OpenProject

Overview

OpenProject is project-management software built around plans, timelines, and team workflows. It is a strong fit for organizations that need classic and agile methods in one system, particularly when control over where project data lives matters. The free Community edition covers a broad set of core work; paid plans are aimed at larger teams.

Key features

Project plans and Gantt charts help teams coordinate work against timelines, while agile boards support Scrum and Kanban organization and progress tracking. The Community edition also includes work packages, meetings, calendars, time tracking, and a project overview. That makes the free tier useful for ongoing coordination, not just initial planning.

OpenProject lists integrations with Nextcloud, OneDrive, SharePoint, GitHub, GitLab, and XWiki. Community-built additions include Excel synchronization, Slack notifications, a Thunderbird add-on, and time-tracking plugins. The selection spans collaboration and development tools, but teams whose workflows depend on other services should check fit before committing.

Organizations can choose self-managed on-premises installation or hosted Enterprise Cloud. Self-managed deployment supports DEB and RPM packages, Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm charts, giving technical teams several paths to fit their infrastructure. Security measures include two-factor authentication, LDAP sync, salted bcrypt password storage, and role-based access controls. The maker says cloud data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with continuous backups; it also says OpenProject meets GDPR and German BDSG requirements. On-premises deployment behind an organization’s firewall is available for teams that require that degree of control.

Automation rules, guest access, and time tracking broaden the workflow beyond task planning. OpenProject is published under the GNU GPL v3, a relevant advantage for organizations prioritizing open-source software and data sovereignty.

Pricing

The Community plan is free, has no minimum user count, and includes Community features and Community support. It is the natural starting point for small teams and organizations able to manage their own deployment, though it does not include the paid Enterprise add-ons or support levels.

Basic costs €5.95 a month, billed per user per month, with a 25-user minimum. It adds Basic Enterprise add-ons and email support, making it a poor fit for a small group that cannot use the minimum seats. Professional costs €10.95 a month on the same per-user billing basis and 25-user minimum; it adds Professional Enterprise add-ons and phone support. That higher tier is most relevant when phone support is worth the added per-seat cost.

Premium costs €15.95 a month, billed per user per month, and requires at least 100 users. It includes Premium Enterprise add-ons, remote hands, and installation and upgrade assistance, which suit larger organizations seeking operational help as well as software. Corporate has custom pricing and a 250-user minimum. A 14-day trial is offered; teams should weigh that short evaluation window against the minimums on paid plans.

Platforms

OpenProject is available on the web and through self-hosted or Linux deployment, and it also lists an API. The hosting choice is a practical differentiator: organizations can prioritize managed cloud use or retain control with self-managed infrastructure.

Who it's for

OpenProject is best for organizations coordinating timelines and agile work in the same environment, especially those that value open source, data sovereignty, or security controls. Community is approachable without a seat minimum; paid plans make more sense for organizations large enough to meet their minimums and needing Enterprise add-ons or stronger support. A small team seeking paid support may find the 25-seat entry requirement hard to justify.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free Community plan includes Gantt charts, agile boards, work packages, meetings, calendars, and time tracking, giving teams substantial planning and collaboration capability without a paid seat minimum.
• Pros: On-premises and hosted deployment options, combined with security controls and the stated cloud encryption and backup protections, suit organizations with data-control requirements.
• Cons: Paid plans start at 25 users, and Premium requires 100, so smaller teams may not be able to buy only the support or add-ons they need.
• Cons: The named integrations cover a useful range, but a team relying on a different service may need to verify that its workflow can be supported.

Alternatives

For teams centered on agile delivery, compare Agile Project Management Software; for technology-focused project work, see IT Project Management Software. Game studios may prefer to browse Game Project Management Software, while issue-focused teams can explore Issue Tracking Software. For broader task coordination, consider Work Management Software or Project Management Software.

Linear is worth considering for teams wanting a free plan with unlimited members, two teams, and a 250-issue cap, as well as broad platform coverage. YouTrack may suit a team of up to 10 users looking for a free cloud plan with 30 GB storage. Yodiz offers a free Starter plan for three users with unlimited projects. Kanban Tool has a free plan capped at two boards and two users, with no file attachments. Plane is another option with a free plan for 12 users. Zoho Sprints has a free tier limited to three users, three projects, and 500 MB storage. Acunote is another freemium project-management option. iceScrum is an alternative for teams seeking open-source software with self-hosted and web options.

Verdict

Choose OpenProject if you need project timelines and Scrum or Kanban workflows together, and want a choice between hosted service and on-premises control. Its substantial free Community plan is the clearest advantage. Look elsewhere if your team is small but needs a paid tier: the 25-user minimum, rising to 100 for Premium, is the main constraint.