Deploy XWiki (Open-Source Enterprise Wiki & Collaboration Tool)

XWiki (Manage Knowledge & Teams Effectively) Self Host [Oct ’25]

Deploy XWiki (Open-Source Enterprise Wiki & Collaboration Tool)

Just deployed

/usr/local/xwiki/data

/var/lib/postgresql/data

![XWiki open source wiki Image](https://res.cloudinary.com/dh2nt6hgh/image/upload/v1761670224/xwiki_images_lthtde.jpg "Xwiki self hosted on Railway platform)

Deploy and Host Managed XWiki Service with one click on Railway

XWiki is a powerful, open-source enterprise wiki and knowledge management platform available on GitHub. It allows teams and organizations to create, organize, and share information collaboratively in a structured, extensible, and secure way. XWiki provides an alternative to proprietary wiki systems and knowledge bases, offering complete data ownership, customizable features, and a robust plugin ecosystem.

About Hosting XWiki on Railway (Self Hosting XWiki on Railway)

You can self host XWiki on Railway to maintain full control over your organization’s internal documentation, data, and collaboration workflows. Hosting XWiki on Railway ensures you get a managed, scalable environment without dealing with manual server setup or maintenance.

Why Deploy Managed XWiki Service on Railway

Deploying a managed XWiki service on Railway gives you instant setup, automated updates, and scalable infrastructure for your wiki. This lets you focus entirely on creating and managing your content rather than handling technical backend tasks. It combines the full flexibility and control of open-source XWiki with the convenience of Railway’s managed cloud infrastructure.

Railway vs DigitalOcean:

DigitalOcean requires manual setup, server monitoring, and maintenance for hosting XWiki. You must handle database connections, security patches, and scaling configurations. With Railway, you can deploy XWiki instantly, with zero manual configuration, automated backups, and scaling managed by the platform.

Railway vs Linode:

On Linode, you must handle Linux administration, patch management, and server configurations for XWiki hosting. Railway eliminates all this complexity - it runs XWiki in secure, managed containers and provides an intuitive interface for deploying and monitoring your app effortlessly.

Railway vs Vultr:

Vultr requires you to manually install Tomcat, Java, and PostgreSQL (or MySQL) to host XWiki. On Railway, these are preconfigured with one-click setup, ensuring your XWiki instance runs securely and efficiently without manual configuration.

Railway vs Hetzner:

While Hetzner offers affordable bare-metal servers, it expects you to handle all system administration tasks, security, and backups. Railway takes care of these automatically, enabling you to host XWiki with full control but no sysadmin overhead.

Common Use Cases

Here are some common use cases for XWiki:

1. Internal Knowledge Base: Create and manage centralized documentation and company knowledge, accessible by teams across your organization.

2. Project Collaboration Hub: Manage project documentation, timelines, and updates in one shared workspace with real-time collaboration.

3. Technical Documentation: Host developer guides, API references, and engineering documentation in a structured wiki.

4. Corporate Intranet: Build an internal portal for announcements, procedures, and employee engagement resources.

Dependencies for XWiki hosted on Railway

To host XWiki on Railway, you need a supported SQL database (like PostgreSQL or MySQL), a Java runtime environment (JRE), and a servlet container like Apache Tomcat.

Deployment Dependencies for Managed XWiki Service

A managed XWiki service automatically provisions these dependencies:

  • PostgreSQL Database

  • Java runtime (JRE 11 or higher)

  • Apache Tomcat server

  • Persistent storage for wiki data and attachments

Implementation Details for XWiki (Enterprise Wiki Platform)

When deploying XWiki, you will need to set environment variables such as:

  • XWIKI_DATABASE_HOST

  • XWIKI_DATABASE_USERNAME

  • XWIKI_DATABASE_PASSWORD

  • XWIKI_DATABASE_NAME

How does XWiki look against other Wiki Platforms (Alternatives to Confluence, DokuWiki, MediaWiki)

XWiki vs Confluence

XWiki is open source and self-hosted, ensuring complete data control and customizability. Confluence is proprietary and cloud-based, with subscription costs and limited backend control. XWiki provides flexibility, while Confluence prioritizes enterprise integrations.

XWiki vs DokuWiki

XWiki supports structured data, WYSIWYG editing, scripting, and advanced user management. DokuWiki is lightweight but lacks database support and advanced permission systems, making XWiki more suitable for complex enterprise documentation.

XWiki vs MediaWiki

While MediaWiki (used by Wikipedia) is great for large public wikis, it lacks collaborative editing, user roles, and advanced integrations. XWiki offers more extensibility, built-in access controls, and plugin support for enterprise use.

XWiki vs BookStack

BookStack offers simple, book-like documentation organization. XWiki is more powerful, supporting structured data, forms, scripts, macros, and automation - ideal for large, dynamic enterprise knowledge bases.

How to use XWiki?

  1. Deploy XWiki on Railway: Click the Deploy button to launch a managed XWiki instance.

  2. Configure Database: Enter your Railway database credentials in the environment variables.

  3. Access the Admin Panel: Open your XWiki URL to complete setup and define admin credentials.

  4. Create Spaces and Pages: Organize your wiki into logical sections or spaces and start adding pages.

  5. Collaborate and Manage: Invite team members, assign permissions, and customize layouts with XWiki’s extensions.

How to Self Host XWiki on Other VPS

Clone the Repository

Download XWiki from GitHub: https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform

Install Dependencies

Ensure your VPS has Java (JRE 11+), PostgreSQL, and Apache Tomcat installed.

Configure Environment Variables

Set up database credentials and environment variables:

XWIKI_DATABASE_HOST
XWIKI_DATABASE_USERNAME
XWIKI_DATABASE_PASSWORD
XWIKI_DATABASE_NAME

Start the XWiki Application

Deploy the WAR file to your Tomcat server and start the service.

Access the XWiki Dashboard

Open your VPS public IP in a browser, complete the installation wizard, and start creating pages.

Deploy Now!

Features of XWiki

  • Advanced Page Editor: WYSIWYG and wiki syntax editors for flexible content creation.

  • Structured Data Support: Define custom classes and objects to model your data.

  • Access Control: Fine-grained permissions for users, groups, and pages.

  • Extensions & Plugins: Integrate macros, workflows, and applications.

  • Versioning: Built-in revision history for all content.

  • Multi-language Support: Easily localize your wiki content.

  • Skins & Themes: Customize your wiki appearance.

  • REST & Script API: Automate processes and integrate XWiki with external systems.

Official Pricing of XWiki Cloud Service

XWiki offers both self-hosted (open source) and managed cloud plans. The open-source version is free to deploy. XWiki Cloud’s pricing starts around EUR 25/month for small teams, including hosting, backups, and maintenance. Enterprise customers can get dedicated instances with support and SLAs. [Updated Oct’25]

Self Hosting XWiki vs XWiki Cloud Plans

Self-hosting XWiki is completely free and gives you full control over your data, configuration, and storage. The XWiki Cloud plan offers a managed environment with regular updates, automated backups, and priority support - ideal for organizations that prefer minimal maintenance.

Monthly Cost of Self Hosting XWiki on Railway

Self hosting XWiki on Railway generally costs $5–$15 USD per month, depending on your plan and storage. Railway provides scalable plans with built-in PostgreSQL, making it cost-effective and easier to manage compared to traditional VPS providers.

System Requirements for Hosting XWiki

  • Java: JRE 11 or later

  • Database: PostgreSQL or MySQL

  • Memory: 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)

  • Storage: 10 GB minimum

  • CPU: 2+ cores

Railway automatically adjusts these based on your selected plan, ensuring optimal performance.

FAQs

What is XWiki?

XWiki is an open-source enterprise wiki and knowledge management platform used for documentation, collaboration, and content organization.

How do I self host XWiki?

You can self host XWiki using platforms like Railway, where deployment is automated and managed in a few clicks.

What are the key features of XWiki?

XWiki includes WYSIWYG editing, structured data support, version control, permissions, extensions, and integrations.

What are the dependencies for XWiki hosting?

XWiki requires Java, PostgreSQL (or MySQL), and a servlet container like Tomcat to run.

What are the common use cases for XWiki?

XWiki is used for knowledge bases, intranets, project collaboration, documentation, and community wikis.

How does XWiki deployment on Railway compare to other VPS providers?

Railway automates setup, scaling, and updates, while VPS providers like Linode or AWS require manual configuration and maintenance.

What is the difference between XWiki Cloud and self-hosted XWiki?

Self-hosted XWiki is free and customizable, while XWiki Cloud provides managed hosting, backups, and support for a monthly fee.

How much does it cost to self host XWiki on Railway?

It typically costs $5–$15/month, depending on storage and database usage.

Where can I find the official XWiki source code?

You can find XWiki’s source code on GitHub at https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform.


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