Kaneo is an MIT-licensed open-source project management tool that small software teams can self-host for free or run through managed Kaneo Cloud hosting. It helps teams plan and track work with kanban boards, lists, calendars, Gantt timelines, and backlogs, while two-way GitHub synchronization keeps project tasks and code issues in step. It serves teams that want simpler project tracking than Jira without giving up control of their data.[1][2]
Quick verdict
Small software teams frustrated by heavyweight trackers will get the most from Kaneo. Its boards, Gantt timelines, subtasks, dependencies, and two-way GitHub sync cover the core planning workflow with single sign-on included even when self-hosted. The price of that independence is operational responsibility, so teams with no server capacity who also need advanced reporting or sprint analytics should look at a managed incumbent instead. If you can run one container plus PostgreSQL, or pay a few dollars a month for Kaneo Cloud, choose Kaneo; if you need hands-off enterprise process control, stay with Jira.[1][2][3]
Key features
Multiple planning views Work can be viewed as kanban boards, lists, calendars, Gantt timelines, or backlog queues, with task start and due dates driving timeline planning.[1]
Two-way GitHub synchronization Issues and labels sync in both directions, so project tasks and repository issues stay consistent without manual copying.[1]
Pull-request status flow Linked pull requests move tasks through review to done as code is opened and merged, keeping review state visible in the project.[1]
Subtasks with assignees Large tasks break into assignable subtasks with progress tracked against the original brief, so detail stays with the work.[1]
Linked tasks and dependencies Tasks connect as blockers, dependencies, or related work, showing what is holding things up before a launch.[1]
SSO in the free build Google, GitHub, Discord, and custom OAuth/OIDC sign-on are included in the free self-hosted build rather than gated behind a paid tier.[1]
Workspace roles and permissions Team plans support roles and permissions for managing who can see and change workspace content.[1]
Self-hosting with Docker or Helm The application runs as one container alongside PostgreSQL, deployable with Docker Compose, the drim CLI, Coolify, Railway, or a Helm chart.[1]
Who will love it
Small software teams escaping heavyweight trackers: boards, backlogs, and GitHub sync cover the daily workflow without per-project configuration overhead.[1][2]
Self-hosting teams with data-control requirements: the MIT-licensed build runs on team infrastructure with SSO included, keeping project data on owned servers.[1][2][3]
GitHub-centered development shops: two-way issue sync and pull-request status flow keep planning state aligned with code review automatically.[1]
Who should avoid it
Teams with zero server capacity and no cloud budget: self-hosting needs Docker, PostgreSQL, HTTPS, and backup discipline; without that, only the paid Cloud plans fit.[1][2]
Organizations needing advanced reporting: budgeting, baseline comparisons, and sprint burndown reports are outside the documented scope.[1]
Enterprises requiring negotiated compliance packages: the documented support tops out at priority email and maintainer contact, with no enterprise plan published.[1]
Alternatives and compatibility
If your team ships code on GitHub and can operate one container plus PostgreSQL, choose Kaneo for simpler self-hosted project tracking with SSO included. If you need no-ops managed hosting, start with the Kaneo Cloud trial. If instead you need deep process configuration or sprint analytics at enterprise scale, choose Jira and accept its administrative weight.[1][2]
Questions worth asking
What is the best Kaneo alternative for non-technical users?
Is Kaneo really no-code?
How much does Kaneo cost per month?
Self-hosting is free forever under the MIT license. Kaneo Cloud Personal costs $40 per year for a single user, about $3.33 per month billed yearly, and Cloud Team costs $50 per user per year, about $4.17 per user per month billed yearly, after a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Pricing was checked in October 2026.[1]
Sources and editorial review
Source research. Reviewed on October 11, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.
We have not run or tested this product.
- Kaneo: Open-source, self-hosted project management
official · Observed October 11, 2026
Official homepage; positioning, views, GitHub sync, subtasks, dependencies, SSO, self-host and cloud options, release v2.37.0
- Kaneo pricing
official · Observed October 11, 2026
Official pricing; free self-host, Cloud Personal $40/yr, Cloud Team $50/user/yr, managed instance, trial terms, support tiers
- Self-host Kaneo
official · Observed October 11, 2026
Self-hosting docs; container plus PostgreSQL, deployment paths, resource minimums, pre-launch checklist
- usekaneo/kaneo on GitHub
official · Observed October 11, 2026
Repository identity; tagline, MIT license file, active 2026 history