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Open Source softwares for your business that you can self host

Chief Dealmaker

Running a business can be expensive, especially when you’re relying on various software subscriptions to keep things running smoothly. But what if you could cut costs by using open-source software that you can self-host? This means you’d be in control of your data, customize the software to fit your needs, and avoid those recurring subscription fees.

In this article, we’ll explore a list of open-source software solutions that you can self-host, broken down by the area of your business they support. This way, you can find the perfect tools to streamline your operations without breaking the bank.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we’ll cover:

  • Project Management: Keep your projects on track with tools like Worklenz, OpenProject, and Taiga.
  • Team Communication: Foster collaboration with Mattermost and Rocket.Chat.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Manage your customer interactions effectively with SuiteCRM and Odoo CRM.
  • Marketing Automation: Automate your marketing efforts with Mautic.
  • Cloud Storage: Store and share files securely with Nextcloud and ownCloud.
  • Accounting and Invoicing: Manage your finances with Odoo Accounting and Akaunting.
  • Human Resources (HR): Streamline your HR processes with OrangeHRM and Odoo HR.

Let’s dive in and discover how you can save money and take control of your business software!

Project Management Software

Project management software helps teams organize, track, and execute tasks efficiently. Self-hosting these tools gives you control over your data and can save you money on subscription fees.

Worklenz

  • Best for: Comprehensive project management and team collaboration.
  • Features: Scalability, enhanced data security, and an intuitive user experience.
  • Why it’s great: Worklenz ensures full data ownership, keeping sensitive information within your infrastructure. It adapts effortlessly to growing workloads and balances robust features with an intuitive design for smooth team collaboration [1].
  • Example: WTV (Waste to Value), a sustainability-focused company, streamlined its project tracking and improved operational efficiency using Worklenz [1].

OpenProject

  • Best for: Advanced project planning and tracking.
  • Features: Gantt charts, time tracking, and team collaboration.
  • Why it’s great: OpenProject is designed for teams looking for advanced project planning, tracking, and collaboration. It also offers an agile project management module, perfect for teams using Scrum or Kanban methodologies [1].
  • Open-source alternative to: Microsoft Project, Monday.com [2].

Taiga

  • Best for: Agile teams.
  • Features: Scrum and Kanban boards, backlog and sprint planning, and integrations with GitHub and GitLab.
  • Why it’s great: Taiga excels in simplicity and ease of use, allowing teams to stay organized without being overwhelmed by complex features. It’s ideal for tech teams and startups [1].
  • Open-source alternative to: Jira, Trello [2].

Redmine

  • Best for: Customization and integration.
  • Features: Issue tracking, project wikis, and time tracking, with strong customization options.
  • Why it’s great: Redmine allows you to modify the software to suit your business needs and integrates with a wide range of other tools, such as Git and SVN [1].
  • Open-source alternative to: Jira, Asana [2].

LeanTime

  • Best for: Simple project management for small teams.
  • Features: Task assignments, due dates, and basic reporting.
  • Why it’s great: LeanTime is a minimalistic tool that focuses on simplicity, making it ideal for small teams that need a straightforward way to manage tasks and projects without complexity [1].

Vikunja

  • Best for: Task management with an open-source twist.
  • Features: User-friendly interface and support for various workflows.
  • Why it’s great: Vikunja is designed with a focus on task management, making it an excellent choice for teams that want the flexibility of a self-hosted solution without the complexity of full-fledged project management systems [1].

Team Communication Software

Effective communication is crucial for any business. Self-hosting your team’s communication platform can provide enhanced security and control over your data.

Mattermost

  • Why it’s great: Mattermost is an open-source team communication service that offers businesses and developers full control and flexibility to deploy the software on their own infrastructure [3]. It provides enterprise-grade capabilities, including file sharing, search functionality, and integrations [3].
  • Key Features:
    • Full control over data and customization options [3].
    • Mobile apps for iOS and Android [3].
    • Integration with tools like GitLab, Jenkins, and Jira using webhooks [3].
  • Self-Hosting: To host your own Mattermost server, you’ll need a server with Linux or Docker, a database server (MySQL or PostgreSQL), and a web server (Nginx or Apache) [3].
  • Not a Slack Copy: Mattermost was built from the ground up as an open-source messaging platform, offering greater control, customization, and cost savings compared to Slack [3].

Rocket.Chat

  • Why it’s great: Rocket.Chat is a versatile open-source collaboration platform that helps you interact with colleagues, customers, and other companies [4]. It is known for its high flexibility and security.
  • Key Features:
    • Audio and video calling options, screen sharing, and file sharing [4].
    • Real-time and automatic message translation of over 50 languages [4].
    • Integration with other platforms such as Jira, Zoom, and Zendesk [4].
  • Security: Offers features like two-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and GDPR compliance [4].

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

CRM software helps you manage your interactions with customers and prospects. Self-hosting a CRM can give you greater control over your customer data and help you tailor the system to your specific business needs.

SuiteCRM

  • Why it’s great: SuiteCRM is a leading open-source CRM that offers an advanced workflow engine, robust reporting tools, and a user-friendly interface [5]. It has been adopted by over 4.5 million users globally [5].
  • Key Features:
    • Sales, service, and marketing modules [5].
    • Custom module, layout, and relationship development tools [5].
    • Real-time dashboard for pipeline metrics, open project statuses, and cash flow [5].

Odoo CRM

  • Why it’s great: Odoo CRM is part of the broader Odoo ecosystem, a modular suite of business apps. Its CRM module shines with seamless integrations for sales, marketing, and invoicing [5].
  • Key Features:
    • Lead scoring and email automation [5].
    • Intuitive drag-and-drop pipeline editor [5].
    • Massive library of free/paid integrations [5].

EspoCRM

  • Why it’s great: EspoCRM is a lightweight, user-friendly option for teams seeking simplicity. It handles contacts, leads, and sales pipelines without overwhelming users [6].
  • Key Features:
    • Email integration (sync with Gmail/Outlook) [6].
    • Project management tools [6].
    • REST API for custom workflows [6].
    • Email-to-Case Automation [7].

OroCRM

  • Why it’s great: OroCRM targets B2B companies with complex sales cycles. It emphasizes multi-channel marketing, customer segmentation, and workflow automation [7].
  • Key Features:
    • B2B-focused customer segmentation [7].
    • Flexible API for custom integrations [7].
    • Detailed activity tracking for teams [7].

Vtiger CRM

  • Why it’s great: Vtiger CRM stands out for its intuitive design and capability to centralize customer data, sales, and support, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses [5].
  • Key Features:
    • Email campaigns, helpdesk ticketing, and inventory management [7].
    • “One View” feature that consolidates all customer interactions and history in a single snapshot [5].
    • AI-driven insights for forecasting sales and optimizing email campaigns [5].

Grow CRM

  • Why it’s great: Grow CRM is a self-hosted CRM designed for teams that value privacy and customization. It combines contact management, pipeline tracking, and built-in tools for proposals, contracts, estimates, and support tickets [7].
  • Key Features:
    • All-in-One Workflow Suite – proposal generation, contract tracking, and ticket management in one platform [7].
    • Sleek, clutter-free UI with customizable dashboards [7].

Marketing Automation Software

Marketing automation software helps you streamline your marketing efforts, nurture leads, and personalize customer interactions.

Mautic

  • Why it’s great: Mautic is the leading open-source marketing automation software, offering a comprehensive solution for campaign management, email marketing, landing page creation, and robust analytics [8].
  • Key Features:
    • Campaign management, email marketing, landing page creation, and robust analytics in a single package [8].
    • Active community development ensures regular updates and extensive plugin options [8].
  • Benefits:
    • Transparency: Open source equals transparency, since everybody can see the code running in the back of the tool [4].
    • Flexibility: Open source messaging platforms provide the feature to customize the code and adapt it to the business’s own needs [4].
    • Security: Increased security of the source code due to a larger audience noticing and fixing the vulnerabilities faster [4].
    • Cost efficiency: There are paid and free open source chat platforms available, and the organization can even try the free plans before implementing them daily [4].
    • Avoiding vendor lock-in: With open source messaging platforms, there’s no boundary of a vendor’s ecosystem, and the organization can scale up, down, or customize the features per their requirements [4].

Cloud Storage Software

Cloud storage software allows you to store and share files securely. Self-hosting your cloud storage gives you complete control over your data and can be more cost-effective than using a third-party service.

Nextcloud

  • Why it’s great: Nextcloud is a comprehensive open-source platform that integrates file sharing, communication, and productivity tools into one seamless experience [9].
  • Key Features:
    • Secure audio/video conferencing with on-premise hosting [9].
    • Scalability: Supports installations from Raspberry Pi to enterprise-level setups [9].
    • Third-party integrations: Works seamlessly with OnlyOffice and Microsoft Teams [9].
  • Benefits:
    • Transparency: since everybody can see the code running in the back of the tool, there isn’t hidden misuse of certain features or inappropriate handling of your data [4].
    • Flexibility: Open source messaging platforms provide the feature to customize the code and adapt it to the business’s own needs [4].
    • Security: Increased security of the source code due to a larger audience noticing and fixing the vulnerabilities faster [4].

ownCloud

  • Why it’s great: ownCloud is a flexible self-hosted solution that gives you unparalleled control over your data [9].
  • Key Features:
    • WebDAV support for seamless integration with legacy applications [9].
    • Mobile clients for Android and iOS [9].
  • Versions:
    • Community Edition: Free and open-source, ideal for personal use or small teams [9].
    • Enterprise Edition: Offers advanced auditing features, GDPR compliance tools, and priority support [9].

Seafile

  • Why it’s great: Seafile is designed to handle large files efficiently while ensuring secure file management [9].
  • Key Features:
    • Delta sync technology for efficient file transfers [9].
    • Client-side encryption for enhanced data safety [9].
    • Enterprise security certifications and GDPR compliance [9].

Pydio Cells

  • Why it’s great: Pydio Cells offers a robust suite of features tailored for both personal and enterprise use [9].
  • Key Features:
    • Real-time collaboration for seamless teamwork [9].
    • Advanced document editing with syntax highlighting [9].
    • Plugin development SDK for customization [9].

Ceph

  • Why it’s great: Ceph is a Red Hat-managed platform that offers a scalable storage solution designed to meet the demands of modern enterprises [9].
  • Key Features:
    • Petabyte-scale architecture for handling large datasets [9].
    • RADOS gateway capabilities for S3-compatible API access [9].
    • Disaster recovery protocols for consistent availability [9].

Accounting and Invoicing Software

Managing your finances is a critical part of running a business. Open-source accounting software can provide you with the tools you need to track your income and expenses, generate invoices, and manage your budget.

Odoo Accounting

  • Why it’s great: Odoo Accounting has all of the common open-source accounting software features, it offers supplementary tools for your accounting practices [10].
  • Key Features:
    • Account Receivable: Build invoices with payment conditions, numerous taxes, discounts, price lists and more as well as print out invoices or send them via email [10].
    • Integrates seamlessly with Odoo’s other modules like CRM and ERP [5].

Akaunting

  • Why it’s great: Akaunting is a free online accounting software for businesses. It has all the tools to manage your money [11].
  • Key Features:
    • Cash flow management and expense tracking [11].
    • Powerful reporting and the ability to create categories for incomes [11].
    • Client portal that lets you accept bulk payments and share transactions and invoices with your clients [11].

Human Resources (HR) Software

HR software helps you manage your employees, track their performance, and handle payroll. Self-hosting your HR software can give you greater control over your employee data and help you tailor the system to your specific needs.

OrangeHRM

  • Why it’s great: OrangeHRM is a scalable HRM solution designed to manage the whole employment life cycle, from employee onboarding to termination [12].
  • Key Features:
    • Time and attendance tracking, candidate recruiting, performance reviews, absence management, and benefits administration [12].
    • Employee self-service portal [12].

Odoo HR

  • Why it’s great: Odoo HR is part of the Odoo ERP suite, making it a great choice for businesses looking for an integrated HR solution [12].
  • Key Features:
    • Employee directory, time-off management, payroll and expense tracking [12].
    • Fleet management, appraisal and recruitment modules [12].

ERPNext

  • Why it’s great: ERPNext is a comprehensive open-source cloud ERP software designed to meet a wide range of business needs [12].
  • Key Features:
    • Employee lifecycle management, recruitment, onboarding, performance appraisals, and payroll processing [12].
    • Automated and streamlined HR processes [12].

IceHrm

  • Why it’s great: IceHrm is a human resource management system that can be deployed on-premise or hosted in the cloud [12].
  • Key Features:
    • Leave management, time management, and managing employee data [12].
    • Internal job portal [12].

Bitrix24

  • Why it’s great: Bitrix24 offers a free GR system that includes Intranet, HRIS, workflow, time management, and an employee self-service portal [12].
  • Key Features:
    • Employee directories and organization charts [12].
    • Leave requests and absence calendars [12].

Conclusion

Self-hosting open-source software can be a game-changer for your business, offering cost savings, greater control, and the flexibility to customize the software to fit your unique needs. From project management and team communication to CRM, marketing automation, cloud storage, accounting, and HR, there are open-source solutions available to help you streamline your operations and achieve your business goals without breaking the bank.

Ready to take control of your business software? Start exploring the open-source options mentioned in this article and discover how you can save money and empower your business with self-hosted solutions.

Next Steps:

  • Explore a Tool: Start with one area of your business where you’re currently spending a lot on software subscriptions and research the open-source alternatives mentioned in this article.
  • Join Saasy Soup: Connect with other tech-savvy individuals and businesses in the Jabardeal community to share tips, insights, and solutions for self-hosting open-source software.
  • Try a Project: Set up a test environment to experiment with self-hosting one of the open-source solutions and see how it works for your business.

By taking these steps, you can start your journey towards a more cost-effective and customizable software ecosystem for your business.

References

  1. Worklenz.com, “Top Self-Hosted Project Management Software for 2025“
  2. Remonray.medium.com, “The Best Open-Source Project Management Tools in 2025 (With …“
  3. Osssoftware.org, “mattermost self hosted – OSS Software“
  4. Rocket.Chat, “Top 7 open source messaging platforms for secure communication“
  5. CRM.org, “Best Open Source CRM Systems 2025 (Free & Paid Software) – CRM.org“
  6. Growcrm.io, “Top 20 Open-Source, Self-Hosted CRMs in 2025 – Grow CRM“
  7. Cloudwards.net, “Best Open-Source Project Management Software in 2025 – Cloudwards“
  8. Bestvalued.com, “5 Best Open Source Marketing Automation Software Platforms in 2025“
  9. Onlinetoolguides.com, “Best Open-Source Cloud Storage Services | Top Picks for 2025“
  10. SelectHub.com, “The 5 Best Open-Source Accounting Software for 2025 – SelectHub“
  11. FounderJar.com, “13 Best Free & Open Source Accounting Software of 2025 – FounderJar“
  12. Peoplemanagingpeople.com, “17 Best Open Source HR Software Reviewed for 2025“
  13. Hrtech.sg, “8 Best Free And Paid Open Source HR Software In 2025“

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