Best Open-Source Project Management Software in 2025

Managing projects is a key part of getting work done on time and keeping teams organized. With more teams looking for flexible and cost-effective options, open-source project management tools are becoming more popular than ever.

 In this blog, we’ll briefly highlight some of the best open-source tools in 2025.

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1. OpenProject – The Most Secure and Comprehensive PM Platform

OpenProject is a mature, enterprise-grade project management tool designed for teams that need security, flexibility, and robust planning capabilities. With support for agile boards, Gantt charts, team collaboration, and time tracking, it's suitable for both small teams and large-scale enterprise environments.

Pros:

• Advanced security and compliance features

• Rich feature set including task management, time tracking, and wikis 

• Ideal for managing multiple, complex projects

Cons:

• Learning curve for beginners 

• Interface is more functional than modern

Why Choose OpenProject?

If security, advanced project planning, and enterprise-level features are a priority, OpenProject delivers on all fronts.

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2. Redmine – A Flexible and Extensible Classic

Redmine continues to be a favorite among developers and tech teams due to its plugin-friendly architecture and flexibility. Whether you need a simple task tracker or a complex project workflow manager, Redmine can be shaped to fit your requirements.

Pros:

• Highly customizable and completely free 

• Wide plugin ecosystem (Agile, CRM, Gantt, Budgeting, etc.) 

• Supports multiple methodologies

Cons:

• Outdated user interface 

• Requires technical knowledge for installation and maintenance

Why Choose Redmine?

Redmine is perfect for teams that have the technical skill to shape the platform into a tailored project management solution.

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3. Taiga – Agile Project Management Made Simple

Taiga is a beautifully designed agile project management tool that’s particularly well-suited for development teams and startups. It offers a modern UI, kanban and scrum boards, backlogs, sprints, and issue tracking — all while remaining lightweight and open-source.

Pros:

• Clean and intuitive user interface 

• Great support for agile workflows (Scrum, Kanban) 

• REST API and easy integrations

Cons:

• Limited features for traditional project management 

• May not be ideal for large, non-agile teams

Why Choose Taiga?

Taiga is ideal for agile teams looking for a modern, distraction-free project management tool without the enterprise-level complexity.

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4. ProjectLibre – Open-Source Alternative to Microsoft Project

ProjectLibre is a powerful open-source project management tool tailored for traditional planning needs. It mirrors much of the functionality of Microsoft Project and is especially useful for teams focused on project scheduling, task dependencies, and resource allocation.

Pros:

• Familiar interface for MS Project users 

• Strong scheduling and Gantt chart features 

• Great for offline use and single-project management

Cons:

• Lacks cloud-based collaboration features 

• Limited integration options

Why Choose ProjectLibre?

If your team manages projects with traditional methods and relies on detailed timelines and resources, ProjectLibre is a great alternative to proprietary tools like Microsoft Project.

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5. Taskcafe – Lightweight and Clean Kanban Tool

Taskcafe is a newer open-source project management tool that emphasizes simplicity and clean UI. Inspired by Trello-style kanban boards, it's great for teams who want a straightforward way to manage tasks without clutter.

 Pros:

• Simple and user-friendly interface 

• Self-hosted and light on resources 

• Focused on task organization

Cons:

• Still evolving; limited advanced features 

• Smaller community and ecosystem compared to older tools

Why Choose Taskcafe?

Taskcafe is great for small teams and solo professionals who prefer a minimalist, distraction-free kanban experience.

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6. Focalboard (Mattermost Boards) – Collaboration-Driven PM for Teams

Focalboard, now integrated into Mattermost as “Boards,” is an open-source project management solution for teams that prefer visual task tracking and close collaboration. It’s especially handy for remote teams using Mattermost for communication.

Pros:

• Fully integrated with Mattermost for team chat and collaboration 

• Clean kanban-style boards 

• Self-hosted and privacy-friendly

Cons:

• Best used with Mattermost; standalone use may feel limited 

• Less suitable for advanced PM requirements

Why Choose Focalboard?

For teams already using Mattermost or those looking for a privacy-focused, team-friendly kanban tool, Focalboard offers a seamless project tracking experience.

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Final Thoughts

Open-source project management software in 2025 offers more choice and flexibility than ever before. Whether you're managing agile development, traditional planning, or simple task tracking, there's a tool that fits your workflow.

• For security and robust features, go with OpenProject.

• For extensive customization, Redmine is hard to beat.

• For agile simplicity, choose Taiga.

• For traditional scheduling, ProjectLibre excels.

• For lightweight kanban, Taskcafe shines.

• For team collaboration, Focalboard delivers.

But here’s the catch — most of these tools need some level of technical setup, often requiring a dedicated server and manual configuration. That’s where Belsterns' House of FOSS comes in. We handle all the installation, hosting, and setup for you — no tech background needed. Whether you’re a startup, a growing business, or a solo founder, we make open-source tools plug-and-play, so you can focus on your work, not the setup.

So click on Get Started and do the registration to begin your journey with us.