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Top Open Source Self-Hosted Project Management Tools

\If you’re looking for a self-hosted, open-source project management and task tracking system, there are several excellent alternatives to OpenProject and Redmine, each with different strengths (UI, Agile support, extensibility, ease of deployment, etc.).


✅ Top Open Source Self-Hosted Project Management Tools

Tool NameBest ForKey TechUI QualityAgile/KanbanNotes
🔧 OpenProjectEnterprise-level PM, Gantt charts, teamsRuby★★★★☆🟢 GoodGDPR-focused, strong WBS, timelines
🐛 RedmineBug tracking + project wikiRuby★★★☆☆🟡 PluginClassic, reliable, plugin-rich
TaigaAgile teams, Kanban + ScrumPython★★★★☆🟢 ExcellentBeautiful UI, lightweight, API-first
🧠 FocalboardTrello-style task boards (from Mattermost)Go★★★★☆🟢 ExcellentSelf-hostable Trello/Notion hybrid
📊 WekanSimple Kanban boardsNode.js★★★☆☆🟢 YesLightweight, Trello clone
🗂️ KanboardDeveloper-oriented KanbanPHP★★★☆☆🟢 YesFocused, minimalist, no DB required
🚀 Plane.so (new)Startups & product teamsNext.js★★★★★🟢 ExcellentBeautiful UI, modern, in active dev
📅 TaskcafeTask & project tracking (lightweight)React+Go★★★★☆🟢 KanbanEarly stage but fast and clean UI
🧩 Phabricator (deprecated)Code + task + wiki suitePHP★★★☆☆🟡 MinimalPowerful but now discontinued
📋 GitLab IssuesGit-native projectsRuby★★★★☆🟢 GoodPart of full GitLab platform

🏆 Top Recommendations by Use Case

Use CaseRecommended ToolWhy?
👨‍💻 Agile (Scrum, Kanban)Taiga, Plane.soBeautiful UI, sprint tracking, backlog, API-first
📊 Classic PM with Gantt/WBSOpenProjectStrong project hierarchy, charts, timelines
🛠️ Developer & bug trackingRedmine, GitLabStrong issue system, version control integration
✅ Kanban-style task boardsFocalboard, Wekan, KanboardLightweight, easy setup
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Team collaboration (Wiki, Chat)Mattermost + Focalboard, OpenProjectBuilt-in wikis, discussion tools

💻 Deployment Notes

ToolDocker SupportDatabase OptionsDeployment Difficulty
OpenProject✅ YesPostgreSQL🟠 Moderate
Redmine✅ YesMySQL/PostgreSQL/SQLite🟡 Easy
Taiga✅ YesPostgreSQL🟠 Moderate
Focalboard✅ YesSQLite, PostgreSQL🟢 Easy
Plane.so✅ YesPostgreSQL🟢 Easy (1-command)

🔥 Best All-Around Choices (2025)

PriorityToolWhy
👁️ Modern UI + AgilePlane.soFast, sleek, in active development
🧠 Wiki + PM + GanttOpenProjectBest for structured project planning
🛠️ Developer-CentricRedmineProven, extensible with plugins
🏗️ Minimal + FastKanboardNo DB needed, very efficient
✅ Trello AlternativeFocalboardLightweight & open source Notion/Trello

Great question — and critical for commercial projects. Here’s a filtered list of project/task management tools that are:

Self-hosted
100% open source
Permissively licensed (can be modified, rebranded, and resold commercially without fees)


✅ Best 100% Open Source, Self-Hosted Project Management Tools for Commercial Use (Resell-Friendly)

ToolLicenseCommercial Use AllowedSelf-HostedNotes
RedmineGNU GPL v2✅ Yes (must retain license terms)✅ YesCan rebrand/resell if you follow GPL rules
OpenProjectGNU GPL v3✅ Yes (copyleft applies)✅ YesEnterprise version exists — but community edition is fully open
TaigaAGPL v3✅ Yes (server code must remain open if redistributed)✅ YesPowerful Agile tool, AGPL has strict conditions
FocalboardMIT✅ Yes (fully permissive)✅ YesYou can rebrand, resell — no obligation to open source
KanboardMIT✅ Yes✅ YesVery light, safe to rebrand/sell fully
WekanMIT✅ Yes✅ YesSafe to use for SaaS or embedded use
TaskcafeMIT✅ Yes✅ YesLightweight, early stage but 100% open
Plane.soAGPL v3✅ Yes with AGPL compliance✅ YesUI is great; AGPL = must share source if hosting for clients

🔐 Summary: Licensing Types (Commercial Reselling Perspective)

LicenseCommercial UseRebranding AllowedClosed-Source SaaS?
MIT✅ Easy✅ Yes✅ Yes
GPLv2/v3✅ Yes, but must provide source✅ Yes❌ Can’t hide code if distributed
AGPLv3✅ Yes, but stricter✅ Yes❌ Must share code if hosted
Apache 2.0✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes (rare in PM tools)

🏆 Best Picks for Resale as Branded Commercial Product

ScenarioBest ToolWhy
✔️ Want to fully rebrand & sell closed-source SaaSFocalboard, Kanboard, Taskcafe, WekanMIT license = full freedom
✔️ Can follow AGPL (share source)Taiga, Plane.soGreat modern UI, but AGPL needs compliance
✔️ Willing to contribute back (GPL-friendly)Redmine, OpenProjectTrusted, enterprise-grade

⚠️ Tools to Be Careful With (for Resale)

ToolWhy Be Cautious
Jira, ClickUp, AsanaNot open source at all — no resale allowed
Trello (free version)Proprietary, even if embeddable
PhabricatorAbandoned + unclear future
OpenProject EnterprisePaid license (but Community Edition is fine)

✅ Recommendation

If you want to resell a white-labeled project management solution, your safest choices are:

🔹 MIT-Licensed Tools (Full Commercial Freedom)

  • Focalboard (Notion-like)
  • Wekan (Trello-like)
  • Kanboard (Kanban with plugins)
  • Taskcafe (lightweight but modern)

You can:

  • Host it for clients (SaaS)
  • Customize UI/UX
  • Sell it under your brand
  • Keep your changes private (no need to open source)

Would you like:

  • A ready-to-use docker-compose.yml for any of these?
  • Help customizing logos/branding?
  • PDF list of all tools with licensing notes for legal review?

Let me know and I’ll generate it.

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