Redmine
A free, open-source project management and issue tracking web application with multiple projects, Gantt charts, wiki, time tracking and role-based access, built on Ruby on Rails.
- Free plan
- Independent sources
- Verified 23 Oct 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 5 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Redmine?
Redmine is a free, open-source project management and issue tracking web application written in Ruby on Rails and released under the GNU General Public License v2. It supports multiple projects, role-based access control, issue tracking, Gantt charts and calendars, per-project wikis and forums, time tracking, custom fields and source control integration. There are no licence fees or user limits, but you must host and maintain it yourself or pay a hosting provider.
- Best forTechnical teams that want free, self-hosted project and issue tracking
- Team size fitSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises
- PricingFree and open source (GPL v2) with no user limits. Self-hosting costs your server and admin time; managed Redmine hosting is reported from about $25 to $50 per month. Free plan available.
- Main limitationReviewers consistently describe the interface as dated and basic.
- AlternativesOpenProject, Jira, Plane, ClickUp, Wrike
Redmine overview: who it is for and what it does.
Redmine is one of the longest-lived open-source project management tools, popular with software teams, IT departments, universities and agencies that want control over their data and no per-seat fees. A single installation runs many projects, each with its own issue tracker, wiki, forum, documents, files and repository browser, governed by flexible roles and permissions. Core features listed by Debian and Redmine's own descriptions include a flexible issue tracking system, Gantt chart and calendar, news, documents and files management, feeds and email notifications, time tracking, custom fields for issues, time entries, projects and users, and issue creation by email.
Redmine integrates with source control systems including Subversion, CVS, Git, Mercurial and Bazaar, supports multiple LDAP authentication sources, user self-registration, many languages and multiple databases, and offers a REST API. Its ecosystem of plugins and themes extends it, and reviewers report building IT change management, ticketing and true Kanban and Scrum boards with agile plugins. Because it is open source, teams can write their own plugins to enforce business rules that closed SaaS tools do not allow.
The licence is free but the product is not zero-cost. Redmine needs a Rails environment, a web server such as Apache or Nginx and a database such as MySQL or PostgreSQL, plus ongoing patching and backups, and Docker images simplify installation. Managed Redmine hosting is reported from about $25 to $50 per month, and one reviewer reports hosting a large instance on a VPS for about $22 per month after paying a contractor three hours of setup. Reviewers consistently criticise the dated interface, the absence of built-in agile boards and the lack of an official mobile app, so Redmine suits technically capable teams that value ownership and flexibility over polish.
Main problem it solves
Gives teams a free, extensible project and issue tracking system they fully control, avoiding per-user licence fees and vendor lock-in.
Typical customer segment
Software teams, IT departments, universities and organisations with technical staff that want self-hosted, open-source project management.
Target users
- Software development teams tracking bugs and features
- IT departments running internal ticketing and change management
- Agencies and consultancies tracking time and projects for clients
- Organisations that require self-hosted, auditable tools
Primary use cases
- Issue and bug tracking
- Multi-project management with role-based access
- Gantt scheduling and calendars
- Time tracking and reporting
- Project wikis, forums and documents
- Source control integration
What makes it distinct
- Completely free with no user limits or feature restrictions
- Per-project wiki, forum, issue tracker and repository in one instance
- Large plugin and theme ecosystem for agile boards and reporting
- Proven GPL v2 open-source codebase with SCM integration
Redmine features explained.
Projects and issue tracking
- Multiple projects with role-based access
- One installation supports multiple projects, each with its own members and roles, with flexible permissions and visibility controls.
- Flexible issue tracking
- Issues have custom statuses, priorities, categories, trackers and workflows, and can be created by email.
- Custom fields
- Custom fields are available for issues, time entries, projects and users.
- Gantt chart and calendar
- A Gantt chart and calendar visualise schedules, milestones and deadlines.
Collaboration and tracking
- Time tracking and reports
- Teams log time against issues and generate time reports by project, user, activity or date range.
- Per-project wiki and forums
- Each project has its own wiki, with versioning and cross-references, and forums for discussion.
- News, documents and files
- News, documents and files management and email notifications and feeds keep teams informed.
- Source control integration
- Repository browsing integrates with Subversion, CVS, Git, Mercurial and Bazaar.
Administration and extensibility
- LDAP authentication and self-registration
- Multiple LDAP authentication sources and optional user self-registration are supported.
- Plugins and themes
- A large plugin ecosystem adds agile boards, better reporting and UI themes, and organisations can write their own plugins.
- REST API
- A REST API supports integration with other software, according to reviewers.
- Multilingual and cross-database
- The interface is multilingual and the application runs on multiple databases and operating systems.
Redmine pricing and plans.
Figures reported consistently by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 23 Oct 2026 against Fitgap · MakerStack · Debian.
Pricing model
Free open-source software under the GNU GPL v2 with no licence fees or user limits; costs come from hosting, setup and maintenance, or from paid managed hosting providers.
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
No
Redmine plans and prices (USD)
Self-hosted (open source)
$0 licence cost
Not applicable
Download and run on your own server; no subscription or per-user fees; community support; you manage updates, backups and security.
Managed hosting (third party)
Reported from about $25 to $50 per month
Monthly
Offered by hosting providers such as Planio; prices and features vary by provider and are not set by Redmine.
Redmine itself is free; all other costs are third-party. Self-hosting needs a server, a Rails environment, a web server and a database, plus someone to patch and back it up, with one reviewer paying a contractor three hours for setup and about $22 per month for hosting. Managed hosting prices are from a 2026 independent review and vary by provider. There is no official vendor pricing page because Redmine is community-maintained.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesRedmine integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Subversion, CVS, Git, Mercurial and Bazaar
- LDAP authentication
- Email issue creation and notifications
- REST API
- Plugin ecosystem (agile boards, reporting)
Supported platforms
- Web
- Self-hosted (Ruby on Rails, Docker images available)
API
A REST API is available according to reviewers; there is no vendor-hosted marketplace beyond community plugins.
Data import and export
Import and export options depend on plugins and core features and were not separately reviewed.
There is no official mobile app according to independent reviews. Individual integrations and plugins were not tested.
Balanced and sourced.
Each point cites a source. Editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
- It is completely free with no user limits or feature restrictions. [3]
- A single instance supports multiple projects, each with its own wiki, forum, issue tracker and repository. [1]
- Self-hosting gives full control over data, which suits strict governance and limited-connectivity environments. [2]
- Plugins add true Kanban and Scrum boards, and reviewers report building ticketing and change management on it. [4]
- It integrates with Subversion, CVS, Git, Mercurial and Bazaar and supports LDAP authentication. [1]
Limitations
- Reviewers consistently describe the interface as dated and basic. [4]
- Setup and maintenance require Ruby on Rails, web server and database skills. [2]
- Native agile support is weak, and Kanban and Scrum need paid or community plugins. [3]
- There is no official mobile app. [3]
- The real cost is hosting, plugins and maintenance, which can exceed expectations for a free tool. [5]
Best for
- Technical teams that want free, self-hosted project and issue tracking
- Organisations with data-governance or air-gapped requirements
- Agencies that need time tracking and per-project wikis without per-seat fees
May be less suited to
- Teams that expect a modern interface and mobile-first workflows
- Teams without IT staff to host and maintain the application
Alternatives to Redmine.
OpenProject
Open-source project management software for classic, agile and hybrid teams, with Gantt charts, boards…
Explore →Related productJira
Atlassian's issue and project tracking tool for software and business teams, with a free plan for 10 users…
Explore →Related productPlane
An open-source project management tool that combines work items, cycles, modules, wiki and intake in one…
Explore →Related productClickUp
An all-in-one work management platform with unlimited members on its free plan, per-member paid plans and an…
Explore →Related productWrike
A work management platform with a free plan, Team at $10 and Business at $25 per user, and custom Pinnacle…
Explore →Redmine compared with similar project management software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Free plan | Views | Automation | AI features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmine | Free open source; hosting costs only | Yes (open source, no user limits) | Issue lists, Gantt, calendar; Kanban via plugins | Workflows and email rules; plugins for more | None documented |
| Airtable | Per editor per month; viewers and form submitters free | Yes (reported up to 5 editors) | Grid, kanban, calendar, gallery; Gantt and timeline from Team (reported) | Automations with monthly run allowances by plan | AI credits per editor, AI agents and app building |
| Asana | Per user per month by plan | Yes (Personal) | Multiple views; timeline from Starter | Rules; allowances scale by plan | Asana AI with credits by tier (reported) |
| Basecamp | Per user (Plus) or flat monthly rate (Pro Unlimited) | Free personal tier, one project | To-dos, schedule and Hill Charts; no Gantt | Automatic check-ins; limited automation | None documented |
| ClickUp | Per member per month by plan; AI add-on extra | Yes (Free Forever) | Many views; some capped by uses on lower plans | Automations with plan limits | ClickUp Brain add-on (separate cost) |
| Hive | Per user by plan; paid Hive Apps add-ons | Yes (reported limit of 10 members) | Tasks, Gantt and calendar views | Workflows on Teams; automations as add-on | AI Assistant; Buzz AI add-on |
Redmine head-to-head.
No published comparisons yet.
Join the discussion.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
Redmine questions and answers
What is Redmine?
Redmine is a free, open-source project management and issue tracking web application built on Ruby on Rails. It offers multiple projects, Gantt charts, a wiki, forums, time tracking, custom fields and source control integration.
Is Redmine free?
Yes. Redmine is released under the GNU General Public License v2 with no licence fee, no user limits and no feature restrictions. You pay only for hosting and maintenance, or for a managed hosting provider.
How much does Redmine hosting cost?
Self-hosting costs depend on your server, and one reviewer reports about $22 per month for hosting a large instance. A 2026 review reports managed Redmine hosting from about $25 to $50 per month.
Does Redmine support agile and Kanban?
Not well out of the box. Base Redmine has limited agile support, and plugins such as Redmine Agile add Kanban boards, sprint planning and story points.
What does Redmine need to run?
Redmine needs a Ruby on Rails environment, a web server such as Apache or Nginx and a database such as MySQL or PostgreSQL. Docker images simplify installation.
Does Redmine have a mobile app?
No official mobile app exists, according to an independent 2026 review, though the web interface can be used on mobile browsers.
Does Redmine have time tracking?
Yes. Redmine includes time tracking against issues with reports by project, user, activity or date range.
What are alternatives to Redmine?
Common alternatives include OpenProject, Jira, Plane, ClickUp and Wrike. OpenProject and Plane are the closest open-source options.
What integrations does Redmine support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Subversion, CVS, Git, Mercurial and Bazaar, LDAP authentication, Email issue creation and notifications, REST API, Plugin ecosystem (agile boards, reporting). API details: A REST API is available according to reviewers; there is no vendor-hosted marketplace beyond community plugins.
What are the limitations of Redmine?
Reviewers consistently describe the interface as dated and basic. Setup and maintenance require Ruby on Rails, web server and database skills. Native agile support is weak, and Kanban and Scrum need paid or community plugins.
Which platforms does Redmine run on?
Redmine is documented as available on: Web, Self-hosted (Ruby on Rails, Docker images available).
When was the Redmine profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 23 Oct 2026. 5 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Redmine package information and licence Debian Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Redmine pricing, pros and cons Fitgap Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Redmine review (2026): pricing, features and honest verdict MakerStack Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Redmine reviews 2026 Capterra Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Best Redmine alternatives in 2026 for open-source and self-hosted teams Breeze Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are corroborated across independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Redmine is community-maintained and has no vendor pricing page, so this profile relies on independent sources for features, licence terms and costs. The GPL v2 licence and feature list come from Debian packaging data and third-party summaries; hosting costs are reported by reviewers and vary by provider. Product behaviour was not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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