Top 10 Free Alternatives to Craft (for Design Documentation) in 2025
In 2025, there are numerous powerful tools available as free alternatives to Craft for design documentation. These tools offer a variety of features ranging from simple note-taking to advanced collaboration and integration capabilities. Let's explore the top 10 free alternatives.
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1. Notion
- Description: Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, project management, and task organization. It's highly flexible and can be adapted for various documentation needs.
- Data Points:
- Flexibility: Highly customizable with databases, documents, and calendars.
- Collaboration: Real-time collaboration features.
- Versatility: Can be used for project management, meeting notes, design briefs, and knowledge bases.
- User-Friendly: Intuitive interface for both individuals and teams.
- Free Plan: Offers a free plan with limitations, suitable for individual users or small teams.
- Website: Learn more about Notion
2. Coda
- Description: Coda is a powerful, all-in-one document that blends words, data, and collaboration, allowing users to build docs as powerful as apps.
- Data Points:
- Features: Offers building blocks like tables, buttons, and packs to integrate with other apps.
- Flexibility: Highly versatile, can be used for various types of documentation.
- Collaboration: Real-time collaboration features.
- Integration: Connects with other services.
- Free Plan: Has a free plan, suitable for basic needs.
- Website: Learn more about Coda
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3. Google Docs
- Description: Google Docs is a free, web-based word processor that allows for collaborative document creation and editing.
- Data Points:
- Collaboration: Real-time co-editing and commenting features.
- Integration: Seamless integration with other Google Workspace apps.
- Accessibility: Accessible from any device with an internet connection.
- Templates: Offers a variety of templates.
- Free: Completely free for personal and business use with a Google account.
- Website: Learn more about Google Docs
4. Figma
- Description: Figma is a cloud-based design tool primarily used for UI/UX design, but it also supports collaborative documentation and prototyping.
- Data Points:
- Collaboration: Real-time collaboration with commenting features.
- Prototyping: Allows creation of interactive prototypes.
- Versatility: Can be used for graphic design and general documentation projects.
- Accessibility: Web application and mobile app available.
- Free Plan: Offers a free plan suitable for individuals and small teams.
- Website: Learn more about Figma
5. Document360
- Description: Document360 is a knowledge base platform designed for creating and publishing software documentation, offering advanced editorial and AI-powered features.
- Data Points:
- AI Features: Offers AI-powered features for content creation and seamless task management.
- Editorial Portal: Advanced portal to produce and review content.
- Analytics: Includes analytics to track user engagement.
- Content Protection: Provides content protection against accidental alterations.
- Free Plan: Offers a free plan, but it may have some limitations.
- Website: Learn more about Document360
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6. GitHub
- Description: While primarily for code hosting, GitHub can be used for documentation, with options to use the wiki or GitHub Pages.
- Data Points:
- Version Control: Strong version control with Git.
- Markdown Support: Supports Markdown for easy formatting.
- Wiki: Can be used for documentation purposes.
- GitHub Pages: Offers free hosting for web-based documentation.
- Free for Public Repositories: Free for use with public repositories.
- Website: Learn more about GitHub
7. Read the Docs
- Description: Read the Docs is an open-source platform that automates the building, hosting, and versioning of software documentation.
- Data Points:
- Automation: Automates documentation building and versioning.
- Open Source: It is an open-source and free platform.
- Hosting: Offers free hosting for software documentation.
- Version Control: Supports version control to keep documentation consistent.
- Integration: Supports multiple documentation formats like HTML and PDF.
- Website: Learn more about Read the Docs
8. Sphinx
- Description: Sphinx is a free project documentation tool for creating documentation in formats like HTML, PDF, and LaTeX.
- Data Points:
- Format Support: Supports multiple output formats.
- ReStructuredText: Uses reStructuredText markup language.
- Features: Includes features such as automatic indexing and cross-referencing.
- Customization: Offers templates and customization options.
- Free: It is a free and open-source tool.
- Website: Learn more about Sphinx
9. LibreOffice
- Description: LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
- Data Points:
- Office Suite: It is a full office suite, with word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet capabilities.
- Format Support: Creates documents in various formats such as PDF and HTML.
- Customization: Offers multiple templates and customization options.
- Open Source: It is a free and open-source software.
- Offline Use: Works offline seamlessly.
- Website: Learn more about LibreOffice
10. ClickUp
- Description: ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity app that can also be used for documenting design processes, including project management and note-taking capabilities.
- Data Points:
- All-in-One: Offers features such as project management, document creation, reminders, goals, and calendars.
- Customizable: Can be customized for every team's needs.
- Collaboration: Includes features for team collaboration.
- Organization: Can be used to plan, organize, and collaborate on projects.
- Free Plan: Offers a free plan, that might have limitations for larger teams.
- Website: Learn more about ClickUp
These alternatives offer a range of features for design documentation, from simple text-based documents to more complex, collaborative, and interactive experiences. Consider your specific needs when choosing the best option for you and your team.
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FAQ
1. What is Notion used for in design documentation?
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, project management, and task organization, making it highly flexible for various documentation needs, including design documentation. Learn more about Notion
2. How does Coda support design documentation?
Coda is a powerful all-in-one document that blends words, data, and collaboration, allowing users to build docs as powerful as apps, suitable for various types of documentation. Discover Coda
3. Can Google Docs be used for design documentation?
Yes, Google Docs is a free, web-based word processor that supports collaborative document creation and editing, making it suitable for design documentation. Explore Google Docs
4. What features does Figma offer for design documentation?
Figma is a cloud-based design tool that supports real-time collaboration and prototyping, making it useful for documenting UI/UX design and other graphic design projects. Find out about Figma
5. How does Document360 enhance design documentation?
Document360 is a knowledge base platform with advanced editorial and AI-powered features, designed for creating and publishing software documentation, including design documentation. Learn more about Document360
6. Can GitHub be used for design documentation?
Yes, GitHub can be used for documentation through its wiki and GitHub Pages, supporting version control and Markdown for easy formatting. Discover GitHub
7. What is Read the Docs used for?
Read the Docs is an open-source platform that automates the building, hosting, and versioning of software documentation, ideal for design documentation. Explore Read the Docs
8. How does Sphinx support design documentation?
Sphinx is a free documentation tool that creates documentation in formats like HTML, PDF, and LaTeX, including features like automatic indexing and cross-referencing. Find out about Sphinx
9. What does LibreOffice offer for design documentation?
LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, capable of creating documents in various formats for design documentation. Learn more about LibreOffice
10. How can ClickUp be used for design documentation?
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity app that supports documenting design processes, project management, and note-taking capabilities, with customizable features for team collaboration. Discover ClickUp
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
