Freedom251 › Knowledge base software
TWiki
by TWiki
What TWiki is
TWiki is a free, open-source enterprise wiki, collaboration platform, and web application platform for intranets, extranets, or public websites. Teams can build custom wiki applications and workflows with structured content, forms, variables, and plugins. Users create and edit pages in a browser, with automatic links, formatting rules, and full-text search that supports regular expressions. TWiki records changes to pages and attachments, allowing users to retrieve earlier versions and compare differences. Administrators can set fine-grained read and write restrictions for users and groups. Plugins extend the platform without changing its core, and developers can create them in Perl through the plugin API. The LdapContrib package can connect LDAP authentication, user mapping, and authorization, including LDAP groups in access controls. TWiki is installed on a web server; requirements include Perl 5, shell commands, and RCS, with additional requirements possible for plugins and add-ons. The software is released under the GNU General Public License. Support is not included, though the project points to documentation, a user forum, and an IRC channel. It was founded in 1998.
Who it suits
TWiki may suit teams building an intranet, knowledge base, FAQ, software documentation, issue tracker, or document management workspace. It is geared toward users able to administer a web server and meet its technical requirements.
What it does well
- Free software under the GNU General Public License
- Page and attachment revision history with comparisons
- Fine-grained read and write access controls
- Plugins can extend the platform through its API
What to know first
- Installation requires web server administration
- Server requirements include Perl 5, shell commands, and RCS
- Support is not included
Limits
The free GPL software requires web server administration, Perl 5, shell commands, and RCS. Plugins and add-ons may have additional requirements, and support is not included.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| TWiki | GPL software · Perl CGI source code, templates, and documentation available for free · requires web server administration to install | Free |
As twiki.org lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the TWiki website and consult its installation guide
- Prepare a web server with Perl 5, shell commands, and RCS
- Follow the production installation guide for Apache on Linux, or consult the notes for other platforms and environments
- Configure users, groups, and page access restrictions
- Use the documentation, user forum, or IRC channel for guidance
Verdict
TWiki provides structured wiki tools, access controls, and extensibility for self-hosted collaboration and web applications. It is best considered by teams prepared to handle installation and support needs themselves.
Questions
How much does TWiki cost?
The listed TWiki plan is free. The software is released under the GNU General Public License.
Can I host TWiki myself?
Yes. TWiki is installed on a web server, and self-hosting is available.
What does installation require?
The server requirements include Perl 5, shell commands, and RCS. Plugins and add-ons may have additional requirements.
Does TWiki support LDAP?
Its LdapContrib package can use LDAP for authentication, user mapping, and authorization, including LDAP groups in access control lists.
What platforms are listed?
Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted environments are listed.
Is support included?
No. TWiki points users to documentation, a user forum, and an IRC channel, and lists consultants for hire.
Facts from TWiki's own pages
- Access controls
- Administrators can set fine-grained read and write restrictions for users and groups. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- TWiki is installed on a web server; its installation guide covers the production release on Apache on Linux and refers to notes for other platforms and environments. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Editing and search
- Users can create and edit pages in a web browser, with automatic links, text formatting rules, and full-text search that supports regular expressions. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- Plugins extend TWiki without changing its core code, and developers can create plugins in Perl using the plugin API. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1998 · twiki.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · twiki.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Integration example
- TWiki’s LdapContrib package can use LDAP for authentication, user mapping, and authorization, including LDAP groups in access control lists. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes uses including replacing an intranet, running a knowledge base or FAQ, documenting software projects, tracking issues, and managing documents. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- License
- TWiki’s site states that the software is released under the GNU General Public License. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TWiki is an open-source enterprise wiki, collaboration platform, and web application platform for intranets, extranets, or the Internet. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The server requirements include Perl 5, shell commands, and RCS; plugins and add-ons may have additional requirements. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Revision history
- TWiki tracks changes to pages and attachments and lets users retrieve earlier revisions and compare differences. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Security alerts
- The project asks administrators to join the twiki-announce list for high-priority security alerts and describes a process for reporting potential security issues to its security team. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- SSO support
- Yes · twiki.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Structured wiki
- Users can build custom wiki applications and workflows using TWiki’s structured content, forms, variables, and plugins. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- TWiki is free software and does not include support; its site points users to documentation, a user forum, and an IRC channel, and offers consultants for hire. · twiki.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Version history
- Yes · twiki.org, 20 Sept 2026
Where TWiki stands on Freedom251
- Knowledge base software#28 of 138
- Wiki Software#20 of 33