Kanboard
What it is
Kanboard is free, open-source Kanban project management software for self-hosted use. Its visual boards place tasks in columns that users can add, rename, remove, and reorder by dragging tasks. Work-in-progress limits highlight a column when its limit is exceeded. Tasks support subtasks, time or complexity estimates, Markdown descriptions, comments, documents, colors, categories, assignees, and due dates. A query language searches and filters tasks by assignee, description, category, or due date. Automatic actions can change assignees, colors, or categories after events. Kanboard connects with LDAP, Active Directory, and OAuth2 providers including Google, GitHub, and GitLab. Its API documentation covers authentication and procedures for projects, tasks, users, boards, comments, and other entities. Installation requires a web server with PHP, and the archive stores its SQLite database and files in a data folder. Extensions add features, but compatibility must be checked by users.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Self-hosted web and Linux deployment
- Work-in-progress limits
- Task search and filtering language
- LDAP, Active Directory, and OAuth2 support
Against
- Requires a web server with PHP
- Self-hosted installation responsibility
- Plugin compatibility must be validated by users
- No free trial is listed
The verdict
Kanboard offers a free, self-hosted workspace centered on visual boards and detailed task records. Its automation, authentication options, and documented API support structured project management, while installation and extension compatibility require user administration.
Who it suits
Kanboard suits teams wanting free, open-source Kanban software they can host themselves. It fits users who need configurable boards, task automation, APIs, and directory or OAuth2 authentication.
Plans and prices
Kanboard
Free and open source · MIT License · self-hosted
Read 7 Oct 2026 · kanboard.org
On the record
- API
- The documentation includes an API reference with authentication and procedures for projects, tasks, users, boards, comments, and other entities.docs.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- Kanboard can connect to LDAP or Active Directory and use OAuth2 providers including Google, GitHub, and GitLab.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Automation
- Automatic actions can change assignees, colors, and categories based on events.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Automation rules
- Yeskanboard.org · read 23 Sep 2026
- Brute-force protection
- After three failed login attempts for a username, Kanboard displays a CAPTCHA; after six failures, it locks the account for 15 minutes.docs.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Extensions can add features, but the plugin directory says it has no approval process or code review and users must validate compatibility themselves.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Installation instructions require a web server with PHP and document that the archive stores its SQLite database, debug file, uploaded files, and thumbnails in the data folder.docs.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Guest access
- Yeskanboard.org · read 23 Sep 2026
- Product
- Kanboard is free and open source Kanban project management software.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Recent release
- The releases page lists Kanboard 1.2.54 dated 2026-08-28.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Search
- Its query language supports searching and filtering tasks by assignee, description, category, and due date.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The security guide advises restricting access with a firewall or VPN or a properly configured reverse proxy, and preventing public access to the data directory.docs.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The documentation links to a Discourse forum and GitHub Discussions for the project.docs.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Task management
- Tasks support subtasks, time or complexity estimates, Markdown descriptions, comments, documents, colors, categories, assignees, and due dates.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Time tracking
- Yeskanboard.org · read 23 Sep 2026
- Work in progress
- Users can set work-in-progress limits, and a column is highlighted when its limit is exceeded.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Work visualization
- Kanboard uses visual boards where tasks can be dragged between columns, which can be added, renamed, or removed.kanboard.org · read 7 Oct 2026
