Operately
What Operately is
Operately is open-source goal and project management software that brings goal tracking and project execution into one system, with built-in progress check-ins. Teams can set cascading goals, review progress, and manage work using kanban boards, message boards, documents, and workflows. The product is aimed at teams of 5 to 100 people, and the maker highlights startups with 10 or more people and organizations coordinating across functional areas. Operately is available on the web, through an API, or self-hosted on a team’s own infrastructure with Docker; setup takes about five minutes. Its codebase is licensed under Apache 2.0. The external API and CLI support integrations, and MCP connections are available for AI clients such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor. API endpoints require tokens, with read-only tokens blocked from making changes. Security features include HTTPS/TLS in transit, encryption for sensitive data at rest, role-based access controls, monitoring, and automated backups. When AI features are enabled, content may be sent to OpenAI; those features can be disabled in account settings. Plans range from Free to Unlimited at $249 a month.
Who it suits
Operately suits teams of 5 to 100 people, especially startups with 10 or more people and organizations that want shared goal and project management across functional areas.
What it does well
- Tracks cascading goals and progress reviews.
- Includes projects, kanban boards, documents, and workflows.
- Open-source codebase is licensed under Apache 2.0.
- Can be self-hosted using Docker.
- Free plan includes all core features.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to 10 users and 10 GB storage.
- Pro costs $49 a month.
- Enabled AI features may send content to OpenAI.
Limits
The Free plan includes up to 10 users and 10 GB storage. Pro includes up to 30 users and 100 GB storage; Business includes up to 100 users and 500 GB storage.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Up to 10 users · 10 GB storage · All core features · Community support | Free |
| Business | Up to 100 users · 500 GB storage · All core features · Dedicated support | $149 a month |
| Unlimited | Unlimited users · 1 TB storage · All core features · Dedicated support · Custom onboarding | $249 a month |
| Pro | Up to 30 users · 100 GB storage · All core features · Priority support | $49 a month |
As operately.com lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Operately website.
- Choose the Free, Pro, Business, or Unlimited plan based on users and storage needs.
- Use Operately on the web, through its API, or deploy it on your infrastructure with Docker.
- For API use, obtain an API token; use a read only token when mutations are not needed.
- Connect supported AI clients through MCP if desired.
- Disable AI features in account settings if you do not want them enabled.
Verdict
Operately combines goal tracking and project execution with several ways to organize team work. Its free tier includes the core features, while larger teams may need a paid plan; teams should also account for the stated AI data handling if they enable those features.
Questions
Is Operately open source?
Yes. The entire codebase is licensed under Apache 2.0.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. Free costs nothing and includes up to 10 users, 10 GB storage, all core features, and community support.
What do the paid plans cost?
Pro is $49 a month, Business is $149 a month, and Unlimited is $249 a month.
Can I host Operately myself?
Yes. It can be deployed on your infrastructure with Docker and takes about five minutes to set up.
What platforms are available?
Operately is available on the web, through an API, and as a self hosted deployment.
What happens to content when AI features are enabled?
Content may be sent to OpenAI for processing. AI features can be disabled in account settings.
Facts from Operately's own pages
- AI data handling
- When AI features are enabled, content may be sent to OpenAI for processing and AI features can be disabled in account settings. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- API access
- Every API endpoint requires an API token, with read-only tokens restricted from mutations. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Audience
- Operately is especially valuable for startups with 10 or more people and organizations needing a common system across functional areas. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Core features
- Operately provides goal tracking, project management, kanban boards, message boards, documents, and workflows. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Operately provides a full external API and CLI, and supports MCP connections for AI clients such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Open source license
- The entire Operately codebase is open source under the Apache 2.0 license. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Pricing model
- Operately uses flat pricing with no per-seat fees, and annual billing gives two months free compared with monthly billing. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Product
- Operately is open source goal and project management software connecting OKR goal tracking with project execution and built-in check-ins. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Security
- Operately uses HTTPS/TLS for data in transit, encryption for sensitive data at rest, role-based access controls, monitoring, and automated backups. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Self-hosting
- Operately can be deployed on your own infrastructure with Docker and takes about 5 minutes to set up. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The Free plan includes community support, Pro includes priority support, and Business and Unlimited include dedicated support. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Target users
- Operately is built for teams of 5 to 100 people. · operately.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where Operately stands on Freedom251
- OKR Software#7 of 27