5 alternatives to Wrike
Compare free and open-source solutions before building your own. Check each option’s license, setup, and limitations.
Linear-and-Jira-shaped work tracking without the subscription; the stack behind it is not small
LicenseAGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationHosted signup, or the official Docker/Kubernetes self-hosting stack
DataSelf-hosted Plane keeps workspaces, projects, work items, users, comments, and settings in PostgreSQL; attachments, images, and exports live in MinIO or another S3-compatible object store, with RabbitMQ and optional OpenSearch alongside them. Plane Cloud stores the equivalent data in Plane's infrastructure.
Limitations compared to WrikePlane lacks Wrike's request forms, proofing and approvals, resource planning, portfolio dashboards, and deep custom reporting for non-engineering work.
SetupSelf-hosting is a multi-service deployment: Docker or Kubernetes plus PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, object storage, a domain, TLS, and usually email configuration.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
The enterprise project suite; free in money, expensive in menus
LicenseGPL-3.0
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationHosted Enterprise Cloud signup, or Community Edition via Docker Compose/all-in-one Docker or supported Linux packages
DataSelf-hosted application data lives in PostgreSQL; uploaded attachments live on a persistent filesystem volume or configured S3-compatible object storage, while configuration and any linked repositories must be backed up separately. Cloud data lives in OpenProject's hosted infrastructure.
Limitations compared to WrikeOpenProject is capable but does not match Wrike's polished creative proofing, workload views, no-code automation, and large integration catalog.
SetupThe free Community Edition needs a Linux server; the recommended Docker setup still requires persistent database/file volumes, a hostname, TLS, and mail configuration.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
A small-team project suite that remembers goals and timesheets, not just tickets
LicenseAGPL-3.0+
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationPaid hosted signup, or the free open-source edition via Docker Compose/official image or a PHP release archive plus MySQL/MariaDB
DataSelf-hosted project data lives in MySQL 8 or MariaDB 10.6+, while uploaded files use the local filesystem or configured S3-compatible storage; hosted-account data lives in Leantime's cloud.
Limitations compared to WrikeLeantime has less flexible request intake, custom-field reporting, automation, proofing, and resource management than Wrike.
SetupThere is no longer a permanent free hosted tier: the free route means operating PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, persistent storage, backups, and a web-facing Docker or LAMP stack.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Project tracking, time sheets, Gantt, and wikis from the era when software admitted it needed configuration
LicenseGPL-2.0+
PlatformsOn your server
InstallationInstall the Ruby on Rails application against PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, or SQLite; packaged containers/appliances are third-party conveniences
DataIssues, users, projects, time entries, and configuration live in the configured SQL database; uploaded attachments live as files in Redmine's `files` directory.
Limitations compared to WrikeRedmine can be customized with plugins, but its dated interface and manual administration are a major step down from Wrike's managed dashboards, proofing, and automations.
SetupThe official install is a real Rails deployment, Ruby and gem versions, database creation, migrations, a production web server, email, backups, and upgrades are all the operator's job.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
A full project tracker for ten people; user eleven is where JetBrains remembers billing
LicenseFree, closed source
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationHosted YouTrack Cloud signup, or the official Docker image for YouTrack Server
DataYouTrack Server stores issues, users, projects, and configuration in its own integrated on-disk database under the data directory, with separate configuration, logs, and backups directories; YouTrack Cloud keeps the data in JetBrains-managed infrastructure.
Limitations compared to WrikeYouTrack's free ten-user ceiling and developer-first workflow leave Wrike's proofing, request intake, resource allocation, and executive dashboards largely uncovered.
SetupThe cloud edition installs cleanly; self-hosting requires Docker volume mapping, enough storage, a one-time setup token, and external HTTPS/reverse-proxy work for a public server.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Updated 2026-08-10 · no paid listings
| Tool | License | Setup | Platforms | Stars | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | AGPL-3.0 | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, self-hosted | 55,600 | 2026-08 |
| OpenProject | GPL-3.0 | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 15,200 | 2026-08 |
| Leantime | AGPL-3.0+ | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 10,000 | 2026-08 |
| Redmine | GPL-2.0+ | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, self-hosted | 6,000 | 2026-08 |
| YouTrack | Free, closed source | Hosted by the provider | web, ios, android | — | — |
People still pay for Wrike because teams pay because project state has to remain authoritative through staff changes, outages, and years of accumulated workflow exceptions. The recurring cost buys auth, permissions, notifications, search, migrations, audit history, integrations, backups, and uptime, not just the visible interface. If those points do not matter to you, the options above could save $120 per year.
Is there a free alternative to Wrike?
Yes: Plane, OpenProject, Leantime. This page lists 5 free or open-source options. Check the limitations of each.
Should I build my own Wrike?
Our verdict: With trade-offs. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Wrike, track projects through tasks, boards, custom fields, and team dashboards. The hard boundary is enterprise workflow, approvals, integrations, reporting, and governance, plus collaboration, integrations, and organizational trust. The complete prompt is on the Wrike page on Vibe Radar.
