Our take
Pick Docusaurus if docs teams who will stay on the MIT generator at $0 while they open a first docs page, then add their own host (GitHub Pages / Netlify / any static host) — not a paid docs SaaS unless they want hosted auth / seats. Pick GitBook if solo writers who will stay on Free $0, then buy Essential at $65/site/month billed annually plus $12/user when they need a custom domain, analytics, and AI Ask.
local docs-site generator
Best for
Docusaurus A docs page you start at a public $
GitBook Product docs that also speak MCP
Free plan
Docusaurus $0 · npm @docusaurus/core. Generate a static site from Markdown / MDX. Host it yourself
GitBook $0 · individuals. Block editor. GitHub/GitLab sync. Auto API docs. Preview deployments. Published sites expose MCP / WebMCP. No team invites, no custom domain
Lowest paid
Docusaurus Not published by the vendor
GitBook Essential $65/user/mo
Next step up
Docusaurus
GitBook Ultimate $249/user/mo
Coding agent
Docusaurus
GitBook GitBook Agent
Runs where
Docusaurus Hosted
GitBook
Watch out
Docusaurus You host the build
GitBook Free is one person and a GitBook domain
Last checked
Docusaurus 2026-10-23 · github.com/facebook/docusaurus
GitBook 2026-10-22 · gitbook.com/pricing
docs teams who will stay on the MIT generator at $0 while they open a first docs page, then add their own host (GitHub Pages / Netlify / any static host) — not a paid docs SaaS unless they want hosted auth / seats.
Read the Docusaurus pagesolo writers who will stay on Free $0, then buy Essential at $65/site/month billed annually plus $12/user when they need a custom domain, analytics, and AI Ask.
Read the GitBook page