Orbit by Noveum vs Plane: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Orbit by Noveum and Plane comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Plane wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Task Management pick. Google Calendar is our free Task Management pick. Pick Orbit by Noveum if you need task management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Orbit by Noveum
Self-hostable task manager with boards, projects, and AI client support
Best for you if:
- • Small software teams managing issues, projects and documents with people and MCP-compatible AI clients
- • You want a fully free tool (Plane requires payment)
- • You want apache-2.0 source with a self-hosting option
- • You want hosted MCP access uses workspace-scoped OAuth rather than shared API keys
Plane
Open-source project management
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Orbit by Noveum | Plane |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Task Management | Project Management |
Rating | - | 4.4/5G2 4.4 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | No explicit mention of data storage limits |
Choose Orbit by Noveum or Plane?
Choose Orbit by Noveum if
Self-hostable task manager with boards, projects, and AI client support
- Small software teams managing issues, projects and documents with people and MCP-compatible AI clients
- You want a fully free tool (Plane requires payment)
- You want apache-2.0 source with a self-hosting option
- You want hosted MCP access uses workspace-scoped OAuth rather than shared API keys
- Your work is task management-shaped, not project management-shaped
Choose Plane if
Open-source project management
- You want open source
- You want self-hostable
- Your work is project management-shaped, not task management-shaped
| Feature | Orbit by Noveum | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.4/5 15 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementProject Management | Project ManagementTask Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Orbit by Noveum
Self-hostable task manager with boards, projects, and AI client support
Orbit by Noveum is a self-hostable task manager, so there are no monthly subscription fees, making it extremely generous compared to SaaS tools like Asana or Monday.com that charge per seat.
Strengths
- +Apache-2.0 source with a self-hosting option
- +Hosted MCP access uses workspace-scoped OAuth rather than shared API keys
Weaknesses
- -Self-hosting requires operating the database, Redis, object storage and application services.
Key features
Plane
Open-source project management
Plane offers a very generous Free tier for up to 12 users, making it highly accessible for small teams.
Watch out
No explicit mention of data storage limits
Strengths
- +Open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Modern UI
Weaknesses
- -Newer project
- -Fewer integrations
Key features
Pricing: Orbit by Noveum vs Plane
| Plan | Orbit by Noveum | Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $8 Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $13 Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Orbit by Noveum pricing and Plane pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Orbit by Noveum is free. Plane is freemium.
Go with: Orbit by Noveum
Want the highest-rated option?
Plane is rated 4.4/5. Orbit by Noveum has no ratings yet.
Go with: Plane
Value user reviews?
Orbit by Noveum: no ratings yet. Plane: 15 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Plane
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Orbit by Noveum is free. Plane is freemium. Go with Orbit by Noveum if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Orbit by Noveum is a task management tool. Plane is in project management. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Plane is rated 4.4/5; Orbit by Noveum has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Plane
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Orbit by Noveum
- Completely free
- Better fit for task management
The Bottom Line
Plane wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Task Management pick. Google Calendar is our free Task Management pick. That said, Orbit by Noveum is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orbit by Noveum or Plane better?
Plane is rated in our evaluation. Orbit by Noveum is free and Plane is freemium.
What are Orbit by Noveum and Plane used for?
Orbit by Noveum: Self-hostable task manager with boards, projects, and AI client support. Plane: Open-source project management.
What does Orbit by Noveum cost vs Plane?
Orbit by Noveum is completely free. Plane is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.