Best Open Source Project Management Software: Top 10 for 2024

Surely, you would want to have everything under your control as far as the business you have worked extremely hard to build is concerned, including the project management software you are deploying for its growth.

If this sounds like you, we recommend you go for open-source project management software. 

Open source software is known for its state-of-the-art security and unparalleled service. Since these tools are open to community contribution, the chances of someone identifying errors and fixing them before they take a major toll on your business increase dramatically. 

It’s clear that there are many choices out there, so to find the best open source project management software in 2024, you need a detailed guide like ours. We have explored the market and selected the top 10 open source project management software providers, so you don’t have to!

Our Pick for Best Open Source Project Management Software: Monday.com

Monday.com is head and shoulders above all the other project management open source software in the market right now.

The Best Open Source Project Management Software 2024

Here is our handpicked list of the best project management software open source:

1. Monday.com: Best Open Source Project Management Software Overall
2. ClickUp: Must-have for Integration Capacity 
3. Smartsheet: Excels in Automation Features 
4. Open Project: Ideal for Shared Team Timeline 
5. Focalboard: Known for Switchable Views
6. ERPNext: Perfect for Easy Filtering 
7. Restya: Ideal for Project Roadmaps
8. Twake: Excels in Team Communication
9. Taiga: Fit to Create And Manage Multiple Workflows
10. ProjectLibre: Ideal for Tracking Your Project Progress

Best Open Source Project Management Software: Reviewed

This is where we spill the beans about everything you need to know about our top 10 picks for the best open source project management software, including their best features, pricing, advantages, and limitations:

1. Monday.com: Best Open Source Project Management Software Overall

Monday.com is the best platform for global teams looking for the perfect place to bring their remote team together. Its vast project management features help you turn your laptop into a functional, online workspace. 

It not only helps you lay out the entire plan of your work but also allows you to keep a close eye on what your team members are up to. Moreover, Monday.com is also one of the best cloud project management software and the best legal project management software.

Best Features

Here’s what we love about Monday.com:

• Task Management: Managing tasks on Monday.com is a breeze. It lets you smartly assign tasks and prioritize when needed in a few clicks.
• Customizable Boards: Want boards that reflect your company goals or upcoming projects? Use Monday’s customizable boards to create your own display. 
• Integrations: Monday.com makes your life easier by allowing you to integrate with other business tools like Google calendar, MS Excel, Slack, Google Drive, etc. 
• Automation: With no-code automation, you can save time on mundane tasks like time tracking, progress updates, email notifications, etc. 

More information about Monday.com:

Pricing 

Here are the plans offered by Monday.com:

• Individual: Free
• Basic: $8/seat/month
• Standard: $10/seat/month
• Pro: $16/seat/month
• Enterprise: Custom

Pros

• Customizable 
• Easy to assign new tasks 
• Lets you prioritize your tasks 
• Automation makes your work easier 

Cons

• Only one team/company allowed per account

2. ClickUp: Must-have for Integration Capacity

ClickUp stands out as a comprehensive and beginner-friendly open-source project management software. It has been designed in a way that combines the functionalities of several business and project management apps, allowing you to work comfortably from one platform. 

One of the best things about ClickUp is that it offers multiple project views like roadmaps, kanban boards, Gantt charts, list views, etc. For the same reason, it’s one of the best Gantt chart software.

Best Features 

Here is what we love about ClickUp:

• Easy to Organize: ClickUp lets you organize different groups in different spaces and manage multiple projects by categorizing data into different folders. No matter how vast the data is, ClickUp will organize it all.
• Nested Subtasks: ClickUp helps you manage complicated tasks by breaking them down into smaller tasks and adding checklists within those tasks.
• Real-time Reporting: Get instant updates on everything that’s happening in your organization with ClickUp’s accurate real-time reporting feature. 
• Readymade Templates: Don’t waste time creating templates from scratch. Instead, use ClickUp’s readymade templates for docs, project plans, estimates, etc.

More information about ClickUp:

Pricing 

Here are the plans offered by ClickUp:

• Free forever 
• Unlimited: $5/user/month 
• Business: $12/user/month
• Business Plus: $19/user/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing 

Pros 

• Smart integrations 
• Beginner-friendly interface 
• Readymade templates that save you time 
• Real-time reporting to keep you up to date with everything happening in your company 

Cons

• Importing data from other tools is slightly complicated 

3. Smartsheet: Excels in Automation Features

Smartsheet, one of the best collaboration tools for project management, is the modern way to manage your projects with enterprise-level features on regular plans. One of its strongest features is automation — after all, you can’t expect to grow your business if you waste half your day doing repetitive tasks.

Smartsheet also understands that not every business has the exact same needs, which is why it provides custom project management solutions that adapt to the requirements of your projects. 

Best Features 

Here is what we love about Smartsheet:

• Resource Management: Know your resources, check the availability, and plan their implementation on upcoming projects seamlessly with Smartsheet’s resource management feature.
• Brand Folder: Categorize all your company assets like docs, files, and other information in a secure folder that is customizable 
• Integrated Forms: Want to collect feedback or clarification from your stakeholders? Smartsheet lets you create forms and map them out to the right person.
• Premium Add-ons: Smartsheet is constantly rolling out new add-ons like Pivot App and DataMesh to cater to your growing needs. 

More information about Smartsheet:

Pricing 

Here are the plans offered by Smartsheet:

• Pro: $7/user/month
• Business: $25/user/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing 

Pros

• Perfect for new age teams
• Premium add-ons for bigger teams 
• Helps you organize docs and files better
• Unlimited integration and automation options 

Cons

• Steep learning curve

4. Open Project: Ideal for Shared Team Timeline

Open Project is one of the leading open source project management software apps, and businesses love its hybrid environment, affordability, and highly easy-to-use interface. It recognizes the importance of data privacy and hence hands you over the complete ownership of your data – allowing you to manage your data as you please with Open Project’s high-security protocols.

Whether you are looking for a traditional, agile, or hybrid project management service, Open Project excels in all three and ensures that your team finds the fastest and most efficient way to collaborate.

Best Features

Here’s what we love about Open Project, the best open source agile project management software:

• Shared Timeline: A shared project timeline keeps everyone in the loop regarding which projects are due soon so that your team can easily manage their schedules.
• Agile Management: Create the perfect agile project management workflow with advanced features like kanban boards and scrums.
• Work Management: Open Project offers a visual workload management feature where you get to see everyone’s tasks for the week or month and distribute the incoming tasks accordingly.
• Expert Support: Worried about what happens if you get stuck? Open Project’s expert community and professional help are here for you.

More information about Open Project:

Pricing 

Here are the plans offered by Open Project:

• A free forever plan 
• Basic: $7.25/user
• Professional: $13.50/user
• Premium: $19.50/user
• Corporate: Custom pricing 

Pros

• High data security 
• Compatible with multiple industries 
• Supports every time of project management
• Fastest project management solution

Cons

• Needs better integrations with team management tools

5. Focalboard: Known for Switchable Views

Tools like Trello or Asana are deemed to be the finest project management software. If you are looking for something similar but with the flexibility of open source management, try Focalboard. 

It’s available as standalone project management software or can also be integrated with the Mattermost Platform. A standout feature of Focalboard is the suitability of its services for individual users, big teams, and even developers.

Best Features

Here’s what we love about Focalboard:

• Card & Board Template: Don’t want to waste time creating a new card or board every time you start a new project? Focalboard lets you convert existing cards and boards into templates in only a single click for future tasks.
• Switchable Views: You don’t have to stick to a single kanban board view. With a click, you can switch to a table view or even sort your projects by recency or name.
• Easy Export & Import: Focalboard does not believe in restricting its users to one platform. This is why it has simplified importing information from other tools and exporting your final report.
• Drag & Drop Builder: Want to reorganize your kanban board? All you have to do is drag and drop the cards into your preferred column.

More information about Focalboard:

Pricing 

Focalboard reveals its pricing only on request since it believes in customization.

Pros

• Switchable views 
• Editable dashboard
• Customizable kanban board view
• Perfect blend of project management and team communication

Cons

• Non-transparent pricing

6. ERPNext: Perfect for Easy Filtering

If you’re running on a tight budget, ERPNext is for you. It’s a cloud-based, free, and 100% open source platform that simplifies project management and team communication with its smart features.

ERPNext is excellent all-in-one project management software, so you can handle your point of sale interface, team members, and projects, as well as get an overview of everything going on in your organization through a comprehensive dashboard.

Best Features

Here’s what we love about ERPNext:

• Multiple Project Views: Whether you want a kanban board, list view, or a Gantt chart, ERPNext offers multiple project views. Design your workspace the way you want.
• Smart Filters: Smart filters help you filter out unnecessary details and find documents faster. At the same time, you can also create your own filters from the main dashboard. 
• Tags & Color Codes: Need a little more filtering? Use smart color codes and tags to find what you’re looking for faster.
• Real-time Chat: ERPNext comes with an inbuilt real-time chat and also lets you mention other members on tasks, so you don’t have to juggle an external team communication app.

More information about ERPNext:

Pricing

• Basic: $126/site/month (converted from INR)
• Essential: $283.5/site/month (converted from INR)
• Professional: $472/site/month (converted from INR)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing 

Pros

• Smart filters and tags
• Multiple project views
• Enables faster team communication
• Comprehensive project management tools

Cons

• Slightly tougher for beginners to wrap their heads around 

7. Restya: Ideal for Project Roadmaps

Restya’s primary objective is to help companies manage and complete their tasks in a much faster and more efficient way. It was designed to be a replacement for Trello. Here, you can use kanban boards to manage your project lifecycle and assign work to team members.

Restya uses three simple techniques to help businesses manage their projects. First, it uses a kanban board to create roadmaps. Secondly, it uses scrum to encourage your employees to be self-driven and learn from their own experiences. And lastly, it uses a simple task assigning format with the assignee name, due date, and comments. 

Best Features 

Here’s what we love about Restya:

• Notifications & Broadcasts: Real-time notifications and broadcasts ensure that no team member misses out on any important updates.
• Data Security: Restya does not keep a copy of your data. Everything you share online is stored on your internal server alone.
• Reminders: With Restya’s automated reminders, you never have to worry about forgetting important deadlines or events.
• Instant Chat Support: No matter what problem you are struggling with, Restya’s instant chat support system is just a click away.

More information about Restya:

Pricing

Restya doesn’t reveal its pricing online. Reach out to its sales team for a custom quote. 

Pros 

• Simple yet effective
• Doesn’t record your data
• Best replacement for Trello
• Instant chat support for all users

Cons

• Limited features 

8. Twake: Excels in Team Communication

If you are looking for responsive project management software that heavily focuses on team communication, try Twake. It was designed to be a simple, open-source replacement for Microsoft Teams.

Twake stands on the pillars of data security and privacy, an open-source environment, and #GoodTech4Good, under which it aims to minimize the carbon footprints left by its software.

It also has a free forever plan, making it one of the best free open source project management software.

Best Features

Here’s what we love about Twake:

• Communication Channels: Create separate communication channels for different topics and seamlessly invite external users or start a video meeting.
• Team Calendar: Add important upcoming deadlines and event dates on your team calendar to keep everyone on the same page.
• Bird-eye View: Twake’s main dashboard gives you a bird’s-eye view of all your projects, tasks, upcoming deadlines, and teamwork load at a single glance.
• Drive Integration: Since it’s a cloud-based solution, you can upload all your files on the drive and use Twake’s native drag and drop file manager to access whatever you need whenever you need it.

More information about Twake:

Pricing 

Here are the plans offered by Twake:

• A free forever plan 
• Standard: 4.19 €/user/month
• Premium: 10.39 €/user/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing 

Pros

• Free plan
• Easily invite external users
• Uncompromised data security 
• Commendable team collaboration features

Cons

• The file manager doesn’t offer a customizable layout

9. Taiga: Fit to Create And Manage Multiple Workflows

Taiga is the perfect agile project management software for multi-functional teams. It’s loaded with advanced project management features yet is highly straightforward to use. Trusted by some of the biggest brands in the world like TATA, Airbus, Red Hat, etc., its project management solutions are intuitive and effective.

One of our favorite things about Taiga is that along with regular project management and team communication responsibilities; it also gives you detailed insight into your team’s performance. This helps you understand your work efficiency and return on resources and investment.

Best Features

Here is what we love about Taiga, the best project management workflow software open source:

• Multiple Workflows: Multi-functional teams cannot stick to a single workflow. That’s why Taiga allows you to create multiple workflows for the same project.
• Estimation Tool: With tools like Taiga Seed, estimate your project deadlines and requirements accurately to keep your clients happier. 
• Switchable Formats: Instantly switch between kanban boards or scrum anytime you need. 
• Easy Search: With extensive filters and smart searching techniques, finding documents is a breeze, no matter how many projects you are working on.

More information about Taiga:

Pricing

Here are the plans offered by Taiga:

• A free forever plan 
• Premium: $5/user/month
• Enterprise: Free (self-managed), Custom pricing (managed by Taiga)

Pros

• Cheap plans
• Flexible workflows 
• Accurate estimations 
• Switch between Kanban or scrum

Cons

• Multiple screens make it a little confusing to work with

10. ProjectLibre: Ideal for Tracking Your Project Progress

ProjectLibre is the number one open source alternative to Microsoft Project. It’s a cloud-based software, meaning your files can be stored and accessed remotely. Available in more than 193 countries, it’s one of the best open source project management software for Windows, as well as being compatible with Linux and Mac.

It’s also one of the few tools available in multiple international languages. Currently, it’s been translated into 29 languages, including Korean, French, Farsi, Ukrainian, Finnish, etc.

Best Features 

Here’s what we love about ProjectLibre:

• Resource Breakdown Structure: A resource breakdown structure helps you with a list of resources in hand and their possible implementations so that you can plan your projects better.
• Gantt Charts: Instead of limiting your project view options to kanban boards or scrum, ProjectLibre also lets you view your projects on Gantt charts with detailed timelines.
• Work Breakdown Structure: Easily break down bigger projects into smaller tasks and create a seamless workflow with ProjectLibre’s smart work breakdown structure.
• Earned Value Management: Benefit from ProjectLibre’s smart way of measuring your performance through tangible parameters like time and cost.

More information about ProjectLibre:

Pricing 

ProjectLibre reveals its pricing only on request.

Pros

• Personalized pricing 
• Offers Gantt charts
• Work breakdown structure 
• Easily measurable performance reports

Cons

• Limited information on product features 

Best Open Source Project Management Software: Comparison Table 

Here’s a quick comparison of our top 10 picks for the best open source project management tool for 2024. 

This table aims to simplify the review process for those that find reading all the individual reviews in detail overwhelming. The parameters include pricing, top benefits, device compatibility of mobile apps, and the availability or non-availability of a free plan.

What Is Open-Source Project Management Software?

Open source project management software is a tool that facilitates job scheduling, resource allocation, and project planning while also improving team member coordination. Additionally, it gives project managers, users, and stakeholders the ability to handle documentation, quality control, budgeting, and administration.

This management solution is specifically intended to increase team efficiency and guarantee high-quality project delivery on schedule. The following are some typical attributes of project management software:

• Dashboard and Real-Time Executive Reports: You can gain real-time teamwork insight into project terms, time, cost, and other operational stats by using open-source project management software.
• Resource Management: Easily view the tasks allocated to each team member, and plan effectively based on present and future available resources.
• Schedule Management: It is now easier to see how the tasks progress in a single timeline view. You can use an interactive Gantt chart to generate task dependencies, making it simpler to keep track of and successfully manage your tasks. Some of the best Gantt chart software include Monday.com and ClickUp.
• Time Tracking: Track your billable hours using open-source project management software. You get to enter the expected and actual project hours. The timer then automatically notes down the time spent on each task.
• Bug and Issue Tracker: This feature allows you to identify defects and issues on your project, which aids in delivering high-quality software. You can customize an open-source project management tool because you can change the source code to handle as many projects as you require. Some of the best bug tracking software are Jira and Zoho Bug Tracker.

Furthermore, open source solutions’ benefit lies in a strong community of testers and developers, which speeds up bug fixes and troubleshooting. Open source tools are also among the most sought-after choices for project managers on a tight budget. 

The source code of open source project management software is available for anyone to view, edit, and improve, provided they agree to the publication license. As the code is publicly available, a user has the right to customize the software for free to increase its functionality or usability. 

Additionally, the transparency of the software itself encourages community participation, open communication, and teamwork.

Why Do I Need an Open-Source Project Management Tool?

Staying focused might be difficult with a large team and multiple projects, but it is vital! The secret lies in completing high-quality tasks that satisfy your customers.

You can manage everything from a single dashboard with a completely automated project management solution. You can easily manage projects and establish deadlines, thus maintaining quality and timely delivery.

Open-source project management software includes many features that will enable you to streamline procedures and successfully finish a job on schedule without sacrificing quality. 

The following are a few other advantages of utilizing an open-source project management tool:

User-Centricity

Open-source software is a decentralized, collaborative system that prioritizes the user. The software’s design and development are overseen by volunteers, and decisions are made to make it as valuable to the user as possible.

With the help of an open-source project management tool, you can work with your team and learn what new features clients want. The open-source project management community often exchanges best practices and problem-solving techniques, and users may also seek assistance from the community.

Improving Team Efficiency and Effectiveness

An important component of success your team desperately needs is a map to its destination after having a clearly defined model of its function and how it fits into the project.

You may define this plan and the goals that go with it using effective project management software. These objectives must inspire your team and provide them direction and energy as they work toward reaching them. 

You can ensure everyone is moving in a common direction by aligning team members and streamlining your tasks to produce clear deliverables.

Cost Management

One of the main advantages of adopting open-source project management software is that it enables users to manage all available resources efficiently. The likelihood of scope creep and projects deviating from the intended direction increases throughout every project. 

Assisting project managers in managing budget spent versus tasks completed—a top-notch project management solution can limit the chances of runaway finances and budget overruns late in the project.

An open-source project management system can assist managers in avoiding this since it enables them to keep track of everything with the aid of a real-time project reporting tool and prevents the project cost from rising.

Safety and Reliability

Anyone can read and examine the open-source software code, making it easier to detect issues earlier, which leads to faster fixes for software that affects our lives.

Imagine a community where code updates are possible without requiring manual input from the owner. With an open source license, you would have the option to do so.

The open source software development tools are installable on-premises and offer total control over data, the final product, and its functionality.

Open Source Freedom and Flexibility

The accessibility of the program is likely the most significant advantage of open-source software, which are centered on freedom and flexibility. The majority of open-source programs can be downloaded and utilized right from public repositories.

What makes that crucial to businesses? By removing restrictions on developer tools and building blocks, developers won’t have to wait for licensing or procurement hurdles before starting to improve their systems. 

Additionally, having access to the source code helps developers become more productive with the technology and lowers the learning curve.

Detailed Reporting

Reports are typically the most effective way to keep track of the status of projects. They usually comprise a structured document and offer a strategic perspective of the team’s performance. The project manager often requires around a couple of weeks to a whole month to prepare the reports.

An open-source project management tool gathers all information on timelines, objectives, team performance, resources, and budget in a centralized location. You can occasionally customize software solutions to your project’s needs, but they rarely come with standard reporting functionality.

Flexibility to Add Features

When using proprietary software, you must send a request to the developer and wait if you need a feature that will benefit your company. You might have to wait a long time unless your company is large enough to attract the developer’s attention.

If you use open-source software, you are free to edit it as much as you want and on your schedule. You can customize the software to include the required features for your company’s success. Even if you can’t develop the code yourself, you can hire someone to do it since it’s open source.

Efficient Risk Mitigation

Identifying possible obstacles and implementing practical solutions are the hallmarks of a great manager. With open-source project management software, managers can improve their risk mitigation techniques and utilize all available tools to implement efficient countermeasures.

This increases the team’s overall effectiveness and enables managers to spend their resources wisely to minimize project risks.

Stability

Open-source software allows for user involvement in the development process and continuous improvement. This implies that you will always have access to the most recent version of your software.

You will never be trapped by proprietary software that you cannot escape, which is particularly critical for long-term projects.

The idea behind open-source software is that you may either create the program yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. You have the freedom to decide how you want to develop your program because there is no vendor lock.

How to Choose the Right Open-Source Project Management Software? Factors to Consider

Each project is unique. Every team is, too. The tool you use affects how you handle your projects and how your team interacts. The right tool will assist you in completing assignments on schedule and organizing all of your work. This is why choosing a tool that aligns with your goals, and work methods is critical. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an open-source project management tool:

Security 

Functionality is excellent, but if your data isn’t secure, your project’s integrity won’t be either. Examine the security features that your selected software provider offers. 

If they are hosting your software online, ensure they have 128-bit encryption. Use a different dedicated hosting platform to keep your client data secure and isolated from everyone else’s.

Features and Conditions

Tools are available for a variety of businesses, ranging from basic to-do lists to detailed velocity charts. Analyze your needs, including the scope of your projects, the people involved, your project management approach, and more. 

If you’re a project manager that needs work breakdown structure, budgeting, and so on, a heavyweight application like MS Projects would be a good choice.

Ease of Use

First and foremost, ensure the software you pick is simple to use! Although it should be obvious, specific tools are highly complex and require users to undergo several days of training. The perfect product for you will be something you find simple to use and work for your team. 

Many tools provide you with free trials, allowing you to test the software before deciding whether to buy it. Next, we suggest you pick a tool you can customize to suit your requirements. An excellent project management tool will be time-saving, versatile, and scalable as your company expands.

Verify the License Type

There are various license types and possible values for open source tools. A permissive license is the best way to ensure complete freedom when producing or developing the code. Therefore, selecting open-source tools and technologies with permissive license types is usually desirable.

Additionally, there is the copyleft open-source license type, which has limited permissions. Choose the license type based on the extent of your source code, and be prepared to address any legal issues that tag along.

Budget

The next factor you need to consider is the amount of money you’re willing to spend on your open-source project management software. There are tools with different levels of functionality that are free to use and others that cost hundreds of dollars.

A simple, free project management application can assist you in creating checklists and ticking off completed tasks. However, if you want more sophisticated features, you’ll need a more expensive option.

Mobile Compatible Software

With the world on the move, it’s necessary for an organization to own software that’s flexible and can be accessed remotely. 

Since most of a project’s crew will be on the ground, they must be able to access information out of their office; it’s not always possible to monitor status with a laptop or tablet. Open-source project management solutions should therefore be adaptable and run smoothly on mobile devices, be it iOS or Android devices. 

Conclusion: What is the Best Open Source Project Management Software?

Having reviewed the best open-source project management software out there, Monday.com is the clear No. 1. Not only is it highly affordable — it has a free forever plan, plus its paid plans start from as low as $8 per seat per month; its comprehensive range of features makes it a must-have for businesses of all sizes. 

Monday.com’s automation features will help you streamline your business, and its massive integration capacity negates the need to juggle multiple dashboards. Other noteworthy features include customizable boards, impeccable task and team coordination functionalities, and a cloud presence.