over their data and infrastructure while providing modern chat features.

Wiki-Go is a modern, databaseless flat-file wiki platform built with Go. It stores content as Markdown in a flat-file structure and offers features for knowledge bases, documentation, and collaboration without requiring an external database.

Key Features

• Full Markdown editing with emoji, Mermaid diagrams, and LaTeX math
• Smart full-text search with highlighting and advanced filters
• Hierarchical page structure with version history
• User management, access control, and private wiki mode
• Comments with moderation and markdown support
• No external database; file-based storage, easy backups
• Instant setup via Docker or prebuilt binaries
• Custom logos, banners, shortcodes, and more
• Link management with automatic metadata fetching and categorization
• Interactive Kanban boards for project management

Use Cases

• Team documentation and internal wikis for product teams
• Public documentation portals and knowledge bases
• Personal knowledge bases and collaborative projects

Limitations and Considerations

• Non-SSL setups require allow_insecure_cookies: true; this reduces security and should only be used in trusted networks; TLS is recommended for production.
• Default admin credentials exist; change them immediately after first login to secure the wiki.

Conclusion

Wiki-Go provides a lightweight, self-contained wiki workflow with Markdown-centric content, easy deployment via Docker or binaries, and no external database dependencies, making it suitable for teams and individuals for knowledge management.