Open Source Alternatives to Trello
Transparent & Community-Driven
Replace Trello with open-source software you can inspect, modify, and self-host. No vendor lock-in, no hidden costs, full control over your data.
Trello popularized kanban-style project management, but at $5/month ($60/year) for the Standard plan, it competes with free alternatives. Planka is an open-source kanban board with a clean interface. Wekan is another self-hosted option. For personal use, Trello's free tier (10 boards) is often sufficient. GitHub Projects is free and integrates with code repositories. The kanban concept is simple and well-implemented in many free tools — columns, cards, labels, and due dates are standard features everywhere.
Open-source alternatives give you something subscription software never can: the ability to inspect, modify, and self-host the code. This means full transparency, no vendor lock-in, and the freedom to run the software on your own terms. The following open-source alternatives have been evaluated for features, community health, and long-term viability.
Why Open Source?
Transparent Code
Audit the code yourself. No hidden trackers or data collection.
Save Per Year
$60
3-Year Savings
$180
Open Source Alternatives Comparison
Free / Open Source
| Tool | Match | Pricing | Platform | Offline | OSS | Ownership | Migration | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planka Best self-hosted alternative | 70% | Open Source | WebSelf-hosted | — | ✓ | Full ownership | Medium | |
Vikunja Best for task management | 60% | Open Source | WindowsLinuxWebSelf-hosted | ✓ | ✓ | Full ownership | Medium | |
WeKan Best self-hosted kanban | 78% | Open Source | Self-hostedWeb | — | ✓ | Full ownership | Medium | |
Focalboard Best for Mattermost users | 72% | Open Source | Self-hostedWebWindowsmacOSLinux | ✓ | ✓ | Full ownership | Medium |
Best self-hosted alternative
Best for task management
Best self-hosted kanban
Best for Mattermost users
Detailed Alternatives
Best self-hosted alternative
An open-source Kanban board for project management.
Editor's Note
Planka provides a clean Kanban experience with self-hosting capabilities.
What you gain
- +Free and open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Clean UI
- +Real-time updates
What you lose
- −Integrations
- −Mobile app
- −Power-Ups
Vikunja
60% MatchBest for task management
An open-source to-do and project management app.
Editor's Note
Vikunja offers multiple views beyond Kanban with strong privacy features.
What you gain
- +Free and open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Multiple views
- +API-first
What you lose
- −Kanban focus
- −Integrations
- −Mobile app polish
WeKan
78% MatchBest self-hosted kanban
Open-source kanban board built with Meteor. Self-hosted Trello alternative with swimlanes, card templates, and team collaboration.
Editor's Note
WeKan is the closest self-hosted Trello clone. If you want your kanban boards on your own server, this is the way to go.
What you gain
- +Fully self-hosted
- +Swimlanes
- +No user limits
- +Full data control
What you lose
- −No cloud convenience
- −Smaller community
- −Mobile experience limited
Focalboard
72% MatchBest for Mattermost users
Open-source project management by Mattermost. Self-hosted alternative to Trello, Notion, and Asana with kanban, table, and calendar views.
Editor's Note
Focalboard shines when paired with Mattermost for team communication. Standalone use is possible but the ecosystem is smaller.
What you gain
- +Multiple views (kanban, table, calendar)
- +Mattermost integration
- +Desktop apps
- +Self-hosted
What you lose
- −Slower development pace
- −Fewer integrations
- −Smaller community
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Trello?
Planka is the most popular open-source alternative to Trello. It has an active community, transparent codebase, and is free to use.
Is open-source software as good as Trello?
Open-source software has matured significantly. Planka now match Trello in core functionality. The main differences are usually in polish and enterprise integrations, not fundamental capability.
Can I self-host open-source alternatives to Trello?
Many open-source alternatives can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Several options listed above support self-hosting.
Is open-source software secure?
Open-source software is often more secure than proprietary alternatives because the code is publicly auditable. Security researchers and the community can review and report vulnerabilities, leading to faster fixes.
What about support for open-source alternatives?
Open-source projects typically have community forums, documentation, and chat channels. Some also offer commercial support tiers. The community support is often faster and more helpful than vendor support.
Related Open Source Alternatives
Take control with open source
Replace Trello with software you own and control. No subscriptions, no lock-in.