Top 10 Open-source Kanban Project Management Tools for Teams, Agencies, and Startups in 2024
In 2024, Kanban project management remains a crucial tool for agile teams, startups, agencies, and enterprises aiming to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and boost productivity. With its highly visual and flexible approach to task management, Kanban helps teams stay organized, prioritize effectively, and adapt to changing demands.
Whether you're a startup building from scratch, an agency juggling multiple projects, or an enterprise seeking scalable solutions, the right Kanban tool can dramatically improve project outcomes.
How to Choose a Kanban Project Management Solution for Your Team
When selecting a Kanban project management solution, consider these key factors that align with your team's workflow:
- Ease of Use: Choose a tool with an intuitive interface for streamlined task management.
- Customization: Seek solutions that let you tailor workflows, columns, and cards to fit your processes.
- Collaboration Features: Select tools with built-in collaboration features such as comments, file sharing, and notifications.
- Integration Capabilities: Choose platforms that integrate smoothly with your team's existing tools (e.g., GitHub, Slack).
- Scalability: Opt for a solution that can grow with your team and adapt to increasing project complexity.
- Cost: Evaluate whether the pricing structure fits your budget, especially for startups and small businesses.
Benefits of Open-Source Self-Hosted Project Management Tools
- Data Control: Maintain full control over your data and privacy, keeping sensitive information on your servers.
- Customization: Tailor open-source tools to your specific needs without relying on third-party services.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Avoid recurring subscription fees with self-hosted solutions, offering long-term affordability.
- Integration: Easily integrate open-source platforms with other in-house systems and tools.
- Security: Directly manage security protocols and updates with self-hosted solutions.
- Collaboration: Enable effective collaboration among team members, whether they’re working remotely or in-house, with built-in communication and task-tracking features.
- Remote Working and Freelancing: Open-source self-hosted tools are ideal for remote teams and freelancers, offering flexible project management without reliance on external service providers.
Selecting the ideal Kanban tool involves balancing these features with your team's needs. Opting for open-source, self-hosted solutions can offer greater flexibility and control.
This blog post explores the top 10 Kanban solutions catering to diverse needs across industries, helping you find the perfect fit for your team in 2024.
1. Wekan (The Best Open-source Trello Alternative)
Wekan is a free self-hosted Kanban-based project manager that acts like the best Trello alternative as it follows the same productivity-focused design.
It can be easily installed as a Docker app or from scratch using Meteor and Node.js.
Features of Wekan
- Projects Boards
- Lists
- Cards
- Drag and drop
- Media support
- Supports multiple users
- Search and filter
- Comments
- File Attachments
2. Kanboard
Kanboard is a free project management software that focuses on the Kanban methodology.
Kanboard features
- Easy to use
- Limit your WIP tasks
- Search and filter
- Supports subtasks attachments and comments
- Automatic actions
- Translated to 30+ languages
kanboard2- Taiga
Taiga is an open-source, agile project management tool tailored for developers, designers, and project managers. It offers a comprehensive yet user-friendly platform for managing various project types, including those using Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
Taiga excels in serving small to medium-sized teams that need flexibility and simplicity in their project management processes. With options for self-hosting or cloud-based use, it adapts easily to diverse requirements.
Features
- Scrum Support: Sprints, backlog, burndown charts
- Kanban Boards: Customizable visual task management
- Epics & User Stories: Breakdown complex tasks
- Issue Tracking: Report and resolve bugs
- Custom Workflows: Tailor to team needs
- Wiki: Built-in project documentation
- Milestones: Track project progress
- Task Prioritization: Focus on high-priority tasks
- Collaboration: Comments, notifications, file sharing
- Integrations: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Slack, etc.
- Deployment: Cloud-based or self-hosted
- Install using Docker
- Reports: Burndown charts, team velocity, task progress
- Mobile-Friendly: Access on-the-go
3- Focalboard
Focalboard is an open-source project management tool created by Mattermost. It offers a self-hosted or cloud-based alternative to platforms like Trello, Asana, and Notion. With its Kanban-style boards, Focalboard helps teams and individuals visually manage tasks and projects.
This flexible, customizable solution suits various workflows. Its intuitive design works well for both small teams and larger organizations that want more control over their project management tools.
Focalboard is a great option for teams that want an easy-to-use, open-source project management tool that allows for full customization and control over their data.
Features
- Kanban Boards: Visual task management with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Customizable Task Views: Filter tasks by status, priority, assignees, and due dates.
- Self-Hosted and Cloud Options: Flexibility to host on-premise or use in the cloud.
- Task Management: Organize tasks with detailed descriptions, checklists, and due dates.
- Collaboration: Team communication through comments and task sharing.
- Multiple Board Types: Support for personal boards and team boards for managing solo or collaborative projects.
- Templates: Pre-built templates for common project types and workflows.
- Integrations: Integration with Mattermost for seamless collaboration in teams.
- Real-Time Updates: Syncs across devices with real-time task updates.
- Multi-Platform Support: Available on web, desktop, and mobile for easy access.
4- Restyaboard
RestyaBoard is an open-source project management tool that serves as a flexible alternative to Trello and other Kanban-style boards. It offers a highly customizable platform for managing tasks, projects, and workflows, featuring multiple boards, extensive collaboration tools, and integrations. Available as both self-hosted and cloud-based options, RestyaBoard enables teams across various industries to efficiently manage their work, making it suitable for individuals and large teams alike.
With its wide range of customization options and powerful features, RestyaBoard is ideal for teams seeking control over their project management workflows. It also provides the flexibility to scale as the team's needs grow.
Features
- Multiple Board Types: Manage multiple project boards in one place, including Kanban, Scrum, and Gantt charts.
- Custom Workflows: Tailor task flows with customizable statuses and rules for each board.
- Board Migration: Import boards from other platforms like Trello, Asana, and Taiga with ease.
- Task Assignments & Collaboration: Assign tasks, comment, attach files, and set deadlines for seamless team collaboration.
- Real-Time Sync: Automatic updates and synchronization across devices for real-time collaboration.
- Personalized Views: Filter and sort tasks by assignee, due date, priority, or custom labels.
- Advanced Permissions: Granular permission control for user roles and access across teams.
- Integrations: Supports integration with various tools and services like GitLab, Slack, and Zapier.
- Custom Templates: Create reusable task and project templates to streamline repetitive workflows.
- Notifications & Alerts: Receive updates on project progress with customizable notifications.
- API Support: Extensive API for integrating RestyaBoard with other platforms and custom applications.
- Self-Hosted & Cloud: Flexibility to run RestyaBoard on your own infrastructure or via cloud hosting.
RestyaPlatform5- OpenProject
OpenProject is an open-source project management tool supporting both traditional and agile methods. It offers versatile features for planning, tracking, and managing complex projects.
With a focus on transparency, collaboration, and ease of use, OpenProject caters to teams of all sizes—from small businesses to large enterprises. The platform's flexibility extends to its deployment options, available as either self-hosted or cloud-based, giving users control over their project management processes.
Features
- Project Planning and Scheduling: Create detailed project timelines with Gantt charts and visualize task dependencies.
- Task Management: Organize, assign, and track tasks using Kanban boards, backlogs, and work packages.
- Agile Project Management: Support for Scrum and Kanban methodologies to manage agile workflows.
- Time Tracking and Reporting: Monitor time spent on tasks and generate comprehensive project progress reports.
- Team Collaboration: Enhance communication through discussion forums, comments, and document sharing.
- Bug Tracking: Integrated bug and issue tracking for software development projects.
- Budgeting and Cost Management: Plan and monitor project budgets, expenses, and resources efficiently.
- Customizable Workflows: Adapt workflows, permissions, and roles to suit specific team and project needs.
- Wiki & Documentation: Built-in wiki feature for storing and managing project documentation.
- Integrations: Seamless integration with tools like Git, Jenkins, and Microsoft Excel.
- Self-Hosted and Cloud Options: Choose between running OpenProject on your own server or using the cloud version for simplified maintenance.
- Security and Permissions: Robust security features with role-based permissions to safeguard sensitive data.
6- Taskcafé
Taskcafe is a free open-source project management tool offering a user-friendly interface for managing tasks and projects through Kanban-style boards.
Designed with flexibility in mind, it helps teams and individuals track work using customizable boards, lists, and cards. Taskcafe facilitates task prioritization and team collaboration while being self-hosted, giving users complete control over their project data.
With its intuitive interface and simple setup, Taskcafe is an ideal solution for small and medium-sized teams aiming to streamline their workflow.
Features
- Manage tasks through a Kanban board interface (set due dates, labels, add checklists)
- View all your current assigned tasks through the My Tasks view
- Personal projects
- Task comments and activity
JordanKnott7- Planka
TaskFlow is a cutting-edge, open-source task management solution that revolutionizes workflow organization through intuitive Kanban boards. This user-friendly, self-hosted platform empowers teams to effortlessly visualize project progress and streamline task management.
Designed with a focus on simplicity and teamwork, TaskFlow stands out as a compelling alternative to conventional tools, offering users complete data sovereignty. Its versatile framework accommodates both solo practitioners and collaborative teams, enabling flexible and instinctive task organization.
TaskFlow emerges as a robust yet user-friendly project management solution, perfectly suited for teams seeking a self-managed Kanban system without the unnecessary complexities of more elaborate platforms.
Essential Features of TaskFlow
- Dynamic Boards: Transform your workflow with interactive, customizable Kanban boards featuring drag-and-drop functionality.
- Comprehensive Task Handling: Effortlessly create, delegate, and prioritize tasks, complete with deadlines, detailed descriptions, and interactive checklists.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Foster team communication through task-specific comments and file attachments.
- Instant Updates: Experience seamless collaboration with real-time synchronization for precise task monitoring.
- Advanced User Controls: Implement a robust permission system with customizable roles for secure access management.
- Flexible Categorization: Employ a versatile labeling system to efficiently manage diverse workflows and task priorities.
- Cross-Platform Accessibility: Enjoy uninterrupted access across all devices with a sleek, responsive design.
- Data Sovereignty: Maintain complete control over your information by hosting TaskFlow on your own infrastructure.
- Smart Alerts: Keep your team in the loop with an intelligent notification system for task-related updates.
- Optimized Performance: Benefit from TaskFlow's efficient architecture, ensuring smooth operation even under high user loads.
plankanban8- Leantime
Leantime is a comprehensive yet simple project management solution, especially suited for teams embracing lean project management methodologies, offering a balance between functionality and ease of use.
Leantime integrates idea boards, Kanban, and Gantt charts into a single platform, promoting collaboration and helping teams streamline their workflows. Its emphasis on lean methodology makes it a powerful tool for teams looking to optimize their processes without getting bogged down by complexity.
Key Features of Leantime
- Idea Management: Brainstorm and capture ideas with idea boards and convert them into actionable tasks.
- Task Management: Organize tasks using Kanban boards, to-do lists, and custom task statuses.
- Gantt Charts: Visualize project timelines, track dependencies, and manage deadlines effectively.
- Milestones & Deadlines: Set and manage milestones, ensuring teams stay on track with project goals.
- Time Tracking: Monitor time spent on tasks to better manage productivity and resource allocation.
- Project Roadmaps: Create and share roadmaps to align teams on project goals and timelines.
- Collaboration Tools: Comment on tasks, assign team members, and share files to facilitate teamwork.
- Reporting & Analytics: Access project reports to track progress, team performance, and timelines.
- Self-Hosted: Run Leantime on your own server, giving full control over data and configuration.
- Integrations: Connect with third-party apps and services like Slack and GitHub for enhanced productivity.
- Responsive Design: Use the platform on any device with its mobile-friendly interface.
Leantime9- Phabricator
Phabricator was a powerful, open-source suite of tools for software development teams to manage code reviews, tasks, and projects. Developed by Phacility, it offered a rich set of features, including version control, issue tracking, and project management. Developers and tech companies widely adopted Phabricator for its flexibility and ability to handle complex workflows.
Although Phabricator is no longer in development or maintained due to Phacility ceasing operations, it remains fully usable for existing installations. Many teams still rely on Phabricator's robust tools to streamline their software development processes. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven updates and modifications. However, users should be cautious about future security and compatibility issues due to the lack of active support.
Features
- Code Review: Detailed inline tools for code review and discussion, integrated with version control systems like Git, Mercurial, and SVN.
- Task Management: Comprehensive system (Maniphest) for tracking tasks and managing development workflows.
- Version Control Integration: Support for Git, Mercurial, and Subversion repositories, enabling teams to manage and review code in one place.
- Continuous Integration: Harbormaster integrates with CI tools to automate testing and deployment pipelines.
- Bug Tracking: Customizable workflows for managing, prioritizing, and resolving bugs and issues.
- Wikis and Documentation: Built-in wiki system (Phriction) for collaborative documentation and knowledge sharing.
- Project Boards: Kanban-style boards to visualize tasks and track progress.
- Command Line Tools: Powerful utilities for system interaction and task automation via command line.
- Audit and Security: Tools to audit code and identify security vulnerabilities, providing detailed feedback and reports.
- User Permissions: Fine-grained access control and permissions for managing teams and sensitive information.
- Customizable Workflows: Highly flexible processes tailored to your development team's specific needs.
- Scalable and Self-hosted: Phabricator offers self-hosting options, giving teams full control over their environment and scalability.
- Built-in Notifications: Automatic updates to keep team members informed about changes, code reviews, tasks, and discussions.
phacility10- Nextcloud Deck
Nextcloud Deck is an open-source, Kanban-style project management tool integrated within the Nextcloud ecosystem. It enables teams and individuals to visually organize tasks, track progress, and collaborate efficiently on projects. As part of the Nextcloud suite, Deck seamlessly integrates with other Nextcloud apps—such as Files, Calendar, and Talk—making it a versatile tool for managing workflows, to-dos, and team collaboration in a self-hosted environment.
Deck's intuitive Kanban board approach helps teams break down projects into cards, assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress visually. It's ideal for agile project management, allowing users to prioritize tasks and maintain a transparent, efficient workflow. Being self-hosted, Nextcloud Deck offers full control over data privacy and security, making it particularly appealing to organizations that prefer to keep their project management within their own infrastructure.
The Nextcloud Community
nextcloudThese tools offer various features and customization options tailored for Kanban-style project management, suitable for different types of teams and workflows.
Hazem Abbas
