ExDoc
ExDoc: A focused, open-source choice for versioned Elixir and Erlang documentation. Ranked #10 of 38 in Documentation Generators by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for elixir and Erlang documentation projects.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forElixir and Erlang documentation projects
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Source inputsElixir, Erlang, Markdown, Livebooks, cheatsheets, plain text
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Generates HTML, Markdown, and EPUB documentation
- Includes API references, guides, search, and source links
- Integrates with Mix, Rebar3, and HexDocs workflows
Where it doesn't
- Focused on Elixir and Erlang language ecosystems
- Not a hosted commercial documentation service
- Does not include AI features
Our verdict on ExDoc
ExDoc is an open-source documentation generator built for Elixir and Erlang projects. It creates documentation from source code and configured supplementary files, including Markdown, Livebooks, cheatsheets, and plain text. Its output covers HTML, Markdown, and EPUB, with API reference pages, custom pages, guides, syntax highlighting, and configurable grouping. That makes it a strong fit for developers maintaining libraries, applications, and published language documentation within the BEAM ecosystem.
Its integration model is closely aligned with existing Elixir and Erlang workflows. Projects can use Mix, Rebar3, or ExDoc's command-line interface, while HexDocs provides a natural destination for published documentation. Version dropdowns support navigation across documentation releases, and configurable redirects help preserve paths when documentation changes. Full-text search, autocomplete, and direct links from documented entities to source code make larger API references easier to navigate.
ExDoc's scope is focused rather than broad. It provides a free, open-source generator with substantial control over output and documentation structure, but it is not a hosted commercial service and does not include AI features. Teams working primarily in Elixir or Erlang should consider it when they want API references alongside guides and other project materials, particularly when versioned documentation and source navigation matter. Teams seeking a general-purpose tool for other programming languages or a managed hosted documentation platform should choose an alternative designed for those requirements.
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ExDoc pricing
ExDoc fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Source inputs | Elixir, Erlang, Markdown, Livebooks, cheatsheets, plain text |
| API reference generation | Yes |
| Versioned documentation | Yes |
| CI/CD integration | Not verified |
| Output formats | HTML, Markdown, EPUB |
| Programming languages | Elixir, Erlang |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Mix, Rebar3, HexDocs |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | ex-doc.hexdocs.pm |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
ExDoc integrations
ExDoc lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Mix
- Rebar3
- HexDocs
Alternatives to ExDoc
- SphinxA broad, extensible choice for teams building technical documentation from source files.9.4
- MkDocsA free, open-source choice for building focused Markdown documentation sites.9.2
- DoxygenA free, open-source choice for generating multi-language API documentation locally.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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