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Comparison · Collab

Wiki.js vs Joplin

A side-by-side editorial comparison of Wiki.js and Joplin — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

Wiki.js vs Joplin: at a glance

FeatureWiki.jsJoplin
SectorCollabCollab
Velocity score6.36.3
Sparks · 30d11
Top themeswiki, self-hosted, enterprise-auth, ssonote-taking, ai-integration, privacy, mcp
Last editorial update3d ago1d ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is Wiki.js?

Wiki.js 3.0 beta closes enterprise auth and SEO gaps at sprint pace

Wiki.js is running a dual-track strategy: v2.5.x is in maintenance, collecting only security and bug fixes, while v3.0.0 moves through beta weekly with substantial new features. The v3 beta has concentrated recent drops on two converging pillars — enterprise authentication (Entra ID, LDAP, SAML, Discord with group-to-role mapping) and operations infrastructure (Audit Log, admin metrics, sitemap serving, prerendering for anonymous requests). All active development runs through a single committer, shipping multiple named features per weekly beta build.

Read the full Wiki.js trajectory →

What is Joplin?

Joplin 3.7 ships AI chat, semantic search, and MCP integration — all off by default, all controllable by the user.

Joplin 3.7 is the product's first real AI release: an in-app chat panel for querying the currently open note, semantic (meaning-based) search across notebooks, and an MCP server that lets external AI assistants connect to Joplin's note graph. The implementation is privacy-first by design — AI is disabled by default, local models (Ollama, LM Studio) are explicitly supported, and cloud AI services only receive the specific note content relevant to a request rather than the full notebook. A companion documentation post published September 14 lays out the privacy model explicitly.

Read the full Joplin trajectory →

Wiki.js vs Joplin: editorial side-by-side

W
Wiki.js
COLLAB
6.3

Wiki.js 3.0 beta closes enterprise auth and SEO gaps at sprint pace

◆ Current state

Wiki.js is running a dual-track strategy: v2.5.x is in maintenance, collecting only security and bug fixes, while v3.0.0 moves through beta weekly with substantial new features. The v3 beta has concentrated recent drops on two converging pillars — enterprise authentication (Entra ID, LDAP, SAML, Discord with group-to-role mapping) and operations infrastructure (Audit Log, admin metrics, sitemap serving, prerendering for anonymous requests). All active development runs through a single committer, shipping multiple named features per weekly beta build.

◆ Where it's heading

The v3 beta is systematically filling the gaps that have kept Wiki.js out of enterprise environments: SSO across major identity providers, compliance tooling, SEO readiness, and theme customization for whitelabeled deployments. Each week's build adds a category that a production deployment actually requires. The remaining areas not yet visible in the beta changelog are storage/sync providers and full editor-module parity with v2 — those gaps are the logical preconditions for an RC.

◆ Prediction

The next beta cycle will likely address storage backends and remaining editor modules. A release candidate becomes the natural next step once those surface areas are covered.

J
Joplin
COLLAB
6.3

Joplin 3.7 ships AI chat, semantic search, and MCP integration — all off by default, all controllable by the user.

◆ Current state

Joplin 3.7 is the product's first real AI release: an in-app chat panel for querying the currently open note, semantic (meaning-based) search across notebooks, and an MCP server that lets external AI assistants connect to Joplin's note graph. The implementation is privacy-first by design — AI is disabled by default, local models (Ollama, LM Studio) are explicitly supported, and cloud AI services only receive the specific note content relevant to a request rather than the full notebook. A companion documentation post published September 14 lays out the privacy model explicitly.

◆ Where it's heading

Joplin is repositioning from a sync-agnostic note-taking app into an AI-native knowledge base, differentiated by opt-in, local-first controls. The HMD Terra M preload partnership and the warrant canary point to a deliberate push toward privacy-conscious enterprise and professional users who distrust cloud-first tools. The MCP integration is particularly strategic: it makes Joplin's note graph accessible to external orchestration pipelines without locking into any particular AI provider.

◆ Prediction

The next major release will likely expand AI chat to multi-note context — currently limited to the open note — and add more configurable MCP tools. The HTR (handwritten text recognition) project from the 2024 French government partnership is also likely to appear in a near-term release.

Alternatives to Wiki.js and Joplin

Other Collab products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Wiki.js or Joplin.

See all Wiki.js alternatives → · See all Joplin alternatives →

Recent activity from Wiki.js and Joplin

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 2d agoJoplinYour notes and AI: privacy first
  2. 4d agoWiki.js3.0.0-beta.561
  3. 8d agoWiki.js3.0.0-beta.554
  4. 9d agoWiki.js3.0.0-beta.550
  5. 10d agoWiki.js3.0.0-beta.543
  6. 14d agoWiki.js3.0.0-beta.537
  7. 16d agoJoplinWhat's new in Joplin 3.7
  8. 17d agoWiki.js3.0.0-alpha.530
  9. 4mo agoJoplinWhat's new in Joplin 3.6
  10. 6mo agoJoplinIntroducing our Warrant Canary
  11. 7mo agoJoplinJoplin will come preloaded on the HMD Terra M
  12. 8mo agoJoplinWhat's new in Joplin 3.5

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Wiki.js and Joplin?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Wiki.js and Joplin are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 6.3 vs 6.3, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is Wiki.js better than Joplin?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Wiki.js and Joplin are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 6.3 vs 6.3, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Collab products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to Wiki.js?

Top Wiki.js alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Wiki.js alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/wiki-js for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to Joplin?

Top Joplin alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Joplin alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/joplin for the full list with editorial commentary on each.