Confluence vs Read the Docs: What are the differences?

Introduction

Confluence and Read the Docs are both popular documentation platforms used by organizations to create and manage their documentation. While they serve the same purpose, there are key differences that set them apart.

1. Hosting: Confluence is a self-hosted application that needs to be installed and managed on a server, whereas Read the Docs is a cloud-based platform that does not require any installation or server management. This makes Read the Docs more accessible and convenient for organizations without dedicated IT resources.

2. Collaboration: Confluence provides extensive collaboration features such as inline comments, threaded discussions, and editing permissions, making it a suitable choice for large teams working on documentation. Read the Docs, on the other hand, is more focused on version-controlled documentation and lacks advanced collaboration features.

3. Documentation Types: Confluence supports a wide range of document types including pages, blogs, and spaces. It offers flexibility in structuring and organizing documentation. Read the Docs, on the other hand, is primarily designed for technical documentation and provides features specifically tailored for software projects.

4. Customization: Confluence offers a high level of customization with options to design templates, add visual elements, and integrate third-party plugins. Read the Docs, on the other hand, has limited customization options and focuses more on providing a consistent and user-friendly experience for technical documentation.

5. Pricing: Confluence is a commercial product and requires a license subscription, making it a significant investment for organizations. Read the Docs, on the other hand, is an open-source platform and is free to use. This makes Read the Docs an attractive choice for small organizations or those with budget limitations.

6. Extensibility: Confluence has a rich marketplace with numerous plugins and integrations available, allowing organizations to extend the functionality of the platform. Read the Docs, while lacking in extensive plugin options, provides API access for developers to integrate with their existing tools and automate documentation processes.

In summary, Confluence is a self-hosted, feature-rich documentation platform with extensive collaboration options, customization capabilities, and support for various document types. Read the Docs, on the other hand, is a cloud-based, free platform that focuses on version-controlled documentation with limited customization and collaboration features. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs and requirements of the organization.