The 5 best OpenProject alternatives in 2026

OpenProject is a solid open-source project management tool from Germany, offering Gantt charts, Kanban boards, time tracking, and Scrum backlogs in one solution. For teams with their own IT infrastructure that want maximum control over their data, this can be an attractive option.

However, teams using the software in their day-to-day work can quickly encounter limitations: the technical complexity of self-hosting, a lack of built-in communication features, and a mobile experience that is only available through the browser. So which OpenProject alternatives offer a similar range of features without these trade-offs?

The essentials at a glance

• Self-hosting as the main hurdle: OpenProject's free Community Edition runs exclusively on your own server infrastructure and requires extensive IT expertise for installation, updates, and ongoing maintenance.
• Missing communication features: OpenProject does not offer native team chat or video conferencing. Teams that need both have to rely on additional third-party solutions such as Slack or Zoom.
• Data protection gap: OpenProject's standard cloud infrastructure is based on Amazon Web Services. Hosting in a German data center is only available on request, and true end-to-end encryption is not provided.
• Project management without compromise: Chat, video conferencing, Gantt charts, and true end-to-end encryption in one platform, without having to run your own servers. That's what Stackfield delivers as an OpenProject alternative.

Why do teams switch from OpenProject?

OpenProject is a German company headquartered in Berlin. Its software is licensed under the GNU GPL v3 and has been established in the project management market for years. Its feature set includes Gantt charts, Scrum backlogs, Kanban boards, time tracking, and budget planning. For teams with their own IT resources, it is a functional choice. Nevertheless, there are several clear reasons why teams look for alternatives:

• No native chat or video conferencing: OpenProject does not offer integrated chat or video conferencing, only project-related messages. Teams that need both have to rely on additional third-party solutions.
• On-premises required for the free version: The free Community Edition is available exclusively as a self-hosted solution. Cloud hosting is only available with paid plans, starting at €5.95 per user / month.
• Mobile access only via browser: There is no native mobile app. The mobile browser experience is less intuitive, and many features are not as convenient to use as they are on desktop.
• Limited Agile boards and expensive access to the full feature set: Swimlanes are planned for future Enterprise versions of OpenProject but are not currently available. Portfolio management is only available from the Premium plan, which requires at least 100 users and costs €15.95 per user / month.

The 5 best OpenProject alternatives at a glance

Stackfield: Project management and team communication in one platform

Stackfield combines tasks, chat, video conferencing, whiteboards, and a wiki in a single platform. Teams that previously used OpenProject for project management, Slack for chat, and Zoom for video conferencing can replace all three subscriptions with one tool.

Strengths:

• Complete stack: Tasks, chat, video conferencing, whiteboards, and wiki without third-party tools
• Native portfolio management and time tracking
• True end-to-end encryption, ISO 27001 certified, BSI C5 attested, and hosted in Germany
• Almost 14 years on the market, 4.8 / 5 rating on OMR Reviews, and personalized support via phone and live chat

Limitations:

• Minimum of five licenses required

Best suited for: Teams of all sizes that want to combine project management and team communication in one tool without running their own server infrastructure and with the highest level of German data protection.

Pricing: Starter from €9 per user / month (chat, tasks, Gantt charts); video conferencing available from the Premium plan (€18 per user / month). Minimum of five users. Free 14-day trial.

factro: Project management with servers in Germany

factro is based in Bochum, Germany, and offers task trees, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, work breakdown structures, time tracking, and portfolio management. The platform is designed to make getting started as straightforward as possible.

Strengths:

• Servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg, ISO 27001 certified, and 100% GDPR compliant
• Native portfolio management and time tracking
• Free German-language support with every plan and mobile apps for iOS and Android

Limitations:

• No native chat or video conferencing
• No BSI C5 attestation
• No true end-to-end encryption

Best suited for: Teams looking for a streamlined German project management tool without integrated communication features.

Pricing: From €19.99 per user / month (Business, minimum of three users)

MeisterTask: Kanban-based task management with EU hosting

MeisterTask is an Austrian platform focused on Kanban workflows and quick implementation without technical setup. Gantt charts, List view, and time tracking are also available.

Strengths:

• Kanban boards with automation and time tracking, EU servers in Frankfurt, and an Austrian provider
• Native Gantt charts and List view
• Easy to get started without a steep learning curve

Limitations:

• No native chat or video conferencing
• No BSI C5 attestation
• No true end-to-end encryption
• No portfolio management

Best suited for: Smaller teams focused on Kanban workflows that want European data protection without complex technical setup.

Pricing: From €13.50 per user / month (Pro)

Trello: Simple Kanban tool for small teams without compliance requirements

Trello is a US-based Kanban tool from Atlassian and is well suited for teams that want to get started quickly with a straightforward board-based workflow. Gantt charts and time tracking are not available natively and can only be added through paid Power-Ups.

Strengths:

• Easy to get started with a minimal learning curve
• Kanban boards with cards, checklists, and labels
• Broad ecosystem of Power-Ups for additional functionality

Limitations:

• No native Gantt charts, time tracking, or portfolio management
• No native chat or video conferencing
• US hosting (Atlassian), no German data center, no true end-to-end encryption, no BSI C5 attestation, and no multi-language support

Best suited for: Small teams with straightforward tasks and no specific data protection or compliance requirements that prioritize a quick and easy setup.

Pricing: From $5 per user / month (Standard); a free plan is also available.

ClickUp: Project management with chat and US-based hosting

ClickUp offers a broad range of features, making it a versatile project management platform. Chat, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, time tracking, and workflow automation are all integrated natively.

Strengths:

• Native chat and video conferencing, plus Gantt charts, Kanban boards, portfolios, and time tracking
• Extensive customization through custom fields, views, and automations
• Native portfolio management and workflows

Limitations:

• US-based hosting with no hosting in Germany
• No true end-to-end encryption
• No BSI C5 attestation
• No multi-language support

Best suited for: Teams that want chat, video conferencing, and project management in one platform but do not have specific data protection or compliance requirements regarding server location.

Pricing: From $7 per user / month (Unlimited)

What should you look for when choosing the right OpenProject alternative?

Not every alternative is right for every team. Four criteria can help structure your decision. For a comprehensive overview of the market, take a look at our project management tools comparison.

1. Hosting model and IT effort
If you're switching from OpenProject because self-hosting requires too much effort, prioritize a cloud-first solution that doesn't require your own server infrastructure. The free OpenProject Community Edition requires your own servers, installation, and ongoing maintenance. All five alternatives on this list are available as hosted SaaS solutions.

2. Complete collaboration features
If you're leaving OpenProject because it lacks chat and video conferencing, check whether the alternative includes these features natively. Of the five tools on this list, Stackfield and ClickUp offer chat and video without requiring third-party solutions. Trello, factro, and MeisterTask rely on external tools for communication. The key difference between Stackfield and ClickUp: Stackfield combines these capabilities with hosting in Germany and true end-to-end encryption.

3. Data protection and compliance
BSI C5, ISO 27001, hosting in Germany, and true end-to-end encryption (E2EE) are not the same as GDPR-compliant hosting. The key technical difference is that with true E2EE, the provider cannot access the content. With GDPR-compliant hosting, the provider technically has access but states that it does not access the data. For government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and regulated industries, this distinction is particularly relevant.

4. Scalability without unexpected pricing jumps
Teams that need portfolio management or phone support with OpenProject can quickly face significantly higher costs. Portfolio management is only available from the Premium plan, which requires at least 100 users and costs €15.95 per user / month. Phone support is only available from the Professional plan (€10.95 per user / month, minimum 25 users). When choosing a platform, it's worth taking a close look at the total cost rather than just the entry-level price.

Stackfield: The OpenProject alternative for collaboration without compromise

Teams leaving OpenProject because of the effort involved in self-hosting or the lack of communication features often face the same choice: extensive functionality from a US-based provider or strong data protection from a streamlined EU platform without chat and video conferencing. Very few alternatives offer both.

With Stackfield, you don't have to make that choice. Tasks, communication, and file management come together in a single platform hosted on servers in Germany, with content protected by true end-to-end encryption rather than simply being hosted in compliance with GDPR. Your team switches once and that's it: one platform, one contract, and no more compromise between functionality and data protection.

Ready to make the switch?

Try Stackfield free for 14 days and experience project management without tool compromises. Switch to the secure alternative

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