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CompassDocs

compassdocs.io

From $8/mo Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 9.5 #1 of 60 in IT Knowledge Base Software

What it is

CompassDocs is a self-hosted team knowledge base for writing, organizing, and searching SOPs, technical documentation, policies, and internal reference material. Staff can ask plain-English questions about documents and receive answers with inline citations; without an AI key, the product instead uses keyword search. Documents can be edited in rich text or Markdown, with AI proofreading and support for diagrams, tables, checklists, and embeds. Viewer, Editor, Approver, and Admin roles, custom roles, private spaces, and an optional review queue govern access and publishing. Integrations include a Claude connector, Microsoft 365 and Entra sync, Google Workspace directory sync, and notifications through Webex, Teams, Slack, email, or webhooks. Teams can run it with Docker or install Node.js and PostgreSQL manually. Self-hosted backups can be scheduled, restored, and mirrored to off-site storage. Community is free and self-hosted; Enterprise is $599 a year. A Cloud plan at $8 a month per user is listed as coming soon, not yet launched.

Spec sheet

What it does
CompassDocs is a self-hosted team knowledge base for writing, organizing and searching SOPs, technical documentation, policies and internal knowledge.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Purpose
CompassDocs is a self-hosted team knowledge base for writing, organizing, and searching SOPs, technical documentation, policies, and internal knowledge.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
Integrations
The product lists a Claude connector, Microsoft 365 and Entra sync, Google Workspace directory sync, and notifications through Webex, Teams, Slack, email, or webhooks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
Security
The feature page states that credentials and backups are encrypted at rest with AES-256-GCM, session tokens are hashed, and login throttling and security headers are included.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
Support
The Community plan includes GitHub community support, while Enterprise offers optional dedicated support with a 48-hour response commitment for $3,000 per year.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
AI answers
Its Ask CompassDocs feature creates plain-English answers grounded in company documents and links claims to source documents.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
AI fallback
When no AI provider key is configured, questions fall back to ranked keyword-search results or matching snippets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.compassdocs.io
Analytics
Knowledge-base analytics cover views, unique readers, reading time, trending documents, unanswered searches, engagement, author reach and downloads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
API endpoints
Documented API resources include token introspection, visible spaces and paginated document listing with space, status, limit and offset parameters.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.compassdocs.io
Approval workflow
Strict mode routes edits to published documents through an Approver review queue, while open mode allows direct publishing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.compassdocs.io
Backups
Scheduled encrypted backups support retention and off-site mirroring to S3-compatible storage, Cloudflare R2, MinIO or Azure.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Claude integration
A Claude MCP connector can search, draft and revise CompassDocs documents while retaining the approval workflow.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Cloud status
CompassDocs Cloud is described as launching soon; its listed plan includes 25 GB of document and attachment storage and a free trial at launch with no credit card.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
Content blocks
Markdown content can include Mermaid and PlantUML diagrams, tabs, accordions, callouts, embeds, checklists, decision trees and filterable tables.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Editor
Documents can be edited in rich text or Markdown, with AI proofreading and support for diagrams, tables, checklists, and embeds.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
Encryption
SMTP, AI, SSO and backup credentials are sealed with AES-256-GCM, session tokens are hashed and backups are encrypted before storage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Enterprise identity
Enterprise adds SAML 2.0 and OIDC SSO, Microsoft 365 directory and Entra group synchronization, SCIM provisioning and audit-log export.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Governance
Viewer, Editor, Approver, and Admin roles, custom roles, private spaces, and an optional review queue control access and publishing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
Licence
The Community software is open source under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: AI dependency
Synthesized cited AI answers require an Anthropic API key; without one the product provides keyword-based results.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: cloud availability
The Cloud edition is marked coming soon and final launch pricing is not yet confirmed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Limit: enterprise support cost
Dedicated support is an optional $3,000-per-year add-on to the Enterprise plan.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Limit: enterprise trial
Enterprise trials are time-limited licenses issued after contacting CompassDocs rather than a published self-service trial.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Maker attribution
The public source repository is under the GitHub account mattny20 and identifies CompassDocs as an open-source project.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
News: copyright year
The repository and website identify the software copyright as 2026 CompassDocs authors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Notifications
Review, publishing and announcement events can notify users through Webex, Microsoft Teams, Slack, email or webhooks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Outlook
An Outlook add-in offers search, AI answers, and one-click document-link insertion from the Outlook ribbon.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
People directory
The product includes profiles, department views and authored-document links, with Microsoft 365, Entra or Google Workspace synchronization in paid editions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Public knowledge base
Teams can publish selected spaces as a branded, read-only public site; public sharing is off by default and search-engine indexing is configurable.Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io
Repository status
The public GitHub repository showed zero stars, zero forks and three open pull requests when opened.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
REST API
The public REST API is under /api/v1, uses bearer personal-access tokens with read and write scopes, and limits users to 120 requests per minute.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.compassdocs.io
Rich editing
The editor supports rich text and Markdown, live preview, screenshots, comments, mentions and AI proofreading.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Roles
Viewer, Editor, Approver and Admin roles control reading, editing, publishing and administration, with more than 200 individual permissions for custom roles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Security automation
The project says CI runs npm audit and Trivy dependency, image and configuration scans, with Dependabot updates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security controls
Documented protections include authenticator-app two-factor authentication, recovery codes, session controls, idle timeout, login throttling, security headers and audit logs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security reporting
The security policy asks researchers to email vulnerabilities privately and promises acknowledgement within two business days.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-hosting
A shell installer starts CompassDocs and PostgreSQL with Docker, while Docker Compose, manual Node/PostgreSQL and Azure deployment options are documented.Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Spaces
Spaces can be internal, private to selected groups or public read-only sites, with visibility applied to search, AI answers and API results.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.compassdocs.io
System requirements
Manual installation requires Node.js 20 or newer and PostgreSQL; Docker is the recommended installation path.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Technology stack
The repository identifies Next.js 15, React 19, TypeScript, Tailwind, PostgreSQL full-text search, react-markdown and the Anthropic SDK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Version control
Documents have side-by-side or inline diffs, change notes, one-click restore and private draft branches.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Community Free forever unlimited users and documents · self-hosted · AGPL-3.0 · community GitHub support Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Cloud $8 a month per user; from; coming soon managed hosting · updates · encrypted backups · managed TLS · custom domain · export to self-hosting Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Enterprise $599 a year flat per install; unlimited users SSO · Microsoft 365 and Entra sync · policy acknowledgements · training tracking · SCIM · audit export · optional $3,000/year dedicated support Read 15 Oct 2026 · compassdocs.io
Enterprise dedicated support add-on $3,000 a year $3,000/yr Optional add-on · 48-hour response commitment Read 30 Sep 2026 · compassdocs.io

Every CompassDocs plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free Community plan includes unlimited users and documents.
  • Supports rich text and Markdown editing.
  • Answers from documents include inline citations.
  • Offers scheduled backups and one-click restore.
  • Selected spaces can be published publicly.

Limits

  • Cloud plan is listed as not yet launched.
  • AI answers require an AI key; otherwise search is keyword-based.
  • Enterprise dedicated support costs $3,000 a year.

Who it suits

It suits teams that want to host their internal knowledge base themselves and manage document access or approval. It may also fit teams that need cited answers, directory sync, or a read-only public knowledge site.

CompassDocs in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

CompassDocs is a self-hosted knowledge base for teams managing procedures, policies, technical documentation and internal guidance. It is a stronger fit for organizations willing to run their own software than for teams seeking a managed service today.

Its central distinction is that staff can ask questions of the team’s documents and get cited answers, while access and publishing controls support governed documentation. That approach depends on an AI key for question answering; keyword search remains the fallback.

Key features

Authoring and discovery

Rich-text and Markdown editing, with diagrams, tables, checklists, embeds and AI proofreading, gives teams flexibility to maintain different kinds of documentation in one system. Plain-English questions can make a large document set easier to navigate, and inline citations point users back to source material. Without an AI key, keyword search preserves basic retrieval but not the question-and-answer experience.

The Outlook add-in brings search and AI answers into the email workflow and inserts document links from the ribbon. Other integrations include a Claude connector, Microsoft 365 and Entra sync, Google Workspace directory sync, and notifications through Webex, Teams, Slack, email or webhooks. This is a useful spread for organizations already using those services, though it does not change the self-hosting requirement.

Governance, publishing and resilience

Viewer, Editor, Approver and Admin roles, custom roles, private spaces and an optional review queue let teams separate access from publishing responsibility. Version history, read acknowledgements and completion tracking suit procedures and policies that need an approval trail or confirmation of readership. Selected spaces can be published as a branded, read-only public site; sharing is off by default and indexing can be configured.

The security features include AES-256-GCM encryption at rest for credentials and backups, hashed session tokens, login throttling and security headers. Self-hosted backups can be scheduled, retained, restored with one click and mirrored off-site to S3, R2, MinIO or Azure. These options give administrators practical control over recovery, but also make deployment and ongoing operations part of the ownership decision.

Pricing

Community is free forever: free, with unlimited users and documents, an AGPL-3.0 license, self-hosting and GitHub community support. It is a compelling starting point for teams able to administer their own installation. The trade-off is that it does not include Enterprise identity and governance capabilities or dedicated support.

Enterprise costs $599 a year, flat, for unlimited users, with one license per install. It adds self-hosting, SSO, directory and group sync, policy acknowledgements, training, SCIM and audit-log export. This is the more appropriate tier for organizations that need those controls without per-seat pricing. Optional dedicated support costs $3,000 a year and carries a 48-hour response commitment.

Cloud is shown at $8 a month per user, billed monthly, but is coming soon and has not launched. Its listed offer includes fully managed hosting, 25 GB of document and attachment storage, and a free trial at launch with no credit card. Teams choosing it would avoid self-administration, but must wait for launch; the listed storage allowance is also a meaningful constraint to assess for document-heavy use.

Platforms

CompassDocs lists API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows support. A Docker command starts CompassDocs and PostgreSQL; the self-hosting options include Linux with Docker, macOS or Windows with Docker Desktop, or manual Node.js and PostgreSQL installation on any OS. This makes self-hosting broadly deployable, though manual installation and database operation call for technical ownership. Cloud is planned but not yet available.

Who it's for

CompassDocs suits teams that want a central, searchable home for SOPs, technical documents and policies, especially when approvals, access boundaries, acknowledgements or self-managed backups matter. Its free unlimited-user plan lowers the cost of adopting that model, and Enterprise adds identity and governance controls for larger operational needs.

It is less suitable for organizations that require managed hosting immediately, or that cannot provide an AI key but expect conversational answers. Cloud may address the first need once launched; without an AI key, the product still offers keyword search rather than AI answers.

Pros and cons

Pro: Community allows unlimited users and documents at no charge, making self-hosted evaluation and use possible without seat caps.

Pro: Role controls, review workflows, acknowledgements and completion tracking address the publishing and follow-through needs of policy and procedure owners.

Pro: Scheduled backups, restore and multiple off-site mirroring targets provide concrete recovery options for self-hosted installations.

Con: The currently described deployment path is self-hosted; Cloud is coming soon, so teams needing managed hosting now should look elsewhere.

Con: AI answers require an AI key. Keyword search remains available without one, but it is a less conversational way to find guidance.

Con: The $599 a year Enterprise license is per install, and dedicated support adds $3,000 a year, which raises the commitment for teams needing premium assistance.

Alternatives

For a focused procedure workflow, compare SOP Software, IT Documentation Software, IT Knowledge Base Software and HR Knowledge Base Software.

Tango is worth considering when browser-captured workflows and sharing matter more than a self-hosted document knowledge base: its free plan includes five shared workflows and supports up to 10 users per workspace. Scribe is another freemium option for shareable, customizable documentation that works with any web app; choose it if that capture-and-share approach is the priority.

SOPGalaxy may suit teams seeking a per-user SOP product with a free trial: its Starter plan is $6 a month per user, capped at 15 users and 100 SOPs, with 5,000 AI tokens and five active suggestions per user. Whale is a different freemium option for teams whose needs fit its free allowance of 10 members, one creator, 20 Playbook items and 20 AI credits.

Q-Hub is an alternative with a free trial and a Starter plan at £85 per month for one Full user and five Basic users. SweetProcess is a paid alternative with a free trial and a monthly plan at $99 a month for up to 10 users. For other paid options, Dozuki and Poka use request-based pricing.

Verdict

Choose CompassDocs if your team wants a self-hosted, governed knowledge base with cited document answers, flexible authoring and robust backup choices, and can take responsibility for operating it. The free Community plan is unusually unconstrained by user and document caps; look elsewhere if managed hosting is an immediate requirement or if the Enterprise identity and governance tier does not fit your budget.

Verdict

CompassDocs offers self-hosted documentation with document-based answers, access controls, and backup options. Community is free, while Enterprise adds identity and governance capabilities at a stated annual price.

Where Specifiction places it

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