Trello costs $12.50/mo.
These cost $0.
4 free alternatives to Trello, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Trello vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $12.50/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wekan | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 21k | Trello vs Wekan → |
| Kanboard | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 9.8k | Trello vs Kanboard → |
| Taiga | open source | MPL-2.0 | Local or hosted | ★ 844 | Trello vs Taiga → |
| PLANKA | free | — | Local or hosted | ★ $0 forever | Trello vs PLANKA → |
The picks
3 open source · 1 free to use · ranked by fit
- 01
Wekan
open sourceMITSelf-host21kaug 2026Trello's boards without Butler, upsells, or anyone else holding the database
The catch vs TrelloWekan reproduces boards and cards but gives up Trello's Butler automation, Power-Ups, polished mobile apps, integrations, and managed reliability.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Install with Docker Compose or the official Snap package; many other platform packages are community-supported
- setup
- The app starts easily compared with larger suites, but a non-expert still needs an always-on host, persistent MongoDB storage, backups, an external URL, TLS, and mail configuration.
- your data
- Boards, cards, users, comments, and settings live in MongoDB; uploaded files and backups must be persisted with the deployment rather than left inside an ephemeral container.
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Kanboard
open sourceMITSelf-host9.8kapr 2026Spartan kanban that is finished, not fashionable; maintenance mode means only fixes
The catch vs TrelloKanboard is stable and lightweight, but its maintenance-mode pace, dated interface, limited mobile experience, and sparse integrations are a clear downgrade from Trello.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Docker Compose, or unzip the PHP application into a web server and make its data directory writable
- 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.
- your data
- 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.
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 03
Taiga
open sourceMPL-2.0Local or hosted844aug 2026Scrum baggage aside, its kanban boards comfortably replace Trello's core job
The catch vs TrelloTaiga's kanban works, but Scrum concepts and project structure make it heavier than Trello while still lacking Trello's automation, Power-Ups, templates, and casual sharing polish.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Hosted Taiga signup, or the official multi-container Docker Compose production stack
- setup
- Production self-hosting is not one container: it needs Docker/Compose familiarity, several Taiga services, PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, environment files, a reverse proxy, TLS, and email settings.
- your data
- A self-hosted deployment stores application data in PostgreSQL, messages/events in RabbitMQ, and uploaded media in persistent volumes or configured storage; hosted workspaces live in Taiga's cloud.
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 04
PLANKA
freeLocal or hostedA polished self-hosted Trello clone; the free edition keeps the core board-and-card job intact
The catch vs TrelloPLANKA is visually close to Trello, but it has no comparable Butler automation or Power-Up ecosystem and its free code is under a restrictive fair-use license rather than an open-source one.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Hosted PLANKA signup, or the recommended official Docker Compose deployment
- setup
- The free self-hosted Community build still needs Docker Compose, PostgreSQL, a generated secret, base URL, admin creation, persistent storage, TLS, and careful attention to the custom license's permitted-use limits.
- your data
- Self-hosted boards, cards, accounts, and settings live in PostgreSQL; avatars, backgrounds, and attachments are persisted separately and included with the database in PLANKA's backup archive. Hosted data lives with PLANKA.
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Trello open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Trello?+
The top free alternative to Trello is Wekan (open source, MIT). Trello's boards without Butler, upsells, or anyone else holding the database Other popular Trello replacements include Kanboard, Taiga, PLANKA.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Trello?+
Yes. Of the 4 free alternatives to Trello, 4 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Wekan (MIT), Kanboard (MIT), Taiga (MPL-2.0), PLANKA (free).
How much does switching from Trello to a free alternative save?+
Trello starts at $12.50/month per seat ($150/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Wekan saves $750 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Trello clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Trello is KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no). The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Trello, run kanban boards with cards, checklists, labels, dates, and simple automation. The hard boundary is atlassian ecosystem, power-ups, mobile apps, automation, and reliable collaboration, plus collaboration, integrations, and organizational trust.
What is the catch when switching from Trello to Wekan?+
Wekan reproduces boards and cards but gives up Trello's Butler automation, Power-Ups, polished mobile apps, integrations, and managed reliability.
