Wikux

ToolsHost compare

Host compare

Figure out whether a free farm, a paid managed host, or running your own server fits your wiki; before you pour months into the wrong platform.

Side-by-side

Compare farms, managed hosts, and self-hosting on control, cost, ads, and how hard they are to leave.

Side-by-side comparison

Column 1

Host for column 1

Self-host

Self-host

Run MediaWiki yourself on a VPS or dedicated server. Full stack control and full responsibility for uptime, backups, and security.

Operated by You

Type
Self-host
Cost
VPS from ~$5/mo + your time
Ads
None (unless you add them)
Domain
Yes (you own DNS)
Extensions
Anything you install and maintain
  • Full control
  • Custom extensions
  • Independent branding
Control
Strong
Cost
Mixed
Ad-free
Strong
Maintenance
Weak
Customization
Strong
Portability
Strong

Watch-outs

  • You handle upgrades, backups, spam, and downtime.
  • You need Terms of Use / Privacy Policy that fit your setup.
  • Innovation is easier here, but so is breaking things.

Visit site

Column 2

Host for column 2

Wiki farm

Miraheze

Large nonprofit wiki farm (WikiTide Foundation). Free, ad-free MediaWiki with ManageWiki, custom domains, and a long extension catalog after security review.

Operated by WikiTide Foundation (501(c)(3))

Type
Wiki farm
Cost
Free (donations)
Ads
None
Domain
Yes, free
Extensions
300+ via ManageWiki; more on request after review
  • Ad-free public wikis
  • Broad topics
  • Low budget
Control
Mixed
Cost
Strong
Ad-free
Strong
Maintenance
Strong
Customization
Strong
Portability
Strong

Watch-outs

  • Volunteer-run: uptime can lag big commercial platforms.
  • Content Policy and nonprofit rules apply.
  • Wiki requests go through approval; dormant wikis may close.

Visit site

Column 3

Host for column 3

Platform

Fandom

Largest entertainment wiki network. Easy to start and "strong" SEO at the cost of heavy ads, a locked proprietary skin, almost no third-party extensions, and hard lock-in.

Operated by Fandom, Inc.

Type
Platform
Cost
Free (ad-funded)
Ads
Heavy, multi-slot advertising
Domain
No
Extensions
First-party only; third-party almost never approved
  • Existing Fandom communities
  • SEO reach (tradeoffs)
Control
Weak
Cost
Strong
Ad-free
Weak
Maintenance
Strong
Customization
Weak
Portability
Weak

Watch-outs

  • Forking and leaving is actively difficult.
  • Platform decisions can override local consensus.
  • Not a good place to start a new independent wiki in 2026.

Visit site

How to read the ratings

Ratings are Wikux opinions for a typical independent public wiki and not a scoreboard. Farms change policies from time to time, soalways check the host before you migrate.

  • Control. How freely you can change LocalSettings, install extensions and skins, and shape the server stack.
  • Cost. How little money you need to get started and keep a typical public wiki online.
  • Ad-free. Whether readers see advertising, and how intrusive it tends to be.
  • Maintenance. How little you need to handle yourself for upgrades, backups, spam, and uptime.
  • Customization. Skins, CSS/JS, ManageWiki-style tools, and how far you can brand the wiki.
  • Portability. Custom domains, dumps/exports, and how hard it is to leave for another host.

Where people usually start

Quick picks for common situations. Select one to drop it into the columns above.