MediaWiki vs Wiki.js: What are the differences?

Introduction:

In this Markdown code, we will discuss the key differences between MediaWiki and Wiki.js. MediaWiki is a popular open-source wiki software that powers websites like Wikipedia, while Wiki.js is a modern and lightweight wiki software built on Node.js. Now, let's delve into the key differences:

1. Architecture: MediaWiki is built on PHP and uses a relational database like MySQL or MariaDB to store data, while Wiki.js is built on Node.js and uses Markdown files as its database. This architectural difference makes MediaWiki more suitable for large-scale wikis, while Wiki.js is more lightweight and easier to deploy.

2. User Interface: MediaWiki has a traditional wiki interface with a classic look and feel, reminiscent of Wikipedia. On the other hand, Wiki.js offers a more modern and intuitive user interface with a clean and customizable design. This difference in user interface can make Wiki.js more appealing to users who prefer a sleek and modern look.

3. Editing Experience: MediaWiki provides a visual editor, similar to a rich text editor, where users can edit pages without needing to know markup languages. Wiki.js, on the other hand, relies on Markdown for editing pages. While Markdown can be simpler and more straightforward for experienced users, it might have a steeper learning curve for users familiar with visual editors.

4. Customizability: MediaWiki offers extensive customization options, allowing administrators to create intricate templates and extensions to suit their specific needs. Wiki.js, although customizable, has a more limited range of customization options compared to MediaWiki. This difference can be important for organizations or websites with complex requirements.

5. Plugins and Extensions: MediaWiki has a vast ecosystem of plugins and extensions developed over its long history, providing a wide range of additional functionalities. In contrast, Wiki.js, being a newer software, has a smaller but growing collection of plugins and extensions. This difference in the availability of plugins and extensions can impact the choice of software, depending on the specific functionalities required.

6. Community and Support: MediaWiki has a large and active community, given its long-standing presence and popularity. This translates into abundant user support, extensive documentation, and regular updates and security patches. Wiki.js, being a newer software, has a smaller community and may have fewer support resources available. This community difference can play a role in choosing the right software, particularly in terms of long-term maintenance and support.

In summary, MediaWiki and Wiki.js differ in their architecture, user interface, editing experience, customizability, availability of plugins and extensions, and community support. The choice between the two will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the organization or website looking to implement a wiki system.