open source
Create and publish open-source documentation for free, invite community contributions through GitHub or GitLab, and optionally fund your project with small, ethical ads
How it works
Create and publish
open-source docs for free
Pricing
Which docs site plan is right for you?
Our Sponsored plan offers all the tools and features you need for open source docs. Prefer no ads? Use the free Basic plan instead and publish without sponsorship.
Basic
Free public docs with core publishing features. You can create as many Basic sites as you like.
Free
Unlimited traffic
Basic customization
Basic site insights
Public publishing
No funding, no ads
Sponsored
Free branded docs with advanced features and optional ethical ads. Designed for open source projects.
Free
All Basic site features plus:
Custom domain, logo, theme & fonts
Scale docs with sections & groups
AI Assistant
Site redirects
Advanced site insights
Private, revokable share links
Opt out of search indexing
Optionally fund your project with ethical ads
FAQs
Is GitBook free for open source projects?
Yes. Open-source teams can publish public documentation on GitBook for free. The Basic plan includes core publishing features, while the Sponsored plan adds advanced customization, AI Assistant, deeper insights, and other features with the option to fund the project through ethical ads.
Can contributors edit GitBook docs through GitHub or GitLab?
Yes. Git Sync connects GitBook to GitHub or GitLab so contributors can update documentation through familiar Git workflows. Community members can open pull requests and request reviews without needing to work directly in GitBook.
Do open-source contributors need paid GitBook seats?
No. Contributors can make changes through the connected GitHub or GitLab repository without adding paid GitBook users, making it easier to accept contributions from a wider community.
How does GitBook help fund open-source projects?
GitBook’s Sponsored plan can display one small, relevant ad on your published documentation. The revenue generated from those views goes toward your project, and GitBook does not take a cut.
Are ads required on GitBook's free open-source plan?
No. Open-source projects can use GitBook’s free Basic plan without ads. The Sponsored plan is optional and adds extra features plus the ability to earn revenue from ethical, non-tracking ads.
