DocFX
DocFX is a free static site generator for technical documentation.
What DocFX is
DocFX is a free static site generator for technical documentation. It builds documentation from .NET assemblies, XML code comments, REST API Swagger files and Markdown, and can produce rendered HTML pages, JSON models or PDFs. Its static HTML output goes into the `_site` folder, ready for publishing to static hosting services such as GitHub Pages. DocFX can also be used as a NuGet library through the `Docfx.App` package and .NET APIs. It parses CommonMark-compliant Markdown with Markdig and supports additional extensions. Built-in templates include a modern option with dark mode; templates can be customized with CSS, JavaScript, Mustache templates and metadata settings. DocFX can generate git links for services including GitHub, GitLab, Azure Pipelines, AppVeyor, TeamCity and Jenkins. The project requires .NET SDK 8.0 or higher. Node.js v20 or higher is optional except for PDF creation, which requires it. Native reference-documentation generation covers .NET and REST APIs; other languages require a custom API docs converter.
Good
- Generates HTML, JSON models and PDF files.
- Static HTML output suits static hosting.
- Includes templates with dark mode.
- Supports git links for several CI systems.
Watch out
- Requires .NET SDK 8.0 or higher.
- PDF creation requires Node.js v20 or higher.
- Other languages need a custom API docs converter.
Who it suits
DocFX suits developers and teams building technical documentation sites from .NET, REST API and Markdown content. It may fit workflows that publish static HTML or use a NuGet library.
Verdict
DocFX brings several technical-documentation inputs into one static-site workflow, with HTML, JSON and PDF output. Its native API reference support is limited to .NET and REST APIs, and PDF generation has an additional Node.js requirement.
Plans and prices
From DocFX's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| DocFX | Free | Open-source static site generator; requires .NET SDK 8.0 or higher |
The facts
Each one read from DocFX's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API documentation
- DocFX generates .NET API documentation by converting XML documentation comments into rendered HTML documentation.checked 2 Oct 2026
- CI integrations
- DocFX can generate git links for GitHub, GitLab, Azure Pipelines, AppVeyor, TeamCity, and Jenkins.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can customize templates with CSS, JavaScript, Mustache templates, and metadata settings.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Diagram rendering
- PlantUML diagrams render on a remote server by default, with local rendering available as a configurable option.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Language support limit
- DocFX natively generates reference documentation for .NET and REST APIs; other languages require a custom API docs converter.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Library use
- DocFX can also be used as a NuGet library through the `Docfx.App` package and its .NET APIs.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Markdown
- DocFX parses CommonMark-compliant Markdown with Markdig and supports additional Markdown extensions.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Output
- DocFX can produce rendered HTML pages, JSON models, or PDF files.checked 2 Oct 2026
- PDF prerequisite
- Node.js v20 or higher is an optional prerequisite, but is required when using the PDF creation feature.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DocFX builds technical documentation sites from .NET assemblies, XML code comments, REST API Swagger files, and Markdown.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Static hosting
- DocFX outputs static HTML in the `_site` folder for publishing to static site hosting services such as GitHub Pages.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The DocFX project is listed as supported by the .NET Foundation.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Templates
- DocFX includes built-in templates, and its modern template supports dark mode and customization options.checked 2 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
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