Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Workfront in 2025

As we move forward into 2025, many organizations are exploring open-source project management tools as viable alternatives to Workfront. These tools offer robust features, customization options, and a powerful community of developers. This article explores the top 10 open-source alternatives detailing their features, hosting options, and target audience.

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1. OpenProject

Website: OpenProject
Description: OpenProject is a comprehensive project management software designed for classic, agile, and hybrid project management methodologies.
Key Data Points:
Features: Task management, Gantt charts, agile boards (Scrum/Kanban), time tracking, cost reporting, and document management.
Customization: Highly customizable workflows and project structures.
Hosting: Available as a self-hosted solution or hosted on secure German servers.
Security: Emphasizes data protection with regular updates.
Target Audience: Ideal for IT communities and organizations that need integration with tools like GitLab.

2. Redmine

Website: Redmine
Description: A flexible web application for project management, favored for its robust issue tracking capabilities.
Key Data Points:
Features: Issue tracking, time tracking, multi-project support, role-based access control, and Gantt charts.
Customization: Extensive plugin and theme support for customization.
Hosting: Self-hosted, requiring some technical expertise for setup.
Interface: Basic interface, which some might find dated.
Community: Strong community support available.

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3. Leantime

Description: A user-centric project management tool focusing on simplicity and visual tracking.
Key Data Points:
Features: Milestone tracking, visual boards, task management.
User-Friendly: Known for its intuitive interface.
Hosting: Self-hosted.
Flexibility: Offers significant flexibility but is simpler than some alternatives.
Target Audience: Best for teams preferring straightforward project management solutions.

4. Taiga

Website: Taiga
Description: Designed for agile teams, Taiga supports both Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
Key Data Points:
Features: Kanban boards, backlog management, sprint planning, issue tracking, and project dashboards.
Agile Focus: Specifically tailored for agile methodologies.
Interface: User-friendly and visually appealing.
Customization: Extensive customization options.
Integrations: Integrates well with GitHub and GitLab.

5. Worklenz

Website: Worklenz
Description: An open-source project management and collaboration tool.
Key Data Points:
Features: Task management, project planning, time tracking, collaboration tools, and detailed reporting.
Scalability: Uses Angular front-end and a custom TypeScript backend for scalability.
Hosting: Self-hosted for better control over data.
Collaboration: Enhanced collaboration features like file sharing and comments.
Customizable: Designed for flexibility and customization.

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6. Focalboard

Description: A Mattermost-developed project and task management tool.
Key Data Points:
Features: Kanban boards, calendar view, table view, task assignment, and progress tracking.
Views: Offers multiple views for task management.
Collaboration: Facilitates team collaboration.
Hosting: Self-hosted.
Integration: Seamless integration with Mattermost.

7. ProjectLibre

Website: ProjectLibre
Description: An open-source project management tool designed as a Microsoft Project alternative.
Key Data Points:
Features: Gantt charts, resource management, task management, and project planning.
Compatibility: Compatible with Microsoft Project files.
Cost: Completely free.
Interface: Similar to Microsoft Project.
Hosting: Desktop application, self-hosted.

8. Odoo

Website: Odoo
Description: A suite of business apps including project management.
Key Data Points:
Features: Task management, Gantt charts, timesheets, issue tracking, and customer communication.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Odoo apps.
Customizable: Highly customizable.
Target Audience: Businesses seeking a full ERP system with project management.
Community: Large community support base.

9. NocoBase

Website: NocoBase
Description: An open-source no-code/low-code platform.
Key Data Points:
Features: Flexible data modeling, workflow automation, custom fields.
Customization: Highly customizable for different business needs.
Workflow Automation: Built-in visual workflow designer.
Development Platform: Low-code approach for custom task management.
Versatility: Suitable for a variety of business requirements.

10. ERPNext

Website: ERPNext
Description: A full-featured ERP system with a project management module.
Key Data Points:
Features: Task management, Gantt charts, timesheets, resource allocation, and issue tracking.
Integration: Integrates with other modules like accounting, HR, and inventory.
Customization: Highly customizable.
Hosting: Available as self-hosted or cloud-based.
Target Audience: Best suited for businesses looking for an integrated ERP system with project management.

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FAQ

1. What is OpenProject and what features does it offer?

OpenProject is a comprehensive open-source project management software designed for classic, agile, and hybrid project management approaches. Features include task management, Gantt charts, agile boards (Scrum/Kanban), time tracking, cost reporting, document management, and team collaboration tools. Learn more about OpenProject

2. How does Redmine compare to other project management tools?

Redmine is a self-hosted, flexible project management web application favored for its issue tracking, time tracking, multi-project support, role-based access control, and customizable plugins and themes. Explore Redmine

3. What makes Leantime unique among project management tools?

Leantime is known for its ease of use and user-friendly interface, focusing on visual project tracking with features like milestone tracking and task management. It is suitable for teams preferring less complex tools.

4. Is Taiga a good choice for agile teams?

Yes, Taiga is specifically designed for agile teams with features such as Kanban boards, backlog management, sprint planning, and issue tracking. It integrates with tools like GitHub and GitLab. Discover Taiga

5. What functionality does Worklenz offer as a Workfront alternative?

Worklenz offers task management, project planning, time tracking, collaboration tools, and detailed reporting. It is scalable, self-hosted, and highly customizable. Explore Worklenz

6. What is Focalboard and who developed it?

Focalboard is an open-source project and task management tool developed by the Mattermost team. It offers Kanban boards, calendar view, table view, task assignment, and progress tracking, with seamless integration with Mattermost.

7. Can ProjectLibre replace Microsoft Project?

ProjectLibre is designed to be a free, open-source alternative to Microsoft Project. It includes Gantt charts, resource management, task management, and project planning, with a user interface similar to Microsoft Project. Learn more about ProjectLibre

8. How does Odoo's project management module integrate with other business apps?

Odoo's project management module integrates seamlessly with other Odoo apps such as CRM, Sales, and Accounting, making it a versatile tool for businesses seeking comprehensive ERP solutions. Discover Odoo

9. What is NocoBase and what are its key features?

NocoBase is an open-source no-code/low-code development platform that allows for creating custom task management systems with features including flexible data modeling, workflow automation, and custom fields. Explore NocoBase

10. What makes ERPNext a robust choice for businesses?

ERPNext is a full-featured open-source ERP system that includes project management, task management, Gantt charts, timesheets, resource allocation, issue tracking, and seamless integration with other business modules like accounting and HR. Learn more about ERPNext

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.