Top 8 Open-Source Projects (Rated) to Build Your Own Task Management System
Lucy Zhang
Originally published at Top 8 Open-Source Projects (Rated) to Build Your Own Task Management System - NocoBase.
Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine life without task management software (or task management systems).
Whether for personal use or to coordinate team projects within a company, task management tools are part of our daily routines. You’ve likely used some popular tools like Asana, Jira, or Notion.
These tools are powerful and convenient, but you may have noticed that they come with high costs or limited customization, which may not fully meet your specific needs.
That’s why today, we’re exploring a more flexible and controllable solution: open-source task management software.
In this article, I’ll share 8 outstanding open-source projects that can help you build a task management system tailored to your needs, saving costs and offering greater freedom and customization.
💡 Read More: 5 Best Open-Source No-Code Tools for Project Management
How to Choose the Right Open-Source Task Management Project
Before diving into the specific products, it’s important to understand how to choose an open-source task management system that meets your needs.
Here are some key factors to consider:
| Key Factors | Evaluation Dimensions |
| Functionality | Task assignment, priority management, Gantt charts, time tracking, team collaboration, etc. Check whether the tool has basic and advanced features that can meet your team’s daily management needs. |
| User Permissions & Security | Does it support flexible user permission management, role-based access restrictions, data encryption, and secure storage methods to protect sensitive information? |
| Interface & User Experience | Is the interface intuitive? Are the operational processes convenient? Can team members easily get started? Are there customizable navigation options and views? |
| Customization & Extensibility | Does it support custom fields, workflows, and plugin extensions? Can you easily integrate new modules, adjust for future project needs, or modify the source code directly? |
| Integration Capabilities | Does the tool support integration with your current tech stack (like email, Slack, APIs)? Are there third-party plugins or compatibility with other software systems? Is the data flow seamless post-integration? |
| Community & Support | Is there an active community, comprehensive documentation, and timely updates and maintenance? Can you quickly get support if issues arise, and does the development team or community regularly address vulnerabilities and release new features? |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | What are the technical skills and costs required for deployment and maintenance? Is the system easy to update and maintain, and are there automated scripts or simplified maintenance solutions for efficient operation with limited resources? |
📌 I will provide scores for each factor for the projects shared below (maximum score: 5).
NocoBase
Project URL: https://github.com/nocobase/nocobase
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 12.6k
NocoBase is an open-source no-code/low-code development platform featuring flexible data modeling and a powerful plugin architecture suitable for various business needs, including building custom task management systems.
NocoBase also provides a detailed tutorial for setting up a task management system, making it easy for users to get started.
Highlights
Flexible Data Modeling: Supports complex data relationships and custom fields to meet diverse business needs.
Workflow Automation: A built-in visual workflow designer simplifies the automation of business processes.
Permission Management: Fine-grained permission control ensures data security and access management.
Plugin Extensibility: A rich plugin ecosystem supports feature extensions and third-party integrations.
Best Use Case
Ideal for enterprise-level task management systems that require high customization, complex data management, and workflow automation.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 5 | Highly flexible data modeling, workflow automation, and robust permission management, suitable for diverse and complex task management scenarios. |
| User Permissions & Security | 5 | Strong permission management capabilities, supporting fine-grained access control and data security, ideal for enterprise-level users. |
| Interface & User Experience | 4 | Clear and intuitive design with WYSIWYG configuration, though new users may need some time to get familiar with the advanced data modeling features. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 5 | Plugin-based architecture allows for high customization and limitless extensions, ideal for evolving business needs. |
| Integration Capabilities | 5 | Supports seamless integration with third-party tools and services, such as REST APIs and data source connections, offering great flexibility. |
| Community & Support | 4 | A rapidly growing community with comprehensive official documentation, though it may not yet be as established as older projects. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 4 | Simplified self-hosting design but still requires some basic technical skills for maintenance and updates. Maintenance costs are low for tech-savvy teams but may require resources for less technical teams. |
| Average | 4.6 |
💡 Read More: Deep Dive: Low Code/No Code Integration Capabilities
Redmine
Project URL: https://github.com/redmine/redmine
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 5.3k
Redmine is an open-source project management tool based on Ruby on Rails. It supports multiple project management features, including flexible task tracking and time management.
Highlights
Multi-Project Support: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, suitable for large teams.
Time Tracking: Log time spent on tasks for efficient resource management.
Custom Fields: Add custom fields as needed for greater flexibility.
Plugin Support: A rich plugin library provides a variety of extensions.
Best Use Case
Ideal for teams needing multi-project management and time tracking, especially software development teams.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 4 | Rich project and task management features, including multi-project support and custom fields. However, the interface and some advanced features may feel outdated compared to modern tools. |
| User Permissions & Security | 4 | Flexible user permission management, allowing for detailed role-based access control. Some complex permission settings may require plugin support. |
| Interface & User Experience | 3 | Traditional interface design that may feel less intuitive for beginners. Despite its powerful features, the learning curve and less modern design may impact efficiency. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 4 | Supports functionality expansion through plugins and custom fields. However, compared to more modern tools, extending features may be complex and resource-intensive. |
| Integration Capabilities | 4 | Integrates with various version control systems (like Git and SVN) and has a wide range of plugins for other features. However, integration with third-party services may require additional configuration. |
| Community & Support | 5 | A highly active and mature community with abundant plugins, user documentation, and support resources. Regular updates and maintenance provide reliability. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 3 | Self-hosting requires maintaining servers and handling updates, which can add costs. While the deployment process is relatively straightforward, ensuring stable operation and security may need technical expertise. |
| Average | 3.9 |
OpenProject
Project URL: https://github.com/opf/openproject
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 9.4k
OpenProject is an open-source project management software that supports both Agile and traditional project management methods, offering comprehensive project planning and collaboration tools.
Highlights
Project Timelines: Provides Gantt charts and roadmaps for project planning.
Task Management: Supports task breakdown, assignment, and tracking.
Document Management: Integrated document and file management for team collaboration.
Cost Reporting: Track project costs and manage budgets effectively.
Best Use Case
Ideal for teams needing comprehensive project management features, especially those requiring timelines and cost management.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 5 | Comprehensive project management features, including Gantt charts, task breakdown, time tracking, and risk analysis. Suitable for both Agile and traditional waterfall methods, meeting the complex needs of medium to large projects. |
| User Permissions & Security | 4 | Fine-grained user permission settings ensure appropriate access control for different roles. However, complex permissions may require additional configuration. |
| Interface & User Experience | 4 | Clear and intuitive design with a wide range of view options, like Gantt charts and task boards. Due to the complexity, new users may need time to familiarize themselves with the interface. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 4 | Offers various customization options, such as workflows, fields, and project templates. Some custom features may be complex to configure, requiring technical knowledge or community support. |
| Integration Capabilities | 4 | Supports integration with various third-party tools (like Jira, Confluence, and version control systems). However, some integrations may require extra configuration or plugin support. |
| Community & Support | 4 | An active community with extensive documentation and user support. Regular updates improve security and features. Users might need premium support for more complex issues. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 3 | Self-hosting is relatively simple, but maintenance costs can be high for large teams and complex projects. IT resources are needed to ensure stable operations and regular updates. |
| Average | 4 |
Kanboard
Project URL: https://github.com/kanboard/kanboard
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 8.5k
Kanboard is a lightweight, open-source Kanban tool focused on simple task management with a straightforward drag-and-drop interface.
Highlights
Kanban View: Intuitive task management interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
Task Filtering: Filter tasks by multiple criteria for quick navigation.
Plugin System: Support for plugins to expand functionality.
Notification System: Sends notifications for task changes to keep the team in sync.
Best Use Case:
Ideal for teams needing simple, intuitive task management, especially small teams or personal projects.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 3 | Basic Kanban task management features, such as task assignment, due dates, and simple workflow setup. Lacks advanced features like time tracking or complex reporting. |
| User Permissions & Security | 3 | Basic user permission management with role-based access control. However, for teams needing more complex permission settings, Kanboard may fall short, especially in enterprise environments. |
| Interface & User Experience | 4 | Clean and intuitive interface, easy to use with almost no learning curve. However, it lacks modern user experience elements, which might not appeal to users looking for a more polished interface. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 3 | Limited customization and plugin support. While basic needs are met, it may not be suitable for projects requiring complex business logic or multi-layered customizations. |
| Integration Capabilities | 3 | Basic integration with some third-party tools, such as Webhooks and a simple API. Teams needing complex integrations may need additional development resources. |
| Community & Support | 3 | An active community providing basic support and resources. However, the smaller scale means fewer available resources compared to more comprehensive tools. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 5 | Extremely simple self-hosting with minimal resource requirements. Ideal for users with budget constraints or limited technical expertise, with easy maintenance and updates. |
| Average | 3.4 |
Taiga
Project URL: https://github.com/erengy/taiga
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 2.1k
Taiga is an open-source project management platform designed for Agile teams, supporting both Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
Highlights
User Stories: Manage user requirements with priority settings.
Sprint Management: Plan and track Sprints with burndown charts.
Kanban View: Intuitive task management with drag-and-drop functionality.
Issue Tracking: Record and manage project issues and defects.
Best Use Case
Ideal for Agile development teams that need to manage user stories and Sprints.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 4 | Offers rich features, including user story management, Sprint planning, burndown charts, and issue tracking. Suitable for Agile teams but may lack depth compared to more feature-complete tools. |
| User Permissions & Security | 4 | Basic user permission controls to restrict access for different roles. However, there is room for improvement in advanced security settings compared to enterprise-grade tools. |
| Interface & User Experience | 4 | Intuitive design, great for managing tasks and projects. The Kanban view and task drag-and-drop functionality are user-friendly, though the learning curve might be steep for users unfamiliar with Agile development. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 4 | Various customization options, including custom fields and workflows, with support for plugins. However, it is less flexible than some no-code platforms for complex customization. |
| Integration Capabilities | 4 | Integrates with popular tools like GitHub, GitLab, and Slack to boost team collaboration. However, the integration options are somewhat limited compared to tools built for large-scale enterprise environments. |
| Community & Support | 4 | An active community with ample support and resources. Comprehensive official documentation is available, but complex issues may require time and effort to resolve. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 3 | Installation is not complicated, but maintaining and updating the system may require technical expertise. Maintenance costs could be higher for non-technical teams. |
| Average | 3.9 |
Taskcafe
Project URL: https://github.com/JordanKnott/taskcafe
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 4.3k
Taskcafe is an open-source task management tool with a Kanban-style interface, designed to help users organize and track their tasks intuitively. The goal is to be a tool the developer himself would enjoy using, with a focus on optimizing individual and small-team workflows.
Highlights
Kanban Interface: Simple and intuitive, making it easy to manage daily tasks.
Task Management: Features such as due dates, tags, and checklists to help organize tasks.
Project Spaces: Create dedicated spaces for different projects.
Interactive Communication: Built-in task comments for effective project collaboration.
Best Use Case
Perfect for individuals or small teams looking for a lightweight yet feature-rich task management solution, especially those wanting an alternative to tools like Trello or Nextcloud.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 4 | Provides essential Kanban features with task creation, assignment, tagging, and deadlines. Suitable for personal and small team use, but some advanced features are lacking. |
| User Permissions & Security | 3 | Basic user management, but may fall short for teams requiring complex permission settings or advanced security features. Best suited for teams with lower security demands. |
| Interface & User Experience | 4 | Clean and intuitive design that is easy to get started with. However, the lack of internationalization support could be a drawback for non-English users. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 3 | Limited customization and a smaller plugin ecosystem, which may not meet the high customization needs of certain businesses. |
| Integration Capabilities | 3 | Current integrations are limited, lacking deep connections with other popular tools. Manual work or additional development may be required to fulfill specific integration requirements. |
| Community & Support | 3 | A relatively new open-source project with a small but growing community. Resources and support are limited compared to more established tools. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 4 | Uses Docker for deployment, making installation and maintenance relatively straightforward for users with technical knowledge. Periodic updates and maintenance are necessary. |
| Average | 3.4 |
WeKan
Project URL: https://github.com/wekan/wekan
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 19.6k
WeKan is a highly complete open-source Kanban tool, supporting Docker deployment, public sharing, team collaboration, automation rules, attachments, sub-tasks, checklists, and Webhooks, similar to Trello.
Highlights
Kanban View: An intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
Team Collaboration: Supports task assignment and progress tracking for team members.
Automation Rules: Simplifies workflows with automation rules.
Multi-Language Support: Offers interfaces in various languages for global accessibility.
Best Use Case
Ideal for teams needing a Kanban-based task management system, especially those who want a self-hosted and highly customizable solution.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 4 | Provides Trello-like features, including task management, team collaboration, automation rules, attachments, sub-tasks, checklists, and Webhooks. Suitable for most team task management needs. |
| User Permissions & Security | 4 | Supports user permission settings, allowing role-based access control to ensure data security. However, complex permissions may be limited, making it more suitable for small to medium-sized teams. |
| Interface & User Experience | 4 | Intuitive design with an easy onboarding experience. While the interface supports Chinese and is user-friendly, it might lack the polish of some commercial tools. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 4 | Offers some customization options, such as custom fields and workflows, with plugin support. The plugin ecosystem is limited, and additional development may be necessary for specific needs. |
| Integration Capabilities | 4 | Supports basic integration with other tools, like Webhooks, but may need additional configuration or development for more complex integrations. |
| Community & Support | 4 | An active open-source community with rich documentation and support resources. Official support may be limited, and complex issues might require community help. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 4 | upports Docker deployment, making installation and maintenance relatively simple for those with a technical background. Regular updates and maintenance are required. |
| Average | 4 |
Focalboard
Project URL: https://github.com/mattermost-community/focalboard
⭐️ GitHub Stars: 21.9k
Focalboard is an open-source task and project management tool developed by the Mattermost team. It helps individuals and teams organize workflows to improve productivity. It can serve as an alternative to Trello, Notion, and Asana.
Highlights
Multiple Views: Offers Kanban, calendar, table, and other views to meet different task management needs.
Team Collaboration: Supports task assignment and progress tracking among team members.
Self-Hosting: Allows deployment on your own server for complete data control.
Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with Mattermost for enhanced collaboration.
Best Use Case
Ideal for teams needing multi-view task management, especially those already using Mattermost for team communication.
Scorecard
| Key Factors | Scorecard | Reasons |
| Functionality | 4 | Provides Kanban, calendar, and table views, supporting task assignment, prioritization, and custom fields. Some advanced project management features, such as budget tracking, are still lacking. |
| User Permissions & Security | 4 | Basic user permission control suitable for team collaboration. More advanced permission settings may be limited compared to enterprise-grade solutions. |
| Interface & User Experience | 4 | Modern and aesthetically pleasing interface, easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with Mattermost. Some additional setup may be required for standalone use. |
| Customization & Extensibility | 4 | Offers multiple customization options, such as custom fields and templates, with support for multi-view configurations. However, the plugin ecosystem and extensibility are limited compared to more mature tools. |
| Integration Capabilities | 4 | Seamlessly integrates with Mattermost, boosting collaboration efficiency. Basic Webhooks and API integration are available, but deeper integration with other tools may need development. |
| Community & Support | 4 | Active development team and user community, with regular updates and improvements. Users can access a range of documentation and resources, though more complex issues may require community assistance. |
| Self-Hosting & Maintenance Costs | 4 | Self-hosted deployment is straightforward but requires some technical knowledge for maintenance. Suitable for users with a technical background, especially in enterprise environments. |
| Average | 4 |
Summary
Based on the scores, we can summarize the following:
Higher scores indicate more robust and comprehensive functionality, but choosing the right tool depends on user needs.
For complex teams, comprehensive tools are necessary, while simpler scenarios may call for easy-to-use solutions.
Above 4 Points
NocoBase: Ideal for enterprises and teams needing high customization and extensibility, with a focus on complex data and workflow management, especially for flexible data modeling.
4 Points
WeKan, Focalboard,OpenProject: Suitable for medium-sized teams or enterprises that require multi-view project management (such as Gantt charts and Kanban boards). WeKan and Focalboard are also great for self-hosted setups with a focus on team collaboration.
Between 3.5 and 4 Points
Redmine, Taiga: Redmine is tailored for software development teams needing multi-project management and time tracking, while Taiga is well-suited for Agile development teams managing user stories and Sprints.
Below 3.5 Points
Kanboard, Taskcafe: These tools are more appropriate for small teams or individual projects. Kanboard is excellent for simple, visual Kanban task management, and Taskcafe is for users seeking a lightweight Kanban tool to organize tasks.
Choosing the right open-source task management system depends on your team’s specific requirements and project complexity. Tools like NocoBase are ideal for users who need high customization and extensibility, while lightweight options like Kanboard and Taskcafe work well for simpler needs. Make sure to evaluate your project’s scope and team capabilities to select the best solution and maximize productivity.
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