Best open source
Jira alternative
Choose an open source on-premises project management software as best Jira alternative.
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#1 open source project management software
OpenProject is the best open source Jira alternative for project management
Jira is an established player for issue tracking and project management. First released by Atlassian in 2002, the application offers many features and plugins. Jira mainly targets software development projects. Explore what makes OpenProject the most powerful open source option compared to Jira.
Jira is a proprietary software. Therefore, users run the risk of depending solely on the vendor. Making code adjustments or implementing features is nearly impossible. Atlassian has already ended support for Jira Server (February 2024) and is now phasing out Jira Data Center as well.
Atlassian announced that Jira Data Center will reach end of life on March 28, 2029, after which Data Center licenses and marketplace apps will expire and become read-only. New Data Center subscriptions for new customers will stop on March 30, 2026, and existing customers can only renew or expand licenses until March 30, 2028. This means there is no longer a permanent self-hosted option within Atlassian’s product line; organizations using Jira are increasingly tied to Atlassian’s cloud offerings or must plan a migration to an alternative such as OpenProject.
What does OpenProject offer?
OpenProject and Jira both offer similar functionalities for classic and agile task management and project management. However, the main difference is that OpenProject is open source software. You have full control of the source code, you are not bound to any specific vendor and you can run the software on-premises. If you use Jira and want to switch to OpenProject, migrating your data is possible.
OpenProject vs. Jira
Compare both tools side by side and decide for yourself
Features | OpenProject | Jira |
---|---|---|
Open source software | OpenProject Translation missing: en.components.accessibility.yes | Jira Translation missing: en.components.accessibility.no |
Available on-premises | OpenProject Translation missing: en.components.accessibility.yes | Jira Data center end of life in 2029. |
Available in the cloud | OpenProject Translation missing: en.components.accessibility.yes | Jira Translation missing: en.components.accessibility.yes |
Comprehensive project management features | OpenProject Translation missing: en.components.accessibility.yes | Jira Translation missing: en.components.accessibility.yes |
Data server in the EU | OpenProject Headquarters in Germany.Data stored in the EU. | Jira Data is stored within AWS, regional storage within European region is possible, but must be actively requested. Jira Data Center will reach end of life in 2029, making cloud hosting the default option. |
Secure Open Source Alternative
Why is OpenProject better than Jira for project management
If you are especially looking for an open source alternative to Jira which you can also use self-hosted, take a look at the following advantages and learn why OpenProject is the best Jira alternative.
We are open source
Jira is a proprietary software. Therefore, users run the risk of depending solely on the vendor to make code adjustments and implement feature requests. OpenProject is an open source software and as such it can be the more secure and more cost efficient option. It provides absolute transparency and high flexibility. This article on choosing an open source software further elaborates on the advantages over a proprietary solution.
Host your own on-premises edition
Jira has officially ended support for Jira Software Server as of February 2024 and is gradually phasing out its Data Center offerings, signaling a full shift toward cloud-based solutions. Atlassian strongly encourages users to migrate to Jira Cloud, leaving limited options for those who prefer self-hosted deployments. OpenProject, in contrast, continues to provide full flexibility, offering both cloud-based and on-premises editions, ensuring organizations can choose the deployment model that best fits their security, compliance, and operational needs. Read this article on how to break free from Jira’s vendor lock-in.
No compromises in data protection
If you decide to go with the cloud edition, you can be sure that your data is secure. OpenProject has its headquarters in the EU, is GDPR compliant by default and stores all of the data in the EU. When using Jira you have to proactively request using that option.
Everything from a single source
While Jira offers a lot of features, many functionalities are only available through integrating external plugins. These external plugins may need to be purchased. OpenProject even offers a free of charge Community edition with the core functionalities.
Successful companies trust OpenProject
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Try OpenProject for free
You can test the OpenProject Enterprise cloud 14 days for free, or you can get a 14 days free trial license key to upgrade your self-hosted Community edition to the Enterprise on-premises – risk-free without cancellation.