Focalboard
Open-source project management by Mattermost. Self-hosted alternative to Trello, Notion, and Asana with kanban, table, and calendar views.
Focalboard is free productivity tool available on SELF_HOSTED, WEB, WINDOWS. It serves as an alternative to Trello — subscription software that costs $5/month combined. Being open-source and completely free, Focalboard eliminates subscription costs entirely while providing professional-grade features. The open-source community ensures continuous improvement and transparency. It's best suited for teams already using mattermost, self-hosted project management, multi-view project tracking.
Why Choose Focalboard?
- +Completely free — no hidden costs, no premium tier, no feature gates
- +Open-source and community-driven — transparent code, no vendor lock-in
- +Full ownership — your data stays on your device, no cloud dependency
- +Works offline — no internet connection required for core functionality
- +No account required — download and start using immediately
- +Save $60/year compared to subscription alternatives
- +Cross-platform support — available on 5 platforms
Basic Info
Ownership & Dependency
Ownership
HIGH
Cloud Dependency
LOW
Best For
Replaces
See All Alternatives
Pros
- +Multiple views (kanban, table, calendar)
- +Integrates with Mattermost
- +Desktop apps available
- +Self-hosted with full control
Cons
- −Development has slowed
- −Smaller community
- −Limited integrations vs Trello
- −Requires self-hosting setup
How to Switch to Focalboard
- 1
Export your data
Export your data from your current tool in CSV, PDF, or native format.
- 2
Install Focalboard
Download Focalboard from the official website. It's completely free.
- 3
Import and configure
Import your data into Focalboard and customize the settings to match your workflow.
- 4
Cancel your subscription
Once you're comfortable with Focalboard, cancel your subscription and start saving.
Replacing: Trello
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Focalboard a good replacement for Trello?
Yes. Focalboard handles most of what Trello does, at no cost. Trello costs $5/month ($60/year). The main differences are in advanced features and ecosystem integrations.
Is Focalboard really free?
Yes, Focalboard is completely free to use and open-source. There are no hidden costs, no premium tiers, and no feature restrictions.
Can I self-host Focalboard?
Yes. Being open-source, Focalboard can be self-hosted on your own server or hardware. This gives you complete control over your data and eliminates any dependency on external services.
What platforms does Focalboard support?
Focalboard is available on SELF HOSTED, WEB, WINDOWS, MACOS, LINUX. This cross-platform support means you can use it on all your devices.
How much money can I save with Focalboard?
By replacing Trello, you save approximately $60/year in subscription fees. The savings start immediately.
Does Focalboard require an internet connection?
No. Focalboard works fully offline — you only need internet for initial download and updates.
Compare Focalboard with alternatives
Focalboard replaces these subscriptions
Related Software
Calculate Your Savings
See how much you could save by switching from subscriptions to Focalboard and similar tools.
Open Calculator