knowledge-management

The 35 Best Knowledge Base Tools [2023]

21 min read
Sep 28, 2023
men discussing over a laptop

Confluence

Confluence, developed by Atlassian, is a widely-used collaboration and knowledge management tool designed to facilitate efficient teamwork and information sharing within organizations. It serves as a central platform where teams can create, edit, and organize documents, wikis, and other content collaboratively. Confluence offers features such as a user-friendly WYSIWYG editor, customizable templates, and integration with various Atlassian products like Jira and Trello. It enables teams to document processes, share project updates, and store critical information, making it an invaluable resource for project management, software development, and content creation. With its emphasis on collaboration and knowledge preservation, Confluence helps teams enhance productivity, foster transparency, and centralize their collective knowledge for easy access and reference.

KnowledgeBase

KnowledgeBase is an affordable knowledge base tool mostly for small and medium companies. The tool comes with a bunch of AI features that make content creation and knowledge management faster. One cool feature is QuickAnswer. It generates a tailored answer to a specific query, so user gets an exact answer to their question. But there are more.

Another cool thing about knowledge base is that it can be integrated with LiveChat. Integrating both tools gives agents access to knowledge resources directly inside the agent app. Agents don't have to switch between tabs or other sources of information to find what they need. Faster access to knowledge improves responsiveness and workflow.

At the same time, integrating both tools lets you display the KnowledgeBase widget inside the chat window. Customers can use it to browse your knowledge base before contacting your agents.

Apart from that, KnowledgeBase comes with other smart features, such as rich-text editor or analytics.

Zendesk Guide

Zendesk, a help desk software, incorporates a knowledge base tool known as Zendesk Guide. Guide boasts a range of advantageous features, including a user-friendly WYSIWYG-style editor, an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for organizing your help center, the capability to craft content for both internal and external audiences, a web widget for seamlessly displaying articles within your application or on your website, and comprehensive analytics to gain insights into your content's performance and pinpoint any gaps in your knowledge base.

However, while Zendesk Guide simplifies the process of getting started, it does come with certain limitations. While the interface is customizable to some extent, the selection of free help center themes is notably limited. Additional themes can be obtained through the Zendesk Marketplace, but they often come with a hefty price tag. Another aspect where Guide falls short is version control—only the higher-tiered Zendesk Suite plans offer versioning functionality. This can pose challenges when trying to update articles in sync with product or service releases.

Help Scout

Help Scout serves as a comprehensive customer service platform, and within this platform, you'll find our versatile knowledge base software, known as Docs. Docs offers flexibility and user-friendliness, enabling you to craft visually appealing knowledge base articles effortlessly. It provides a text editor that offers various formatting options in both WYSIWYG and HTML formats.

In addition to text, Docs empowers you to enrich your content by swiftly incorporating images and videos into your articles, enhancing the overall user experience. Furthermore, we're excited to introduce our upcoming feature, AI Assist, which will allow you to fine-tune your article's tone, length, and even translate it into languages such as Spanish, German, and Chinese.

Help Scout users gain access to Beacon, our versatile web widget. Beacon enables you to embed a chat-style widget seamlessly onto any page of your website or app. This ensures that visitors can access your knowledge base library directly, without the need to navigate away from their current page.

Docs seamlessly integrates with our shared inbox, streamlining the support process. Agents can effortlessly share links to knowledge base content within customer email conversations, eliminating the need for manual copying and pasting. This not only reduces response times but also minimizes unnecessary hassles.

Moreover, Docs is designed with SEO in mind, simplifying the process of creating content that ranks prominently in Google's search results. This means your customers can easily locate the answers they seek, regardless of where they search.

What's particularly appealing is that when you opt for Help Scout, you gain access to the entire customer support platform at a cost similar to, or often even lower than, standalone knowledge base software. This offers exceptional value for your investment.

Freshdesk

Freshdesk is a versatile knowledge base tool that empowers businesses to create and organize support content with ease. With Freshdesk, companies can build comprehensive knowledge bases, complete with informative articles and FAQs, to provide their customers with quick and relevant self-service solutions. Its intuitive interface and robust features make it simple for teams to craft, update, and maintain support materials. Freshdesk's knowledge base module is an invaluable resource for enhancing customer support, reducing response times, and ensuring that users have access to the information they need, all while delivering a seamless and user-friendly experience.

Intercom Articles

Intercom Articles is an integral component of Intercom's customer support and communication platform, providing businesses with a valuable resource for enhancing customer self-service and support experiences. This tool empowers organizations to craft and publish informative articles that address common customer inquiries and issues. By offering a repository of well-organized and easily accessible content, businesses can enable their customers to find answers and solutions independently, reducing the need for extensive support interactions. Intercom's knowledge base tool is not just about providing information; it's a strategic approach to fostering customer empowerment and satisfaction, ultimately contributing to more efficient support operations and improved customer relationships.

DocuWare

DocuWare is a robust document management and knowledge base solution designed to streamline document-related processes and facilitate efficient information retrieval within businesses. At its core, DocuWare offers a comprehensive platform for digitizing and organizing documents, making it an invaluable asset for organizations looking to transition from paper-based to digital document management.

One of its key features is the digitization of documents, which involves scanning, converting, and storing physical documents into electronic formats. This not only saves physical storage space but also enhances document accessibility and security. Users can easily search and retrieve documents using keywords, metadata, or other specified criteria, significantly reducing the time and effort required to locate critical information.

DocuWare's knowledge base functionality goes beyond simple document storage; it allows organizations to create structured repositories of knowledge, which can include everything from user manuals and compliance documents to best practices and company policies. This knowledge base not only centralizes important information but also provides a secure and organized means of sharing it with authorized personnel.

SharePoint

Although Microsoft's SharePoint is primarily designed as a document management system, it offers a valuable feature set of wiki templates that can transform it into a versatile internal knowledge base. Trusted by over 200,000 organizations globally, SharePoint serves as a collaborative hub for sharing, storing, and working together on documents.

While the basic SharePoint plan enables knowledge management, it may lack certain advanced features necessary for building a comprehensive knowledge base. In such cases, opting for one of the higher-tier plans is advisable to unlock the full potential of SharePoint for creating a robust knowledge repository tailored to your organization's specific needs.

Helpjuice


Helpjuice is a well-known SaaS platform that specializes in knowledge base software, particularly catering to larger companies and teams. It boasts an incredibly user-friendly knowledge management system, making it accessible for beginners.

One of Helpjuice's standout features is its exceptional customer support service. They go the extra mile by offering complimentary customization services to swiftly configure your knowledge base, ensuring a hassle-free setup process. What's even more impressive is their commitment to responding to support tickets within a remarkable 5-minute time frame.

Creating a knowledge base with Helpjuice is a breeze, thanks to its cloud-based nature. You won't have to endure any heavy lifting to get your knowledge base off the ground. In fact, Helpjuice's customer support team is ready to handle the setup for you. Simply sign up and create an account, then follow their straightforward, step-by-step instructions to establish your knowledge base.

For those who prefer self-hosting, Helpjuice offers the flexibility to run it on your own servers, with their team available to assist with the transition when needed. This adaptability makes Helpjuice a versatile choice for organizations of varying sizes and preferences.

Notion

Notion stands out as a frontrunner in the realm of internal knowledge bases. Its primary strength lies in its remarkable flexibility, allowing users to craft a variety of content types, including kanban boards, checklists, and text documents. Moreover, it empowers you to delegate tasks to fellow users and establish deadlines, effectively serving as an amalgamation of an internal wiki and a project management tool.

While Notion does offer a free plan tailored for individual use, its full potential truly shines when harnessed by multiple collaborators. To harness the collaborative power it offers, you'll need to opt for their Plus, Business, or Enterprise plans, which unlock the comprehensive suite of features conducive to team collaboration and knowledge management.

Bitrix24


Bitrix24 is a versatile and comprehensive platform that offers a wide array of tools and features to streamline collaboration, communication, and project management within organizations. With Bitrix24, businesses can create a centralized workspace that combines project management, CRM, team collaboration, and communication tools, making it a one-stop solution for teams of all sizes. It's known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both small businesses and larger enterprises. Bitrix24 also offers both cloud-based and self-hosted options, providing flexibility to suit various organizational needs. Overall, Bitrix24 is a robust and adaptable platform designed to enhance productivity and efficiency in the modern workplace.

MadCap Flare

MadCap Flare is an advanced authoring and documentation software designed for technical writers and documentation teams. This powerful tool empowers users to create and publish a wide range of content, including online help systems, user manuals, and knowledge bases, with precision and efficiency. MadCap Flare's strength lies in its ability to streamline the entire content development process, from initial drafting to publication, with features like single-source publishing, topic-based authoring, and robust version control. It's especially popular in industries with complex documentation requirements, such as software development, healthcare, and manufacturing, thanks to its capability to produce sophisticated documentation while maintaining consistency and accuracy. MadCap Flare is an indispensable asset for professionals who demand top-notch technical documentation and user support materials.

Bloomfire

Bloomfire is a dynamic knowledge sharing platform that plays a pivotal role in helping organizations centralize and share critical information with their teams. This user-friendly tool fosters collaboration and knowledge dissemination by providing a centralized hub where employees can access, contribute to, and learn from a wealth of resources. Bloomfire offers intuitive content creation and organization features, making it effortless to assemble and maintain an organized repository of company knowledge, from training materials and best practices to internal documentation and FAQs. With its emphasis on accessibility and user engagement, Bloomfire is a valuable asset for companies seeking to cultivate a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing among their workforce.

ProProfs Knowledge Base

Consider ProProfs' knowledge base, a tool that expedites the creation of a comprehensive help center for your customers or employees. Equipped with a selection of templates, it simplifies the content design process, ensuring a seamless user experience. ProProfs further impresses with its extensive integration options, seamlessly connecting with platforms like Salesforce and Slack, enhancing your ability to deliver valuable content.

While some companies seek free software solutions for their knowledge base needs, it's crucial to recognize that aside from a typical free trial offered by most SaaS providers, genuinely free options tend to lack the scalability and functionality required as your documentation volume expands. While some software providers claim to offer "free" knowledge base software, it often serves as an add-on to their primary product, limiting its capability and flexibility for comprehensive knowledge management.

Guru

Guru is a versatile wiki software that excels in consolidating your team's collective knowledge while emphasizing the interconnectedness of information. Through seamless integrations with various popular applications, Guru enhances accessibility and promotes an engaging knowledge-sharing experience. Users can actively verify content, ensuring that the information they access remains current and reliable. Whether you're in marketing, engineering, or support, Guru's adaptable design allows for the creation of visually appealing knowledge bases tailored to the specific needs of any team within your organization.

Slite

Slite’s software focuses squarely on helping teams create and manage a cohesive and comprehensive internal knowledge base.

As such, Slite allows teams to surface and document new knowledge as it arises. From meeting minutes and project updates, to customer engagement data, to emerging best practices and procedural changes, Slite makes it easy for teams to showcase new information in real-time — and for stakeholders to access it as needed.

Slite’s internal knowledge base software is also highly scalable. While less tech-savvy teams can likely get started with Slite’s basic content creation features with ease, advanced users are free to take advantage of the more technical and “heavy” features offered by the tool.

KnowledgeOwl

KnowledgeOwl is a robust knowledge base software solution designed to simplify the process of creating, organizing, and sharing online help documentation and self-service resources. With KnowledgeOwl, businesses and organizations can effortlessly compile a repository of valuable information, including FAQs, user manuals, and support articles. The platform offers user-friendly features for content creation and management, making it an accessible choice for teams of all backgrounds. KnowledgeOwl is particularly valuable for companies aiming to enhance customer support, reduce response times, and empower users with quick access to the information they need. Its focus on user-friendly documentation and self-service resources makes it a trusted tool for fostering efficient knowledge sharing within organizations.

ScreenSteps

ScreenSteps is a knowledge base and documentation software designed to simplify the process of creating, organizing, and sharing instructional content, particularly for customer support and training purposes. It allows users to capture screenshots and annotate them with text and visuals to create step-by-step guides and tutorials. ScreenSteps offers features for content authoring, version control, and collaboration, making it a valuable tool for creating and maintaining user manuals, knowledge bases, and training materials. It is often used by businesses and organizations looking to provide clear and easily understandable documentation to assist customers, employees, and users in understanding and using their products or services effectively.

Proviso

Proviso is a knowledge base tool that focuses on creating and sharing process documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs). It is designed to help businesses and organizations document their internal processes, workflows, and best practices in a structured and organized manner. Proviso is often used to ensure consistency in operations, facilitate employee training, and enhance compliance with industry regulations and quality standards. It enables teams to create, update, and share process documentation with ease, making it a valuable tool for process improvement and knowledge management within organizations.

Elevio

Elevio is a versatile customer support and self-service platform designed to enhance user engagement and streamline support interactions. It equips businesses with a suite of tools to empower their customers to find answers and resolve issues independently. Elevio's core features include a customizable knowledge base, in-app help widgets, real-time chat support, and insightful analytics. By seamlessly integrating these elements, Elevio ensures that users can access relevant information and assistance right when they need it, whether within a web application or on a website. Ultimately, Elevio is a powerful tool for businesses aiming to improve customer support, reduce support costs, and foster a more satisfying and self-sufficient user experience.

Wix Answers

Wix Answers is a comprehensive customer support and knowledge base platform developed by Wix, a prominent website builder and online services provider. This versatile platform empowers businesses to deliver exceptional customer support by offering a robust suite of tools and features. Wix Answers facilitates the creation and management of a user-friendly knowledge base filled with articles, FAQs, tutorials, and other helpful resources. It also streamlines customer inquiries through its ticketing system, live chat, and call center capabilities. Wix Answers is designed to enhance the customer support experience, improve response times, and empower users to find solutions independently. It's an ideal solution for businesses aiming to elevate their customer support efforts and create a seamless self-service environment for their users.

inSided

inSided is a powerful community platform designed to foster customer engagement and self-service support for businesses and brands. It provides a space for users, customers, and enthusiasts to connect, share insights, and find solutions to their questions or problems. inSided's core features include a community forum, knowledge base, and customer support tools. It empowers companies to build vibrant online communities where users can collaborate, ask questions, and share their experiences, ultimately reducing support ticket volumes and enhancing customer satisfaction. inSided is a valuable resource for businesses looking to harness the collective knowledge and support of their user base while creating a thriving and interactive online environment.

Stack Overflow for Teams

Stack Overflow for Teams is a specialized platform built on the foundation of the immensely popular Stack Overflow developer community. It is designed to facilitate seamless collaboration and knowledge sharing within organizations. Stack Overflow for Teams offers a private and secure space where team members can ask questions, share insights, and collectively solve technical challenges specific to their projects and workflows. It serves as a centralized repository of expertise and institutional knowledge, empowering teams to work more efficiently, reduce duplication of efforts, and accelerate problem-solving. With features like a knowledge base, Q&A, and integration capabilities, Stack Overflow for Teams is an invaluable resource for companies and development teams aiming to streamline their workflows and tap into the collective wisdom of their technical professionals.

Zoho Desk

Zoho Desk is a versatile customer support and help desk software offered by Zoho Corporation. It is designed to assist businesses in managing customer inquiries, resolving issues, and delivering exceptional support experiences. Zoho Desk offers a range of features, including ticketing, multi-channel support (email, chat, phone, social media), knowledge base creation, and self-service options for customers. It streamlines support operations, allowing teams to efficiently track and prioritize tickets, collaborate on solutions, and provide timely responses to customer requests. With its user-friendly interface and customizable workflows, Zoho Desk is a valuable tool for organizations seeking to enhance customer satisfaction, improve support efficiency, and build stronger customer relationships.

Document360

Document360 is a comprehensive documentation and knowledge base platform that empowers businesses to create, manage, and share user-friendly documentation and self-service resources. It is designed to streamline the process of building an organized and easily accessible knowledge repository. Document360 offers features such as a robust content editor, version control, role-based access control, and analytics to help businesses create and maintain user manuals, FAQs, developer guides, and other documentation. It emphasizes collaboration among teams, making it easier to keep content up to date and relevant. With its customizable templates and seamless integration options, Document360 is an ideal choice for companies looking to improve customer support, reduce support ticket volumes, and empower users to find answers independently.

MangoApps

MangoApps is a comprehensive team collaboration and communication platform designed to streamline communication and foster collaboration within organizations. It provides a centralized hub for teams to communicate, share information, manage projects, and collaborate on documents. MangoApps offers a wide range of features, including team messaging, file sharing, task management, social intranet capabilities, and integrations with various third-party applications. With its user-friendly interface and customizable solutions, MangoApps is an ideal tool for businesses looking to enhance team productivity, improve internal communication, and create a collaborative work environment where employees can efficiently collaborate and access resources, regardless of their location or device.

HappyFox

HappyFox is a versatile customer support and help desk software designed to streamline and elevate customer service operations. It empowers businesses to manage customer inquiries, support tickets, and service requests efficiently, all from a centralized platform. HappyFox offers a range of features, including ticket management, multi-channel support (email, chat, social media), knowledge base creation, and self-service options for customers. Its automation capabilities enable support teams to categorize, prioritize, and respond to tickets with ease. With its intuitive interface and robust reporting and analytics tools, HappyFox helps businesses improve response times, enhance customer satisfaction, and gain valuable insights into their support operations. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, HappyFox is a valuable tool for providing top-notch customer support and building lasting customer relationships.

Slab

Slab is a collaborative knowledge management platform designed to help organizations create, organize, and share internal documentation and information seamlessly. It offers a centralized repository for teams to store and access critical knowledge, such as company policies, procedures, onboarding materials, and product documentation. Slab emphasizes simplicity and user-friendliness, making it easy for teams to create and maintain a well-structured knowledge base. It includes features like version control, robust search capabilities, and integrations with popular tools to enhance productivity and accessibility. Slab is particularly valuable for companies seeking to improve information sharing, reduce the duplication of efforts, and facilitate efficient knowledge transfer among team members, ultimately boosting productivity and knowledge retention.

Slite

Slite is a collaborative team collaboration and documentation tool that also serves as a knowledge base platform. It enables teams to create, organize, and share internal documentation and knowledge in an efficient and user-friendly manner. With Slite, users can easily create, edit, and collaborate on documents, meeting notes, project plans, and other types of content. Its intuitive interface and organization features make it a valuable tool for teams looking to centralize their knowledge and streamline collaboration. Slite is particularly useful for remote teams and distributed workforces, as it provides a centralized hub for information sharing and collaboration, enhancing productivity and knowledge management within organizations.

Hubspot Service Hub

HubSpot Service Hub is a comprehensive customer service and support platform designed to help businesses provide exceptional customer experiences. It offers a suite of tools and features for managing customer inquiries, tickets, and support interactions. HubSpot Service Hub includes a robust ticketing system, knowledge base creation, live chat, and automation capabilities to streamline support operations. With its integrated CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, businesses can gain a 360-degree view of customer interactions and provide personalized support. It also offers reporting and analytics to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement. HubSpot Service Hub is an ideal solution for companies aiming to deliver top-notch customer service, enhance customer satisfaction, and build strong, lasting customer relationships.

Obsidian

Obsidian is a powerful note-taking and knowledge management application designed to help individuals and teams organize their thoughts, ideas, and information effectively. It offers a robust set of features for creating and interlinking notes, facilitating a network of interconnected knowledge. Obsidian's key strength lies in its flexibility, allowing users to create a personalized and hierarchical knowledge base. It supports Markdown formatting, offers powerful search and linking capabilities, and provides a graph view to visualize the connections between notes. Obsidian is particularly valuable for knowledge workers, researchers, writers, and anyone looking to capture, organize, and make sense of their digital information in a dynamic and interconnected way, fostering a deeper understanding of their own knowledge and insights.

BookStack

BookStack is an open-source and user-friendly documentation and knowledge base platform designed to simplify the creation and management of digital content repositories. It empowers organizations and individuals to build comprehensive knowledge bases, user manuals, wikis, and documentation libraries. BookStack offers a simple and intuitive interface for creating and organizing content, including articles, pages, and chapters. It supports collaborative editing, version control, and media embedding, making it a versatile tool for teams and projects of all sizes. BookStack is particularly valued in sectors such as education, software development, and business, where efficient and accessible documentation is essential for information dissemination and knowledge sharing among users and teams.

MediaWiki

MediaWiki is a popular open-source wiki platform known for its versatility in creating collaborative websites and knowledge bases. Developed initially for Wikipedia, it is now used worldwide to build wikis for various purposes, from documentation and information sharing to project management. MediaWiki's notable features include a simple text-based markup language, robust version control, and extensive customizability through extensions. It allows multiple users to collaboratively edit and organize content, making it an ideal choice for creating wikis, intranets, and information-sharing platforms. Its widespread use in both public and private domains demonstrates its effectiveness in facilitating collaborative content creation and knowledge management.

Nuclino

Nuclino is a versatile team collaboration and knowledge management platform that simplifies the way teams create, organize, and share information and documentation. At its core, Nuclino provides a central hub where teams can collaborate in real-time, utilizing a unique and intuitive approach to structuring content in a flexible, interconnected manner. It combines elements of a knowledge base, document editor, and collaboration tool, making it easy for teams to create and update documents, knowledge bases, and internal wikis. With features like rich-text editing, task management, and seamless integration with other productivity tools, Nuclino enhances teamwork, accelerates information retrieval, and promotes efficient knowledge sharing, making it a valuable asset for businesses and organizations aiming to streamline their documentation and communication processes.

Helpcrunch

Helpcrunch is a comprehensive customer communication and support platform designed to enhance businesses' ability to engage with and assist their customers effectively. It offers a suite of tools and features, including live chat, email marketing, knowledge base creation, and customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities. Helpcrunch enables businesses to communicate with their customers across multiple channels, providing real-time support and assistance. It also allows for the creation of a self-service knowledge base, where customers can find answers to common questions independently. With its automation and analytics features, Helpcrunch empowers businesses to improve customer satisfaction, streamline support operations, and gain valuable insights into customer interactions, making it a valuable solution for companies looking to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Tettra

Tettra is a team collaboration and documentation platform that focuses on improving knowledge sharing and internal communication within organizations. It provides a central space where teams can create, organize, and access internal documentation, wikis, and knowledge bases. Tettra emphasizes simplicity and integration with other popular tools, making it easy for teams to capture, share, and collaborate on information. It enables the creation of detailed guides, policies, and procedures, fostering transparency and streamlining onboarding processes. Tettra is particularly valuable for companies seeking to consolidate their internal knowledge, promote best practices, and create a culture of continuous learning and information sharing among their teams.