What does Starlight replace?

Starlight is a free alternative to GitBook ($780/yr).

Is Starlight open source?

Yes. Starlight is licensed under MIT, an OSI-approved open-source license.

There's nothing to host: Starlight is a web app that runs on your own machine.

A free, open-source alternative to GitBook. Switching saves $780/yr at list price.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 · How we check

Web app

Replaces it Active Open source · MIT Linux

withastro/starlight9.4k★last push Oct 16, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

Markdown in Git with a build step and your own hosting; no visual editor for non-developers.

Imports your data: GitBook's Git Sync Markdown can be reused after converting GitBook-specific blocks

Get it

What does Starlight replace?: Starlight is a free alternative to GitBook ($780/yr).
Is Starlight open source?: Yes. Starlight is licensed under MIT, an OSI-approved open-source license.
Does Starlight run on Linux?: Yes (web app).
Can you self-host Starlight?: There's nothing to host: Starlight is a web app that runs on your own machine.