Best Open Source Project Management Tools 2026
Project management software can cost thousands per seat per year—but it doesn't have to. Open source project management tools give teams powerful planning, tracking, and collaboration capabilities without enterprise price tags. Whether you're running a startup, a nonprofit, or an internal IT team, there's a free solution that fits your workflow.
Why Choose Open Source PM Tools?
- Zero licensing costs—download, install, and use without paying per user.
- Full data ownership—your project data stays on your servers, not a vendor's cloud.
- Customizable code—modify the tool to fit your exact process.
- Community support—active developer communities continuously improve the software.
- No vendor lock-in—you're not dependent on a company's pricing changes.
Top Open Source Project Management Tools in 2026
| Tool | Best For | Self-Hosted | Free Cloud | Gantt Charts | Kanban |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenProject | Enterprise-grade projects | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| TaskBoard | Simple Kanban teams | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Redmine | Issue tracking & Agile | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wekan | Trello-like simplicity | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Plane | Modern DevOps teams | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Metorikku | Data-driven teams | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
In-Depth Reviews
1. OpenProject – Best Overall
OpenProject is the most full-featured open source PM platform available. It includes Gantt charts, Kanban boards, backlogs, time tracking, budgets, wikis, forums, and meeting agendas—all in one package. Both cloud-hosted and self-hosted options are available.
- Feature parity with Asana and Monday.com
- Excellent Gantt chart builder
- Built-in wiki and document management
- Strong community and paid support
- Steeper learning curve
- Self-hosting requires server management
- UI feels dated compared to newer SaaS tools
2. TaskBoard – Simplest Kanban Tool
If your team just needs a visual Kanban board without the overhead of enterprise features, TaskBoard is a lightweight, no-frills option. It supports custom boards, columns, and items, with a clean drag-and-drop interface. It runs on PHP and SQLite, making it incredibly easy to deploy.
3. Redmine – Best for Issue Tracking
Redmine is a veteran in the open source PM space. Written in Ruby on Rails, it offers issue tracking, Gantt charts, calendars, document management, and per-project wikis. It also supports multiple projects, roles, and LDAP authentication integration.
4. Wekan – Trello Clone
Wekan is an open source Kanban board that looks and feels like Trello. It's built with Meteor.js and supports checklists, labels, due dates, and custom boards. You can self-host it or use their free cloud version.
5. Plane – Modern DevOps PM Tool
Plane is a newer entrant that has quickly gained popularity. It positions itself as a Jira alternative with a modern UI. Features include epics, issues, cycles, projects, and views. It integrates well with GitHub, GitLab, and Slack.
How to Choose the Right Tool
Consider Your Team Size
| Team Size | Recommended Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 people | TaskBoard, Wekan | Simple Kanban, minimal setup |
| 5–30 people | OpenProject, Plane | Balanced features, collaboration |
| 30+ people | OpenProject, Redmine | Enterprise features, permissions |
Consider Your Workflow
- Kanban-only: TaskBoard, Wekan
- Gantt + Planning: OpenProject, Redmine
- DevOps / Issue Tracking: Plane, Redmine
- Hybrid (Agile + Waterfall): OpenProject
Consider Your Technical Comfort
Self-Hosting vs. Cloud: What's Right for You?
Self-Hosted Pros: Full data control, no recurring fees, unlimited users.
Self-Hosted Cons: You manage updates, backups, security, and server costs.
Cloud-Hosted Pros: Up and running in minutes, vendor-managed infrastructure.
Cloud-Hosted Cons: Data leaves your server; some tools have user or storage limits.
Getting Started: Installation Overview
TaskBoard (Easiest Setup)
- Ensure you have PHP 7.4+ and SQLite installed
- Download from taskboard.org
- Extract to your web directory
- Navigate to the install URL and follow the wizard
OpenProject (Most Powerful)
- Spin up a Ubuntu/Debian VPS (2GB+ RAM recommended)
- Install via the official APT package:
sudo apt install openproject - Access the web installer at
http://your-server:60000 - Configure your domain and email settings
Integrations to Look For
Modern teams need their PM tool to connect with other software:
- Slack/Teams notifications for task updates
- GitHub/GitLab integration for dev teams
- Google Drive / Nextcloud for document attachments
- Calendar sync for deadline visibility
- API access for custom integrations
Our Top Pick for 2026
OpenProject earns our top recommendation as the best open source PM tool in 2026. It delivers the most complete feature set, offers both self-hosted and cloud options, and has a thriving community ensuring long-term viability. For smaller teams wanting pure Kanban simplicity, Wekan is an excellent Trello alternative.
Browse our full guide to free project management software for teams of every size.
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