FocalBoard in 2025: The Open-Source Alternative to Asana, Trello, and Notion

Philip Moses
Jul 23
4 min read

Let’s be honest — choosing a project management tool today feels a lot like shopping for toothpaste. There are too many options, they all look similar, and everyone swears by their favorite. But if you've ever wanted a tool that's flexible, privacy-first, and not tied to recurring monthly fees, it's time to meet Focalboard.

Because in 2025, productivity isn’t just about checking off tasks — it’s about owning your entire workflow. And that’s where Focalboard stands out.

A Fresh Approach to Work: Why Focalboard Matters in 2025

Imagine this: you need a tool that organizes your chaos without compromising your privacy. You want structure — without unnecessary restrictions. You crave collaboration — but not yet another SaaS subscription draining your budget. Focalboard checks all the right boxes and then some.

In this blog, we explore why Focalboard is still a compelling choice in 2025, especially if you value privacy, flexibility, and open-source control — and how House of FOSS helps businesses make the most of it.

Not Just Another Trello Clone

Focalboard is open-source, free, and completely customizable. Whether you're a solo creator, a small development team, or part of an organization already using Mattermost, Focalboard integrates seamlessly into your digital environment.

Yes, you still get your beloved Kanban boards, but Focalboard also offers tables, calendars, and gallery views — all with total control and zero fluff.

What Makes Focalboard Worth Exploring

✅ Multiple Views

Switch effortlessly between Kanban, Table, Calendar, and Gallery — all in one platform. Your workflow, your way.

✅ Deep Customization

Create unlimited boards, group/filter/sort as needed, and build views that work just for you.

✅ Real-Time Collaboration

@Mention team members, comment on tasks, and control permissions — collaborate the way you want.

✅ Built-In Templates

Get started quickly with templates for content calendars, sprint planning, project tracking, and more.

✅ All-in-One Functionality

Take notes, manage files, run meetings, and track project progress — all self-hosted if you prefer.

So, What’s the Catch?

Let’s be real — Focalboard isn’t perfect. If you’re expecting the polish of Notion or the simplicity of Trello, you may hit a few bumps.

⚠️ Steep Learning Curve

The documentation is limited, and setup may feel overwhelming for non-technical users.

⚠️ No Mobile App

If you depend on mobile or tablet access, this could be a significant limitation (for now).

⚠️ Standalone Version Is No Longer Maintained

The self-hosted edition isn’t actively updated, which may raise long-term support concerns.

⚠️ AI Features Are Limited

Though there's mention of an AI assistant, it lacks maturity and usefulness for most local setups at the moment.

Focalboard vs Asana vs Trello vs Notion — Who Wins in 2025?

Let’s break it down:

🔹 Asana: Polished and feature-rich, ideal for large teams and structured workflows. Solid AI capabilities.

🔹 Trello: Visual, simple, and Kanban-focused — great for individuals and small teams.

🔹 Notion: A productivity powerhouse combining documents, databases, and AI-enhanced task management.

🔹 Focalboard: Flexible, privacy-centric, and free — perfect for developers, self-hosters, and privacy-conscious teams.

There’s no clear winner. Just the right tool for the right user.

Should You Use Focalboard in 2025?

✅ Choose FocalBoard if you:

Prioritize data privacy and ownership
Have basic IT or development skills
Already use Mattermost and need an integrated task manager
Want to avoid recurring SaaS fees and embrace flexibility

❌ Skip FocalBoard if you:

Are a non-technical user without IT support
Rely heavily on mobile apps for your workflow
Expect advanced automation or highly polished UI
Need strong AI integration or third-party app support

The Open-Source Advantage (and Its Demands)

Open-source is powerful — but it requires commitment. Focalboard gives you freedom, but it expects you to manage hosting, updates, and troubleshooting. If you're willing to take that on, the benefits in cost, control, and customization are substantial.

However, if you’re looking for a plug-and-play experience with no tech overhead, this might not be your best fit.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for FocalBoard?

FocalBoard as a standalone project is at a crossroads — its GitHub repository isn’t actively maintained. But as part of the broader Mattermost ecosystem, it's still evolving. Community-driven contributions, new integrations, and the potential for future development keep it relevant.

Still, if Focalboard wants to remain competitive, it must focus on mobile access and deeper AI features — the pillars of modern productivity.

Beyond Focalboard: Discover House of FOSS

If FocalBoard caught your attention, there's a larger world of open-source possibilities waiting for you. Enter House of FOSS — a movement, not just a community.

House of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) is a collaborative platform where developers, learners, and innovators build and grow together using open-source technologies.

What You'll Find:

🔧 Real-world projects to contribute to

🤝 A supportive, peer-driven learning environment

🚀 Skill development through hands-on mentoring

🌍 A mission-aligned space centered on transparency, privacy, and open access

Tools like Focalboard thrive thanks to ecosystems like this. If you’re planning to self-host, customize, or explore how software really works — House of FOSS is where the magic happens.

Need Help Getting Started? Let House of FOSS Guide You

At House of FOSS, we specialize in making open-source software accessible and manageable for businesses of all sizes.

Whether you're exploring Focalboard, Open WebUI for AI solutions, or Anything LLM for team collaboration — we help you deploy, tailor, and maintain these tools effortlessly.

Why Choose House of FOSS?

🧩 Custom Solutions — Built around your specific use case

🕒 24/7 Support — Reliable assistance, always

💰 Up to 60% Savings — Cut SaaS costs without compromising quality

🛠️ Managed Maintenance — Security, updates, and performance handled by experts

Our Services:

🔄 Seamless setup and migration

🤖 Open-source AI deployment with enterprise-grade reliability

📈 Continuous optimization and performance monitoring

✅ Ready to take control of your tools?

👉 Visit House of FOSS today for a free consultation.

Final Thoughts: Build Your Tech Stack with Purpose

Focalboard is more than just a project management app — it’s a statement. A reflection of the growing movement toward freedom, customization, and digital autonomy.

In 2025, tools don’t just help us get things done — they shape how we think, build, and collaborate.

Whether you're trying out Focalboard or joining a community like House of FOSS, one thing is clear: open-source is no longer just an alternative — it’s a future-ready choice.

Explore. Experiment. Evolve.Let your productivity stack reflect your values — and if those include control, community, and customization, you're already on the right path.