Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Basecamp · 🗂️ project management
Basecamp vs ONLYOFFICE Groups
Projects, discussions, files, calendars, milestones, and time tracking in one enormous self-hosted office Here is how ONLYOFFICE Groups ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Basecamp ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
ONLYOFFICE Groups
$0.00/mo · Apache-2.0
Basecamp vs ONLYOFFICE Groups Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Basecamp (Paid) | ONLYOFFICE Groups (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $15 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $900 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $900) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Apache-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopmobilewebself-hostedself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 3.1k (active may 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Basecamp to ONLYOFFICE Groups
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
ONLYOFFICE Groups replaces Basecamp's deliberate calm with an enormous office suite whose setup, permissions, and menus are far more complex and whose automatic check-ins are less central.
How to deploy ONLYOFFICE Groups
Deploy the official ONLYOFFICE Community Server Docker image, normally alongside Document Server and Mail Server as needed
What it takes to run
The product is an office suite rather than a small project app: a usable deployment brings Docker, persistent volumes, a database, domains/TLS, mail settings, and often separate Document Server services.
Where your data lives
Groupware records live in the deployment's relational database and users' documents/attachments live on persistent server storage; Docker deployments mount host directories for data, logs, and configuration.
Why fork ONLYOFFICE Groups instead of vibe-coding a Basecamp clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Basecamp, organize projects around messages, to-dos, files, schedules, and check-ins. The hard boundary is mature opinionated workflow, email delivery, guest access, support, and reliability, plus collaboration, integrations, and organizational trust.
Basecamp vs ONLYOFFICE Groups FAQ
Is ONLYOFFICE Groups a good free alternative to Basecamp?+
Yes. ONLYOFFICE Groups is a verified open-source (Apache-2.0) replacement for Basecamp. Projects, discussions, files, calendars, milestones, and time tracking in one enormous self-hosted office
What is the catch when switching from Basecamp to ONLYOFFICE Groups?+
ONLYOFFICE Groups replaces Basecamp's deliberate calm with an enormous office suite whose setup, permissions, and menus are far more complex and whose automatic check-ins are less central.
How much do you save switching from Basecamp to ONLYOFFICE Groups?+
Basecamp costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas ONLYOFFICE Groups is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $900/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,800/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host ONLYOFFICE Groups instead of Basecamp?+
Install: Deploy the official ONLYOFFICE Community Server Docker image, normally alongside Document Server and Mail Server as needed. Setup: The product is an office suite rather than a small project app: a usable deployment brings Docker, persistent volumes, a database, domains/TLS, mail settings, and often separate Document Server services.
