OpenProject
OpenProject is an open-source, web-based project management software designed to support classic, agile, and hybrid methodologies for organizing tasks, timelines, and team collaboration.[1][2] Founded in 2012 by OpenProject GmbH in Berlin, Germany, it is led by CEO and founder Niels Lindenthal and has grown into a community-driven project with over 20 million downloads, 270 contributors, and more than 99,300 commits to its codebase as of November 2025.[1] The software's core functionality revolves around work packages, which serve as flexible units for tasks, bugs, or features, allowing users to assign responsibilities, track due dates, and monitor change history while configuring custom workflows.[1] Key features include Gantt charts for scheduling and dependency visualization, agile boards supporting Scrum and Kanban processes, and a team planner for workload management.[1] It also facilitates time and cost reporting, document management, and integrated forums for discussions, making it suitable for both small teams and large organizations.[3] OpenProject is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3), enabling free use, modification, and distribution for the community edition, which requires self-hosting on Linux or Mac environments.[4][2] For users seeking enhanced capabilities, enterprise editions offer on-premises or cloud-hosted options with professional support, advanced security modules, and add-ons like multi-project dashboards, starting at subscription fees from $7.25 per user per month.[5][6] This dual-model approach has positioned OpenProject as a leading alternative to proprietary tools, emphasizing data privacy and sovereignty for organizations handling sensitive information.[7]Overview
Description and purpose
OpenProject is a free and open-source, web-based project management software released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3).[4] It focuses on promoting transparency, data sovereignty, and collaborative workflows, supporting deployment options in the cloud or on-premises environments.[1] This design allows users to maintain control over their data while facilitating seamless team interactions across distributed settings.[7] The software's primary purposes include enabling effective project planning, tracking, and execution for teams in diverse industries, with an emphasis on customizable workflows that boost productivity and adaptability.[8] OpenProject targets companies and organizations looking for versatile project management tools that avoid vendor lock-in, serving everyone from small teams to large enterprises seeking scalable solutions without restrictive licensing.[9] For instance, it supports core functionalities like work packages for task management and timelines for scheduling, aiding overall project oversight.[8] OpenProject's initial release, version 1.0.0, took place in October 2012 as a fork of ChiliProject, which itself derived from Redmine.[10] As of November 2025, the latest stable release is version 16.6.1, issued on November 13, 2025.[11] It offers cross-platform compatibility, particularly for on-premises installations on supported Linux distributions.[12] The official website is www.openproject.org.[](https://www.openproject.org/)Available editions
OpenProject provides three primary editions tailored to different user needs: the free Community edition for self-hosted deployments, and the paid Enterprise editions available in both on-premises and cloud-hosted formats. These editions build upon the core open-source foundation, with the Enterprise variants offering additional capabilities and services to support larger organizations or those requiring professional assistance.[4] The Community edition is a free, open-source version of OpenProject designed for users seeking basic project management functionality without ongoing costs. It supports unlimited users and projects, including essential tools such as task management, Gantt charts, and API access for integrations, all under the GNU General Public License Version 3. Deployment is limited to self-hosted on-premises installations on Linux servers via DEB/RPM packages, Docker containers, or Kubernetes, requiring users to handle their own server administration and maintenance. While it receives regular updates from the core development team and community contributors, it lacks premium support, advanced security features, and certain enterprise add-ons, making it suitable for smaller teams or those prioritizing data sovereignty and cost savings.[9][4] In contrast, the Enterprise edition serves as a commercial extension of the Community edition, available through subscription-based plans that unlock enhanced features, professional support, and optional hosting. It includes all Community functionalities plus add-ons such as improved security measures (e.g., encrypted backups and regular privacy assessments), single sign-on integrations (e.g., LDAP/AD, OpenID Connect), and advanced tools like custom reporting and Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration for IFC model uploads. Pricing starts at €7.25 per user per month for the Basic plan (minimum 25 users for on-premises or cloud), scaling to higher tiers like Premium (€19.50/user/month, minimum 100 users) and Corporate (custom pricing), with BIM as an additional €1.25/user add-on. Support varies by plan, from email assistance in Basic to dedicated engineers in Corporate, and a 14-day free trial is offered.[5][6][4] Enterprise deployments differ significantly by hosting model: the on-premises option allows full control over data and infrastructure on the user's servers, ideal for compliance-heavy environments, while the Cloud edition—hosted in EU data centers by OpenProject—eliminates maintenance burdens with automatic updates, scalable storage, and easier setup, starting from a minimum of 25 users at the same base pricing. Both Enterprise formats emphasize reduced administrative overhead compared to the Community edition, with cloud providing further convenience for teams without dedicated IT resources.[5][6][4]| Edition | Deployment | Key Features | Pricing | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community | On-premises (self-hosted) | Basic project management, API, unlimited users/projects | Free | Community forums, user guides |
| Enterprise Basic | On-premises or Cloud | Community features + security, SSO, custom reporting | €7.25/user/month (min. 25 on-prem/cloud) | Email support |
| Enterprise Premium | On-premises or Cloud | Basic + advanced integrations (e.g., OneDrive), BIM add-on | €19.50/user/month (min. 100 users) | Remote assistance, training |
| Enterprise Corporate | On-premises or Cloud | Premium + openDesk integration, dedicated features | Custom (min. 1000 users) | Dedicated engineer, SLAs |