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Top 7 Open Source Linear Alternatives for Developers

Project Management Software
linear alternative agile project management sprintkit developer tools software development open source plane focalboard self-hosted tools
Looking for a Linear alternative you can host yourself? This guide covers 7 open-source tools that give you developer control, speed, and flexibility.

Introduction

Linear is fast, sleek, and a favorite among startups — but it’s closed-source and SaaS-only.

For developers who prefer open-source control, self-hosting, or full customization, there are now several promising Linear-style tools worth exploring.

In this guide, we’ll highlight 7 of the best open-source Linear alternatives that offer similar speed and structure — but give you the freedom to customize your stack, data, and workflow your way.

1. Plane — The Modern Open-Source Linear Alternative

Plane is the most direct open-source alternative to Linear, and it’s quickly gaining traction among developer-led teams.

Why Developers Love It

  • Clean, Linear-inspired interface
  • GitHub-style issue tracking
  • Fully open-source and self-hostable
  • Flexible workflow setup

Best For: DevOps teams or privacy-conscious startups that want full control over their infrastructure.

Plane feels lightweight but is powerful enough for scaling Agile teams.

👉 Also mentioned in 10 Project Management Tools Developers Actually Like Using.

2. Focalboard — Mattermost’s Take on Kanban

Focalboard is an open-source project management solution from the makers of Mattermost.

Why Developers Like It

  • Kanban-style simplicity
  • Integrates seamlessly with Mattermost chat
  • Perfect for private, self-hosted deployments

Best For: Internal dev teams already using Mattermost or running on private cloud setups.

3. Taiga — Beautiful, Open-Source Agile Management

Taiga has been around for years and offers a polished, community-driven approach to Agile project management.

Key Highlights

  • Scrum and Kanban boards
  • Backlog and sprint planning
  • Open API and integrations

Best For: Teams that want an all-in-one Agile experience with full transparency and customization.

4. OpenProject — Enterprise-Grade and Self-Hosted

OpenProject is one of the most mature open-source project management systems available.

Why It Stands Out

  • Strong Gantt, timeline, and Agile support
  • Enterprise-ready, self-hosted architecture
  • Role-based permissions

Best For: Larger organizations or government teams that need on-premise compliance.

It’s not as minimal as Linear or SprintKit, but it’s a great choice for enterprise environments where data control matters.

5. Redmine — The Classic Open-Source Tracker

Redmine might not look modern, but it’s reliable and battle-tested.

Why Developers Still Use It

  • Proven track record for over a decade
  • Plugin ecosystem with 100+ community add-ons
  • Robust issue tracking and project visibility

Best For: Developers who value functionality and stability over visuals.

6. Restyaboard — A Self-Hosted Trello Alternative

Restyaboard combines Trello’s simplicity with local hosting options.

Why It’s Worth a Look

  • Fast and intuitive Kanban interface
  • Offline sync support
  • Import from Trello, Asana, or CSV

Best For: Small developer teams that want a private, Trello-like experience with open-source flexibility.

7. Tuleap — End-to-End Open-Source ALM

Tuleap is more than just a Linear alternative — it’s a full Application Lifecycle Management platform.

Why Developers Choose Tuleap

  • Integrated Agile + DevOps features
  • Code review, documentation, and testing built in
  • 100% open-source and extensible

Best For: DevOps teams or enterprises looking for a full-stack Agile + CI/CD platform.

Choosing the Right Open-Source Linear Alternative

If you’re looking for:

  • Speed and simplicity: Choose Plane or Focalboard
  • Flexibility and control: Try Taiga or OpenProject
  • Lightweight dev focus: Restyaboard or Redmine work great
  • Full ALM and CI/CD integration: Go for Tuleap

And if you want something as fast as Linear but with more customization — check out SprintKit.

It’s not open-source, but it offers developer-first speed, GitHub integration, and workflow flexibility that feels open by design.

Why SprintKit Fits Into the Same Conversation

Even though SprintKit isn’t open-source, it’s worth mentioning here because it:

  • Feels as fast as Linear
  • Offers flexibility similar to open-source tools
  • Integrates deeply with dev ecosystems
  • Supports self-hosting options (coming soon)

For teams that want the performance of SaaS with the flexibility of open source, SprintKit hits that balance.

Learn more in 13 Best Linear Alternatives for Software Teams.

Conclusion

Open-source Linear alternatives give developers control, flexibility, and transparency that SaaS tools can’t match.

Whether you want to self-host or just prefer customizable workflows, the modern open-source landscape is full of strong options.

And for those who want the best of both worlds — the speed of Linear and the flexibility of open source — SprintKit is the perfect middle ground.

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