BookStack vs Confluence:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Confluence had more branded searches than BookStack among IT documentation platforms worldwide. Confluence had about 824,000 branded searches, while BookStack had 49,500. Confluence made up 88.1% of all IT documentation platform searches we track, and BookStack accounted for 5.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about IT documentation platforms, Confluence appeared in all five answers and BookStack in four. Confluence was mentioned before BookStack in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Confluence, about 17 searches for every 1 for BookStack
Who does AI mention more?
Confluence, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Confluence, named ahead of BookStack in 4 of 5 answers
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Top IT documentation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Confluence appeared in all five answers. BookStack was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Confluence was listed before BookStack in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Confluence1st
IT Glue2nd
Hudu3rd
BookStack4th
GitBook5th
Document3606th
Slab–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Confluence5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- BookStack4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- IT Glue4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Hudu3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- GitBook2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Document3602 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Slab0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about IT documentation platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which IT documentation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best IT documentation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best IT documentation platform for an IT team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“it documentation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“knowledge base software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is BookStack or Confluence more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for BookStack and Confluence by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven IT documentation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Confluence, BookStack. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Confluence | BookStack | GitBook | Hudu | IT Glue | Document360 | Slab |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 84.9% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 1% | 1.9% | 0.84% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 84.6% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 1.2% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 85% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 1.2% | 1.5% | 0.83% | 0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 85.2% | 5.1% | 6.3% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 0.68% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 85.3% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 1.5% | 1.9% | 0.84% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 87.6% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.7% | 0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 85.3% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 1.5% | 1.9% | 0.84% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 87.5% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.57% | 0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 88.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.47% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 87.1% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.57% | 0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 85.8% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.56% | 0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 88.1% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.47% | 0.01% |
How has the BookStack and Confluence comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Confluence was ahead of BookStack in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BookStack’s share of searches among IT documentation platforms worldwide moved from 5.1% to 5.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Confluence’s share of searches among IT documentation platforms worldwide moved from 84.9% to 88.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 824K.
How did search popularity change for IT documentation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Confluence gained share of searches among IT documentation platforms worldwide, from 85.8% to 88.1%.
In September 2026, BookStack lost share of searches among IT documentation platforms worldwide, from 6.3% to 5.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BookStack’s and Confluence’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
BookStack
1 branded search term
- bookstack
Confluence
2 branded search terms
- confluence
- confluence knowledge base
Other head-to-heads among IT documentation platforms
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