How to Duplicate a Notion Page?(2025 Full Guide)
This guide explains how to duplicate a notion pages and workspaces efficiently
Best Open Source Documentation Tools in 2025
Top 10 software documentation tools that simplify development and enhance user experience. Pick the one for your needs!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You open your project folder and stare at dozens of scattered files. Notes are in emails, spreadsheets, and chat threads, and finding the right one takes forever. It’s easy to lose track of what matters most.
This article is for anyone who wants a simple, reliable way to organize knowledge. If you are building software, managing a team, or just keeping track of complex information, open source documentation tools can save hours of frustration.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know the best open source documentation tools in 2025 and which one fits your workflow. You’ll get clear, practical options that make creating, sharing, and updating documents fast and easy.
What is Open-Source Documentation?
Open-source documentation refers to publicly accessible materials that explain how to use, develop, and contribute to open-source software. This type of documentation is crucial for ensuring that users and developers can effectively interact with and build upon the software.
For users, open-source documentation includes:
- User Guides: Step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips.
- Tutorials: Educational resources for learning specific tasks.
- Help Files: FAQs and on-the-spot assistance.
For developers, open-source documentation includes:
- API Documentation: Details on using APIs with endpoint info, parameters, and examples.
- Code Comments: Explanations within the code for easier understanding.
- Developer Guides: Information on software architecture, design patterns, and implementation.
Other key forms of software documentation are:
- Installation Manuals: Guidance on setting up the software.
- Release Notes: Updates on new features and fixes in software versions.
Open-source documentation is essential for fostering community contributions and ensuring that both users and developers can effectively use and enhance the software.
What to Look For in an Open-Source Documentation Tool
When you start comparing tools, don’t judge on name or hype alone. These are the key qualities that matter:
- Ease of use: The tool should feel simple. Your team shouldn’t need a steep learning curve just to write or edit.
- Collaboration & real-time editing: People should be able to work together on docs without conflicts or overwritten changes.
- Version control / history: You need a clear record of edits so you can roll back mistakes or see who changed what.
- Search & navigation: If users can’t find information quickly, your docs fail. Good search and clear structure are essential.
- Flexibility & extensibility: The tool should let you add plugins, integrate with other systems, or change the layout.
- Hosting & deployment options: Self-hosted, cloud, or hybrid, pick what matches your security, cost, and scalability needs.
- Community & support: A vibrant community means updates, plugins, and help when something breaks.
Best Open-Source Documentation Tools
Dealing with a slow editor, unreliable search function, and confusing interface can make documentation frustrating.
A good documentation tool can greatly improve your experience. To help, we’ve evaluated various options and compiled a list of the top 10 tools, including the best free open-source documentation tools.
1. GitBook
GitBook is a versatile and open-source platform for internal documentation, customer knowledge bases, and personal note-taking. It's ideal for centralizing all your documentation, though it lacks some collaboration features found in other options. GitBook excels with GitHub integration, visual customization, advanced version control, and more.
Key Features:
- AI Assistant powered by GPT-4o for smart search, writing help, and quick edits
- Works directly with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket for easy version control
- Free plan with unlimited public docs and team collaboration
- Open integration platform for connecting with other tools
- Multi-language support for teams working across regions
Pros:
- Clean and simple design that helps you create polished docs fast
- Markdown editor that fits right into developer workflows
- AI tools that speed up writing, summarizing, and translation
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) makes your docs easier for AI tools like ChatGPT to understand
Cons:
- Occasional sync delays and slow backend performance
- Few options for deep layout or design customization
- Customer support can be slow to respond
- Works mostly as a static library, with limited automation options
What users say about GitBook:
"Before GitBook our documentation was limited and very hard to find. It is really easy to get started with and the best part is that it supports Markdown. Writing documentation in Markdown is way easier and GitBook makes it easy to organize the content. — (Capterra review)
2. BookStack
BookStack is a versatile wiki-style documentation tool, offering an open-source, self-hosted solution. Although its interface is user-friendly and navigation is smooth, the initial installation may demand technical skills and patience. However, once your documentation platform is operational, it becomes straightforward to onboard your team.
If you favor a self-hosted documentation tool over a cloud-based one, BookStack is certainly worth considering.
Key Features
- Easy editor with both WYSIWYG and Markdown options for flexible writing
- Built-in login system with support for Google, GitHub, Azure AD, Okta, and more
- Page history lets you track changes, view old versions, and manage drafts
- Smart search and organization system with up to four levels: Shelf → Book → Chapter → Page
- Built-in diagrams.net tool to create and add visual diagrams right inside your docs
- Light and dark themes with options for your own brand colors and logo
Pros
- Clean, modern design that’s easy for anyone to use
- Strong permission control with roles that carry down through each level of content
- 100% free and open source—no user limits or hidden costs
- Works in many languages like English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, and Russian
Cons
- Setup takes some technical skill, especially for hosting and server setup
- Since it’s self-hosted, you must handle updates, backups, and security yourself
- Fewer built-in integrations than most cloud-based tools
- No mobile app yet—only works through a web browser
What users say about BookStack:
"The stock interface design has a modern feel and is simple for new users to use. Granular permissions can be set up for specific roles on a per-content basis and permissions will waterfall down to child content. "
3. Read the Docs
Read the Docs is a free tool for software documentation. It streamlines the process for developers by handling tasks like building, versioning, and hosting technical documents. It works well with Sphinx docs in reStructuredText format, automatically handling document building and versioning. The platform prioritizes user-friendly and straightforward documentation.
Key Features:
- Automatically updates and rebuilds your documentation whenever your code changes
- Supports multiple formats like HTML, PDF, and EPUB for online and offline use
- Connects to other tools with webhook events after each build
- Lets you safely add environment variables for secure builds
- Includes built-in analytics to track search activity and page visits
- Helps prevent broken links with redirect management
- Groups related projects under one space using the Subprojects feature
Pros:
- Free for open-source projects, with fair paid plans starting at $50/month
- Keeps your documentation always up to date by rebuilding it automatically
- Comes with built-in authentication, SSL, and custom domains
- Shows live previews of pull requests from GitHub or GitLab before you publish
Cons:
- Works best with Python projects that use Sphinx, though it supports others too
- Takes time to learn if you’re new to Sphinx or reStructuredText
- Limited design and customization options compared to self-hosted tools
- Needs repository integration, which may not fit every workflow
What users say about Read the Docs:
“The whole idea is that you can manage your documentation just like you maintain the code. Their build and hosting make is simple to just add docs and get them online. The project template gets you started super fast and your online docs look good.” — (G2 review)
4. Apiary
Apiary is a specialized platform for API documentation, offering tools for designing, prototyping, documenting, and testing APIs. It enhances teamwork by creating a project blueprint and offers real-time feedback during API development. Apiary also supports both API Blueprint and OpenAPI formats.
Key Features
- Uses API Blueprint, a simple Markdown-style language to define endpoints, parameters, and data formats
- Lets you customize the look and feel of your documentation with themes, branding, and layout options
- Built-in version control helps track every change in your API specifications
- Offers real-time analytics to monitor usage, errors, and performance
- Integrates easily with GitHub, GitLab, and CI/CD pipelines
- Creates interactive, testable documentation, so users can try out APIs directly from the docs
Pros
- Clean, modern interface that makes API documentation easy to read and understand
- Lets you create mock servers directly from API definitions—perfect for front-end teams working before the backend is ready
- Auto-generates interactive docs that stay in sync with your API specs
- Supports team collaboration with role-based permissions and repo syncing
Cons
- Works only with REST APIs and HTTP services—no support for WebSockets or gRPC
- Requires learning API Blueprint, which might not fit teams used to OpenAPI or Swagger
- Enterprise pricing after Oracle’s acquisition can be steep for small companies
- Focuses mainly on mock and design testing, with no advanced load or security test options
What users say about Apiary:
“Apiary has the best UI I have ever discovered. This makes it easy to use and understand. Within the platform, you can push changes to your existing repository. I also love the ability to create a team within some individuals as editors or viewers.” — (G2 review)
5. Doxygen
Doxygen is an open-source tool that produces documentation from annotated source code in languages like C++, C#, Java, and more. It can create online HTML documentation and offline LaTeX reference manuals directly from the source files, ensuring consistency between code and documentation.
Key Features:
- Automatically generates docs from specially formatted code comments
- Supports many programming languages like C++, Java, Python, PHP, and C#
- Produces HTML for online docs and LaTeX for offline reference
- Lets you customize output with a simple configuration file
- Links related code elements automatically with cross-references
- Generates diagrams to show class hierarchies and code relationships
Pros:
- Keeps documentation consistent with your code
- Works with multiple programming languages
- Creates helpful visual diagrams for better understanding
- Completely free and open-source
Cons:
- Documentation syntax can be tricky and take time to maintain
- Some advanced features from paid tools are missing
- Needs technical knowledge to set up and configure
- The look of the generated docs can feel old-fashioned
What users say about Doxygen:
“Doxygen can generate documentation from formatted comments in the source code. This is extremely useful when writing detailed man pages. Doxygen is compatible with multiple languages. — (Slant review)
6. Google Docs
Google Docs is the leading free online document management system. It's cloud-based, so you can store and access your documents from any browser with a Gmail account. It offers efficient control and management of your files, and allows unlimited users.
Key Features:
- Stores documents in the cloud and saves them automatically across all your devices
- AI tools help draft and improve documents quickly
- Fast search to find any document in seconds
- Ready-made templates for reports, letters, and other professional documents
- Export files in Word, PDF, or other common formats
- Works with Google Calendar, Drive, and other Google Workspace apps
- Unlimited users with no extra cost
Pros:
- Completely free with no subscription fees, saving money over paid apps
- Easy-to-use interface, similar to Microsoft Office
- Multiple people can edit at the same time from anywhere
- Keeps full version history so you can see past changes
Cons:
- Needs a steady internet connection; offline use is limited
- No way to password-protect sensitive files
- Spelling and grammar tools are not as strong as Microsoft Word
- Fewer design, formatting, and graphic options than desktop apps
What users say about Google Docs:
“Super easy to use since it's just like Microsoft Office. Great if your device doesn't have Office and you need to use the same platforms.” — (GetApp)
7. Bitrix 24
Bitrix24, a top-notch free document management system, is accessible both on the cloud and on-premises. It boasts data centers in the USA and Ireland for hassle-free file storage and management. It supports various intranet services like calendars, galleries, wikis, and offers WebDAV support for improved functionality.
Key Features:
- Store all documents in one place with easy sharing and teamwork
- Calendar and scheduling tools to plan meetings and team tasks
- Assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress
- Track time and monitor projects for productivity
- Connect with 550+ apps like HubSpot, Zapier, Salesforce, and Zoho CRM
- Keep data safe with GDPR compliance, SSL encryption, and access controls
- WebDAV support for better file handling and intranet use
Pros:
- Free plan supports unlimited users and lots of features
- Workflows and processes can be customized for your team
- Built-in chat, video calls, and social intranet for smooth teamwork
- Automate tasks for sales, marketing, projects, and documents
Cons:
- Many features can make the interface feel crowded and hard to learn
- Mobile app is missing some desktop features
- Setup takes time and effort to fully configure
- Advanced tools and deeper integrations need paid plans
What users say about Bitrix24:
“I like being able to correctly plan tasks, have a clear timetable, and promptly obtain help with the work process. What I like best is that it is an all-in-one tool that helps with work management and team interaction, and it also includes video conference capacity.” — (G2 review)
8. OpenKM
OpenKM is a popular electronic document and record management system based on open-source technology. It works well with browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer. The free version of OpenKM allows for customized automation of documentation processes and supports various file formats including text, office, open office, XMS, PDF, HTML, JPEG, and more.
Key Features:
- Store and organize documents with folders, bookmarks, and multiple workspaces
- Automate workflows with custom processes and approval steps
- Track every change with version control
- Control who can see or edit documents with detailed user permissions
- Capture emails and store them directly in the system
- Keep audit logs and generate reports for compliance
- Access documents on mobile devices
- Extract data from documents using OCR, with options to connect to commercial tools
Pros:
- Handles documents, workflows, and team collaboration all in one
- Automates tasks based on document activity, saving time
- Fast search across large libraries using Lucene
- Supports many file types and advanced document scanning
Cons:
- Customer support can be slow at times
- Indexing may fail occasionally, needing tech help
- Interface is not always easy for new users
- Some advanced tools need technical know-how to set up
What users say about OpenKM:
“We have had a good experience, the software fulfills its purpose even with plenty of features, just with a couple of customer service problems. We feel comfortable with the application.” — (GetApp)
9. Nuexo
Nuxeo, an open-source document management system, is readily available for free download and can be used on various platforms, alleviating concerns about compatibility. This software boasts excellent support and advanced features, ensuring a user-friendly experience
Key Features:
- Stores and manages all types of documents in one central place
- Automates workflows to handle complex business tasks
- Manages media files and rich digital content easily
- Works on different platforms for flexible deployment
- Offers Nuxeo Studio for visual customization and setup
- Connects with other enterprise systems and apps
- Built to scale for both small and large organizations
Pros:
- Open-source design gives transparency and control over your platform
- Works well with modern tools for complex content management needs
- Can be customized to fit specific business requirements
- Handles digital assets and business workflows effectively
Cons:
- Customization can be tricky and may need technical skills
- Can cost more than simpler tools like LogicalDOC
- Nuxeo Studio, needed for advanced changes, is paid
- Teams without content management experience may need time to learn
What users say about Nuxeo:
“Nuxeo Platform's "Open Source" nature helped make us very comfortable with their architecture and capabilities. While the Nuxeo Platform is open and free for use, it's ultimately the Nuxeo Studio product that costs money, and we believe it to be well worth it.” — (Capterra)
10. LogicalDoc
LogicalDoc is a versatile document management software, offering both professional and community editions. The community edition, available for free download under the GNU license, provides a range of features for efficient document and file management.
Key Features
- Organize documents with folders, bookmarks, and search across multiple workspaces.
- Keep track of all changes with version control.
- Use familiar Office tools thanks to built-in integration.
- Access network resources through external SMB shares.
- Pull emails directly into the system for easy storage.
- Secure documents with a central security model and clear structure.
- Work remotely with mobile and distributed team access.
- Connect with staff intranets and other systems for smooth workflow.
Pros
- Affordable and flexible, making it easy for teams on a budget.
- Clean, interactive interface that is easy to understand and use.
- Strong security, including two-factor login and single sign-on.
- Can read text from images and scanned files with OCR for faster processing.
Cons
- Data entry forms are basic and not very visual.
- Entering multiple records is slow, as each cell must be filled individually.
- Sometimes indexing stops working, needing support to fix it.
- Works best in certain browsers; recent Chrome versions may cause issues.
What users say about LogicalDoc:
“We were looking for a friendly and robust application to handle version control of several kinds of documents and LogicalDOC has fully satisfied our expectations.” — (GetApp)
A Quick Comparison
Tool | Hosting | Collaboration | Customization | Learning Curve | Mobile Access | Pricing |
GitBook | Cloud | ✅ Real-time, team editing | Moderate (themes + integrations) | Easy | Web + Mobile app | Free (with premium options) |
BookStack | Self-hosted | ✅ Role-based, permission control | High (themes, diagrams) | Moderate | Web only | Free & Open-source |
Read the Docs | Cloud | Limited (version control via Git) | Low | Moderate | Web only | Free (OSS), Paid plans start $50/mo |
Apiary | Cloud | ✅ Real-time team collaboration | Moderate | Moderate | Web only | Paid plans |
Doxygen | Self-hosted | Limited (via repo) | High (code comments & config) | High | Web only | Free & Open-source |
Google Docs | Cloud | ✅ Real-time editing, comments | Low | Easy | Web + Mobile app | Free |
Bitrix24 | Cloud & On-Prem | ✅ Team chat + docs + tasks | Moderate | Moderate | Web + Mobile app | Free (with paid upgrades) |
OpenKM | Self-hosted | ✅ Workflow automation & permissions | High | Moderate | Web + Mobile | Free & Paid |
Nuxeo | Cloud & On-Prem | ✅ Team collaboration | High | High | Web only | Free & Paid |
LogicalDoc | Cloud & On-Prem | ✅ Team access & version control | Moderate | Moderate | Web + Mobile | Free Community Edition |
Limitation of Open source documentation tools
While there are numerous open-source documentation tools available, many of them present challenges, and here area few:
- Complexity: Open-source documentation tools can be difficult to set up and use, especially for non-technical users or those unfamiliar with coding or command-line interfaces, which can be a barrier for beginners or teams with limited expertise.
- Limited Support: While active communities provide support, it may not be as comprehensive as the support offered by commercial documentation tools, leaving users with fewer resources.
- Feature Limitations: Some open-source documentation tools may lack key features or functionality that are available in commercial alternatives, reducing overall effectiveness.
- Collaboration & SEO Challenges: Open source tools may lack advanced collaboration features like real-time editing, commenting, and version control, and may also not offer built-in SEO optimization tools, requiring extra setup or third-party plugins.
In contrast, tools like Bullet.so, Notion, Document 360 and more are designed to specifically address these concerns for documentation development.
Build complex documentation effortlessly with seamless collaboration. Know more
Build a beautiful documentation site from Notion pages with Bullet
Bullet is a no-code Notion Website Builder that integrates seamlessly with Notion. This means you can create stunning websites like documentation sites, blogs, landing pages, portfolios, and many more in just a few minutes without writing a single line of code! It's perfect for anyone who wants an easy way to transform their Notion workspace into a polished, professional documentation site.
Here's what makes Bullet.so so special for creating a documentation site:
- Real-time Customization: Make changes to your Notion content and see them reflected on your documentation instantly. No more waiting for refreshes or complex code deployments!
- Custom Domain Support: Give your documentation site a professional touch with your own custom domain name. This will make your documentation site look more established and trustworthy.
- Multilingual Site: Reach a wider audience by creating documentation sites in multiple languages. Bullet makes it easy to translate your Notion content and display it in different languages.
- AI-powered styling: Automatically style your site with AI-generated designs. Simply give instructions or upload a reference image, and Bullet AI applies colors, fonts, spacing, borders, and more, making your site look professional with minimal effort.
- Membership Option: Bullet allows you to monetize even your documentation through memberships. You can create premium content that only paying members can access. This is a great way to generate revenue.
Bullet.so is also perfect solution for others like:
- Users who want to create a website without any coding
- Content creators who want to share their work in a professional format
- Businesses that want to create a simple and effective website
Here is some great feedback I got from the bullet user:
Now being everything present in Notion, everyone can update the production documentation seamlessly and we have the benefits of SEO. Bullet just made our lives easier. - Sachin Jain, CEO @ Requestly
Final Thoughts
In this guide, we explored the top tools available in 2025. Some are perfect for developers, some for teams who want self-hosted control, and others for anyone who needs simple, collaborative document management. Each tool has strengths and weaknesses, but the right choice depends on your workflow, team size, and needs.
If you want something easy to set up, flexible, and fast, you can use Bullet.so can make building and managing your documentation effortless. With real-time updates, AI styling, and membership options, it turns your notes into a polished, professional site; without the technical headache.
Good documentation should make your life easier, not harder. Choose the tool that fits your team, start organizing, and spend less time searching and more time creating.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some free documentation tools for developers?
Free documentation tools like GitBook, BookStack, and Read the Docs provide valuable features for developers without any cost. These tools help manage and create documentation efficiently.
2. What are the best free documentation tools available?
Some of the best free documentation tools include GitBook, Read the Docs, and BookStack. These tools offer powerful features for creating and managing documentation without any expense.
3. Can you provide examples of open-source documentation tools?
Examples of open-source documentation tools include GitBook, BookStack, and Doxygen. These tools are freely available and provide customizable solutions for different documentation needs.
4. What are the best technical documentation tools for developers?
GitBook, Read the Docs, and Apiary are among the best technical documentation tools for developers. They offer features tailored to efficiently create detailed and organized technical documentation.
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