TickTick costs $10/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to TickTick, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for TickTick is Super Productivity (MIT Open Source). Across this category, 2 self-hostable tools are available (including Leantime and Donetick). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $600/year compared to TickTick's $10/mo subscription.
The catch: Super Productivity timeboxes local tasks well but does not pull a broad set of external task systems into one inbox or automatically place them on the calendar like Akiflow.
TickTick vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $10/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Productivity | open source | MIT | Local | ★ 23.5k | TickTick vs Super Productivity → |
| Leantime | open source | AGPL-3.0+ | Self-host | ★ 12k | TickTick vs Leantime → |
| Donetick | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 2.7k | TickTick vs Donetick → |
The picks
3 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Super Productivity
open sourceMITLocal23.5knov 2026Privacy-first task manager combining task lists, Kanban, Pomodoro timers, time tracking, and integrations with GitHub, GitLab, and Jira. No account required, works offline.
The catch vs TickTickSuper Productivity timeboxes local tasks well but does not pull a broad set of external task systems into one inbox or automatically place them on the calendar like Akiflow.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobilewebone-click install
- install
- Use the browser/PWA or install a packaged desktop or mobile build
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- Tasks, projects, time records, and settings are local-first in browser or app storage; optional synchronization and backups use the user's chosen WebDAV or Dropbox account
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Leantime
open sourceAGPL-3.0+Self-host12knov 2026Open-source software designed to streamline tasks, boost productivity, and enhance collaboration for teams of all types, including those with ADHD and neurodiversity.
The catch vs TickTickLeantime covers projects and goals but has fewer polished integrations, rules, mobile workflows, dashboards, and enterprise controls than Asana.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Paid hosted signup, or the free open-source edition via Docker Compose/official image or a PHP release archive plus MySQL/MariaDB
- setup
- There is no longer a permanent free hosted tier: the free route means operating PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, persistent storage, backups, and a web-facing Docker or LAMP stack.
- your data
- Self-hosted project data lives in MySQL 8 or MariaDB 10.6+, while uploaded files use the local filesystem or configured S3-compatible storage; hosted-account data lives in Leantime's cloud.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Donetick
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host2.7knov 2026Organize tasks and chores with intelligent scheduling, fair assignment, and collaboration features. Perfect for families and teams with smart notifications.
The catch vs TickTickRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TickTick.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/donetick/donetick or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
TickTick Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 3 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · TickTick open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to TickTick?+
The top free alternative to TickTick is Super Productivity (open source, MIT). Privacy-first task manager combining task lists, Kanban, Pomodoro timers, time tracking, and integrations with GitHub, GitLab, and Jira. No account required, works offline. Other popular TickTick replacements include Leantime, Donetick.
Can I self-host a free replacement for TickTick?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to TickTick, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Leantime (AGPL-3.0+), Donetick (Open Source).
How much does switching from TickTick to a free alternative save?+
TickTick starts at $10/month per seat ($120/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Super Productivity saves $600 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own TickTick clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for TickTick is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for TickTick or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 3 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Super Productivity.
What is the catch when switching from TickTick to Super Productivity?+
Super Productivity timeboxes local tasks well but does not pull a broad set of external task systems into one inbox or automatically place them on the calendar like Akiflow.
