Trello alternatives: 4 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
Trello's boards without Butler, upsells, or anyone else holding the database
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installInstall with Docker Compose or the official Snap package; many other platform packages are community-supported
dataBoards, cards, users, comments, and settings live in MongoDB; uploaded files and backups must be persisted with the deployment rather than left inside an ephemeral container.
the catch vs TrelloWekan reproduces boards and cards but gives up Trello's Butler automation, Power-Ups, polished mobile apps, integrations, and managed reliability.
setupThe app starts easily compared with larger suites, but a non-expert still needs an always-on host, persistent MongoDB storage, backups, an external URL, TLS, and mail configuration.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Spartan kanban that is finished, not fashionable; maintenance mode means only fixes
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installDocker Compose, or unzip the PHP application into a web server and make its data directory writable
dataBy default all tasks, projects, and users live in one `data/db.sqlite` SQLite file; MariaDB and PostgreSQL are supported, and files/configuration live under the writable data directory.
the catch vs TrelloKanboard is stable and lightweight, but its maintenance-mode pace, dated interface, limited mobile experience, and sparse integrations are a clear downgrade from Trello.
setupIt is simple by self-hosting standards, but the operator must still secure the default admin account and writable data directory, configure email and backups, and accept that the project is in maintenance mode.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Scrum baggage aside, its kanban boards comfortably replace Trello's core job
licenseMPL-2.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted Taiga signup, or the official multi-container Docker Compose production stack
dataA self-hosted deployment stores application data in PostgreSQL, messages/events in RabbitMQ, and uploaded media in persistent volumes or configured storage; hosted workspaces live in Taiga's cloud.
the catch vs TrelloTaiga's kanban works, but Scrum concepts and project structure make it heavier than Trello while still lacking Trello's automation, Power-Ups, templates, and casual sharing polish.
setupProduction self-hosting is not one container: it needs Docker/Compose familiarity, several Taiga services, PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, environment files, a reverse proxy, TLS, and email settings.
facts verified 2026-08-10
A polished self-hosted Trello clone; the free edition keeps the core board-and-card job intact
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted PLANKA signup, or the recommended official Docker Compose deployment
dataSelf-hosted boards, cards, accounts, and settings live in PostgreSQL; avatars, backgrounds, and attachments are persisted separately and included with the database in PLANKA's backup archive. Hosted data lives with PLANKA.
the catch vs TrelloPLANKA is visually close to Trello, but it has no comparable Butler automation or Power-Up ecosystem and its free code is under a restrictive fair-use license rather than an open-source one.
setupThe free self-hosted Community build still needs Docker Compose, PostgreSQL, a generated secret, base URL, admin creation, persistent storage, TLS, and careful attention to the custom license's permitted-use limits.
facts verified 2026-08-10
latest recorded source check 2026-08-10 · check current terms at the source
FocalboardStill recommended everywhere; Mattermost stopped maintaining it and the last standalone release was April 2023
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wekan | MIT | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 21,000 | 2026-08 |
| Kanboard | MIT | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 9,800 | 2026-04 |
| Taiga | MPL-2.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 844 | 2026-08 |
| PLANKA | free (closed) | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | — | — |
People still pay for Trello because teams pay because project state has to remain authoritative through staff changes, outages, and years of accumulated workflow exceptions. The recurring cost buys auth, permissions, notifications, search, migrations, audit history, integrations, backups, and uptime, not just the visible interface. The recorded subscription totals $150 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to Trello?
Yes: Wekan, Kanboard, Taiga and 1 more. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own Trello?
Our verdict is KINDA. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Trello, run kanban boards with cards, checklists, labels, dates, and simple automation. The hard boundary is atlassian ecosystem, power-ups, mobile apps, automation, and reliable collaboration, plus collaboration, integrations, and organizational trust. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the Trello build guide.
