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Navigating Confluence: A Deep Dive into Navigation Solutions

Confluence is a powerful collaboration tool, but as instances grow, so does the need for a structured and intuitive navigation system. SubSpace Navigation for Confluence, alongside competitors like Navigation Menus by Seibert Media and the newly launched Flexible Space Navigation by Open Source Consulting, offers a way to enhance Confluence’s usability. But how do these solutions compare? Let’s break it down.

SubSpace Navigation for Confluence: A Trusted Solution

Overview

SubSpace Navigation has been available for Data Center and Cloud since 2017, boasting a strong market presence with over 1,000 active installations. It offers a personalized, structured menu system with various customization options.

Key Features

  • Multi-Level Menus: Organize navigation with folders, spaces, internal links, and external links. (see picture above)

  • Customization: Modify icons, labels, and background colours to match branding.

  • CQL Support: Use Confluence Query Language to tailor menus to specific spaces dynamically.

  • Support Multiple languages: Define items in multiple languages, ensuring users see the navigation menu in their preferred language.

  • Drag & Drop Functionality: Easily rearrange menu items.

  • Backup & Restore: Preserve configurations and restore settings as needed.

  • Dark Mode Support: Customizable colour picker for a seamless dark theme experience.

  • Visibility Controls: Set menus to be visible only for selected spaces or user groups.

Navigation Menus by Seibert Media: A Feature-Rich Alternative

Overview

Seibert Media, a Gold Marketplace Partner, provides Navigation Menus for Confluence, an alternative navigation solution with a competitive price and a feature-rich interface. With around 520 active installations, this Cloud-only solution has gained traction, especially among customers looking for extensive menu customization.

Key Features

  • Highly Customizable Menus: Change background colours, add images, and personalize icons.

  • Dynamic Menu Visibility: Assign menus to specific user groups and space categories.

  • Enhanced Menu Editor Permissions: Any users can create, edit, and delete menus.

Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ More Customization Options: Offers images and extensive branding capabilities.

❌ Potential Security Concern: Users can edit/delete menus freely, which may not be ideal for all teams.

Flexible Space Navigation by Open Source Consulting: The New Challenger

Overview

This new entrant into the Cloud marketplace is from Open Source Consulting, a small company based in South Korea.

Key Features (as observed so far)

  • Basic Navigation Features: Menu icons, background colour customization, and CQL-based dynamic menus.

  • Drag & Drop Functionality: Allows easy menu structuring.

  • Limited Customization: No advanced branding options yet.

Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Lower Barrier to Entry: Likely to be competitively priced.

❌ Uncertain Long-Term Support: Less established track record in Atlassian Marketplace.

Who Should Choose What?

  • SubSpace Navigation: Best for enterprises needing a structured, secure, and well-supported navigation tool, a better choice for multicultural team collaboration.

  • Navigation Menus: Best for teams looking for deep customization and affordability.

  • Flexible Space Navigation: Worth monitoring but not yet a proven alternative.

As competition grows, each app is evolving. If you’re already using SubSpace Navigation, its reliability and ongoing development make it a strong long-term choice. However, if your organization needs more flexibility and lower costs, Navigation Menus could be worth considering.