CompassDocs vs KBPublisher
CompassDocs
compassdocs.ioKBPublisher
kbpublisher.comSide by side
| Figure | CompassDocs | KBPublisher |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8/mo | $498/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 14 |
| Spec score · HR Knowledge Base Software | 9.3 (#1) | 8.2 (#13) |
| Purpose | CompassDocs is a self-hosted team knowledge base for writing, organizing, and searching SOPs, technical documentation, policies, and internal knowledge. | KBPublisher is knowledge base and knowledge management software for organizations. |
| Security controls | Documented protections include authenticator-app two-factor authentication, recovery codes, session controls, idle timeout, login throttling, security headers and audit logs. | The product supports security groups, user roles, and end-user portals. |
Plans
CompassDocs
- CommunityFree
- Cloud$8 a month
- Enterprise$599 a year
- Enterprise dedicated support add-on$3,000 a year
KBPublisher
- Community EditionFree
- 5 License Pack$498 a month
- 10 License Pack$898 a month
- 20 License Pack$1,498 a month
- 30 License Pack$1,998 a month
- EssentialPrice not published
- TeamPrice not published
- 5 License Pack$498, paid once
- 10 License Pack$898, paid once
- 20 License Pack$1,498, paid once
In their own words
CompassDocs
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.
KBPublisher
KBPublisher is knowledge base and knowledge management software for organizations, with web, API, and self-hosted options. Teams can create and format articles, attach files, and revise published content in drafts. Approval workflows support review and publication. Search offers full-text matching, spell checking, word variations, partial-word recognition, and Sphinx. Access controls include security groups and user roles; authentication options include LDAP, SAML integration, and remote authentication for single sign-on. The HR solution describes employee onboarding programs, versioned personnel documents, and an employee self-service portal. The licensed download installs on one web server, and the Community Edition is on-premise only. That free edition has unlimited staff users, end users, articles, and files, but no support or maintenance and no cloud version. Cloud fees include support, upgrades, and automatic content backups; data export is available without charge. Content analytics, custom branding, multilingual content, and approval workflows are supported. Pricing is freemium, with paid service listed from $33/mo (annual); a free trial is available.