Side by side
ExDoc vs Widdershins
Both stand on documentation generators. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan
ExDoc covers documentation generation, navigation, customization, and versioning for Erlang and Elixir workflows. Its free availability and varied inputs make it practical for projects already using those ecosystems.
Visit ExDoc Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted
Widdershins offers several API definition inputs and renderer-oriented outputs, with templates and samples users can adapt. Its default schema expansion behavior may matter when preparing documentation.
Visit WiddershinsThe facts
| ExDoc | Widdershins | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Not published | API, Linux, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | ex-doc.hexdocs.pm | github.com |
| On documentation generators | #27 of 37 | #23 of 37 |
ExDoc: what it does well
- Generates HTML, Markdown, and EPUB documentation
- Supports Erlang and Elixir API references
- Includes search, autocomplete, and keyboard shortcuts
- Offers custom pages, guides, and sidebars
- Free plan available
What to know first
- Mix requires Elixir v1.15 or later
- Erlang setup documentation targets OTP 24 onward
- Rendered content may have different licenses
- Rendered materials must visibly link to ExDoc's repository
Widdershins: what it does well
- Accepts OpenAPI, API Blueprint, AsyncAPI, and Semoasa inputs.
- Produces Markdown, HTML, or ReSpec format.
- Templates and code samples are customizable.
- Free and MIT-licensed.
What to know first
- Schema examples default to a maximum depth of 10.
- Referenced request body schemas are not expanded by default without an inline schema.
Alternatives to ExDoc Alternatives to Widdershins The whole list