Redmine is an open source web application for organising your own bug tracker and project management service. The application is written in the Ruby programming language, so the environment in which Redmine is installed must support the corresponding web environment.
At the same time, Redmine is cross-platform, as the Ruby framework can be installed on Linux, Windows, Mac and FreeBSD environments.
The basic Redmine code is distributed completely free of charge, and the user interface is translated into many languages. Anyone can download the distribution and install it on their server. There are also ready-made builds for Docker, Kubernetes and virtual machines, and even ISO images for quick server deployment (based on Debian).
On the one hand, it all looks impressive — free, open, you can modify the code and install add-ons. There are even ready-made mobile applications, often distributed completely free.
On the other hand, the problems start as soon as you decide to install the script on your server. Setting up the environment correctly will require special skills, while ready-made assemblies will not really save the situation. Many useful plugins will be paid, and the existing integration capabilities will not be enough for the current tasks of the company.
It is very difficult to configure the system «for the customer», since arbitrary additional fields are used here. And the entire path of a separate business process has to be built from scratch.
As a result, the time spent setting it up and trying to integrate it will be wasted. And no one is going to compensate you for the cost of renting a server.
Are there adequate alternatives to Redmine, with a user-friendly interface, so that you don’t have to spend a huge amount of effort on launching and setting up the software?
Below we will analyse this issue in detail and offer the best candidate for replacement.
What features and capabilities does Redmine offer?
Redmine is more of a web constructor that allows you to set up a project management system with a wiki section and bug tracker on your own server. The main features and capabilities of Redmine:
- The system can be installed on your own server. So your data and the data of external clients (if any) will be under your complete control.
- You can choose not only external hosting (e.g. the cloud), but also your own infrastructure. For example, a server on a corporate network or a local server, an intranet network.
- There is detailed documentation for developers and users.
- There are ready-made mobile clients for all major platforms (Android, iOS, there is even a client for Windows Phone). Many of them are freely available.
- The front-end can be completely customised.
- The system offers flexible configuration of user rights and access systems.
- File storage can be organised on your own server (without using cloud storage). Accordingly, the volume will be directly related to the available disk space (many hosters offer instant expansion of space on the fly).
- There is a built-in wiki system that can be used to describe documentation and workflows.
- Based on Redmine, you can organise a bug tracking system (can be used as an analogue to Jira).
- Within Redmine you can run several independent projects in parallel.
- There are out-of-the-box implementations for displaying tasks in the form of Gantt charts and calendars.
- There are tools for agile teams (kanban and scrum boards, sprint management, etc.).
- Forums (discussions) for each project.
- Ability to calculate financial costs and time for project implementation.
- Plugins (about 1000) and ready-made integrations of external services, including Git repository (mainly relevant for IT projects).
- Flexible customisation system through additional fields.
Redmine’s drawbacks include the following:
- The system only works in your or a rented server environment. It needs to be configured and kept up to date. This is almost impossible without special skills and knowledge, which is unacceptable for companies and businesses.
- Even if you have installed a ready-made image or rented a pre-installed environment, Redmine maintenance is still your responsibility. And these are all possible problems due to software incompatibility, framework, server hardware failure, backup storage, database server operation, etc. Any failure or inconsistency is a real downtime for business and management systems.
- Just because Redmine is free doesn’t mean you won’t have any expenses — at the very least you’ll need to rent a server (regular shared hosting won’t do, you’ll need VPS or more powerful hosting depending on the load you generate). In addition to server costs, you may also need to purchase or renew a domain, backup services, file storage, etc.
- Many important Redmine plugins and integrations are paid.
- The built-in email notification system works through a special server script (sendmail). Therefore, emails cannot be checked for signature compliance — they will automatically end up in spam. An alternative is to use corporate email (mail on your own domain) and mailing services. However, these are all services with their own subscription fees and tariffs.
- The default (pre-installed) frontend is outdated. It can be replaced with a more modern interface, but there are not many options. Also, installing themes is not the easiest thing to do, requiring an additional plugin and access to the console.
The cheapest alternative to Redmine
Yes, you can run Redmine in your cloud or on a hosting service under your control, even in your server room if you have one. But the reality is that this is not an option for small or even medium sized businesses. No one can find that many human resources to maintain the system and keep it up and running at all times.
It turns out that only large companies that have their own IT department or IT teams that can figure out how to use Redmine in their projects without outside help can afford to implement Redmine.
Professional implementation and maintenance of Redmine (including the cost of third party services) will be more expensive than renting a ready-made cloud implementation.
What should you replace Redmine with for your projects?
For small and medium businesses, the ‘subscription-based project management system’ model is the most affordable and acceptable option.
One of the best solutions that does not require complex setup and implementation is Projecto.
It is a SaaS platform that is ready to use, always available and requires no maintenance on your part.
Projecto is compatible with all common management methodologies, including agile approaches.
Benefits of Projecto
- Suitable for small and medium businesses, does not require in-house implementation.
- Payment is based on the number of seats, there are no minimum or maximum user requirements. You can buy as many licences as you need.
- There is a possibility of payment on invoices (suitable for budgetary institutions as well).
- Distribution of tasks of dismissed employees.
- Any number of projects can run simultaneously in the system. There are tools for their grouping and filtering.
- Convenient display formats: Kanban, Calendar, Lists/Tables and Gantt Charts.
- Detailed documentation and tutorials.
- Intuitive interface that can be mastered without training.
- Subordinates can refuse the task assigned to them, stating the reason.
- No segregation of functions by tariff.
- End-to-end search with easy filtering by content type.
- Assigned tasks can have a complex structure. No matter how complex it is, Projecto creates an interactive delegation map where everything falls into place.
- Secure and reliable hosting. Minimum 99.98% availability. Nothing to configure yourself.
- Functional mobile applications.
- Appropriate email and push notifications that reach the right people.
- Special tools for planning the company’s organisational structure and working with documents (ready-made document management system).
- Convenient and clear employee cards.
- Possibility of comparing the workload of several employees (calendar comparison).
- Disk storage without explicit limits.
- Ready-to-use reporting systems. Manager can request feedback on tasks at any time.
- Access rights management.
There are other features that are easier to see in person in a special demo mode.
Compare the features of Redmine and Projecto
Summary comparison table for ease of reference.
| Redmine | Projecto | |
| Installation location | Leased or local server | Cloud ready infrastructure |
| Display options | Display of tasks/events List Calendar Kanban BoardGantt Diagram (some of the display options are implemented only by plugins) | List,Calendar,Kanban board,Gantt chart (plugins installation is not required) |
| Mobile apps | Yes (by third-party developers) | Yes (fully functional) |
| Desktop applications | No | Mac-client |
| Integrations | 1000+ plugins (some of which are commercial, i.e. require purchase or subscription) | Transferring data from calendars, 1C |
| Chat and discussions | Project forums | Chat format, attached to each entity type (tasks, projects, events, etc.) |
| File storage | Yes (volume depends on disc space) | Yes (volume is not limited) |
| Organisational chart builder | Yes (via plug-ins) | Yes |
| Document section | Yes (via plug-ins) | Yes + document card builder |
| Collegial acceptance of results | No | Yes |
| Reports on the status of tasks/projects | Yes (basic reports + implementation in plugins) | Yes (out-of-the-box filters and reports, system for requesting feedback on current task status) |
| Free plan | No | No, just trial for a month |
| Subscriptions cost per month | On hosting rental prices (need a minimum of VPS server) | 5-7 USD/month depending on number of licences and prepayment period |
As mentioned above, Redmine can only be afforded by advanced IT teams and large organisations with dedicated IT departments.
The system inevitably requires maintenance. In addition, the initial implementation can take a lot of time and effort due to rework and complex customisation.
To be fair, it is possible to get a bespoke ERP system, bug tracker and/or project management system tailored to individual customer requirements.
Projecto is an out-of-the-box service that requires no modifications. It can be used immediately after purchasing a licence. No complicated implementations, setting up a server environment, installing plug-ins and themes, setting up integrations, etc.
Yes, this is the subscription model. But even with Redmine, you can’t avoid costs. And they can be quite significant from month to month.
That’s why the best solution for small companies and small project teams is Projecto’s SaaS model.
