Project Management

6 Top Open-Source Project Management Tools for 2025

Written byContributing Writer
|
Updated onSeptember 11, 2024

Managing projects can feel like juggling too many balls at once. That is where project management tools come in handy. But if you are not ready to break the bank, open-source project management tools might be your best bet. They offer flexibility, collaboration tools, customization, and, best of all, they are free.

Read this blog to know the top six open-source project management tools you should consider in 2024.

If you are serious about improving your management skills, check out this project management course. We will share more details about this course at the end of this blog to help you gain a competitive edge.

So, dive in if you are ready to explore free project management software tools.

What are Project Management Tools?

Project management tools help you plan, organize, and execute your projects. They ensure team members stay on the same page so nothing falls through the cracks. At their core, these tools let you create tasks, assign them to team members, and track progress. They break down your project into manageable chunks and help you meet deadlines.

In essence, project management tools are all about making your life easier. They help you keep track of every part of the project, ensuring you hit your goals without headaches.

What Are Open-Source Project Management Tools?

Open-source project management tools are software options you can change to suit your needs. You can use them for free, which many teams find appealing. Since their source code is open, you can also tweak these tools to match your requirements. This flexibility is a huge advantage if your project has unique demands. These tools also provide core features like paid options, but they do not cost a thing.

Also Read: Top Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers for 2025

Why Use Open-Source and Free Project Management Tools?

Using open-source project management tools has several compelling advantages:

Cost: Open-source project management tools are usually free. This is a big win for startups or small teams that do not wish to pay a hefty price for a paid tool.
Flexibility: Unlike paid software, you can tweak these free tools to fit your workflow.
Community Support: These tools have active communities that help improve the software. You will also find plenty of resources and support from other users.
Integration: Open-source tools often work well with other software. You can integrate them into your existing tech tools or apps for your operations.

What Makes the Best Open Source Project Management Tool?

To find the best free project management software, focus on these few key features:

First, look for a tool that offers high customizability. This ability is crucial to tweak the software to meet your needs.

Next, see if the tool has strong community support. A lively community can offer help, share updates, and contribute improvements.

Also, check if the tool has good integration capabilities. Your tool should work well with other apps you use.

Additionally, a user-friendly interface is essential. The tool should be easy for your team to learn and use without a steep learning curve.

Finally, ensure the tool has robust security features. These are vital for protecting your project data from unauthorized access and breaches.

Also Read: Exploring Top AI Project Management Tools

Our List of the Best Open Source Project Management Tools for 2024-2025

Here are some free project management software tools you should consider for 2024 and 2025.

Tool 1: OpenProject

OpenProject stands out as one of the best free project management software tools. Let’s explore why it deserves your attention.

Key Features:

OpenProject is a comprehensive tool for managing complex projects.
It creates detailed overviews of workloads and sets up sub-projects.
It can customize widgets within the tool to track progress in real time.
It has dashboards and visual calendars to keep track of deadlines and milestones.
It lets you build custom integrations for cost reporting, time tracking, and more.

Pros and Cons:

The power of OpenProject lies in its versatility and depth. It supports project planning, scheduling, and budgeting.
It also integrates agile and Scrum methodologies. This helps create stories, sprints, or track tasks.
The tool has paid options if you need extra features or support. For example, it includes an enterprise edition that offers custom branding and extra UX enhancements.
While powerful, OpenProject can be somewhat overwhelming for new users. Its interface is not as polished as some paid tools and may need a steep learning curve.

Use OpenProject When You:

Need a robust tool with both traditional and agile capabilities.
Manage complex or large projects with many stakeholders.
Need detailed project planning, reporting, and tracking capabilities.

Tool 2: Taiga

Now, let us talk about Taiga. This tool is open-source and free project management software. If you are running an agile team or a project, Taiga is a solid choice.

Key Features:

It has a Kanban board and Scrum features, including sprints, backlog, and epics. Other features include ticket management and multi-project support.
It even has a built-in wiki, which is like a digital notebook. Teams can use it to keep track of important information. Plus, it offers a free mobile app for Android, iOS, and Windows devices.

Pros and Cons:

Taiga is super flexible and free to use. You can customize it to fit your needs, whether you are a small team or a large organization.
It also has a clean and easy-to-use interface, which means you do not need to be a tech wizard to figure it out.
On the downside, you might have to pay to use the premium features or when you need many integrations with other tools. Also, if you do not know agile methods, there might be a bit of a learning curve.

Use Taiga When You:

Have cross-functional and agile teams focusing on sprint-based project management.
Want a high degree of flexibility to manage your project.

Also Read: Top Project Portfolio Management Tools for 2024 and How to Choose the Right One

Tool 3: Asana

Asana is also one of the best free project management software options available.

Key Features:

Asana offers many ways to view and manage your work. You can organize tasks using boards, lists (a simple to-do list), calendars, or timelines. This flexibility means you can pick the format that works for your team.
It also has automation features to handle repetitive tasks, saving time and effort.
Plus, Asana includes reporting tools to track progress and identify bottlenecks.
And for teams with bigger ambitions, the integration of AI helps streamline workflows.

Pros and Cons:

One of Asana’s benefits is its interface. You do not need to be tech-savvy to figure it out. Another plus is its flexibility—you can customize your workflow to fit your needs.
It also supports hundreds of other apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom.
While the free version of Asana is powerful, it has limitations. So, if you have a larger team or need more storage or features, you might need to upgrade to a premium plan.

Use Asana When You Want To:

Create task lists, set due dates, create objectives, and track progress.
Assign tasks to each group/team member and communicate within the app.
Improve productivity and organize your daily goals.
Follow up with contacts, track networking events, and maintain relationships.

Tool 4: Redmine

Redmine is a solid choice for free project management software, especially if you value flexibility and control. It offers a range of features that cater to small teams and large enterprises, making it a versatile choice for different types of users.

Key Features:

Redmine offers multiple project support, role-based access control, and a flexible issue-tracking system.
It also supports Gantt charts and calendars, which help visualize project timelines and deadlines.
Other handy features include time tracking, custom fields, and support for many languages.

Pros and Cons:

Redmine is customizable. You can tweak almost every part of it to suit your workflow.
Since it is open-source, you do not have to pay a dime to use it. You can also change the code as you see fit.
Redmine has a strong community of developers and users.
But, setting up Redmine can be technical and complex. It also has an outdated user interface that might be a turnoff to some users.

Use Redmine When You Need:

A customizable tool to handle complex projects.
Task management and time tracking
A multi-language support for your diverse teams.

Also Read: What is Project Portfolio Management? Description, Tools, and Tips

Tool 5: ClickUp

ClickUp is one of the best free project management tools options that makes task management a breeze. You can create tasks, assign them to team members, set deadlines, and track progress—all with a few clicks.

Key Features:

It offers 11 types of task views—like List, Board, Calendar, and Gantt Chart—so you can customize how you see your projects.
It also has a built-in time-tracking feature to track time within the app.

Pros and Cons:

The free version of ClickUp offers more features than many paid tools.
It is customizable to fit the specific needs of your team.
The interface is intuitive, making it easy for new users to get up to speed. It also works well with other popular tools.
But sometimes, ClickUp can be slow. This speed can be frustrating if your project manages a lot of data. Also, the app and its many features can feel overwhelming at first.

Use ClickUp When You Need:

Customizable views and task management features to keep track of deadlines and collaborate.
To manage complex clients and projects.
Features and communication tools for remote teams working from different locations.

Tool 6: TaskJuggler

TaskJuggler is one of the top open-source project management tools that helps you plan, schedule, and manage projects without all the hassle.

Key Features:

TaskJuggler offers advanced scheduling capabilities.
It also provides tools for resource management so you can avoid overloading anyone. It even handles budgeting and cost management, making it easy to track expenses and stay on budget.

Pros and Cons:

TaskJuggler is perfect for small teams or startups without a big budget.
The software automatically adjusts schedules based on changes, so you do not have to worry about constant updates.
You can generate any reports from project timelines to resource allocation.
On the downside, TaskJuggler uses a text-based input system, which can be tricky to learn if you are used to drag-and-drop interfaces. It might also feel difficult to use if you’re a beginner.

Use TaskJuggler When You Have:

Complex projects that need detailed planning. It’s ideal for software development projects and construction planning. Or for a project that has multiple tasks and people.
Teams that work on long-term projects with many dependencies.

Also Read: Project Management Frameworks and Methodologies Explained

Curious How to Learn These Tools? This Course Will Show You How

Choosing the right open-source project management tools is just the start. To truly excel, you should know how to use these tools effectively. That is where our online project management program comes in.

We designed this course to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. You’ll learn everything from basic project management principles to advanced techniques. This course is flexible so that you can learn at your own pace. And it’s packed with practical tips you can use from day one.

If you’re serious about boosting your project management skills, don’t wait. Enroll in this course and start transforming your career today.