Kanboard
Spartan kanban that is finished, not fashionable; maintenance mode means only fixes
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- MIT
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- Installation
- Docker Compose, or unzip the PHP application into a web server and make its data directory writable
- Operational Setup
- It is simple by self-hosting standards, but the operator must still secure the default admin account and writable data directory, configure email and backups, and accept that the project is in maintenance mode.
- Where Your Data Lives
- By default all tasks, projects, and users live in one `data/db.sqlite` SQLite file; MariaDB and PostgreSQL are supported, and files/configuration live under the writable data directory.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- Kanboard is stable and lightweight, but its maintenance-mode pace, dated interface, limited mobile experience, and sparse integrations are a clear downgrade from Trello.
Replaces 1 paid app
up to $12.50/mo ($150/yr) in subscriptions
Kanboard FAQ
Common questions
Is Kanboard free and open source?+
Kanboard is an open-source tool licensed under MIT that runs on self-host. Spartan kanban that is finished, not fashionable; maintenance mode means only fixes
What paid software does Kanboard replace?+
Kanboard serves as a free replacement for 1 paid SaaS application: Trello, saving up to $12.50/month ($150/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up Kanboard?+
Installation: Docker Compose, or unzip the PHP application into a web server and make its data directory writable. Setup notes: It is simple by self-hosting standards, but the operator must still secure the default admin account and writable data directory, configure email and backups, and accept that the project is in maintenance mode.
What is the catch or trade-off with Kanboard?+
Kanboard is stable and lightweight, but its maintenance-mode pace, dated interface, limited mobile experience, and sparse integrations are a clear downgrade from Trello.