Best Open Source Project Tracking Software

Open source project tracking software gives teams more control over their workflows, data, and infrastructure. Whether you're managing software development, client work, or internal projects, self-hosted solutions can be an attractive alternative to commercial platforms.

In this guide, we'll look at some of the best open source project tracking tools and explain when they make sense for your team.

Why Choose Open Source?

Many organizations choose open source software because it offers:

• Greater control over data
• Self-hosting options
• Community-driven development
• Customization and extensibility
• No vendor lock-in

For technical teams, these benefits can outweigh the convenience of fully managed cloud services.

Popular Open Source Project Tracking Tools

Some of the best-known open source options include:

OpenProject

OpenProject is a comprehensive project management platform that supports task management, timelines, agile boards, and collaboration.

Taiga

Taiga is designed for agile teams and includes Kanban boards, sprint planning, issue tracking, and backlog management.

Redmine

Redmine is a long-standing open source project management application with support for issue tracking, Gantt charts, and multiple projects.

Plane

Plane is a newer open source project management platform with a modern interface and features for issue tracking, sprint planning, and team collaboration.

What Features Should You Look For?

When comparing project tracking software, consider whether it includes:

• Task management
• Project planning
• Team collaboration
• Issue tracking
• Reporting
• Integrations with other tools

If your team bills by the hour or tracks project effort, time tracking support is also worth considering.

Why Time Tracking Matters

Project tracking tells you what work is being completed.

Time tracking tells you how long that work actually takes.

Combining the two helps you:

• Improve future estimates
• Measure project effort
• Track billable hours
• Analyze team productivity
• Better understand project costs

Many teams use a dedicated time tracker alongside their preferred project management software.

Pair Your Project Tracker with Toggl Track

Whether you're using an open source project tracker or a commercial platform, Toggl Track makes it easy to measure the time spent on your work.

For iPhone users, Toggl Lockscreen Widget makes that process even faster.

Your active Toggl timer appears directly on your Lock Screen using Live Activities, allowing you to check your elapsed time or stop your timer without opening the Toggl Track app.

It's a simple way to add effortless time tracking to any project management workflow.