OpenProject vs. Redmine: Choosing the Right Open-Source Project Management Tool for Your Team
- Philip Moses
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Choosing the right project management tool can make your work smoother, more organized, and more productive. When it comes to open-source tools, OpenProject and Redmine are two well-known names. They both help teams manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate effectively — but they’re built differently and suit different types of users.
In this blog, you’ll get a simple comparison between OpenProject and Redmine — from their features and customization to ease of use and community support. By the end, you’ll know which tool fits your team’s needs best.
What is OpenProject?
OpenProject is a modern, open-source project management platform. It helps teams plan, track, and collaborate on work using both traditional and Agile methods. It includes tools like Gantt charts, time tracking, wikis, and Scrum boards right out of the box.
It’s best for teams looking for a polished, ready-to-use system with structured project workflows.
What is Redmine?
Redmine is a flexible and lightweight project management tool. It’s highly customizable and supports issue tracking, time logs, wikis, file sharing, and forums. It also handles multiple projects easily and has a huge plugin library built by its open-source community.
It’s a great choice for those who want full control and are comfortable with doing a bit of technical setup.
Feature Comparison: OpenProject vs. Redmine
Feature | OpenProject | Redmine |
| ✔️ Yes (built-in, advanced) | ✔️ Yes (built-in) |
| ✔️ Modern, built-in | ✔️ Simple, built-in |
| ✔️ Included natively | 🔲 Needs plugins |
| ✔️ Built-in | ✔️ Built-in |
| ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| ✔️ Role-based | ✔️ Role-based |
| ✔️ Supported | ✔️ Supported |
| Moderate | Extensive |
| Clean and modern | Basic UI, themable |
| Simple with packaged installers or Docker | Technical setup required (Ruby-based) |
User Interface and Usability
OpenProject has a clean and modern look, making it easier for new users to get started. The layout is user-friendly and fits well with today’s software standards.
Redmine has a more basic design by default. It works fine but may feel outdated until you apply community-built themes. It’s still functional and gets the job done.
Customization and Plugins
Redmine shines when it comes to customization. It has a huge number of free plugins for adding features like CRM, calendars, Agile boards, and more. You can tweak it exactly how you want.
OpenProject includes many key features by default. It doesn’t have as many third-party plugins, but it focuses on stability and a complete out-of-the-box experience.
Community and Support
OpenProject has an active user community and offers professional support if needed.
Redmine has a long history and a large, global user base. It also has tons of documentation, plugin support, and free online help.
Pros and Cons
OpenProject:
✅ Easy to use
✅ Modern design
✅ Built-in Agile features
❌ Limited plugins
❌ Slightly heavier to host
Redmine:
✅ Highly customizable
✅ Large plugin collection
✅ Lightweight and efficient
❌ Older-looking interface
❌ Needs more setup work
Which Tool Should You Pick?
Choose OpenProject if:
You want something clean and modern
You need built-in Agile features
You want a tool that works well out of the box
Choose Redmine if:
You prefer to customize everything
You’re comfortable with a bit of setup
You want access to a wide range of plugins
One More Thing — Setup Can Be a Challenge
But here’s the catch — most of these tools need some level of technical setup, often requiring a dedicated server and manual configuration.
That’s where Belsterns' House of FOSS comes in.
We handle all the installation, hosting, and setup for you — no technical background needed. Whether you’re a startup, a growing business, or a solo founder, we make open-source tools plug-and-play, so you can focus on your work instead of worrying about setup.
Get Started with Belsterns Today
Click on “Get Started” and complete a quick registration to begin your journey with us.Let us take care of the tech while you focus on what matters most — your projects.
Comments