Alternatives / Smartsheet
Looking for an open source Smartsheet alternative? We compared 8 open source project management and database tools by license, views, self-hosting, and maintenance. Baserow is closest in spreadsheet style, while OpenProject, Plane, and Redmine cover structured project management.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Baserow | No-code database with spreadsheet views | MIT core |
| Plane | Issues, wikis, and AI agents | AGPL-3.0 |
| OpenProject | Gantt, agile boards, and time tracking | GPL-3.0 |
| Leantime | Strategy-first project management | AGPL-3.0 core |
| Redmine | Configurable issue tracking with plugins | GPL-2.0 |
| Worklenz | Agency project and resource management | AGPL-3.0 core |
| Taiga | Kanban and Scrum for agile teams | MPL-2.0 |
| Busabase | AI-proposed changes with human review (young) | MIT |
We looked for open-source tools that organize projects in grid, board, and Gantt views like Smartsheet. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its repository, and flag open-core products. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Baserow is a no-code database with spreadsheet-style views, forms, automations, and an AI assistant, and OpenProject offers Gantt charts, agile boards, and time tracking with audit trails. Plane combines issues, wikis, and AI agents for software teams.
Leantime is a strategy-first project tool designed for neurodivergent users, Redmine is a long-established issue tracker with a plugin ecosystem, and Taiga supports Kanban and Scrum. Worklenz targets agencies with resource overview and time tracking.
Busabase is a young MIT database where AI agents propose changes for human review. It runs locally on desktop and is a narrow use case rather than a Smartsheet replacement.
Baserow's core is MIT with premium features under a separate license, and Leantime's core is AGPL-3.0 with paid plans. Worklenz's core is AGPL-3.0 with commercial editions, and OpenProject's Community edition is free while Enterprise adds features.
Baserow core and Busabase are MIT. Plane, Leantime, and Worklenz are AGPL-3.0. OpenProject is GPL-3.0, Redmine is GPL-2.0, and Taiga is MPL-2.0 with AGPL components.
All except Taiga had commits within days of this update. Taiga's last commit was in September 2026 and its repository has fewer than 1,000 stars.
Smartsheet is a proprietary subscription service priced per user, with data stored on its servers and many enterprise features on higher plans. Open-source tools remove per-seat pricing and keep data on your infrastructure, but advanced reporting and resource features are often in paid editions.
AGPL-3.0 project platform with issues, projects, cycles, initiatives, documentation, dashboards, intake, AI-assisted automation, APIs, and MCP. Supports cloud, self-hosted, Kubernetes, and air-gapped deployments.
Pricing: Open-source self-hosted edition and paid cloud options.
GPL-3.0 project management platform with Kanban, Scrum, Gantt charts, dependencies, time and cost tracking, team planning, meetings, roadmaps, portfolios, wiki, and self-hosting. Enterprise functionality is also available commercially.
Pricing: Open-source self-hosted Community edition and commercial Enterprise edition.
AGPL-3.0-core project management platform connecting goals and strategy to tasks, roadmaps, timelines, Kanban, time tracking, Pomodoro, personal planning, and AI assistance. Commercial functionality exists around the open-source core.
Pricing: Self-hosted open-source core and commercial features.
MIT-core open-core database and application platform with tables, linked records, formulas, filters, forms, Kanban, calendars, timelines, dashboards, automations, REST API, application building, cloud, and self-hosting.
Pricing: MIT core with hosted cloud and separately available commercial features.
GPL-2.0 project management system with issue tracking, multiple projects, roles and permissions, time tracking, Gantt charts, calendars, SCM integrations, wiki, custom fields, and a large plugin ecosystem. GitHub repository is a mirror.
Pricing: Free and open source self-hosted project; commercial hosting/support available from third parties.
AGPL-3.0-core project platform for agencies and service teams, combining tasks, Kanban, workload management, resource allocation, time tracking, reporting, collaboration, and client workflows. Enterprise functionality is maintained separately.
Pricing: Self-hosted open-source core with separate Enterprise functionality.
MPL-2.0 Agile platform with backlogs, sprints, epics, user stories, issues, WIP limits, swimlanes, burndown charts, permissions, reporting, and wikis. Current backend repository is taiga-back; current repository popularity is lower than historical project repositories.
Pricing: Open-source self-hosted platform and managed service options.
Busabase is an MIT database and workspace for AI agents, where agents propose changes that people review. It runs locally on desktop, with paid tiers that add seats, storage, and API access, and the project is young.
Pricing: Free open-source core; paid tiers add seats, storage, and API access.
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baserow | No-code database | MIT core + premium | Yes | Closest in style |
| Plane | Project management | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Software teams |
| OpenProject | Project management | GPL-3.0 | Yes | Structured projects |
| Leantime | Project management | AGPL-3.0 core | Yes | Small teams |
| Redmine | Issue tracker | GPL-2.0 | Yes | Long-term setups |
| Worklenz | Project management | AGPL-3.0 core + commercial | Yes | Agencies |
| Taiga | Agile tool | MPL-2.0 / AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Agile teams |
| Busabase | AI workspace | MIT | Local | Experimenting |
Want spreadsheet-like views over a database
Baserow offers spreadsheet-style views, forms, automations, and an AI assistant.
Want Gantt and time tracking
OpenProject provides Gantt charts, agile boards, time tracking, and audit trails.
Want modern issue tracking for software teams
Plane combines issues, wikis, and AI agents with self-hosted and air-gapped options.
Want agile boards
Taiga supports Kanban and Scrum between simple boards and enterprise tools.