- Best for collaboration tools: Confluence
- Best for software development teams: Jira
- Best for versatility: Odoo
- Best for medium and large businesses: OnlyOffice
- Best free and open-source solution: Redmine
- Best for basic project management: Agile CRM
- Best Agile open-source option: Taiga
- Best overall: OpenProject
Project management solutions allow for efficient task management, project progress tracking, smooth team collaboration and several other benefits. There are several project management applications that work on Linux. In this article, we share the six best Linux project management software for 2024. You will get to learn about the key features, pros, cons and pricing for each software. We also shared some tips on choosing the best Linux project management software for your needs.
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Top Linux project management software comparison
Here is how the best Linux project management software compare in terms of core features:
| Free plan | Issue tracking | Native time tracking | Built-in Gantt charts | Resource allocation | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confluence | Yes | Basic | No | No | No | $6.05 user/month |
| Jira | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | $8.15 user/month |
| Oodo | Yes | Basic | Yes | No | Yes | $24.90 user/month |
| OnlyOffice | Yes | Basic | Yes | Yes | No | $8.99 user/month |
| Redmine | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | $0 user/month |
| Agile CRM | Yes | Basic | No | No | No | $8.99 user/month |
| Taiga | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | $0 user/month |
| OpenProject | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $7.25 user/month |
Confluence: Best for collaboration tools
Confluence is a project management solution available on Linux. The product is developed by Atlassian, who has also developed Trello, Jira Service Management and Bitbucket. Confluence is geared towards users who need team collaboration tools and a virtual workspace to manage projects. The software is ideally suited for small businesses that need a collaborative and open workspace.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for ten users for the monthly subscription only.
- Standard: $6.05 per user per month billed monthly, or $600 per year for a user tier of 1-10.
- Premium: $11.55 per user per month billed monthly, or $1150 per year for a user tier of 1-10.
- Enterprise plan: custom pricing.
The paid plans offer a discount for a higher number of users, so the more users you have, the lower the rate per user.
Features
- Wide range of templates: Users get access to a variety of templates, from product management to marketing plans. The templates help simplify project management.
- Team communication tools: With Confluence, you get real-time editing, version history tracking, commenting, notifications, task delegation and several other team collaboration tools.
- Client access: Confluence allows external users to collaborate on certain project content. The software has a specific set of permissions to ensure that external users get limited access.
Integrations
- Google Drive.
- OneDrive.
- Slack.
- GitHub.
- GitLab.
- Azure DevOps.
- Render Markdown.
Pros
- Outstanding team collaboration tools.
- Extensive range of templates.
- Powerful access control and user permission features.
Cons
- Some core project management features, such as analytics, are only available in paid plans.
- Interface is simple but has a slight learning curve.
Why we chose Confluence
Confluence is great for general project management needs. It’s great for writing, document sharing and basic analytics and it integrates with other Atlassian products like Jira and Trello.
For more information, read the full Confluence review.
Jira: Best for software development teams
Jira is a project management software by Atlassian. It is widely used by software development teams for issue tracking and task management. However, Jira is flexible and offers several customization options, allowing it to be used by other types of users. With the app, you also get support for Agile and Scrum.
Pricing
- Free plan: Up to 10 users and 2 GB of file storage.
- Standard: $8.15 per user per month, billed monthly, or $850 per year for one to 10 users.
- Premium: $16 per user per month, billed monthly, or $1600 per year for one to 10 users.
- Enterprise: Only billed annually. Available for teams with more than 800 users.
Features
- Issue tracking: The issue tracking feature of Jira allows users to manage all issues in a centralized location. You can create tickets, assign team members, set deadlines and track progress.
- Roadmap: Jira roadmap feature allows users to plan and visualize project progress. You can either choose to view a high-level overview of the project or dig deeper into the project details.
- Agile development: With Jira, get Kanban and Scrum boards that can be used by software development teams to manage sprints and track project progress.
Integrations
- Google Drive.
- OneDrive.
- Slack.
- GitHub.
- GitLab.
- Azure DevOps.
- Render Markdown.
Pros
- Impressive free plan with several project management features.
- Robust analytics and reporting tools.
- High level of security.
- Scrum boards for Agile sprints.
Cons
- Limited tools for external collaboration.
- Steep learning curve.
Jira is a great option for project management on complex projects. With their automation, reporting, plenty of storage in paid plans and AI, you can manage deadlines for complex workloads. Small teams can benefit, but the more users you have, the more it costs.
For more information, read the full Jira review.
Odoo: Best for versatility
Odoo, formerly named OpenERP, is a suite of business apps, including a project management solution. The software is highly customizable and can be hosted on the cloud or used as an installed on-premises project management solution. With Odoo, you get a variety of project views, including Kanban boards and calendars, to help visualize project progress. Users also get access to time tracking, budget management and resource allocation tools.
Pricing
- Free: Limited to one app, but allows unlimited users.
- Standard: $24.90 per user/month billed annually, or $31.10 per user/month, billed monthly.
- Custom: $37.40 per user/month billed annually, or $46.80 per user/month, billed monthly.
Features
- Multiple views: You get a variety of project views, including Gantt charts, to track deadlines and timeline progress easily. There is also a calendar view to highlight project deadlines.
- Collaboration tools: Odoo offers a full range of collaboration tools, including chatting features, activity logs, customized alerts, email integration and real-time updates.
- Reporting: With the reporting feature, you can build your own dashboard, perform a detailed analysis of financials, view task statistics and more.
Integrations
- Open-source – the ability to create your own connections with some connectors already made (but may require a fee).
- GitHub.
- Zemanta.
- BlackBlaze.
Pros
- Seamless integration with other Odoo applications.
- Open-source model which allows for extra flexibility.
- Vibrant community for technical support.
Cons
- No official updates or maintenance services.
- Not suitable for complex or industry-specific use cases.
Why we chose Odoo
The Odoo platform offers a platform of powerful business applications. They are great for use on a variety of projects for different industries while still being open-source and Linux-compatible. Pricing and add-ons can be costly so more established teams may appreciate them more.
For more information, read the Odoo review.
OnlyOffice: Best for medium and large businesses
OnlyOffice is an open-source project management software designed to boost productivity and provide a platform for internal team collaboration. One of the key advantages of OnlyOffice is that it offers a single application for documents, presentations and spreadsheets. This makes it an excellent alternative to the Microsoft Office suite. The interface is similar to Microsoft products, with a command bar at the top with product features.
Pricing
OnlyOffice has multiple offerings; the costs below are for the OnlyOffice Workspace Enterprise on-premises version. The pricing model is in blocks of 50 users:
- Enterprise: $2200 per server with 50 users.
- Enterprise Plus: $3300 per server with 50 users.
- Enterprise Premium: $4500 per server with 50 users.
Features
- Document Manager: Users can edit, store, organize and share their documents through this feature. You can also set user permissions for users and groups and collaborate in real-time with teammates.
- Project views: You can create projects, set deadlines, prioritize tasks and view progress through multiple views, including Gantt charts.
- Presentation editor: With the presentation editor, users can create, edit and share visually appealing slides in various formats. You can add customizable tables, charts and statistics to the presentation.
Integrations
- Open-source with some ready-built connectors.
- Jira.
- Confluence.
- Drupal.
- Nextcloud.
- Odoo.
- Redmine.
Pros
- Familiar interface for Microsoft users.
- Several customization options.
- User-friendly.
Cons
- Mobile app is lacking in functionality.
- Pricing model not suitable for small teams.
- Limited workflow management.
Why we chose OnlyOffice
Another open-source solution, OnlyOffice offers dedicated business apps. It’s great for managing important project content, files and tasks. You can share data with your team and stay on top of ongoing deadlines with their project views.
Redmine: Best free and open-source solution
Redmine is one of the few completely free project management solutions for Linux users. The software comes without the backend installed, so you will self-install the software, which includes setting up your own database. Redmine is geared towards software development teams who are familiar with how to install and maintain the software. The software is versatile, making it suitable for different use cases.
Pricing
Redmine is available for free. There are no paid plans.
Features
- Plug-in directory: The developers offer a plug-in directory where you can find different tools to expand Redmine’s functionality. You can even create new plug-ins.
- Gantt charts: With Gantt charts, users can get a quick overview of project progress and task dependencies.
- Collaboration and communication: Redmine offers a variety of collaboration and communication tools. You get features such as wiki pages, forums and document sharing to keep everyone on the team aligned on the project.
Integrations
- Open-source with some ready third-party integrations.
- GitHub.
- Drupal.
- Honeybadger.
- Clockify.
Pros
- Free.
- Feature-rich.
- Versatile and customizable.
- Extensive directory for plug-ins.
Cons
- Requires self-installation.
- Support is limited to online communities.
Why we chose Redmine
Redmine is both open-source and free. It’s a software Linux lovers can appreciate, while startups and newer teams can benefit from it being budget-friendly. Not all of the Linux-compatible software on this list will be as affordable.
Agile CRM: Best for basic project management
Agile CRM is primarily a customer relation management (CRM) solution for Linux users; however, the software does offer some basic project management features, including team collaboration and task management.
Pricing
- Free: limited to 10 users.
- Starter: $8.99 per user month with annual billing.
- Regular: $29.99 per user per month with annual billing.
- Enterprise: $47.99 per user per month with annual billing.
Features
- Task management: Agile CRM software offers basic task management features. Users can create and assign tasks, set due dates and view progress.
- Integration with customer data: As CRM software, there is a lot of customer data in the application. Agile CRM allows you to utilize this data within the context of the project.
- Project milestones: This feature acts as a checkpoint to track project progress. You can track project milestones, mark achievements and set deadlines through Agile CRM.
Integrations
- Drupal.
- WordPress.
- Zapier.
- Shopify.
Pros
- Deep integration with customer data.
- Impressive automation features.
- Integration with several business apps.
Cons
- Lack of advanced project management tools.
- Weak reporting and analytics tools.
Why we chose Agile CRM
While a CRM, Agile CRM can still be used by Linux users to manage workflows. You can manage forms, emails, reports, documents and team collaboration. If you need help with projects and managing clients for your business, this may be an especially suitable solution for you.
Taiga: Best Agile open-source option
Taiga offers both managed and self-hosted versions of their open-source software. Teams can use the application for their project management workflows and managing deadlines with Agile sprints. If your workflow needs quick sprints, monitored backlogs and visual project views like kanban boards and Gantt charts, then it’s a well-suited choice.
Pricing
Taiga self-hosted plans.
- Self-managed: open-source and free for all.
- Automated-hosting: Starting at $10, comes with security and upgrades. For those with limited Linux experience.
Features
- Project views like kanban and Gantt.
- Comes in 20 different languages.
- Issue and bug tracking.
- Community customization.
- Custom tags and fields.
Integrations
- GitHub.
- GitLab.
Pros
- Agile sprint friendly.
- Great for staying on top of deadlines.
- Customizable.
- Team dashboards for reporting and information sharing.
Cons
- Not as feature-rich as other project management tools.
- Slight learning curve with an older interface.
Why we chose Taiga
Taiga’s self-hosted version, which is completely free and designed for Linux users. Their community is active, and there are multiple versions available for non-Linux options.
OpenProject: Best overall
OpenProject is another open-source project management solution. It is designed for managing workflows, especially shared documents and data. Your team can manage deadlines, collaboration, budgets and more.
Pricing
- Community: Free self-hosted version.
- Basic: $7.25 per user per month, billed annually (minimum five users), for on-premises and cloud hosts.
- Professional: $13.50 per user per month, billed annually (minimum 25 users), for on-premises and cloud hosts.
- Premium: $19.50 per user per month, billed annually (minimum 100 users), for on-premises and cloud hosts.
- Corporate: Supports on-premises hosts for a minimum of 250 users. Contact sales for a custom quote.
Features
- Work views like Gantt, Kanban and timeline.
- Workflow scheduling is done manually or automatically.
- Meeting management and minute taking.
- Time tracking and log history.
- Cost estimates and budgeting.
- Bug tracking.
Integrations
- Gitlab.
- Jira.
- Microsoft Project.
- Toggl.
- Slack.
- OneDrive.
- Nextcloud.
- Github.
Pros
- Clear feature breakdown offered.
- Documentation wiki.
- Plenty of workflow management features.
Cons
- Not much for support with training or issues.
Why we chose OpenProject
OpenProject offers strong project management features, an active community and flexibility. If you’re a Linux user, they are a great choice for complex projects and staying on top of tasks.
Key features of Linux project management software
When it comes to finding software compatible with Linux, there are a few benefits to consider.
Issue tracking
Issue tracking is most commonly used by software development teams to address bugs. However, this feature is also used for other project management tasks, such as identifying project-related risks, issues or tasks that need attention. It allows project managers to efficiently resolve issues to keep projects on track.
Native time tracking
Time tracking features allow you to estimate the time needed to complete tasks and record the actual time spent on tasks. This data is useful in workload management, resource planning, forecasting and budgeting. While most project management solutions on Linux can integrate with third-party time tracking applications, you get a more seamless experience with a native feature.
Built-in Gantt charts
Gantt charts, also known as roadmap tools, are a popular feature in project management tools. They are designed to illustrate how the project is progressing in relation to the planned project schedule. Users get to identify task dependencies and project hurdles so they can address these issues and keep the project on track.
Resource allocation
Project managers and business owners can use resource allocation tools to optimize their projects by assigning tasks to the right team members. With resource planning tools, you can also check the resource availability and capacity of your team to avoid conflicting tasks or overloading assignments.
Integratable
With Linux-compatible software, it’s common to have the option to create your own integrations because many applications are open source. Even for those without an open-source license, many still offer plenty of third-party apps. If you’re weary of building your own connectors, many active open-source communities offer updated integrations.
Methodology
This best project management software for Linux was compiled through a combination of hands-on reviews of the application and analysis of information available online, such as customer ratings and reviews. We looked at several parameters, including the overall usability of the software, pros and cons, pricing models and use cases.
How do I choose the best Linux project management software?
Choosing the best project management software for any operating system requires careful consideration. In the case of Linux, the options might be more limited compared to software available for Windows or Mac operating systems. Therefore, as a first step, you need to shortlist software that is compatible with Linux.
While open-source software is common with Linux, this is not a requirement, as several project management solutions for Linux are proprietary or closed-source software. A key disadvantage of open-source software is that you don’t get official support for the installation and maintenance of the software. However, the advantage is that you get more flexibility in how you want to use the software.
You also need to identify your priorities, as each software has its own unique pros and cons. For example, if you are an enterprise, you might need certain advanced features that are not available in basic project management software.
Some of the core features to consider include tools for team collaboration and communication, time tracking, project views and resource allocation. You also need to consider the scalability of the product, pricing model and integration with your existing tech stack.
