OpenProject or Allegra?
The question is not easy to answer. The OpenProject alternative Allegra is functionally richer and more extensively configurable than OpenProject. It supports virtually all common database systems and covers a very broad range — from simple task management through agile project management to classic project management and workflow management. Allegra can be adapted so that even less technically inclined users can work with it comfortably.
OpenProject lowers the barrier to entry through its open-source licensing model. It should be noted, however, that for many serious use cases only the paid version provides the necessary feature set. In the following we compare the two project management tools.
OpenProject
When looking for a free project management software, OpenProject ranks pretty high on the list in terms of quality and feature coverage. The project is one of the best solutions I have found. It forked from the Redmine project and is developed independently from it. It offers a clean, well-organized, and modern interface.
Broad Feature Set
OpenProject is well suited for projects related to software development. The system is extensively configurable. Like Redmine, it offers so-called “modules” that can be enabled on a per-project basis. There are modules for issue tracking, time tracking, news, documents, files, wiki, repository, forums, calendar, and an interactive Gantt view.
Project and Task Hierarchies
OpenProject allows you to create project hierarchies and task hierarchies of any depth. Tasks can be linked to one another — for example, through predecessor–successor relationships. Effort can be logged in a categorized manner.
No Support for Agile Methods
To find out what OpenProject does not offer, I looked at the feature list of the paid Enterprise version. It quickly becomes clear that the free variant provides no agile board for Scrum and Kanban. Support is also missing for Single Sign-On, attribute highlighting, full-text search in attachments, a usable workflow system, and unfortunately even as basic a feature as a multi-select custom field. I also found no way to freely design input forms.
Good for Classic PM and Issue Tracking
The free variant is therefore best suited for classic project management, task administration, and as an issue tracking tool where no workflows are needed and the number of attributes per task remains manageable.
OpenProject is maintained by a company in Berlin and developed further together with an active developer community. The project has around 3,100 stars on GitHub.
Installation and Technology
The free project management software OpenProject is written in Ruby on Rails and supports the PostgreSQL database system. I installed my test system on a Linux server, which was relatively straightforward using a Docker container. Installation on Windows servers is possible but demanding.
OpenProject Alternative Allegra
The project management software and OpenProject alternative Allegra by Steinbeis provides comprehensive support for agile, classic, and hybrid project management models. Proven methods such as the Eisenhower principle, Earned Value, Getting Things Done, and the RACI matrix are used throughout to ensure clarity even in very large endeavors.
Modern, Mature, Complete — but Little Known
The OpenProject alternative Allegra supports virtually all important features. The user interface is clean and modern. The configurability is a little intimidating at first, but after a short time working with it, it proves to be logical and well thought out. The Gantt chart, the resource view, and the graphical workflow editor are all interactive.
Comprehensive Role and Permission System
The role and permission system of the OpenProject alternative makes a well-conceived impression and is based on the RACI matrix principle. Access permissions can be configured down to individual fields. All key methods such as Earned Value, milestone trend, the Eisenhower principle, and Getting Things Done are supported. Drag and drop operations are available practically everywhere.
Allegra supports common database systems and runs on virtually all operating systems. It is written in Java and JavaScript, has been on the market for over ten years, and is used by around 10,000 users.
Servers Located in Germany
Allegra Cloud runs on servers located in Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, and Karlsruhe. Allegra Cloud is fully GDPR-compliant. A personally reachable support team is available via email, phone, and web conference.
Further Reading
Here is an interesting article about Allegra as an alternative to Wrike.
Form your own impression of the comprehensive project management software Allegra and book a free live demo.
Editor and Writer
Gabriella Martin is a Yale University graduate and holds a Master's degree in German Literature from the University of Tübingen. She loves explaining complex things in simple terms.
