OpenProject — The Complete Guide: Free Engineering Project Management on Your Own Server
OpenProject is a browser-based project management system from Germany, open source under GPLv3. The Community Edition is completely free, including for commercial use, and runs on your own server, so project data stays in the office.
OpenProject — Community Edition
OpenProject GmbH
Team project management in the browser — Gantt, tasks, documents and time tracking, self-hosted.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- Gantt chart — phases, dependencies and milestones, right in the browser.
- Tasks and boards — work packages, assignees, statuses and a Kanban-style board.
- Time tracking — time logged per task and reports per project.
- Wiki, meetings and forums — minutes and decisions in one place.
- Permissions — users, roles and external partners.
Installation
The simplest route is the Docker image or a Linux package. A small virtual machine is enough for a medium-sized office. Some enterprise modules, such as advanced boards, are reserved for the paid edition — the core is free.
Related tools
For Gantt on a single computer, with no server — GanttProject or ProjectLibre. For a light task board — Kanboard. For issue and request tracking — Redmine.
GanttProject
GanttProject
A simple, fast Gantt chart with resources and PDF export.
Get it from the vendorProjectLibre
ProjectLibre
An open-source alternative to Microsoft Project — Gantt, critical path and resource management.
Get it from the vendorKanboard
Kanboard Project
A very simple Kanban board — what is in progress, what is waiting and what is done.
Get it from the vendorRedmine
Redmine Project
Task and issue tracking for an engineering project — with Gantt, time tracking and documentation.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
OpenProject gives an engineering office professional team project management — with no monthly subscription and no data sent to someone else’s cloud.