OpenProject
FreemiumOpen-source project management software with Gantt charts, agile boards, time tracking, budgeting, and BIM support — self-hosted or cloud.
What does this tool do?
OpenProject is an open-source project management platform designed to support classic, agile, and hybrid methodologies within a single system. It offers Gantt chart visualization, agile boards (Kanban/Scrum), time tracking with cost reporting, and budget management capabilities. The tool distinguishes itself through BIM (Building Information Modeling) support for construction projects and extensive integration options with development platforms (GitHub, GitLab) and productivity tools (Nextcloud, OneDrive/SharePoint). It's available in two deployment models: a self-hosted Community Edition for organizations prioritizing data sovereignty, and an Enterprise Edition with additional features. The platform explicitly targets regulated industries and public sector organizations where data control and compliance are critical, evidenced by customers like Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, and government agencies.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Gantt charts with drag-and-drop scheduling and dependency management
- Agile boards supporting Scrum and Kanban methodologies with sprint planning
- Time tracking with cost reporting and budget management tied to projects/tasks
- BIM (Building Information Modeling) support for construction and engineering workflows
- Custom workflows and automation rules for process standardization
- Role-based access control and granular permission management
- Project portfolio management with multi-project dashboards and resource planning
- Meeting management and collaboration features for team coordination
Use Cases
- 1Construction and engineering firms managing complex projects with BIM requirements and stakeholder coordination
- 2Government and public sector organizations requiring on-premises deployment and data sovereignty compliance
- 3Universities and research institutions coordinating multi-disciplinary projects with academic workflows
- 4IT and software development teams combining sprint planning with time tracking and GitHub/GitLab integration
- 5Healthcare organizations managing clinical projects and compliance-heavy workflows
- 6Portfolio management across multiple concurrent projects with budget tracking and resource allocation
- 7NGOs and foundations coordinating distributed teams with limited IT infrastructure
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- True open-source codebase provides transparency, auditability, and eliminates vendor lock-in compared to proprietary competitors
- On-premises deployment option gives organizations complete data control—critical for GDPR compliance, government contracts, and sensitive industries
- Unified platform supporting multiple methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, hybrid) reduces tool proliferation and training overhead
- Native BIM support and construction-specific features are genuinely rare in open-source PM tools, filling a market gap
- Extensive integration ecosystem (GitHub, GitLab, Nextcloud) allows embedding into existing dev and productivity stacks
Limitations
- Self-hosted deployment requires DevOps expertise for installation, updates, and maintenance—not suitable for non-technical teams
- Learning curve is steeper than simplified competitors like Monday.com or Asana due to feature density and customization options
- Community Edition lacks advanced features (reporting, advanced workflows, SSO) pushing budget-conscious organizations toward paid tiers
- Limited built-in AI/automation compared to newer competitors; no AI-powered insights, predictive analytics, or intelligent task suggestions
- Smaller ecosystem and user community compared to market leaders, potentially limiting third-party plugins and community support
Pricing Details
Pricing details not publicly available on the website. The site mentions a free Community Edition available for download/self-hosting and references an Enterprise Edition with premium features, but specific pricing tiers, per-seat costs, or cloud hosting rates are not disclosed. A free trial link is provided but pricing must be obtained via contact/sales inquiry.
Who is this for?
Best suited for mid-to-large organizations in regulated industries (government, healthcare, finance), construction/engineering firms, universities, and enterprises with IT capability to manage on-premises infrastructure. Also appeals to open-source advocates and teams prioritizing data sovereignty over convenience. Least suitable for small teams, non-technical organizations, or those requiring hands-off SaaS simplicity.