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GitBook is overkill for a single document. Here is what to use instead.

GitBook is the right platform for multi-page technical documentation. For one file that needs a public URL, the setup cost does not match the job.

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Feature-by-feature

Anchorify GitBook
Publish single markdown file Yes (one command) Yes (requires space setup)
Free plan team collaboration ✓ No (1 user only; team = $65+/site/mo)
Custom domain Pro plan Premium ($65/site/month)
Per-share password Yes (free tier) No (Ultimate plan required, $249/site/mo)
Per-visitor analytics Yes (free tier) Yes (Premium+)
Threaded comments Yes (free tier) No (ratings only, Premium)
AI editing Yes (BYOK key, free) Yes (GitBook Agent, $249/site/mo)
Multi-page navigation ✗ Yes (core feature)
Full-text search across pages ✗ Yes (Premium+)
GitHub/GitLab sync ✗ Yes (all plans)
Version history Unlimited (all plans) Yes (via Git Sync)
Markdown-native ✓ ✓

FAQ

Is there a free GitBook alternative?
Anchorify is free for publishing single documents as public URLs, with no site fee and no per-seat charge on readers. For full documentation sites with multi-page navigation and search, free alternatives include Docusaurus and MkDocs (both self-hosted). GitBook's free plan covers one user only.
Does GitBook require an account to read public docs?
No. GitBook public documentation sites are readable without an account. The account requirement applies to editors, contributors, and readers of private authenticated spaces (Ultimate plan, $249/site/month with SSO).
Why is GitBook so expensive for small teams?
GitBook's free plan covers one editor. A second contributor triggers the Premium plan at $65/site/month plus $12/user/month: $77/month minimum for two people. The model is designed for SaaS teams with full technical writing teams, not for individuals or small groups sharing a single document.
Can I use Anchorify instead of GitBook for API documentation?
Not for multi-page API references with navigation and search. That is GitBook's purpose. Anchorify is the right choice for a single markdown document (an API changelog, migration guide, or internal spec) that needs a stable URL. One file, one command.

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One file, one URL, done.

Free during beta. No site fee, no per-seat charge.

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