4 open source alternatives to ClickUp
One-app-to-replace-them-all workspace for tasks, docs, and goals. Here are the open source projects real teams use instead — ranked by fit, with honest pros and cons for each.
What people don't love about ClickUp
- Feature overload — steep learning curve for new users.
- Performance can slow on large workspaces.
- Frequent UI changes disrupt muscle memory.
Current ClickUp pricing (for reference): Free Forever; Unlimited from $7/user/month.
Quick comparison
| Alternative | Best for | License | Self-host | Hosted cloud? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Plane Open source JIRA alternative with cycles and modules. |
Modern teams wanting cycles, modules and Linear-style ergonomics. | AGPL-3.0 | ★★★☆☆ | Yes |
|
OpenProject Enterprise-ready open source project management. |
When you need Gantt, roadmaps and enterprise governance. | GPL-3.0 | ★★★☆☆ | Yes |
|
Vikunja Open source task manager with Kanban, lists, and Gantt. |
Individuals and small teams wanting multi-view task management. | AGPL-3.0 | ★★☆☆☆ | Yes |
|
Focalboard Open source Trello/Notion hybrid by Mattermost. |
Notion-meets-Trello self-hosted without the ClickUp sprawl. | MIT / AGPL-3.0 | ★★☆☆☆ | Yes |
1. Plane — Modern teams wanting cycles, modules and Linear-style ergonomics.
Open source JIRA alternative with cycles and modules.
Strengths
- Modern UI inspired by Linear/Jira.
- Cycles, modules, and views.
- Active community and rapid updates.
Weaknesses
- Still adding features at pace — occasional rough edges.
- Self-hosted setup involves several services.
- Fewer integrations than mature incumbents.
2. OpenProject — When you need Gantt, roadmaps and enterprise governance.
Enterprise-ready open source project management.
Strengths
- Strong Gantt, roadmaps, and budget features.
- BIM (Building Information Modeling) for construction industry.
- Active enterprise adoption.
Weaknesses
- Community edition lacks some premium features.
- Setup has more moving parts than lightweight tools.
- UI density can intimidate newcomers.
OpenProject homepage · Source on GitHub · ClickUp vs OpenProject →
3. Vikunja — Individuals and small teams wanting multi-view task management.
Open source task manager with Kanban, lists, and Gantt.
Strengths
- Multi-view — list, kanban, gantt, calendar.
- Single Go binary for self-host.
- CalDAV support.
Weaknesses
- iOS app is community-maintained.
- Smaller ecosystem.
- Team collaboration features still maturing.
4. Focalboard — Notion-meets-Trello self-hosted without the ClickUp sprawl.
Open source Trello/Notion hybrid by Mattermost.
Strengths
- Integrates tightly with Mattermost.
- Personal desktop mode (no server required).
- Multiple views — board, table, gallery.
Weaknesses
- Development pace has slowed after Mattermost integration.
- Smaller community.
- Feature set is narrower than Notion.
Focalboard homepage · Source on GitHub · ClickUp vs Focalboard →
Not what you're looking for?
Browse other tools in Project Management & Kanban, or check out open source projects by category on the full category index.
Other SaaS in Project Management & Kanban
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