Focalboard vs OpenProject: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Focalboard and OpenProject side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Focalboard
Open source project management for technical teams to centralize, plan, and track work.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (OpenProject requires payment)
OpenProject
Powerful open-source software for classic, agile, or hybrid project management in a secure environment.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source with transparent code and community support
| At a Glance | Focalboard | OpenProject |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $5.95/user/mo, billed monthly Basic plan |
Category | Project Management Task Management | Project Management Task Management |
Rating | n/a | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 3.8 · SourceForge 4.5 215 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Focalboard or OpenProject?
Choose Focalboard if
- You want a fully free tool (OpenProject requires payment)
- You want 100% open source, allowing for community contributions and transparency
- You want offers multiple views for flexible work organization
Choose OpenProject if
- You want open-source with transparent code and community support
- You want offers on-premises deployment for complete data control and sovereignty
In-Depth Analysis
Focalboard
Open source project management for technical teams to centralize, plan, and track work.
Strengths
- Pro: 100% open source, allowing for community contributions and transparency.
- Pro: Offers multiple views for flexible work organization.
- Pro: Provides real-time collaboration features to keep teams in sync.
- Pro: Includes pre-built templates for quick setup.
Weaknesses
- Con: No explicit mention of integrations with other tools beyond Mattermost
- Con: The product is primarily geared towards technical teams, which might imply a steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Con: While open source, there's no clear indication of dedicated commercial support options beyond community forums
Key features
OpenProject
Powerful open-source software for classic, agile, or hybrid project management in a secure environment.
OpenProject offers a generous free Community tier, making it accessible for individuals and small teams.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source with transparent code and community support
- Pro: Offers on-premises deployment for complete data control and sovereignty
- Pro: Supports classic, agile, and hybrid project management methodologies
- Pro: Comprehensive features for project planning, execution, and portfolio management
- Pro: High security standards including HTTPS, 2FA, and session runtime definitions
Weaknesses
- Con: Enterprise on-premises version requires Linux or Mac experience for installation
- Con: Some advanced features like targeted sharing of project lists are Enterprise add-ons
- Con: The breadth of features might have a learning curve for new users
Key features
Plans and prices: Focalboard vs OpenProject
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Focalboard | No plan prices on file | focalboard.com |
| OpenProject |
| openproject.org/pricing read Oct 9, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Focalboard pricing and OpenProject pricing.
Key Takeaways
Focalboard
- Choose if you want open source project management for technical teams to centralize, plan, and track work
OpenProject
- Choose if you want powerful open-source software for classic, agile, or hybrid project management in a secure environment
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only OpenProject has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 215 reviews); Focalboard has none we can show.
- OpenProject starts at $5.95/user/mo, billed monthly; Focalboard has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Focalboard and OpenProject compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only OpenProject has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 215 reviews); Focalboard has none we can show. OpenProject starts at $5.95/user/mo, billed monthly; Focalboard has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Focalboard and OpenProject used for?
Focalboard: Open source project management for technical teams to centralize, plan, and track work. OpenProject: Powerful open-source software for classic, agile, or hybrid project management in a secure environment.
What does Focalboard cost vs OpenProject?
Focalboard is free. OpenProject's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $5.95/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 9, 2026.
What's the main difference between Focalboard and OpenProject?
Focalboard's main strength: 100% open source, allowing for community contributions and transparency. OpenProject's main strength: open-source with transparent code and community support.