Trac
What it is
Trac is free, open-source project software that combines a wiki with issue tracking for software development. Its web-based project management approach is minimal, aiming to support a team without imposing a heavy process. Trac provides interfaces to Subversion, Git, and other version-control systems. Wiki markup works in pages, ticket descriptions and comments, version-control log messages, milestone descriptions, and reports. The same markup can link bugs, tasks, changesets, files, and wiki pages. A chronological timeline shows current and past project events, while a roadmap lists upcoming milestones. Plugins are available among the project resources, and custom workflows and workflow automation are supported. Trac runs as a Python web application through WSGI and a web server such as Apache. Authentication can use web-server mechanisms including Basic and Digest authentication. The project homepage identifies Trac 1.6 as the latest stable release. It is listed for Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted deployment.
For and against
For
- Free open-source project software
- Links tickets, changesets, files, and wiki pages
- Interfaces with Subversion and Git
- Includes timelines and milestone roadmaps
- Supports custom workflows and plugins
Against
- Self-hosted deployment requires administration
- Editing permissions may depend on administrator policy
- Time tracking is not available
The verdict
Trac offers a focused, self-hosted workspace for tickets, documentation, and code-related project events. Its minimal approach and extensibility suit teams that prefer configuring their own software-project environment.
Who it suits
Trac suits software teams that want self-hosted issue tracking, wiki documentation, version-control links, timelines, and roadmaps. It is relevant for teams comfortable administering a Python web application.
Plans and prices
Trac
Open-source project software · self-hosted
Read 4 Oct 2026 · trac.edgewall.org
On the record
- API documentation
- The published API reference covers administration, database backends, tickets, wiki, timeline, permissions, web handling and version control modules.trac.readthedocs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cross-linking
- Wiki markup links bugs, tasks, changesets, files and wiki pages so related project information can be navigated together.fedoraproject.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The project site lists plugins among the resources for getting started with Trac.trac.edgewall.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Design approach
- The project describes Trac as a minimalistic tool intended to fit an established development process with little ceremony.fedoraproject.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- The user guide covers installation, upgrades, administration, backups, logging, permissions, wiki, tickets, reports, timeline, RSS and notifications; mailing lists are presented as a support channel.tracos.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Hosting model
- The Trac documentation describes deployment as a Python web application served through WSGI and a web server such as Apache.trac.edgewall.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Trac's homepage explicitly names Subversion and Git as version-control integrations.trac.edgewall.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Latest stable release
- Wikipedia lists Trac 1.6 as the stable release dated September 23, 2023.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- Trac is distributed under a modified BSD licence, identified in package metadata as BSD.trac.gateworks.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: basic bug model
- An Open Hub reviewer said Trac's bug tracking is less detailed than Bugzilla and lacks advanced relationships such as dependencies and duplicate-of links.openhub.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: dated experience
- G2 reviewers described the bug tracker or overall product as somewhat out of date.g2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Maintainers
- The Trac Team page names Jun Omae, Peter Suter and Ryan Ollos as developers currently working on Trac.trac.edgewall.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker founding history
- The Trac history page says Edgewall Software developers began writing the predecessor svntrac in August 2003.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Maker headquarters
- G2 lists Edgewall Software's headquarters location as Seattle, Washington.g2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Multiple repositories
- A Trac environment can work with multiple version-control repositories.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Permissions
- Trac includes fine-grained permissions for controlling access to project resources.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Plugin architecture
- Trac's component model lets components implement interfaces and expose or consume extension points.trac.readthedocs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Praise: extensibility
- Open Hub reviewers repeatedly praised the large plugin ecosystem, active community channels and ability to extend the core.openhub.net · read 15 Oct 2026
