Open source project management tools offer several benefits, including enhanced security, stability, customization capabilities, community support, transparency, and cost-effectiveness. This article evaluates the top 10 open source project management software based on features, hosting options, security, and more.
Here are the 10 best open source project management tools for 2024:
Quick Comparison:
| Tool | Features | Hosting Options | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenProject | Work packages, Scrum board, Gantt charts, document management | Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid | Free community edition, paid plans |
| Taiga | Kanban board, sprints, epics, wiki pages, mobile apps | Cloud (free for public), self-hosted | Free for public projects, paid plans for private |
| Tuleap | Agile, traditional, hybrid processes, issue tracking, test management | Basic cloud, premium cloud | 6€/user/month for basic, custom for premium |
| Orangescrum | Task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, collaboration | Cloud, self-hosted | $9/month for cloud, free for self-hosted |
| GanttProject | Task management, Gantt charts, resource management | Desktop app | Free |
| ProjectLibre | Task management, Gantt charts, resource allocation, budgeting | Cloud, desktop app | Free |
| Leantime | Task management, Kanban board, time tracking, retrospectives | Self-hosted | Free |
| Kanboard | Kanban board, work in progress limits, search and filter | Self-hosted | Free |
| Wekan | Kanban board, task assignment, filtering and grouping | Self-hosted | Free |
| ERPNext | Gantt charts, real-time project info, budget allocation, reporting | Self-hosted | Free |
These tools offer a range of features, hosting options, and pricing models to suit various project management needs and budgets. Consider your specific requirements when selecting the right open source solution.
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1. OpenProject
Feature Set
OpenProject is a powerful open source project management tool that offers a wide range of features to support teams throughout the entire project life cycle. These features include:
- Work package tracking
- Scrum board
- Timelines
- Document management
- Project wiki
- Meeting management
- Time and cost reporting
OpenProject's agile boards allow teams to visualize and track their work, while its Gantt charts provide a detailed timeline of the project.
Hosting Options
OpenProject offers flexible hosting options to suit different needs:
| Hosting Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Self-hosted | Complete control over data and infrastructure |
| Cloud-hosted | Hassle-free experience with automatic updates and maintenance |
| Hybrid | Combination of self-hosted and cloud-hosted options |
Security and Data Protection
OpenProject prioritizes security and data protection, ensuring that user data is safe and secure. It is GDPR compliant by default and stores all data in the EU. OpenProject's headquarters are located in the EU, providing an additional layer of security and compliance.
Support and Maintenance
OpenProject has an active community of developers, users, and contributors who provide support and ensure the software is continuously improved and updated.
Cost Effectiveness
OpenProject is a cost-effective solution for project management, offering a free community edition with unlimited users and projects. The paid plans are also competitively priced, making it an attractive option for teams of all sizes.
2. Taiga
Feature Set
Taiga is an open-source project management platform that focuses on Scrum and Agile development. Its features include:
- Kanban board
- Tasks
- Sprints
- Issues
- Backlog
- Epics
- Ticket management
- Multi-project support
- Wiki pages
- Third-party integrations
- Free mobile app for Android, iOS, and Windows devices
- Import tools for easy migration from other popular project management applications
Hosting Options
Taiga offers two hosting options:
| Hosting Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Cloud-hosted | Free for public projects, with no restrictions on the number of projects or users |
| Self-hosted | Can be installed on-premises for complete control over data and infrastructure |
Cost Effectiveness
Taiga is a cost-effective solution for project management, with a free cloud version for public projects and a range of paid plans for private projects. The features are the same across all plans, making it suitable for teams of all sizes.
Unique Features
Taiga has some valuable features, including work-in-progress (WIP) limits. These limits allow you to set a rule that restricts the number of User Stories (task cards) that can be added to a column at any given time. For example, you can set a WIP limit of seven tasks for a "For Approval" column to prevent task overload.
3. Tuleap
Feature Set
Tuleap is an open-source project management software that supports various development methodologies, including Agile, traditional, or hybrid processes. Its features include:
- Agile project management
- Issue tracking
- Version control
- Test management
- Collaborative workspaces
- Planning of software releases
- Prioritization of business requirements
- Assignment of tasks to project members
- Monitoring of project progress
- Creation of reports
- Site-wide trackers
- Real-time reports on risks, requirements, tasks, bugs, change requests, support requests, and user stories
Hosting Options
Tuleap offers two hosting options:
| Hosting Option | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Cloud | A cloud-based version with limited features | 6€ per user per month |
| Premium Cloud | A cloud-based version with advanced features | Custom pricing upon request |
Cost Effectiveness
Tuleap is a cost-effective solution for project management, with a competitive pricing model that makes it suitable for teams of all sizes.
Unique Features
Tuleap has several valuable features, including:
- Integrated DevOps toolchain: Streamlines development and operations processes
- Continuous integration: Automates testing and deployment
- Test management: Manages and tracks testing activities
- Document management: Centralizes and manages project documents
- Complete Agile Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solution: Provides all the tools needed to create smart software in a single product
- Strong configuration capability: Allows teams to customize the tool to their processes
4. Orangescrum
Orangescrum is an open-source project management software designed to help teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently. It offers a range of features that cater to various project management needs.
Feature Set
Orangescrum's feature set includes:
- Task Management: Create, assign, and prioritize tasks with ease
- Project Planning: Plan projects with Gantt charts and set milestones to visualize project timelines
- Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks and projects to improve productivity and accurately bill clients
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate with team members through built-in chat and email notifications
- Resource Management: Efficiently allocate and manage resources, including team members and equipment
- Reporting and Analytics: Generate detailed reports and analytics to monitor project progress and identify bottlenecks
Hosting Options
| Hosting Option | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud | A cloud-based version with advanced features | $9.00/month |
| Self-hosted | A self-managed version with complete control over data and security | Free |
Cost Effectiveness
Orangescrum is a cost-effective solution for project management, with a competitive pricing model that makes it suitable for teams of all sizes.
Unique Features
Orangescrum has several valuable features, including:
- Agile Project Management: Supports Agile methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban
- Customizable Workflows: Allows teams to customize workflows to fit their specific needs
- Integration with Popular Tools: Integrates with popular tools, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and Slack
- Mobile Accessibility: Accessible on-the-go through mobile apps, ensuring that teams can stay connected with their projects and team, no matter where they are.
5. GanttProject
GanttProject is a free, open-source project management software that helps teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently. It's a desktop tool that provides nice project planning and scheduling features, especially for those who use the Gantt and PERT approach.
Feature Set
GanttProject offers the following features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Task Management | Create, assign, and prioritize tasks with ease |
| Project Planning | Plan projects with Gantt charts and set milestones to visualize project timelines |
| Resource Management | Efficiently allocate and manage resources, including team members and equipment |
| Reporting and Analytics | Generate detailed reports and analytics to monitor project progress and identify bottlenecks |
| Collaboration | Collaborate with team members through built-in chat and email notifications |
Cost Effectiveness
GanttProject is a cost-effective solution for project management, as it is free and open-source software. This makes it suitable for teams of all sizes, especially those on a budget.
Unique Features
GanttProject has several valuable features, including:
- Agile Project Management: Supports Agile methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban
- Customizable Workflows: Allows teams to customize workflows to fit their specific needs
- Integration with Popular Tools: Integrates with popular tools, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and Slack
- Mobile Accessibility: Accessible on-the-go through mobile apps, ensuring that teams can stay connected with their projects and team, no matter where they are.
Overall, GanttProject is a robust free project management solution that offers a range of features to help teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently.
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6. ProjectLibre
Feature Set
ProjectLibre is an open-source project management software that offers a range of features to help teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently. Its key features include:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Task Management | Create, assign, and prioritize tasks with ease |
| Gantt Charts | Visualize project timelines and schedules with interactive Gantt charts |
| Resource Allocation | Efficiently allocate and manage resources, including team members and equipment |
| Budgeting and Cost Tracking | Track project expenses and stay within budget |
| Collaboration | Collaborate with team members through built-in chat and email notifications |
Cost Effectiveness
ProjectLibre is a cost-effective solution for project management, as it is free and open-source software. This makes it suitable for teams of all sizes, especially those on a budget.
Unique Features
ProjectLibre has several valuable features, including:
- Cloud-Based Solution: Offers a cloud-based solution for teams that need to collaborate remotely
- MS Project Compatibility: Compatible with Microsoft Project files, making it easy to import and export data
- Customizable Workflows: Allows teams to customize workflows to fit their specific needs
- Mobile Accessibility: Accessible on-the-go through mobile apps, ensuring that teams can stay connected with their projects and team, no matter where they are.
Overall, ProjectLibre is a robust free project management solution that offers a range of features to help teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently.
7. Leantime
Feature Set
Leantime is a popular open-source project management software that helps teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently. Its key features include:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Task Management | Create, assign, and prioritize tasks |
| Kanban Board | Visualize workflows and manage tasks |
| Project Time Tracking | Track project progress and estimated completion dates |
| Retrospectives | Reflect on completed work and identify areas for improvement |
| Client Roles | Give clients access to projects as needed |
| Personalized Task Views | Embed slides, sheets, or outside docs inside the document manager |
| Calendar Integration | Integrate with favorite calendars to see task due dates and milestones |
| Status Reports, Dashboards, and Retrospectives | Know where projects are, share reports, and debrief after work |
Cost Effectiveness
Leantime is free and open-source software, making it a cost-effective solution for project management. This makes it suitable for teams of all sizes, especially those on a budget.
Support and Maintenance
Leantime offers a community-driven support system, with a Discord server and email support available to users. The platform also has a thriving community of users and developers who contribute to its growth and development.
Overall, Leantime is a robust open-source project management solution that helps teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently.
8. Kanboard
Feature Set
Kanboard is a free and open-source Kanban project management software that helps teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently. Its key features include:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Visual Task Overview | A clear and visual overview of tasks |
| Drag and Drop Tasks | Easily move tasks across boards |
| Work in Progress Limits | Set limits to prevent task overload |
| Search and Filter | Quickly find and filter tasks |
| Tasks, Subtasks, and Comments | Organize tasks and track progress |
| Automatic Actions | Automate repetitive tasks |
| Multiple Languages | Supports multiple languages |
| Multiple Authentication Backends | Integrates with various authentication systems |
Cost Effectiveness
Kanboard is free and open-source software, making it a cost-effective solution for project management.
Support and Maintenance
Kanboard has a community-driven support system, with a GitHub repository and documentation available to users. The platform also has a thriving community of users and developers who contribute to its growth and development.
Overall, Kanboard is a robust open-source project management solution that helps teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently.
9. Wekan
Wekan is an open-source kanban board that helps teams manage tasks and projects efficiently. Its key features include:
Feature Set
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Boards, Cards, Columns, and Labels | Organize tasks and projects using boards, cards, columns, and labels |
| Collaboration | Invite team members to boards for easy collaboration |
| Task Assignment | Assign tasks to team members for efficient project management |
| Filtering and Grouping | Filter and group cards using labels and columns |
| Customization | Customize boards and cards to fit specific project needs |
Cost Effectiveness
Wekan is free and open-source software, making it a cost-effective solution for project management.
Support and Maintenance
Wekan has a community-driven support system, with a GitHub repository and documentation available to users. The platform also has a thriving community of users and developers who contribute to its growth and development.
Overall, Wekan is a robust open-source project management solution that helps teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently.
10. ERPNext
ERPNext is an open-source project management tool that helps teams manage projects efficiently. It provides a single workspace to track project deadlines, plan ahead, and estimate timelines accurately.
Feature Set
ERPNext's project management tool offers the following features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Gantt charts | Visualize project milestones |
| Real-time project information | Collaborate with multiple teams |
| Clear scope and priorities | Estimated timelines and milestones |
| Budget allocation and cost tracking | Monitor project expenses |
| Reporting and analytics | Track project progress |
| Integration with other ERPNext modules | Holistic business management |
| Customization capabilities | Tailored project management solutions |
Cost Effectiveness
ERPNext is free and open-source software, making it a cost-effective solution for project management.
Support and Maintenance
ERPNext has a community-driven support system, with a GitHub repository and documentation available to users. The platform also has a thriving community of users and developers who contribute to its growth and development.
Overall, ERPNext is a robust open-source project management solution that helps teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently.
Pros and Cons
When choosing the right open-source project management tool, it's essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Here's a summary of the pros and cons of each tool:
OpenProject
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Intuitive interface | Steep learning curve |
| Robust feature set | Limited customization options |
| High security and data privacy |
Taiga
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good support for Scrum and Kanban | Confusing quirks |
| Custom fields | Limited scalability |
| Open-source nature |
Tuleap
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Agile project management features | No free version |
| Intuitive interface | Limited scalability |
| Open-source nature |
Orangescrum
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Big feature set for traditional and agile project management | Limited customization options |
| Intuitive interface | Potential GDPR compliance issues |
GanttProject
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free and open-source | Outdated interface |
| Feature-rich | Limited scalability |
ProjectLibre
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free and open-source | Limited customization options |
| Feature-rich | Outdated interface |
Leantime
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Open-source nature | Limited scalability |
| Good support for agile project management | Confusing quirks |
| Custom fields |
Kanboard
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple and intuitive interface | Limited feature set |
| Open-source nature | Limited scalability |
| Good support for Kanban |
Wekan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Open-source nature | Limited feature set |
| Simple and intuitive interface | Limited scalability |
| Good support for Kanban |
ERPNext
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Robust feature set | Steep learning curve |
| Open-source nature | Limited customization options |
| Good support for project management |
By considering the pros and cons of each tool, you can make an informed decision about which open-source project management tool is best for your organization's needs.
Choosing the Right Tool
When selecting an open-source project management tool, consider your organization's specific needs and project management goals. With many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Here are some key factors to consider:
Project Requirements
Determine the precise requirements of your project. Different tools excel in diverse project types and workflows. Identify whether features such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, or resource management are essential for your needs.
User-Friendliness
Evaluate the tool's user interface and overall user-friendliness. A tool that is overly complex or unintuitive might encounter resistance from your team. Conduct user testing to verify its alignment with your team's preferences.
Customization and Integration
Consider the tool's customization options and integration capabilities. Ensure compatibility with your existing tools and workflows. Look for options to connect with your organization's version control systems, communication platforms, and other essential software.
Community Support and Documentation
Check the availability of community support, active forums, and documentation. A strong community presence ensures timely assistance and a wealth of resources to implement and use the software successfully.
Key Considerations
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Project Requirements | Identify essential features for your project |
| User-Friendliness | Ensure the tool is easy to use and adopt |
| Customization and Integration | Check compatibility with existing tools and workflows |
| Community Support and Documentation | Verify availability of resources and support |
By carefully considering these factors, you can select the right open-source project management tool that meets your organization's needs and project management goals.
