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PLANKA is the closest Trello-style replacement, while Vikunja is the strongest all-round choice for many small teams. Choose WeKan or Kanboard for a focused Kanban board, Plane for a broader project-management platform, and treat Focalboard as a legacy evaluation option because its standalone server has not had a release since October 2023.

None of these applications is a self-hosted edition of Trello. They are independent replacements that you install and operate on your own virtual private server (VPS), so the decision includes software features, licensing, migration, security, backups and ongoing maintenance.

For the VPS layer, you can install and maintain these applications yourself on an Antihost VPS, a self-managed Linux VPS with full root access, NVMe storage and 1 to 16 vCPUs. Antihost offers VPS regions in the USA East, the Netherlands and Ukraine and a 14-day free trial.

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Quick verdict

Application Best for What stands out Main caution
PLANKA Teams that want the most familiar Trello-like board interaction Cards, boards and a self-hosted Kanban experience; Community, Pro and Enterprise paths Community code uses a Fair Use license, so describe it as source-available or fair-code rather than conventional OSI-licensed open source
Vikunja Small teams needing tasks plus multiple planning views List, Kanban, Gantt and Table views; imports from Trello, Todoist and Microsoft To-Do; one deployable binary or container More planning surface than a pure board, so it may feel broader than Trello
WeKan Teams wanting an open-source, board-first Trello model MIT license, including commercial use; familiar Kanban structure Confirm current authentication, database and release details before deployment
Kanboard A small installation focused on essential Kanban workflow Minimal scope and a good fit when simplicity matters more than a broad suite Current release and resource figures are not established here; verify them for the version you select
Plane Organizations that have outgrown a simple board AGPLv3 Community plus Commercial and Airgapped self-hosted editions; Docker/Kubernetes deployment, importers, REST APIs and webhooks Edition boundaries and commercial licensing need review before organizational use
Focalboard Existing installations or short evaluations Kanban, table, gallery and calendar views, custom attributes, templates, comments and permissions A comparison published on 11 October 2026 reports no standalone release since October 2023 and advises against new projects

What “self-hosted Trello alternative” means

Trello does not provide a self-hosted edition that you can install on your own VPS. Self-hosting therefore means selecting a different application, running its server components yourself, and accepting responsibility for availability and data protection.

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The VPS normally runs the application behind HTTPS. You administer the operating system, DNS, TLS certificates, firewall, database, mail delivery, backups, updates and monitoring. The application may be free to download, but the complete service still has an operating cost: the VPS, storage, outbound email and your time maintaining it.

Self-hosting is valuable when you need control over where task data is stored, predictable access for a private team, integration with internal systems or an installation that is not tied to a vendor’s hosted plan. It is not automatically cheaper or easier than a hosted service. A neglected server can lose data or expose an otherwise well-designed application.

How to choose among the six options

Start with the team’s work model

  • Choose PLANKA when the board itself is the product: columns, cards and a familiar drag-and-drop workflow should require little explanation.
  • Choose Vikunja when a team moves between personal task lists, Kanban boards, timelines and tabular planning. Its four documented views let one task system serve several work styles.
  • Choose WeKan when open-source licensing and a straightforward Trello-like model are more important than an extensive project-management suite.
  • Choose Kanboard when you deliberately want a small, focused Kanban installation and are willing to verify current project details yourself.
  • Choose Plane when the requirement includes a broader project-management system, APIs, webhooks, native importers or Kubernetes-oriented operations.
  • Do not select Focalboard for a new production project unless you have a specific reason to accept its maintenance risk.

Check the migration path before creating accounts

Migration is often more important than a feature checklist. Vikunja explicitly lists imports from Trello, Todoist and Microsoft To-Do. Plane documents native importers, although the supported source list and edition limits should be checked in the version you deploy. The available material does not establish an equivalent importer for PLANKA, WeKan or Kanboard, so plan for a manual move or verify the current documentation before promising a one-click migration.

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Separate board fidelity from task-management depth

A close visual match is not the same as a complete replacement. PLANKA and WeKan are board-first choices. Vikunja adds lists, Gantt and table views. Plane goes further into project management and integration. Kanboard keeps the scope narrow. Focalboard offers several views but its release history makes long-term continuity the central question.

PLANKA: the closest Trello-style experience

PLANKA is the natural first candidate when users want cards, boards and a familiar Kanban interaction rather than a different project-management philosophy. Its repository describes a self-hosted Kanban product with a free Community edition and Pro and Enterprise options. A 2026 repository crawl recorded 12.6k GitHub stars, which indicates substantial public interest but does not by itself prove reliability, performance or support quality.

License and edition boundaries

PLANKA’s current model matters for businesses. The community code is distributed under a Fair Use license, with commercial licensing for paid editions. That makes “source-available” or “fair-code” a more accurate description than simply calling the project MIT-licensed or conventional open source. Before deploying it for a commercial organization, read the license for the exact edition and version, then identify which features require Pro or Enterprise.

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When PLANKA is the right choice

  • Your team already understands Trello’s board-and-card pattern.
  • You want to minimize training and process changes.
  • You prefer a dedicated Kanban application over timelines, tables and other planning modes.
  • You are comfortable reviewing Fair Use and commercial terms instead of requiring an OSI-approved license.

What to verify before production

The supplied material does not establish PLANKA’s current database matrix, authentication providers, import tooling or resource floor. Verify those items in the release documentation you intend to run. Test a representative board with attachments, comments, labels and concurrent users rather than assuming that visual similarity guarantees migration or performance parity.

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Vikunja: the strongest general-purpose option for many small teams

Vikunja is the best default when “Trello alternative” means a self-hosted task system rather than a pixel-for-pixel board clone. Its official feature page lists List, Kanban, Gantt and Table views, allowing a team to switch from a simple backlog to timeline or tabular planning without moving data to another product.

Deployment flexibility

Vikunja’s frontend and API are bundled into one deployable binary or one Docker container. Official installation paths include a binary, source, Docker, Debian/Ubuntu, RPM, Arch, Alpine, FreeBSD, Kubernetes and Ansible. That breadth lets a small VPS use a simple package while an operations team standardizes on containers or orchestration.

The application supports SQLite, PostgreSQL and MySQL/MariaDB configurations. SQLite can simplify a small installation, while a separate PostgreSQL or MySQL/MariaDB service may fit an existing backup and monitoring regime. Select the database according to your recovery plan and operational familiarity, not only initial setup speed.

Migration and planning features

Vikunja documents imports from Trello, Todoist and Microsoft To-Do. Confirm what each importer preserves—such as labels, due dates, members, comments, checklists and attachments—before scheduling a cutover. Export a source backup first, run a trial import into a separate instance, and compare a sample of complex cards with the originals.

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Who should choose it

  • Small teams that need both personal task lists and shared boards.
  • Teams that may adopt Gantt or table planning later.
  • Administrators who want several supported installation methods.
  • Organizations that value a documented migration path from common task tools.

Vikunja is not necessarily the best choice if every user expects only a Trello-like board and nothing else. Its broader model can introduce more concepts than a board-only workflow requires.

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WeKan: an open-source, board-first replacement

WeKan is aimed at teams that want the Trello model while retaining an MIT-licensed project. The project’s FAQ states that the code is MIT licensed and free for commercial use. Its board-first focus makes it a sensible candidate when columns and cards are the central planning method and licensing simplicity is a requirement.

Why teams consider WeKan

  • The interaction model is close to a conventional Kanban board.
  • The MIT license permits commercial use without the Fair Use distinction used by PLANKA.
  • The scope is easier to explain to users who do not need a full project-management suite.

Checks before installation

Current authentication options, database support and release details should be confirmed from WeKan’s documentation for the version you plan to run. Do not infer present-day SSO, backup or upgrade behavior from an old tutorial. A board application still needs a tested restore procedure, administrator account recovery and a plan for file storage if users attach documents.

“You can not install Trello to your own servers.” — WeKan project FAQ, accessed 15 October 2026.

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That distinction explains why WeKan is a replacement rather than a self-hosted Trello package.

Kanboard: the minimal VPS choice

Kanboard is positioned in the 2 October 2026 Kaneo comparison as a minimal option for a small VPS. Its appeal is restraint: a focused Kanban workflow can be easier to operate than a platform with many project types, integrations and background services.

When minimal is an advantage

  • The team uses columns, cards and straightforward workflow states.
  • You want fewer moving parts on a modest server.
  • You prefer to add only the integrations you actually need.
  • You can accept that advanced planning views and migration conveniences may be limited.

Do not guess the operating envelope

The available evidence does not establish a current official release number or a reliable minimum CPU, memory or storage requirement for Kanboard. Avoid publishing a precise VPS size as if it were a guarantee. Install the exact release in a staging environment, measure normal and peak usage, and leave headroom for the operating system, backups, logs and upgrades.

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Plane: for teams that need more than a board

Plane is broader than a Trello clone. Its self-hosted documentation describes three editions: an AGPLv3 Community edition, a Commercial edition and an Airgapped edition. The Community edition is described as completely open source with no restrictions beyond the AGPL v3.0 license. Commercial organizations should still compare the terms and feature boundaries of the exact edition they intend to operate.

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Capabilities that change the decision

  • Docker and Kubernetes deployment paths support both single-server and platform-based operations.
  • Native importers can reduce migration work, subject to the supported source systems and edition.
  • REST APIs and webhooks make Plane a better fit for teams integrating project data with other services.
  • The self-hosted product page reported more than 48,000 GitHub stars in 2026. Stars are an interest signal, not a service-level agreement or a substitute for testing.

When Plane is excessive

If the requirement is simply “replace our shared Trello board,” Plane may introduce project concepts and operational complexity that the team will not use. Choose it when those broader capabilities are requirements, not because a larger feature list looks safer.

“The Community Edition is completely open-source, with no restrictions beyond those outlined in the AGPL v3.0 license.” — Plane documentation, accessed 15 October 2026.

Focalboard: capable views, but a serious maintenance warning

Focalboard’s official page still advertises unlimited boards, custom attributes, Kanban, table, gallery and calendar views, templates, comments, permissions and collaboration. Those features can make an existing installation useful for evaluation or for a team that already depends on it.

However, the comparison published by SSD Nodes on 11 October 2026 reports that the standalone server has not had a release since October 2023 and recommends against starting a new project on it. That does not erase the features in the application, but it changes the risk calculation: security fixes, compatibility work, documentation and upgrade support may lag behind newer alternatives.

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Appropriate use

  • Keep an existing deployment temporarily while planning a migration.
  • Evaluate it in an isolated environment when a specific legacy feature is required.
  • Do not make it the default foundation for a new team’s long-lived task system without a documented maintenance plan.

Comparison by the criteria that matter on a VPS

Criterion PLANKA Vikunja WeKan Kanboard Plane Focalboard
Board fidelity Closest Trello-style positioning Strong Kanban view, with broader task modes Board-first Trello-like model Focused Kanban workflow Project-management platform rather than a direct clone Kanban among several views
Planning views Kanban-focused in the supplied description List, Kanban, Gantt and Table Board-focused; current broader view set not stated Focused Kanban; broader set not stated Broader project-management capabilities Kanban, table, gallery and calendar
Import support Not stated; verify current documentation Trello, Todoist and Microsoft To-Do listed Not stated; verify current documentation Not stated; verify current documentation Native importers documented; verify sources and edition Not stated in the supplied material
License or edition model Fair Use Community; Pro and Enterprise commercial paths Confirm the license for the exact release MIT, including commercial use Confirm the license for the exact release AGPLv3 Community, Commercial and Airgapped editions Confirm the license and maintenance status for the exact release
Deployment information Self-hosted; current stack not established here Binary, source, Docker, multiple Linux packages, FreeBSD, Kubernetes and Ansible Verify current installation documentation Verify current installation documentation Docker and Kubernetes Standalone server maintenance is the concern
Database information Not stated; verify version documentation SQLite, PostgreSQL and MySQL/MariaDB Verify current documentation Verify current documentation Verify edition-specific requirements Verify current documentation
Maintenance signal Active repository interest; exact release cadence not stated Multiple documented installation paths; verify cadence for the selected release Verify current release activity Verify current release activity 48,000+ GitHub stars reported in 2026; verify cadence and support terms No standalone release reported since October 2023
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How to deploy any of these safely on a VPS

Software installation is only one part of a self-hosted service. Use this sequence regardless of the application.

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  1. Define the data you must preserve. List boards, cards, comments, attachments, user accounts, labels, due dates and audit information. This determines backup scope and migration tests.
  2. Choose the exact release and edition. Record the version, license, edition and installation method. Do not mix instructions written for a different release.
  3. Prepare the VPS. Apply operating-system updates, create a non-root administrative account, configure a firewall, set the correct time zone and restrict management access.
  4. Set DNS and HTTPS. Point a dedicated hostname to the server and terminate TLS with a maintained certificate. Do not expose an administrative interface over plain HTTP.
  5. Configure persistent storage. Keep application data, database data and uploaded files on volumes included in your backup plan. Confirm how the application stores attachments before choosing a snapshot-only strategy.
  6. Configure outbound email. Password resets, invitations and notifications depend on reliable SMTP or another supported mail service. Test delivery to several providers and monitor bounces.
  7. Create the first administrator and identity policy. Use a unique password, enable the strongest supported authentication controls and decide whether external identity or SSO is required before inviting users.
  8. Run a staging import. Use a copy of your source export, inspect representative simple and complex records, and document anything the importer does not preserve.
  9. Automate backups and test restoration. Keep encrypted, versioned copies away from the VPS. Restore to an isolated instance on a schedule and record the time and steps required.
  10. Monitor the service. Watch uptime, disk usage, database health, certificate expiry, failed jobs, mail delivery and authentication events. Alerts should reach someone who can act.
  11. Write an upgrade and rollback procedure. Read release notes, take a fresh backup, test the upgrade away from production where possible, and retain a known-good image or package until verification is complete.

Resource planning without invented minimums

No reliable, cross-project VPS minimum can be stated from the available material. CPU and memory use depend on user count, concurrent activity, database choice, attachment volume, background jobs, search or indexing and whether a reverse proxy, database and monitoring stack share the machine. Start with the application’s documented requirements for the exact release, then load-test a representative dataset. Add headroom for backups, logs and upgrades instead of sizing to an optimistic idle state.

Migration checklist from Trello or another task tool

  1. Inventory the source. Count workspaces, boards, lists, cards, members, labels, checklists, comments, due dates and attachments.
  2. Export before changing anything. Keep the original export immutable and record its date, format and originating account.
  3. Map identities. Match email addresses and administrator roles before import. Decide what happens to former members and external guests.
  4. Test the documented importer. Vikunja lists Trello, Todoist and Microsoft To-Do imports; Plane lists native importers. Confirm the exact source and destination editions before relying on them.
  5. Compare difficult records. Inspect cards with checklists, multiple labels, long comments, dates, attachments and non-ASCII text. These expose fidelity problems that a simple card will not.
  6. Plan unsupported data. If an importer is not documented for PLANKA, WeKan, Kanboard or your particular source, budget for manual recreation or a controlled transformation script after checking the project’s rules.
  7. Freeze and cut over. Announce a read-only period, take a final export, run the production import, verify counts and permissions, then redirect users.
  8. Retain the original for a defined period. Keep the source system or export available until users confirm that no critical history or attachment is missing.

Licensing, authentication and commercial review

“Free to download” does not answer whether a deployment is suitable for a company. Review the license for the edition, the obligations triggered by network use, the availability of source code, restrictions on branding or redistribution, and which capabilities are reserved for paid editions.

  • PLANKA: Fair Use Community code with Pro and Enterprise commercial paths. Do not label it MIT or imply that every feature is covered by the community terms.
  • WeKan: The FAQ identifies an MIT license and commercial use permission.
  • Plane: Community is AGPLv3; Commercial and Airgapped editions have separate terms and feature boundaries.
  • Vikunja, Kanboard and Focalboard: Confirm the license and any edition-specific conditions for the exact release before organizational deployment.

Authentication deserves the same care. Verify whether the selected version supports the identity provider, MFA, session controls, password recovery and administrator recovery process your organization requires. If SSO is mandatory, test it in staging before migrating users; do not assume that a reverse proxy alone provides application-level authorization.

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Common failure modes and recovery plans

The importer completes but the board is not usable

This usually means that counts were checked but relationships were not. Compare labels, members, checklists, comments, due dates and attachments on a sample of complex cards. Restore the source export and repeat with a mapping document rather than editing hundreds of cards manually without a rollback.

The VPS runs out of disk space

Attachments, database growth, logs and local backup archives can consume storage faster than card text. Set disk alerts, rotate logs, keep backups off-server and expand the volume before it reaches a critical threshold. Never delete database or upload directories as an emergency shortcut without a tested restore.

Password-reset or invitation mail never arrives

Check SMTP credentials, DNS records, certificate validation, sender alignment, provider throttling and the application’s mail queue or logs. Test both internal and external recipients. Until mail is reliable, document a secure administrator recovery path.

An upgrade breaks the application

Stop repeated upgrade attempts. Preserve logs, take a snapshot if it is still consistent, restore the last known-good backup to an isolated instance and compare the release notes with your configuration. Only retry after identifying whether the problem is the application, database migration, reverse proxy or a changed environment variable.

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Users cannot sign in after an identity change

Keep a tested local administrator account or documented emergency access method where the application’s security model permits it. Verify callback URLs, certificate names, clock synchronization, group claims and email-to-account mapping. Make identity changes during a maintenance window with a rollback plan.

Which alternative should you run?

For the closest Trello-like experience, start with PLANKA, provided its Fair Use and commercial boundaries fit your organization. For most small teams that want room to grow beyond columns and cards, Vikunja is the safer default because it combines four planning views, documented imports and unusually broad installation options. Choose WeKan when MIT licensing and a board-first model are decisive. Choose Kanboard when a minimal Kanban installation is the goal and you have verified the current release details. Choose Plane when APIs, webhooks, importers, Kubernetes or broader project management justify the additional scope. Keep Focalboard for existing deployments or controlled evaluation, not as the normal choice for a new long-lived VPS service.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply. Prices as of November 12, 2026 11:54 am GMT.