--- /dev/null
+---
+title: "Open Source Documentation Software"
+---
+
+
+BookStack is proud to be an open source & free alternative to many existing closed-source & paid offerings.
+On this page we'll go though the reasons why we think using an open source documentation option
+can be a benefit to you or your business.
+
+### Control Your Own Data
+
+BookStack is self-hosted open source software, meaning that we supply the code for you
+to run on your own systems within your own environment, or in a location where you trust.
+You don't need to put your faith in a third party to keep your information secure and
+you don't need to keep track of what other parties they may be sending your data to.
+
+Hosted closed-source services often sneak in the use of various tools, to help meet
+business requirements, such as usage analytics and marketing tracking.
+Even in the best intentions of such uses, they can sometimes leak more data and present
+another entity that needs to be trusted. This can especially complicate implementation
+when you are storing details of customers, where they may have their own security
+requirements. With BookStack, we don't need to include such systems since we get
+feedback direct from the community. If you don't trust us the source code is freely
+available for self-review, and you can sandbox/limit your own instance within your
+own environment as much as necessary.
+
+### Free in Price, Free in Limits
+
+BookStack is a free documentation platform, meaning you can start up an instance without
+spending any money on the software, with direct access to the code needed. No sign-up
+form where you have to provide your email, no salesperson chasing you down while assess
+the product.
+
+Many paid offerings charge per user per month/year. Having to get finance involved can
+be a hinderance to wider adoption, which can be vital for the success of a documentation
+platform. For your central information, concern of payment should not be a point of contention
+when trying to onboard a new department. We believe access to a shared information store should
+be as frictionless as possible.
+
+Even if you can afford a paid offering now, that may not be the case down the line once prices
+are raised or when profits are limited. You don't want to be in position of deciding who
+loses access in an effort to reduce costs. Nor would you want to promote insecure practices
+(such as user account sharing) to meet user limits.
+
+Speaking of insecure practices, we don't charge extra for advanced authentication features
+like many paid services do. Once something is added to the core code-base, its available
+to all. Features like SAML2, LDAP and multi-factor-auth are baked into the platform.
+
+### Customize to Requirements
+
+Since BookStack is open source under the MIT license, you can take the source code and make
+whatever changes are needed to make it fit your usage. This isn't an ideal route for most users
+on a day-to-day basis, since you'll need to maintain any such changes as BookStack evolves, but it
+can be extremely useful in a pinch if there's an ability/feature/tweak you absolutely need which has not
+been implemented in the core project. By using in-house development skills, or by finding a developer
+familiar with the popular frameworks we use, you can achieve anything that's possible since you have
+free access to the code. Conversely, when using a hosted closed source offering, you have little option
+other than to hope the service provider listens to, and implements, your request.
+
+### Open Development
+
+Even if not looking to hack around your own instance, our work is done in the open and we're
+available via fairly direct means on GitHub, Discord or Reddit. Rather than providing feedback
+via a non-responsive support portal, you can get involved and join development discussions
+directly and even help out with the project if desired.
+By being part of an open project you can help in building a platform that can then be used
+by anyone else, no matter their location or financial capabilities. Even if core development
+work stops, the project is under a license which means it can be forked by anyone else to continue
+development. That same cannot be said for a closed system.
+
+---
+
+[Read more about the features of BookStack on our homepage »](/#features)
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