FET review
A capable free scheduler for constraint-heavy timetables, with a desktop-only workflow.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
FET is free, open-source timetable software for schools, high schools, and universities. It supports fully automatic timetable generation alongside semi-automatic and manual activity allocation, making it suitable for institutions that need both automated scheduling and direct control over placements. Its model covers teachers, subjects, student years, groups, subgroups, activities, rooms, and buildings, with constraints for time, space, availability, workload, and room preferences. FET is distributed as a desktop application for GNU/Linux, Windows, and macOS.
The scheduling depth is its main strength. Administrators can define teacher availability and workload constraints, student-set scheduling constraints, room availability, preferred rooms, buildings, and room-change requirements. Time and space constraint weighting provides additional control over how the timetable is generated. This makes FET a fit for schools and universities with detailed scheduling rules, particularly when a free AGPLv3 application is preferred. CSV import supports bringing structured activity information into the application, while generated timetables can be exported in HTML, XML, and CSV formats.
The trade-off is a standalone desktop workflow rather than a broader connected school-management environment. FET does not provide a browser or mobile operating mode in its stated distribution, and its feature set centers on timetable construction and export instead of integrations with other systems. Teams should also expect to spend time modeling their institution's teachers, students, rooms, buildings, activities, and constraints before generation. Choose FET when free open-source scheduling and detailed constraint handling matter most. Consider another product when browser-based collaboration, connected workflows, or a wider ecosystem are central requirements.
FET pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Automatic, semi-automatic, and manual timetable allocation
- Models teacher, student, room, building, and workload constraints
- Exports timetables to HTML, XML, and CSV
- Where it doesn't
- Desktop application without a browser-based workflow
- Standalone focus limits integration with other school systems
- Extensive constraint modeling may require careful configuration
FET fact sheet, pricing and score →
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