The Kanboard Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Kanboard in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Kanboard
The Insider’s Guide
Free, self-hosted kanban board software under the MIT License
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among project management tools, read from Kanboard’s own pages.
Made by Frédéric Guillot and contributors · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Kanboard’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Kanboard’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 42 of the 79 other project management tools we grade
Kanboard is an open-source kanban project management application that you install on your own server. Tasks move across columns that can carry work-in-progress limits, and each task can be split into subtasks with time estimates. The project is in maintenance mode: its main developer publishes small fixes and community contributions rather than major new features.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Kanboard, taken from its own pages and our grades.
There's no hosted version to fall back on.
- 1
Best for a kanban board on your own server
You set it up and look after it yourself, with PHP, a web server and a database.
- 2
It is free
Kanboard has no paid plan at all. Free and open source under the MIT License. The software is downloaded and run on your own server; the site lists no hosted version and no paid plan, and asks companies that use it for donations.
- 3
It runs on Web
Web.
- 4
Kanban board with WIP limits
Tasks are dragged between columns that can be added, renamed or removed at any time. A column that goes over its task limit is highlighted.
- 5
Tasks and subtasks
Tasks are described in Markdown and carry comments, attachments, a category, a color, an assignee and a due date. Subtasks hold time or complexity estimates.
- 6
Search and filters
A query language finds tasks by assignee, description, category or due date, and custom filters can be applied to the board.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 42 of 79
That is against the other project management tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Kanboard is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Kanboard at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Frédéric Guillot and contributors, since 2014
- Category
- Project Management
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a kanban board on your own server
Kanboard is a free, open-source kanban board you install on your own server, with columns, work-in-progress limits, subtasks, time tracking and a few charts. You set it up and look after it yourself, with PHP, a web server and a database. The project is in maintenance mode, there's no official mobile app, and Gantt charts, a calendar and connections come from plugins nobody reviews.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the MIT License, where the cheapest quarter of this category starts at $5.10 a user a month. There's no paid plan at all, just a request that companies using it donate. The bill is a server and your own time. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright: the complete application, nothing held back, no seats counted. There's no hosted version to be upsold from, so free here means download it and run it on your own Linux, FreeBSD or Windows server. |
| Features | C | The board has columns with WIP limits, Markdown tasks, subtasks with time estimates, a query language for search, automatic actions, a subtask timer and per-project cumulative flow and burndown charts. But that's a deliberately small job, Gantt and calendar need plugins, and the project is in maintenance mode. |
| Ease of use | D | You host it yourself: PHP 8.1 or later, a web server and a database, then the upkeep. There's no hosted version to fall back on. Fine if you already run servers, a wall if you don't. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | A web app on your own server and nothing else. There's no official mobile app, and the docs admit the board isn't practical on small screens. There's an API, but Slack, GitHub and the rest arrive as separately installed plugins the project doesn't review. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Kanboard is for
- Fits if you want a kanban board on a server you control and can maintain it
- Works for organizations that sign in through LDAP, Active Directory or OAuth2
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you don't want to run a server, as there's no hosted version and it needs PHP 8.1, a web server and a database
- Not for you if you want new features, because the project is in maintenance mode with only small fixes
- Too light for anyone working from a phone, since there's no official mobile app and the board isn't practical on small screens
- Watch out: Gantt charts, a calendar and Slack or GitHub links come from plugins the project doesn't review
Good to know
Good for
- Teams that want a kanban board on a server they control
- Organizations that sign in through LDAP, Active Directory or OAuth2
- People who prefer a deliberately small feature set
Worth knowing
- There is no hosted version: you install and maintain it yourself, which needs PHP 8.1 or later, a web server and a database.
- The project is in maintenance mode; the main developer makes only small fixes, and releases depend on community contributions.
- There is no official mobile app. The web interface is responsive, but the docs say the board is not practical on small screens.
- Gantt charts, a calendar and Slack or GitHub connections come from separately installed plugins, which the project does not review.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Kanboard is free to use.
There's no paid plan at all, just a request that companies using it donate.
Kanboard
$0
The complete application, installed on your own Linux, FreeBSD or Windows server with SQLite, MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL.
The free plan
Free and open source under the MIT License. The software is downloaded and run on your own server; the site lists no hosted version and no paid plan, and asks companies that use it for donations.
Read from kanboard.org on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Free, self-hosted kanban board software under the MIT License. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable, public API, kanban boards, workflow automation, time tracking, reports.
But that's a deliberately small job, Gantt and calendar need plugins, and the project is in maintenance mode.
- Kanban board with WIP limits
- Tasks are dragged between columns that can be added, renamed or removed at any time. A column that goes over its task limit is highlighted.
- Tasks and subtasks
- Tasks are described in Markdown and carry comments, attachments, a category, a color, an assignee and a due date. Subtasks hold time or complexity estimates.
- Search and filters
- A query language finds tasks by assignee, description, category or due date, and custom filters can be applied to the board.
- Automatic actions
- Per-project rules react to events such as a task moving to a column, then close the task or change its assignee, color or category.
- Time tracking
- Tasks and subtasks record estimated and spent hours. A subtask timer logs the time between status changes and adds it to the task's total.
- Project analytics
- Each project has a cumulative flow diagram, a burndown chart based on story points, and reports on average lead and cycle time.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- Slack
- Mattermost
- Telegram
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Bitbucket
- Matrix
- Amazon S3
Kanboard is made by Frédéric Guillot and contributors, and has been around since 2014.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
42/79
Other project management tools it is graded above
Kanboard's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 42 of the 79 other project management tools we grade, and level with 11.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 71 of 79) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Kanboard has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 80 project management tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Kanboard’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 68 of 79
- AFree plan and trialAbove 71 of 79
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 79
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 79
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 1 of 79
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 78 project management tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Kanboard is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Kanboard is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could make
- Kanban boards, time tracking and reports: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Connections to other products, each kept working as those products change.
What this rests on. Kanboard’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
WeKan, PLANKA, Kan, Trello and Taiga
The 5 tools Kanboard is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.2GPA
WeKan
Free plan · from €50/yr
Open-source kanban boards with swimlanes, self-hosted or hosted.
- Only WeKan lists Windows and Android apps.
- Kanboard also covers time tracking and reports.
- WeKan also covers Gantt & timelines.
- 2.4GPA
PLANKA
Free plan · from €7.20/mo
Self-hosted kanban boards with a free Community edition.
- Kanboard is open source, according to its own site.
- Kanboard also covers workflow automation and reports.
- PLANKA also covers templates.
- 2.4GPA
Kan
Free plan · from $8/mo
Open-source kanban boards, built as an alternative to Trello.
- Kanboard also covers workflow automation, time tracking and reports.
- Kan also covers templates and tasks.
- 2.8GPA
Trello
Free plan · from $5/mo
Kanban boards with an inbox, planner and built-in automation.
- Only Trello lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Kanboard is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Kanboard also covers time tracking and reports.
- 2.8GPA
Taiga
Free plan · from €5/mo
Open-source agile project management with Scrum and Kanban.
- Kanboard also covers workflow automation, time tracking and reports.
- Taiga also covers wiki and issue tracking.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Kanboard free?
Yes. Kanboard is free to use.
How much does Kanboard cost?
Kanboard lists one plan. Kanboard: $0.
What platforms does Kanboard work on?
Kanboard is available on Web.
Does Kanboard have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Kanboard is listed for Web.
Does Kanboard have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Kanboard is listed for Web.
Is Kanboard open source?
Yes. Kanboard is open source, according to its own site.
Does Kanboard have an API?
Yes. Kanboard offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does Kanboard integrate with?
Kanboard's listing names Slack, Mattermost, Telegram, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Matrix and Amazon S3.
Who makes Kanboard?
Kanboard is made by Frédéric Guillot and contributors. It dates from 2014.
What are the alternatives to Kanboard?
The closest alternatives to Kanboard in our directory are WeKan, PLANKA, Kan, Trello and Taiga.
How does Kanboard compare with other project management tools?
Kanboard's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 42 of the 79 other project management tools we grade, and level with 11.
Is Kanboard good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Kanboard A for value for money. Kanboard has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Kanboard?
Kanboard is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Kanboard’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Kanboard's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-02-10.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Frédéric Guillot and contributors. Prices change, so check kanboard.org before you buy.
- kanboard.org/
- kanboard.org/releases.html
- kanboard.org/plugins.html
- kanboard.org/donations.html
- docs.kanboard.org/
- docs.kanboard.org/v1/admin/requirements/
- docs.kanboard.org/v1/admin/faq/
- docs.kanboard.org/v1/user/boards/
- docs.kanboard.org/v1/user/automatic_actions/
- docs.kanboard.org/v1/user/time_tracking/
- docs.kanboard.org/v1/user/analytics/
- docs.kanboard.org/v1/api/
- github.com/kanboard/kanboard
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Kanboard, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/kanboard
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Kanboard: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/kanboard
Know someone choosing between project management tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/kanboard/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded project management tools after Kanboard, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Project Management Insider's GuideEvery one of the 80 project management tools we grade, compared
- GitHub Issues Insider's GuideIssue tracking and project planning built into GitHub3.4 GPA
- Freedcamp Insider's GuideProject management suite with a free plan for unlimited users3.2 GPA
- Huly Insider's GuideOpen-source project management with chat, docs and video calls3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Kanboard’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Kanboard is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Frédéric Guillot and contributors. Prices and plans change: check kanboard.org before you buy.