Top 10 Free Knowledge Base Solutions for 2024

Ever wondered how to provide quick, accurate answers to your customers without overwhelming your support team? That’s where knowledge base software comes in. A well-structured knowledge management solution can act as your company’s self-serve online library, helping both customers and internal teams find relevant articles, resolve issues, and keep operations running smoothly.

For smaller companies or teams just starting out, investing in costly solutions isn’t always feasible. Luckily, there are plenty of free knowledge base software options that deliver powerful features like intuitive platforms, customization options, and seamless integrations—without breaking the bank.

This guide explores 10 of the best free tools, from open source knowledge bases to SaaS solutions with ai-powered search and private knowledge bases for handling sensitive information. Whether you’re looking to improve team collaboration, streamline self-service support, or enhance your customer-facing help center, there’s a knowledge base tool here for every need.

What is Knowledge Base Software?

Knowledge base software is a tool that centralizes a company’s information, such as FAQs, guides, and product documentation, making it accessible to customers and teams. It enables self-service support, reduces support tickets, and improves team collaboration by organizing and managing a company’s knowledge effectively. Features often include search functions, document management, and options for private or public knowledge bases, helping businesses enhance productivity and customer satisfaction.

Top 10 Free Knowledge Base Software

Let’s get straight into the tools that can transform how your team handles knowledge management. These options are packed with features to streamline business operations, improve customer support, and boost efficiency.

1. Desku

Desku stands out as a versatile knowledge base tool tailored for businesses seeking seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Ecwid, and Shopline. It also offers an advanced AI assistant, Desku EVA, to enhance customer interactions and streamline self-service support.

Key Features

• AI-powered search and Desku EVA for intelligent query resolution.
• Seamless integration with platforms like:
  • Shopify Inbox
  • WooCommerce
  • Ecwid
  • Shopline
• Support for creating private knowledge bases and publicly accessible help centers.
• Customizable templates for creating visual how-to guides and product documentation.
• Tools for team collaboration, version control, and multi-platform content management.

Pros

• Versatile platform tailored for e-commerce and customer support needs.
• Advanced AI capabilities through Desku EVA for automated query handling.
• Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve.
• Scalable solution for small businesses and high-traffic websites.

Cons

• Advanced features like AI-based automation may require a learning period for optimal use.

Best For

E-commerce businesses, customer support teams, and SMBs looking for a powerful, integrated knowledge base solution that enhances both customer interactions and internal knowledge management.

Statistics

• Over 10,000 businesses leverage Desku for seamless knowledge management.
• Reduces support tickets by up to 30% with AI-driven support.
• Boosts e-commerce sales by 20% through improved customer engagement.

Why Choose Desku for Your E-commerce Knowledge Base?

Desku is uniquely designed to integrate with leading e-commerce platforms, making it the ideal choice for businesses seeking to:

• Provide instant support to online customers with Desku EVA.
• Manage customer queries across multiple sales channels, including Shopify and WooCommerce.
• Offer a self-service content hub to reduce repetitive queries and enhance the shopping experience.

2. Zoho Desk

Zoho Desk is a cloud-based knowledge management tool tailored for businesses seeking to enhance customer support through effective self-service content. It’s ideal for creating private knowledge bases for internal teams or publicly accessible ones for customers. With its ai-powered search and robust integration capabilities, Zoho Desk simplifies knowledge management for companies of all sizes.

Key Features

• AI-powered search to help users find relevant articles effortlessly.
• Tools to manage internal knowledge bases, external knowledge bases, and multiple knowledge bases within a single system.
• Seamless integration with tools like Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, and CRM systems.
• Customizable workflows for managing support tickets and automating repetitive tasks.
• Comprehensive analytics to track knowledge base performance and improve content.

Pros

• Clean and intuitive user interface, suitable for teams with minimal technical skills.
• Enables team collaboration with collaborative editing and version control.
• Scalable for small businesses and large enterprises alike.
• Offers out-of-the-box features for self-service support and product documentation.

Cons

• Certain features, such as advanced customization, may require a paid plan.
• The learning curve can be slightly steep for teams unfamiliar with knowledge base tools.

Best For

Businesses focused on improving customer support efficiency and reducing repetitive queries by offering a dedicated help center. Especially useful for companies with a dedicated support team managing high-traffic websites.

Statistics

• Trusted by over 50,000 businesses worldwide.
• Reduces customer support response times by up to 40%.
• Improves team productivity by 30% with streamlined knowledge management solutions.

3. Notion

Notion is a flexible knowledge management tool widely known for its versatility and ease of use. Designed for both internal teams and individual users, it doubles as a knowledge base solution and a content management system. With collaborative editing and intuitive design, Notion helps teams store and share information, create visual how-to guides, and maintain a centralized repository for a company’s knowledge.

Key Features

• WYSIWYG editor for creating rich, interactive content like self-service content and product documentation.
• Supports multiple knowledge bases and private knowledge bases for internal use.
• Includes team collaboration features like real-time editing and version control.
• Flexible templates for creating anything from helpful articles to note-taking pages.
• Integration capabilities with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and more.

Pros

• Highly customizable with intuitive platform design.
• Minimal learning curve, even for non-technical users.
• Excellent for maintaining internal knowledge management and collaborative projects.
• Offers free plans with unlimited users, making it budget-friendly for small teams.

Cons

• May lack advanced ai-powered search compared to other tools.
• Some customization options require a bit of CSS expertise.

Best For

SMEs, startups, and customer support managers looking for a dynamic, user-friendly platform to store and share self-service support content while improving team collaboration.

Statistics

• Used by over 20 million users globally.
• Increases team productivity by up to 35% with streamlined collaborative editing.
• Rated 4.7/5 on major platforms for ease of use and versatility.

4. Document360

Document360 is a specialized knowledge base tool designed for businesses that need robust knowledge management solutions. It allows companies to create both customer-facing and internal knowledge bases with ease. Featuring a user-friendly interface, it supports detailed product documentation, self-service content, and team collaboration for managing sensitive information securely.

Key Features

• Offers a powerful WYSIWYG editor for creating polished, helpful articles and visual how-to guides.
• Built-in ai-powered search to help users find relevant articles quickly.
• Allows creation of multiple knowledge bases for various use cases.
• Supports version control, team collaboration, and real-time updates to ensure content stays up to date.
• Comprehensive analytics for tracking performance and identifying gaps in your knowledge base.

Pros

• Easy to use for both technical and non-technical teams.
• Provides seamless integrations with popular tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and CRMs.
• Includes options for creating private knowledge bases to secure sensitive information.
• Ideal for businesses with high-traffic websites or complex product documentation needs.

Cons

• The free plan has limitations on customization options and storage.
• Advanced features, like workflow automation, may require a paid plan.

Best For

Businesses focused on detailed document management, product documentation, and offering customers a polished, self-serve online library. Especially great for support teams that frequently handle repetitive support tickets.

Statistics

• Trusted by over 15,000 businesses, including large enterprises.
• Improves customer satisfaction rates by up to 40%.
• Reduces team workload by 30% through streamlined internal knowledge management.

5. Freshdesk

Freshdesk is a comprehensive knowledge base software that comes with robust features for managing self-service content and customer-facing help centers. Designed for support teams, it simplifies document management while enhancing customer satisfaction with a user-friendly interface and powerful search functions.

Key Features

• Intuitive WYSIWYG editor for creating and updating helpful articles.
• AI-driven suggestions to recommend relevant content to users.
• Seamless integrations with platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and CRMs.
• Tools for creating private knowledge bases and publicly accessible help centers.
• Analytics to track customer engagement with self-service content.

Pros

• Excellent scalability for both SMBs and large enterprises.
• Supports multilingual knowledge bases, ideal for global businesses.
• Low learning curve, even for new support agents.
• Reduces support tickets with efficient self-service solutions.

Cons

• Free plan offers limited features compared to premium versions.
• Some users may find advanced integrations complex to set up.

Best For

Teams looking to create a dedicated knowledge base for self-service support while improving team collaboration and response times.

Statistics

• Trusted by over 50,000 businesses worldwide.
• Reduces customer queries by up to 35% through self-service content.
• Improves team efficiency by 25% with streamlined workflows.

6. Helpjuice

Helpjuice is a powerful knowledge management solution tailored for creating self-service support systems. With its focus on simplicity and advanced analytics, it’s ideal for businesses that want to maintain a single source of truth for both internal and external users.

Key Features

• Fully customizable design with CSS expertise for branding.
• Advanced ai-powered search to ensure users find relevant articles quickly.
• Tools for creating multiple knowledge bases and managing version control.
• Analytics to track performance and optimize content.
• Supports team collaboration with intuitive workflows.

Pros

• Offers robust customization and branding options.
• Easy to set up and maintain without extensive technical skills.
• Perfect for support teams handling repetitive queries.
• Works well for high-traffic websites and sensitive information management.

Cons

• Free version lacks some advanced features available in paid plans.
• May not integrate as seamlessly with niche platforms.

Best For

Companies that need full control over their knowledge base solution with customization options and strong analytical tools.

Statistics

• Boosts customer self-service rates by up to 40%.
• Used by over 30,000 businesses globally.
• Saves teams up to 20 hours per week with optimized workflows.

7. Confluence by Atlassian

Confluence is a robust knowledge management tool designed for internal teams to collaborate effectively. Its focus on team collaboration and note-taking makes it an excellent choice for creating internal knowledge bases and managing business operations.

Key Features

• Interactive pages with WYSIWYG editors for self-service support content.
• Collaborative editing and version control for internal documentation.
• Templates for creating visual how-to guides and other resources.
• Integration with tools like Jira, Microsoft Teams, and Slack.
• Options for multiple knowledge bases tailored for different teams.

Pros

• Intuitive user interface for managing internal knowledge.
• Scalable for both small teams and large enterprises.
• Strong integration with other Atlassian products.
• Great for team collaboration on projects.

Cons

• Less suitable for customer-facing help centers.
• Free version has limited storage and features.

Best For

Internal teams and businesses looking for a knowledge management solution to streamline workflows and centralize internal knowledge.

Statistics

• Used by over 100,000 teams globally.
• Increases collaboration efficiency by 40%.
• Rated 4.6/5 for user satisfaction on major platforms.

8. Tawk.to

Tawk.to is a live chat and knowledge base tool that helps businesses create efficient self-service support systems. With its focus on real-time interaction and easy content creation, it’s a great choice for small teams and e-commerce businesses.

Key Features

• Built-in live chat integration for instant customer support.
• Tools for creating publicly accessible knowledge bases.
• Easy setup with customizable templates for helpful articles.
• Supports team collaboration and version control.
• Tracks performance with detailed analytics.

Pros

• Completely free with no hidden costs.
• Combines live chat and knowledge base functionality seamlessly.
• Simple user interface with minimal setup time.
• Ideal for handling support tickets for e-commerce and small teams.

Cons

• Limited customization for advanced users.
• Not ideal for managing private knowledge bases.

Best For

E-commerce businesses and small teams that need a quick and effective self-service content solution integrated with live chat.

Statistics

• Trusted by over 1 million users globally.
• Reduces query response times by up to 50%.
• Handles over 3 billion queries annually.

9. OpenKM

OpenKM is an open source knowledge base and document management system designed for businesses needing a customizable and scalable solution. It’s a great fit for managing internal knowledge and organizing sensitive information securely.

Key Features

• Full customization options with open source flexibility.
• Tools for collaborative editing, version control, and centralized knowledge management.
• Secure storage for sensitive information.
• Integration with popular platforms and APIs.
• Extensive community support and resources for setup.

Pros

• Highly customizable for businesses with unique needs.
• Suitable for handling complex document management tasks.
• Works well for both private knowledge bases and publicly accessible systems.
• Free with no licensing fees.

Cons

• Requires some technical expertise for initial setup.
• Limited out-of-the-box integrations compared to SaaS tools.

Best For

Organizations with skilled IT teams looking for a free, flexible, and highly customizable knowledge management solution.

Statistics

• Used by over 15,000 companies.
• Reduces documentation errors by 30%.
• Saves teams an average of 10 hours per week on document organization.

10. phpMyFAQ

phpMyFAQ is a lightweight open source knowledge base tool that’s perfect for businesses wanting a straightforward solution for managing FAQs and knowledge bases. It offers customizable features and is easy to deploy, making it ideal for tech-savvy teams.

Key Features

• Customizable templates for creating private knowledge bases and FAQs.
• Supports team collaboration and version control.
• Advanced search functionality to help users find relevant articles.
• Built-in analytics for tracking engagement and performance.
• Multilingual support for global audiences.

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to set up.
• Perfect for creating self-service content and FAQ pages.
• Free to use with open source flexibility.
• Includes tools for managing sensitive information securely.

Cons

• Limited advanced features compared to other tools.
• May require some technical expertise for customization.

Best For

Small businesses and startups looking for a lightweight and free knowledge management solution to handle customer queries and FAQs.

Statistics

• Used by over 5,000 businesses worldwide.
• Reduces repetitive customer queries by 20-30%.
• Saves up to 15% of team time with optimized workflows.

Comparison Table

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the top 10 free knowledge base tools, highlighting their key features, ideal use cases, and potential drawbacks:

Tool	Key Features	Best For	Pros	Cons
Desku	AI-powered search, multiple knowledge bases, intuitive platform	SMBs, large enterprises	User-friendly, scalable	Limited customization
Zoho Desk	AI-driven search, multilingual support, seamless integrations	Support teams, high-traffic websites	Easy to use, scalable	Paid features needed for advanced customization
Notion	WYSIWYG editor, collaborative editing, templates	SMEs, startups, collaborative teams	Flexible, unlimited users	Limited AI features
Document360	Version control, analytics, team collaboration	Product documentation, internal teams	Strong analytics, customizable	Limited free plan storage
Freshdesk	Intuitive interface, multilingual support, AI suggestions	Customer-facing support teams	Scalable, multilingual	Some integrations complex
Helpjuice	CSS customizations, AI search, analytics	High-traffic websites, customization seekers	Easy branding, analytics-driven	Free plan limited features
Confluence	Collaboration tools, templates, integrations	Internal teams, enterprise operations	Strong Atlassian integration	Less ideal for customer-facing needs
Tawk.to	Live chat integration, easy setup, analytics	E-commerce, small teams	Free, fast setup	Limited private KB options
OpenKM	Open source, collaborative editing, secure storage	IT-skilled teams, document-heavy businesses	Highly customizable	Requires technical expertise
phpMyFAQ	Multilingual support, analytics, FAQ focus	Startups, small businesses	Lightweight, simple	Fewer advanced features

How to Choose the Right Knowledge Base Software

Selecting the perfect knowledge base tool can feel overwhelming with so many options available. Here’s a guide to help you make the right choice:

1. Define Your Needs

Start by identifying your business requirements. Ask yourself:

• Do you need a customer-facing help center or an internal knowledge base?
• Is scalability important as your team grows?
• Will you handle sensitive information, requiring enhanced security?

For instance, if you’re managing a large support team, look for tools that streamline team collaboration and manage support tickets effectively.

2. Evaluate Key Features

Focus on features that align with your goals:

• AI-powered search: Essential for helping users find relevant articles quickly.
• Customization options: Tools like Helpjuice or OpenKM offer more control over branding and layout.
• Multiple knowledge bases: Look for tools like Document360 to serve different audiences.
• Seamless integrations: Tools like Zoho Desk and Freshdesk integrate with CRMs and communication platforms.

3. Consider Usability

Choose an intuitive platform with a low learning curve for your team. Tools like Notion and Tawk.to are particularly user-friendly, even for non-technical users.

4. Assess Cost and Scalability

Many free tools come with limitations. Determine whether the free version meets your needs or if upgrading to a premium plan will provide better value. Tools like Zoho Desk offer scalability for both small and large teams.

5. Check Support and Reliability

Look into the level of support provided, especially for free tools. Is there a dedicated support team or community forum for troubleshooting? Tools like Freshdesk excel in providing reliable assistance.

6. Think Long-Term

If you anticipate growth or changes in your operations, select a tool that offers features like:

• Seamless integrations for evolving workflows.
• Support for high-traffic websites or large enterprises.
• Advanced analytics to optimize your knowledge management solution.

Example Use Cases

• Small Business: A tool like Tawk.to is great for creating a publicly accessible knowledge base for e-commerce queries.
• Enterprise: Confluence or Helpjuice excel in managing complex internal workflows and team collaboration.
• Customer-Focused Support: Tools like Desku or Freshdesk help improve self-service support while handling repetitive queries.

By aligning your specific needs with the tool’s features, you’ll ensure your knowledge management strategy sets your team up for success.

Conclusion

A well-implemented knowledge base software is a game-changer for any business looking to reduce support tickets, streamline business operations, and provide seamless self-service support. With the variety of free tools available, like Desku, Zoho Desk, and Notion, you can find a solution tailored to your needs—whether it’s managing internal knowledge, creating a help center, or supporting high-traffic websites.

When choosing the right tool, remember to evaluate your business requirements, prioritize user-friendliness, and look for essential features like ai-powered search and team collaboration capabilities. Regularly updating content and measuring performance will ensure your knowledge base solution remains effective and relevant.

By investing time and effort into your knowledge management strategy, you empower both your customers and support agents, ultimately boosting satisfaction and productivity.

FAQ Section

Here are answers to common questions readers might have about free knowledge base software: