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Open-Source DevOps · kanboard

kanboard

Kanboard is a self-hosted, web-based project management tool built on Kanban methodology. Written in PHP, it is currently in maintenance mode with community-driven updates and no active new feature development from the original author.

Source: GitHub — github.com/kanboard/kanboard
9.7k
GitHub stars
2k
Forks
PHP
Primary language
MIT
License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

FieldValue
Repositorykanboard/kanboard
Ownerkanboard
Primary languagePHP
LicenseMIT — OSI-approved
Stars9.7k
Forks2k
Open issues150
Latest releasev1.2.52 (2026-04-05)
Last updated2026-07-04
Sourcehttps://github.com/kanboard/kanboard

What kanboard is

PHP-based kanban application deployed as a self-hosted web service with support for Docker containerization. Maintenance-mode project accepting community contributions and bug fixes via pull requests, with latest release v1.2.52 (July 2026).

Quickstart

Get the kanboard source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash
git clone https://github.com/kanboard/kanboard.gitcd kanboard# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Small to mid-size team task management

Teams wanting a lightweight, self-hosted kanban board without dependency on SaaS vendors. Suitable for agile or lean workflows where visibility and simplicity take priority over advanced automation.

On-premises deployment for compliance

Organizations requiring full data control and on-premises hosting, with no cloud dependency. Self-hosted model eliminates third-party data residency concerns.

Low-overhead project tracking

Startups or internal teams managing straightforward project workflows without complex resource allocation, time tracking, or enterprise integrations. Maintenance-mode status means predictable, stable feature set.

Implementation considerations

  • PHP runtime and web server required; Docker option available to reduce infrastructure complexity.
  • Database backend required (PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQLite); choose based on scale and durability requirements.
  • Self-hosted model requires internal infrastructure ownership, backup strategy, and security patching discipline.
  • Maintenance-mode stance means no vendor roadmap; evaluate internal capacity to maintain and patch independently.
  • Authentication and user management must be configured; integration with LDAP/SSO capability not explicitly confirmed in provided data.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

  • Need active feature development — Project is in maintenance mode; new major features are not being actively developed. Only community contributions and bug fixes are accepted. Consider if roadmap roadmap dependencies are critical.
  • Require advanced enterprise features — No portfolio management, resource leveling, or deep financial reporting. If advanced PMO or portfolio-level tracking is needed, alternatives may be more suitable.
  • Need out-of-the-box integrations — Integration ecosystem unclear from available data. If tight integration with CRM, ERP, or other systems is mandatory, requires investigation before commitment.
  • Expect vendor support and SLAs — Community-driven project with no commercial support model stated. Production use without internal DevOps/PHP expertise may create risk.

License & commercial use

MIT License: permissive, copyleft-free license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with attribution. No license restrictions on commercial deployment.

MIT License permits commercial use without restriction. However, no vendor support model, SLA, or warranty is stated. Internal support and maintenance responsibility falls on the deploying organization. Use in commercial production requires independent security review and operational planning.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

SignalAssessment
MaintenanceModerate
DocumentationAdequate
License clarityClear
Deployment complexityModerate
DEV.co fitGood
Assessment confidenceHigh
Security considerations

Self-hosted model places responsibility for security hardening, access controls, and patch management on the deploying organization. PHP application; code review and dependency scanning recommended. No security audit or third-party certification mentioned in provided data. Maintenance-mode status means security updates depend on community contribution velocity; plan internal monitoring and patching discipline accordingly.

Alternatives to consider

Jira

Enterprise-grade project and issue tracking with active vendor development, extensive integrations, and commercial support. Steeper learning curve and cost; cloud and self-hosted options available.

OpenProject

Open-source project management with Gantt, kanban, and agile views. More active development and enterprise features than Kanboard; similar self-hosted model with open-source community.

Trello

Cloud-based kanban platform with simpler UX and tight Atlassian ecosystem integrations. No self-hosted option; subscription-based pricing; lower barrier to entry for small teams.

Software development agency

Build on kanboard with DEV.co software developers

Assess self-hosted kanban fit, deployment complexity, and security posture with Devco. Our engineers help you plan infrastructure, integrations, and operations for maintenance-mode open-source tools.

Talk to DEV.co

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kanboard FAQ

Can I use Kanboard for commercial projects?
Yes. MIT License permits commercial use without restriction. However, no vendor support or SLA is provided; your organization must plan for internal support, security, and operations.
Is Kanboard still being developed?
Project is in maintenance mode. The original author is not actively developing new major features. Community contributions for bug fixes and smaller enhancements are accepted. Evaluate whether the stable, feature-complete state meets your needs.
What are the hosting options?
Self-hosted only. Deploy on your own infrastructure (on-premises, VPS, or private cloud). Docker container support simplifies deployment. No managed SaaS offering.
Does Kanboard integrate with other tools?
Integration capabilities not clearly documented in the provided data. Verify REST API and webhook support against specific dependencies before adoption. Custom extensions possible via PHP development.

Work with a software development agency

Need help beyond evaluating kanboard? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and open-source devops integrations — and maintain them long-term.

Ready to evaluate Kanboard for your team?

Assess self-hosted kanban fit, deployment complexity, and security posture with Devco. Our engineers help you plan infrastructure, integrations, and operations for maintenance-mode open-source tools.