Wikibase

What Wikibase is

Wikibase is open-source software for collaboratively building and maintaining structured information that people and computers can use. Made and supported by Wikimedia Deutschland and community contributors, it is intended to help data connect with the Linked Open Data web. Institutions, research projects, and communities can use it to create searchable, multilingual, linked knowledge bases.

There are two free options. Wikibase Cloud is hosted by Wikimedia Deutschland and has a simpler feature set. Wikibase Suite is a supported Docker Compose configuration for deploying services to a publicly accessible server. Its bundle includes MediaWiki with Wikibase, a job runner, MariaDB, OpenSearch, SPARQL query services, QuickStatements, and Traefik. Federation connects data in other Wikibases and query services through SPARQL. QuickStatements, a web-based tool included with Suite, can import and manipulate large amounts of data.

Suite requires a public Linux-based server with an x86 processor, at least 8 GB of RAM, and at least 4 GB of storage; Ubuntu is recommended. The installer documentation says Suite is not intended for local installation. Its Traefik deployment handles TLS termination and renews SSL certificates through ACME. The project points users to its community and FAQ, while Suite support questions go to troubleshooting and an engineering-team bug report form.

Who it suits

Wikibase suits institutions, research projects, and communities that need to build searchable, multilingual knowledge bases from structured data. Choose Cloud for a hosted option, or Suite if you can deploy and operate it on a public Linux server.

Limits

Wikibase Cloud has a simpler feature set. Wikibase Suite requires a public Linux-based server with an x86 processor, at least 8 GB RAM, and at least 4 GB storage; it is not intended for local installations.

Getting started

1. Choose the hosted Wikibase Cloud option or the self-hosted Wikibase Suite plan
2. For Suite, prepare a public Linux-based server with an x86 processor, at least 8 GB RAM, and at least 4 GB storage
3. Consider Ubuntu, which is recommended for Suite
4. Deploy Suite using its supported Docker Compose configuration
5. Use the community and FAQ for project questions, or Suite troubleshooting and its engineering-team bug report form for Suite support

Verdict

Choose Wikibase if your institution, research project, or community needs a searchable, multilingual linked knowledge base. Cloud provides free hosting; Suite offers a broader self-hosted bundle but requires a qualifying public Linux server. The main reason to look elsewhere is if you need to install Suite locally or cannot provide that server.