MkDocs vs Docusaurus for technical documentation

Currently, there are more than 400 million code repositories on platforms such as GitHub. With such a large ecosystem, documenting a project well has become crucial for any developer who wants to use or review the code to understand how it works.

IOn the other hand, good documentation will also allow us to better maintain our code in the long term. In addition to streamlining the incorporation of new developments, it will also improve understanding of the structure and resolution of potential problems.

Definitely, generating documentation in a project is essential. To achieve this, there are several specialized tools, among which MkDocs and Docusaurus stand out. Both allow you to generate documentation quickly, easily, and with a professional finish, facilitating access to information and understanding of our code.

What is MkDocs?

According to the official documentation, MkDocs is “a fast, simple, and absolutely beautiful static site generator that is geared towards creating project documentation.” Therefore, we can say that this tool will help us generate technical documentation for our projects. In addition, MkDocs will allow us to view them in web format quickly and easily.

MkDocs is based on Markdown, which allows you to write documentation in a very simple and orderly way. In a basic structure, each of the Markdown files will represent the different pages of the website. This will allow us to organize everything in a structured and elegant way.

In addition, it is designed to be used in all types of projects and has a very fast learning curve. These qualities are especially useful in different scenarios. On the one hand, for teams with several developers who want to document the code so that the rest of the members can understand it. And also, in the case of individual programmers who want to share their creations with the rest of the community. 

Finally, it is worth noting that MkDocs is more focused on documenting Backend repositories. This is because its Markdown-centric approach is ideal for documenting APIs and software or data architectures. Furthermore, as it does not depend on React or other frontend frameworks (which, as we will see later, is not the case with Docusaurus), it allows you to generate them much more quickly and easily, with direct integration with tools such as GitHub pages.

MkDocs: Main features

Now that we understand what MkDocs is and what it is used for, let’s talk about its main features.

First of all, MkDocs stands out for its very simple configuration. When you install the tool (which we will see below), a series of files will be generated that will facilitate its configuration, allowing you to have everything ready in just a few minutes. 

This is particularly important, as it reduces the time spent on this initial configuration. It also gives us more time to focus on creating the documentation itself or developing the application.

Markdown in MkDocs

On the other hand, MkDocs is based on Markdown. This is really interesting for developers with little knowledge of HTML or CSS. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to generate the documentation website without having to worry about everything related to layout.

This feature makes the documentation process much easier and allows us to focus on its content rather than its appearance or structure.

MkDocs plugins

Another feature to keep in mind is that MkDocs allows you to incorporate plugins that increase its performance and facilitate the customization of documentation. Installing them is incredibly simple. All you need to do is install them in the repository with pip or poetry and add them to the MkDocs configuration.

Although there are many more options than those shown here, some of the most common and useful plugins are:

• The mkdocs-mermaid plugin facilitates the use of diagrams in Markdown with Mermaid syntax.
• With mkdocs-table-reader-plugin, external tables can be inserted into the documentation.
• mkdocs-minify-plugin minimizes HTML, CSS, and JS to improve documentation performance.

In terms of integration with version control platforms (such as GitHub), MkDocs allows you to deploy documentation directly to GitHub Pages with a single command. This greatly facilitates the deployment of documentation, especially in repositories with a large volume of files.

Similarly, through its mike plugin, MkDocs also offers support for multiple versions. Thanks to this plugin, it is possible to manage different versions of the documentation, which provides robustness and traceability. This is because users will be able to access specific documentation during all phases of development.  

Finally, although there are many more points that could be covered in this section, we will highlight that MkDocs has a variety of pre-designed themes with which to modify and customize the appearance of the website. Among them, Material for MkDocs stands out. In addition to being one of the most popular, it gives the page an elegant, modern, and highly configurable style. In the next section, we will look at the installation and configuration of Material for MkDocs.

How to install MkDocs in your project

Next, we will look at a step-by-step tutorial for installing MkDocs in your project, specifically mkdocs-material.

First, it is important to note that there are several ways to perform the installation. The choice will depend on the package management system you use. In my case, since I normally use poetry for dependency management, I will follow this method. However, it is also possible to install it with pip.

To add MkDocs to your project and register it in the pyproject.toml file, simply run the following command:

poetry add mkdocs-material

Generate document structure in MkDocs

This will install both MkDocs and the mkdocs-material theme. Once installed, you can generate the basic structure of your project’s documentation. To do this, go to the root of your project and run the command:

mkdocs new .

When you run it, it will generate all the necessary file structures so you can start creating all the documentation.

Since we want to use the material theme, we need to specify in the configuration that it should use that particular theme. To do this, we need to include the following code in the mkdocs.yml file that has been generated:

theme:
  name: material
  language: es
  palette:
    - media: "(prefers-color-scheme: light)"
      scheme: default
      primary: blue grey
      toggle:
        icon: material/brightness-7
        name: Switch to dark mode

    - media: "(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"
      scheme: slate
      primary: blue grey
      toggle:
        icon: material/brightness-4
        name: Switch to light mode

With this, we will have configured our MkDocs with the material theme to start generating our documentation. All that remains is to access the folder where our configuration file (mkdocs.yml) is located and initialize the development service by running:

mkdocs serve

This will run a local server that will allow us to view our documentation in real time as we generate it.

Finally, if we want to generate the documentation in a format ready to be deployed on a website, we run:

mkdocs build

This will create a folder called site/ and generate all the files needed to host our documentation on a web server.

What is Docusaurus?

After analyzing MkDocs, we will now look at one of its main direct competitors, Docusaurus. To do this, let’s first define what Docusaurus is.

Docusaurus is a static site generator developed by Meta that allows you to create documentation web pages quickly and easily. Like MkDocs, its approach is based on Markdown. However, since it is built with React, it allows for greater customization of the content displayed.

As we did with MkDocs, it is important to know the main features of Docusaurus and what it offers us.

Main features of Docusaurus

The first thing to mention is that, like MkDocs, Docusaurus is based on Markdown. This allows us to create documentation in this format. However, the big difference with MkDocs is that it supports React. Thanks to this, we can integrate React components, which in turn allow us to add interactive features to our documentation.

This feature helps us add elements such as dynamic graphics, forms, interactive tables, or any other React component that improves the user experience.

On the other hand, Docusaurus also uses a configuration file called docusaurus.config.js. Like mkdocs.yml, it allows us to define the structure of the website and configure plugins and themes quickly and intuitively.

Next, we will look at two key features in Docusaurus. On the one hand, support for multiple versions and, on the other, integrated i18n internationalization. These features, as in the case of Mkdocs, can be integrated and configured very simply.

Support for multiple versions

Docusaurus offers native support for multiple versions. This makes it easier to manage different versions of the documentation and facilitates the consultation of changes throughout development. All this without affecting the most recent version. 

One of the most relevant points in this section is that, unlike MkDocs (where you have to install the mike plugin to get this functionality), Docusaurus integrates this functionality natively. No extra installation is required, which simplifies the process and reduces the configuration required.

Integrated internationalization

When it comes to integrated internationalization (i18n), another big advantage Docusaurus has over Mkdocs is that it integrates it natively. This makes it easy to translate documentation into different languages without relying on external tools.

Another of Docusaurus’s great strengths is also worth mentioning. Being built with React, it allows you to customize the styles and appearance of the site much more easily than with MkDocs. Docusaurus not only makes it easy to manage the styles of the entire page using CSS and custom themes, but also allows you to incorporate React components, giving it a versatility that is difficult for other tools to achieve.

Besides all that, there are other key features that set Docusaurus apart from other tools. For example, it supports creating and managing a blog within the documentation. This can be super useful when you have a big team working on the app and you need to document each member’s development process. Plus, Docusaurus automatically generates metadata to optimize the SEO of the documentation pages.

Finally, Docusaurus, like MkDocs, has direct integration with GitHub Pages and other deployment services such as Vercel, Netlify, and Cloudflare Pages. It also has an ecosystem of plugins (both official and community-driven) that can be installed to extend its functionality. 

In short, Docusaurus is also a very comprehensive tool for generating documentation in software projects. Its various features make it particularly relevant for frontend development of an application.

Step-by-step installation of Docusaurus

At this point, the next thing we will do is install Docusaurus in our project.

First, since it requires Node.js to run, we must ensure that it is installed on our system. To do this, we will execute the following command:

node -v

If Node.js is correctly installed, this command will return the version that is on our system. If it is not, we will have to install it by following the instructions on the official Node.js download page.

Once we are sure that it is installed on our system, the next step will be to run this command in the terminal to install Docusaurus:

npx create-docusaurus@latest doc

With it, we are using npx to run the create-docusaurus@latest package, which will install the latest available version of Docusaurus and the base structure of the project. This will generate all the necessary files within the folder we have specified. In this case, docs.

Installing templates

At the time of installation, there are different templates to choose from depending on our needs.

• classic. Recommended option if you want to get started quickly and without extra configurations.
• git repository. This option is recommended if you already have a template in a git repo.
• local template. Finally, if you want to use a template you have on your computer, you can select this option.

Finally, you will be asked to choose between JavaScript or TypeScript for your configuration, depending on your development preferences. 

In addition, if you already know what configuration you want for your project, you can launch everything with a single command, for example:

npx create-docusaurus@latest doc classic --typescript

This will generate all the necessary architecture to start developing your project documentation.

Once the installation is complete, all that remains is to access the project directory and start the development server using the following command.

npm run start

As with MkDocs, if we want to generate documentation in a format ready to be deployed on a website, we just need to run:

npm run build

MkDocs and Docusaurus: Technical Comparison

Now that we know the features of both tools and how to install them, the next step is to make a direct comparison to see which one is best suited to different projects.

To do this, we will ask different questions and designate a winner in the comparison, if there is one.

Ease of installation and configuration

Both MkDocs and Docusaurus can be installed with two simple terminal commands. However, there is one key difference: in order to install Docusaurus, you must first have Node.js installed. If you have to download and install it on your system, this adds complexity to the installation process. 

For this reason, and although both are very similar in terms of installation difficulty, MkDocs offers a simpler experience. Therefore, we would give it the win in this section.

Winner: MkDocs

Learning curve

In terms of the difficulty we will have in mastering the tool and getting the most out of it, it must be acknowledged that MkDocs is substantially easier to use than Docusaurus.

On the one hand, MkDocs is based entirely on Markdown and is configured using a single file. Although Docusaurus also allows you to write documentation in Markdown format, there is an added complexity in that you need to have knowledge of JavaScript and React to take full advantage of its customization.

For this reason, we also declare Mkdocs the winner in this case. Although the learning curve for both is relatively low, Docusaurus requires more knowledge and time to adapt in order to reach its full potential.

Winner: MkDocs

Flexibility and customization

In this section, there is a clear winner: Docusaurus.

Docusaurus is specifically designed to give developers greater flexibility and customization of all pages. As mentioned above, this is because it is based on React. This allows you to modify not only the styles but also the functionality of each page.

On the other hand, MkDocs, although it allows for some customization, especially through specialized themes and plugins, offers less customization capabilities. It is, by far, a less versatile tool in this regard.

Winner: Docusaurus

Support for multiple languages

Okay, let’s continue with the comparison, focusing now on which of the two tools offers greater support for multiple languages, i.e., i18n.

On the one hand, both allow you to manage documentation in different languages, which in any case facilitates the creation of translated versions if needed for your project. However, while MkDocs requires us to install an external plugin called mkdocs-static-i18n to have this functionality, with the respective extra configuration required, Docusaurus incorporates it natively, only requiring us to define the languages in the docusaurus.config.js configuration file for them to be generated automatically.

For this reason, given that it incorporates it natively and with a simpler configuration, Docusaurus also wins in this section.

Winner: Docusaurus

Performance

Let’s talk about performance. This point is extremely important when we want to generate documentation for a relatively large project.

On the one hand, since MkDocs is based on Python, it allows you to generate static sites extremely quickly. Thanks to this capability, it does not require the use of external frameworks that slow down the entire process.

On the other hand, Docusaurus is based on React and JavaScript. Therefore, it will have to use more resources to generate and display the site, especially, as we have already seen, if it is particularly large. Greater complexity will require more time and resources when performing all the tasks necessary for its generation.

In short, the underlying technology used by both tools is a key factor in their performance, and for that reason, MkDocs is the clear winner in this section.

Winner: MkDocs

Support for custom themes and styles

t stands to reason that if Docusaurus had a clear advantage in terms of flexibility and customization, it should also have one in this area. And I can tell you right now that it does.

It’s true that MkDocs allows you to use predefined themes and modify them using CSS. On the other hand, as we’ve already mentioned, it has the Material for MkDocs theme, which gives it minimalist and elegant styles. However, these themes and improvements don’t reach the level of flexibility that React brings to Docusaurus.

Thanks to React, Docusaurus is not only capable of modifying the generated documentation using CSS, custom themes, or even custom components. It also allows total control over themes and styles. This feature gives it an insurmountable advantage over other tools such as Mkdocs.

Winner: Docusaurus

Integration with other technologies

As we have seen above, it is important to have good documentation in your project. If this documentation cannot be integrated with platforms such as GitHub Pages or similar ones, its scope and usefulness will be much greater. For this reason, it is so important that these tools offer simple and direct integration with these services.

In this case, both MkDocs and Docusaurus allow native integration with these platforms. In addition, both generate static files that are automatically linked once they have been configured correctly. 

Therefore, given that both integrate natively with these tools and are equally easy to implement, we can consider this section a tie.

Winner: Draw

Maintenance and developer community

Finally, we will focus on which of the two tools has better maintenance and a larger, more active community.

It should be noted that Docusaurus, being developed and maintained by Meta, has a more dedicated team and offers official support that other tools, including MkDocs, do not have. In addition, being based on React, its community is growing and contributions and updates are much more frequent.

On the other hand, although the MkDocs community is also representative, for obvious reasons, it cannot reach the level offered by Docusaurus with a company the size of Meta providing support behind it. Therefore, despite the fact that version maintenance and the implementation of new developments are carried out at a considerable pace, in perspective, it cannot be compared to what Docusaurus offers.

Winner: Docusaurus

MkDocs or Docusaurus: which to choose depending on the project type?

At this point, after analyzing what MkDocs and Docusaurus are separately and comparing them with each other, we can see that there is no clear winner in all areas. The use of one tool or the other will depend on the needs of the project we are carrying out.

Therefore, the next step is to understand when it is best to use one or the other.

When to use MkDocs

If you need quick and easy documentation that gives you all the benefits of having your project documented without having to devote a lot of time and effort to the process, MkDocs is the tool for you.

With it, you can generate all the information in Markdown very easily. In addition, there are a large number of plugins that will allow you to greatly enrich your pages without the need for excessive configuration and customization. On the other hand, you can integrate it with GitHub Pages with little effort. 

In short, if you are developing in Python (such as the backend of an application or a data project) and are looking for a lightweight, efficient, and easy-to-maintain solution, MkDocs is your best option.

When to use Docusaurus

Given its characteristics, Docusaurus is the best option if you want to generate documentation for an application built with React. In other words, for the frontend part of an application.

Thanks to its integration with React, it allows you to enrich and customize the documentation with your own components, giving it greater visibility and improving its style. In addition, it natively enables you to generate a blog where different developers can upload their contributions or different tutorials. And, if you are already familiar with React, both the configuration of the site and its customization will be very easy for you.

Therefore, if you are developing the frontend of an application and your priority is to have highly customized documentation, with interactive elements and dynamic styles that make your page unique, Docusaurus is your best option.

Conclusion

As we have seen throughout this article, both MkDocs and Docusaurus are two very powerful tools. Both allow you to generate well-structured documentation in Markdown format quickly, intuitively, and with a wide range of options.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so choosing one or the other will depend on the needs of your project. However, thanks to MkDocs and Docusaurus, there are no longer any excuses for not generating clear documentation for your project. Thanks to them, the content will be much more understandable for other developers and will also improve collaboration and long-term maintenance.

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