Freedom251 › Project Management Software
HOT Tasking Manager

What HOT Tasking Manager is
HOT Tasking Manager is free, open-source software that divides mapping projects into smaller tasks for collaborative work. Project managers define areas, contributors trace buildings, roads, and other features from imagery, and experienced volunteers validate the results. The workflow displays areas awaiting mapping, review, validation, or completion. Humanitarian organizations use it to create geographic data for disaster response and other efforts intended to save or improve lives. Contributors can select JOSM or iD Editor before mapping, and projects support downloadable OpenStreetMap exports. A Sandbox provides an isolated setting for onboarding, training, research, and private or sensitive projects; sandbox data is flushed monthly. The software is available through the web, an API, or self-hosting, and uses OpenStreetMap OAuth2 authentication. HOT notes that projects created before 2020 will be archived during maintenance. API documentation is available on production and staging instances.
Who it suits
It suits volunteer mapping communities, humanitarian organizations, and project managers coordinating distributed mapping and validation. Teams needing self-hosting or API access can use those listed delivery options.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Breaks mapping into collaborative tasks
- Volunteer validation workflow
- OpenStreetMap data exports
- Web, API, and self-hosted options
What to know first
- Projects before 2020 will be archived
- Sandbox data is flushed monthly
- Sandbox projects use low priority
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tasking Manager | Free and open-source software · you can use the code and set up your own instance | Free |
As tasks.hotosm.org lists them, read 13 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
HOT Tasking Manager organizes shared mapping and review for humanitarian and volunteer projects. Its web, API, and self-hosted availability supports different deployments, while maintenance and sandbox rules affect how projects are retained.
Facts from HOT Tasking Manager's own pages
- API
- The maker's development guide says API documentation is available on production and staging instances. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- The development guide says Tasking Manager uses OpenStreetMap OAuth2 authentication. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Data exports
- Projects support downloadable OpenStreetMap data exports. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Editors
- Project documentation describes selecting either JOSM or iD Editor before mapping a task. · toolbox.hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- HOT lists its global office at 1100 13th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20005. · hotosm.org, 13 Oct 2026
- Humanitarian use
- Organizations use the tool to create mapping projects where geographic data is needed to help save or improve lives. · tasks.hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- HOT describes itself as serving humanitarian organizations and a global community of volunteers, and its mission focuses on open map data for communities at high risk of disasters, emergencies, and multidimensional poverty. · hotosm.org, 13 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The product is provided by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, which describes itself as an international nonprofit. · hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Mapping and validation
- Volunteers trace buildings, roads, and other features from imagery, and experienced volunteers validate the map data. · tasks.hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Mapping editors
- The roadmap lists integrations with the iD editor and Rapid editor. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The Tasking Manager homepage says projects created before 2020 will be archived as part of ongoing maintenance. · tasks.hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The maker describes Tasking Manager as free and open-source software and welcomes people to run their own instance. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Planned integrations
- The roadmap lists AI assistance and integrations with MapSwipe, uMap, and MapRoulette as planned features. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Practice projects
- OSM practice projects in a sandbox are listed as available in the v5.5 release. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- HOT says its privacy policy covers tasks.hotosm.org; it describes collecting usage and account information, using Matomo analytics, and limiting access to personal information to trained staff and designated volunteers. · learn.hotosm.org, 13 Oct 2026
- Project workflow
- The tool shows areas that need mapping, review, or validation, and areas that are complete. · osgeo.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The web application divides an area of interest into smaller mapping tasks and indicates which areas need mapping or quality assurance review. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Sandbox
- Sandbox projects use the iD editor, default to low priority, and have their data flushed monthly. · website.hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Sandbox use
- HOT describes Sandbox as an isolated environment for onboarding, training, research, and projects involving private or sensitive data. · website.hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Statistics
- The roadmap says Tasking Manager integrates with ohsome Now for real-time OpenStreetMap statistics and displays MapSwipe statistics on partner pages. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Support
- HOT’s project guide says project manager permissions can be requested by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. · hotosm.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support contact
- HOT lists [email protected] for general inquiries. · hotosm.org, 13 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Project managers define areas for mapping, contributors complete tasks, and reviewers check the results for quality. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
Where HOT Tasking Manager stands on Freedom251
- Project Management Software#33 of 188
- Project management tools#96 of 196