At a Glance:
Leantime is an open-source project management system designed for non-project managers, combining strategy, planning, and execution with built-in accessibility for ADHD, dyslexia, and autism, offering self-hosted installation and an alternative to ClickUp, Monday, or Asana.
Overview:
Leantime is an open-source project management system built specifically for non-project managers, blending strategic planning with task execution in a single interface. It is designed with accessibility considerations for ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. The system supports task management through kanban boards, Gantt charts, and calendar views, alongside goal tracking, milestone management, and sprint planning. Leantime runs on PHP with MySQL and can be self-hosted via standard server deployment or Docker. It includes built-in collaboration tools such as wikis, retrospectives, and idea boards, and can be extended through a plugin system and JSON-RPC API.
Key Decision Points:
Target user focus: Designed explicitly for non-project managers with accessibility features for ADHD, dyslexia, and autism, rather than specialized project management professionals.
Deployment method: Supports self-hosted installation on LAMP/LEMP stacks or via an official Docker image, with a managed hosting option also available.
Extension model: Can be extended through custom plugins built using documented APIs, a JSON-RPC API for integrations, or by purchasing plugins from the marketplace.
Accessibility design: Built with specific consideration for neurodivergent users, which may influence interface design and workflow decisions.
Licensing structure: Core software is AGPLv3 licensed, with an exception allowing plugins in the
/app/Pluginsdirectory to use other licenses, including enterprise licenses.
Core Features:
Multi-format task management: Manage tasks using kanban boards, Gantt charts, table views, list views, and calendar views.
Unlimited subtasks and dependencies: Create unlimited task hierarchies with dependency tracking.
Goal and metrics tracking: Define and monitor goals alongside measurable metrics.
Strategic planning canvases: Includes Lean Canvas, Business Model Canvas, and SWOT Analysis canvas for strategic planning.
Time tracking and timesheets: Track time on tasks and generate timesheet reports.
Retrospectives and idea boards: Conduct sprint retrospectives and manage ideas through dedicated boards.
Plugin and API extensibility: Extend functionality via a documented plugin system and JSON-RPC API.
Use Cases:
Teams seeking an open-source alternative to ClickUp, Monday, or Asana for managing projects.
Organizations where team members with ADHD, dyslexia, or autism need accessible project management tools.
Self-hosted environments requiring project management with strategy tools like Lean Canvas and SWOT analysis.
Developers looking to extend project management capabilities through custom plugins or API integrations.
Open-Source Alternative Value:
Leantime provides a self-hosted open-source alternative to tools like ClickUp, Monday, and Asana, including all features in the open-source release without feature gating. Users can install and run the system on their own infrastructure using standard server setups or Docker, maintaining control over their data and deployment environment. The AGPLv3 license ensures source code availability, while the plugin architecture allows extension without modifying core software. An active community contributes translations in over 20 languages, and the plugin marketplace offers additional integration options.
