Best Open-Source Jira Alternatives (2026)
17 self-hostable projects that directly address Jira — without Atlassian licensing and complexity. The shortlist is manually checked for product fit before we compare self-host difficulty, deploy paths, maintenance, and licensing.
Teams leave Jira when Atlassian's per-seat Cloud pricing scales painfully with headcount and the configuration overhead (workflows, schemes, permissions) starts costing more admin time than it saves. The 2024 deprecation of Server licensing also pushed self-hosters either to expensive Data Center tiers or out the door entirely.
Our picks at a glance
Difficulty 3/5 with Docker Compose and Kubernetes paths, and it ships an official managed option if you want to skip ops entirely.
Enterprise-grade with Gantt, agile boards, and budgeting, covering more Jira-adjacent territory than the lighter trackers.
At ~50k stars it has by far the most momentum of any option here, well ahead of Huly's 26k.
Offers official managed hosting alongside self-host, so you get Jira-style SaaS convenience without per-seat lock-in.
Compare the 17 reviewed alternatives
Tap a column header to sort| Project | Deploy | Managed | License | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Plane TypeScript | 59k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose +2 | AGPL-3.0 | 6 days ago | Repo | |
 Gitea Go | 58k ★ | 2/5 Simple | Docker Docker Compose +2 | MIT | 5 days ago | Repo | |
 Huly TypeScript | 28k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Docker Compose +2 | EPL-2.0 | 23 days ago | Repo | |
 OpenProject Ruby | 16k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | One-Click Docker +3 | GPL-3.0 | 5 days ago | Repo | |
 Phabricator PHP | 12k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Manual | Apache-2.0 | 2 years ago | Repo | |
 gitbucket Scala | 9.4k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Manual | Apache-2.0 | 11 days ago | Repo | |
 Redmine Ruby | 6k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Docker Compose +1 | GPL-2.0 | 5 days ago | Repo | |
 Ever Gauzy Docker | 5.7k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Docker Compose +2 | AGPL-3.0 | 5 days ago | Repo | |
 Octobox Ruby | 4.5k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose +1 | AGPL-3.0 | 5 days ago | Repo | |
 Peppermint TypeScript | 3.2k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose +1 | AGPL-3.0 | 0 years ago | Repo | |
 Review Board Python | 1.7k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Manual | MIT | 9 days ago | Repo | |
 ZenTao PHP | 1.7k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose +1 | AGPL-3.0 | 29 days ago | Repo | |
 ITFlow PHP | 1k ★ | 2/5 Simple | Docker Manual | GPL-3.0 | 5 days ago | Repo | |
 Tuleap PHP | 1k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Manual | GPL-2.0 | 4 months ago | Repo | |
 OrangeScrum PHP | 800 ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Manual | GPL-3.0 | 4 months ago | Repo | |
 Taiga Python | 569 ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Docker Compose +1 | MPL-2.0 | 2 years ago | Repo | |
| 236 ★ | 1/5 Minimal | Manual | BSD-2-Clause | 22 days ago | Repo |
What to look for: Match the workflow depth you actually use: if you rely on sprints, story points, and roadmaps, you need a real agile tool rather than a generic tracker, and you'll want a database (Postgres) you can back up. Check whether the project models per-issue custom fields and bulk operations, since those are the Jira features hardest to live without.
The alternatives, reviewed
- #1
PlaneSelf-host: ModerateOpen-source issue tracking, sprints, and roadmaps - a Jira and Linear alternative
59k TypeScript AGPL-3.0 6 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Some advanced features (e.g. certain enterprise workflows, intake, advanced analytics) are gated behind the paid Pro/Enterprise tiers
- Self-hosted community edition lags behind the cloud version on newer features
- Automation rules are far less mature than Jira's
- Mobile apps are less polished than Linear's
- #2
GiteaSelf-host: SimplePainless self-hosted Git service with code review, CI/CD, and package registry
58k Go MIT 5 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Advanced Jira-style sprint planning, roadmaps, and velocity charts are absent
- No native real-time pair-programming or live collaboration tools
- Gitea Actions ecosystem is smaller than GitHub Actions; fewer third-party action integrations
- Enterprise SSO (SAML, advanced LDAP group sync) requires extra configuration effort
- #3
HulySelf-host: InvolvedAll-in-one project management, tracker, and team collaboration - a Linear/Jira alternative
28k TypeScript EPL-2.0 23 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Self-hosting the full multi-service architecture (MongoDB, MinIO, Elastic, transactors) is complex
- Documentation for self-hosting is sparse relative to its breadth
- Breadth over depth: individual modules are less mature than dedicated tools like Linear or Slack
- Self-hosted edition trails the managed cloud on some features
- #4
OpenProjectSelf-host: ModerateEnterprise-grade open-source project management with Gantt, agile boards, and budgeting
16k Ruby GPL-3.0 5 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Many premium modules (team planner, baselines, SSO, custom fields beyond limits) require the paid Enterprise edition
- UI feels heavier and less modern than Linear or Notion
- Ruby/PostgreSQL stack is resource-hungry for small teams
- No native mobile apps
- #5
PhabricatorSelf-host: InvolvedComprehensive software development platform with tasks, code review, and wikis
12k PHP Apache-2.0 2 years agoHow it compares to Jira
- Original maintainer (Phacility) shut down; primarily community-maintained now
- No native Gantt chart or timeline view
- Modern integrations (Slack, CI/CD) require custom webhooks
- #6
gitbucketSelf-host: ModerateGitHub-compatible self-hosted Git platform with easy install and high extensibility
9.4k Scala Apache-2.0 11 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- No native CI/CD system; requires external integration
- JVM runtime adds memory overhead compared to Go-based alternatives
- Package/container registry is not built in
- Advanced project management views (kanban, roadmaps) require plugins
- #7
RedmineSelf-host: InvolvedVeteran open-source project management and issue tracking with Gantt and wiki
6k Ruby GPL-2.0 5 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Dated UI compared to modern tools like Linear or Jira
- Many capabilities require third-party plugins of varying quality
- Manual setup (Ruby, database, web server) is non-trivial
- No official mobile apps or managed hosting
- #8
Ever GauzySelf-host: InvolvedOpen business management platform: ERP, CRM, HRM, ATS, and project management
5.7k Docker AGPL-3.0 5 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- High setup complexity; the full stack requires multiple services and significant configuration
- Documentation and onboarding guides are incomplete in areas
- UI polish and UX refinement lag behind mature SaaS tools like Jira or Monday
- Community and plugin ecosystem are small relative to the breadth of features promised
- #9
OctoboxSelf-host: ModerateTake back control of your GitHub notifications with a self-hosted inbox
4.5k Ruby AGPL-3.0 5 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Scoped exclusively to GitHub notifications; no GitLab or Bitbucket support
- Not a full project management tool — no task creation, boards, or planning views
- Requires a GitHub OAuth app setup; adding team members requires individual GitHub auth
- Development activity has slowed; some GitHub API changes may not be promptly reflected
- #10
PeppermintSelf-host: ModerateOpen-source ticket management and helpdesk, a Zendesk/Jira alternative
3.2k TypeScript AGPL-3.0 0 years agoHow it compares to Jira
- Younger project; feature set is narrower than mature incumbents
- No native live chat or full omnichannel messaging
- Limited automation, SLA, and reporting depth vs Zendesk
- Smaller integration ecosystem and no official managed cloud
- #11
Review BoardSelf-host: InvolvedExtensible code review tool for teams and open-source projects
1.7k Python MIT 9 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- No built-in issue/ticket tracker; must pair with a separate project-management tool
- UI feels dated compared to GitHub PRs or modern code-review SaaS products
- Limited built-in CI/CD pipeline integration vs. Jira's deep Atlassian ecosystem
- Mobile experience is minimal
- #12
ZenTaoSelf-host: ModerateOpen-source Agile/Scrum project management with built-in bug tracking
1.7k PHP AGPL-3.0 29 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- UI/UX is noticeably less polished than Jira or Linear, with a steeper learning curve for Western users
- English documentation is incomplete; the product is primarily Chinese-market focused
- Integrations with third-party tools (Slack, GitHub, CI systems) are limited without the paid edition
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to Jira's advanced query language
- #13
ITFlowSelf-host: SimpleOpen-source IT documentation and ticketing for MSPs and IT teams
1k PHP GPL-3.0 5 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Heavily MSP-focused; less suited for pure software development teams
- No Agile sprint planning or velocity tracking
- Still maturing; some features are incomplete
- #14
TuleapSelf-host: InvolvedEnterprise-grade ALM platform with Scrum, Kanban, and Git hosting
1k PHP GPL-2.0 4 months agoHow it compares to Jira
- Complex initial setup; enterprise focus means steep learning curve
- Some advanced features (portfolio management, SAFe) require paid Enterprise Edition
- UI is dense and dated compared to modern SaaS alternatives
- #15
OrangeScrumSelf-host: ModerateAgile project management tool with Scrum and Kanban boards
800 PHP GPL-3.0 4 months agoHow it compares to Jira
- Many premium features locked behind paid plans
- Gantt charts only available in paid tiers
- Community edition sees slower feature updates than cloud version
- #16
TaigaSelf-host: InvolvedAgile project management for cross-functional teams with Scrum and Kanban
569 Python MPL-2.0 2 years agoHow it compares to Jira
- Self-hosting the full stack (Django backend, Angular frontend, events, async) is fairly involved
- Newer rewrite has fewer features than the legacy taiga-back/front it replaces
- Smaller community and slower releases than Plane or Jira
- Limited reporting/dashboards compared to Jira
- #17
Fossil SCMSelf-host: MinimalSelf-contained DVCS with integrated bug tracker, wiki, and forum
236 C BSD-2-Clause 22 days agoHow it compares to Jira
- Git compatibility requires bridge tools; not a drop-in replacement
- No native CI/CD pipeline or container registry
- Very small ecosystem of third-party integrations
The verdict
Plane is the default pick for most Jira refugees: highest momentum, a clean sprints-and-roadmaps model, and a managed tier if you don't want to run it. Reach for OpenProject instead when you need Gantt and budgeting, or Redmine if you want a battle-tested veteran.
Jira alternatives — frequently asked questions
Is there a free open-source Jira alternative I can self-host?
Yes. Plane (AGPL-3.0), OpenProject (GPL-3.0), Redmine (GPL-2.0), Huly (EPL-2.0), and Taiga (MPL-2.0) are all free and self-hostable. Plane and Huly are the most Jira/Linear-like in feel.
Which Jira alternative is easiest to self-host?
Plane and OpenProject are both rated 3/5 difficulty. OpenProject even offers a One-Click deploy, while Plane has straightforward Docker Compose and Kubernetes paths. Redmine and Taiga are 4/5 and take more setup work.
Which has the most features for large or enterprise teams?
OpenProject is the most feature-complete here, with Gantt charts, agile boards, and budgeting built in. Huly is the strongest all-in-one if you also want chat and document collaboration in the same tool.
Can I get managed hosting instead of running it myself?
Yes for Plane, Huly, OpenProject, and Taiga, which all offer official managed/cloud options. Redmine and Peppermint are self-host only.
What's the best lightweight option if I just want tickets, not full agile?
Peppermint (3.3k stars, AGPL-3.0) focuses on ticket and helpdesk management as a Zendesk/Jira alternative, making it a good fit when you want issue intake without sprint ceremony.
Which alternative best supports Scrum and Kanban specifically?
Taiga is purpose-built for agile cross-functional teams with both Scrum and Kanban, and Plane covers sprints and roadmaps natively. Both map cleanly onto Jira-style agile workflows.