Worklenz vs Redmine: Which Is Better for Teams in 2026?
Worklenz vs Redmine is a comparison between two genuinely free, open-source, self-hosted project management tools. Redmine has been a mainstay of open-source issue tracking since 2006 - mature and reliable, but with a dated interface compared to more modern tools.
Quick Comparison: Worklenz vs Redmine
| Feature | Worklenz | Redmine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (self-hosted) | Free, unlimited users | Free, unlimited users (GPL license) |
| Pricing (cloud) | Free (3 projects); from $9.99/user/mo | No official cloud; third-party hosting varies |
| Open Source License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL v2 |
| UI/UX | Modern interface | Dated, functional interface |
| Time Tracking | ✅ Built-in, all tiers | ✅ Built-in |
| Resource Management | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Not a core feature |
| Best For | Teams wanting modern UI + resourcing, free or paid | Teams wanting mature, proven open-source issue tracking |
Pricing Deep Dive
Redmine is completely free and open source (GPL v2) with no licensing fees, no user limits, and no feature paywalls. The only costs are your own hosting infrastructure, plus optional expenses for implementation, customization, or plugins (licensed per installation, not per user) which can range from $1,000-$10,000+ for complex setups.
Worklenz pricing:
- Cloud: Free plan - unlimited users, up to 3 active projects; Pro Small Teams from $9.99/user/month, Business Small Teams $14.99/user/month
- Self-hosted: Community edition free (unlimited users); Business ($99/mo) and Enterprise ($499/mo)
Both tools offer genuinely free self-hosting - the real difference is in interface modernity and built-in resourcing.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Maturity & Stability
Redmine has been actively developed since 2006, with a large plugin ecosystem and proven reliability across thousands of organizations.
Worklenz is a newer tool with a more modern technical foundation but less plugin ecosystem maturity.
Winner: Redmine, for sheer track record and plugin availability.
User Interface & Experience
Redmine’s interface reflects its age - functional but visually dated compared to modern PM tools.
Worklenz offers a considerably more modern, polished interface that’s faster to onboard new users into.
Winner: Worklenz, for ease of use and visual design.
Resource Management
Redmine doesn’t include dedicated resourcing or workload views as a core feature - you’d need plugins.
Worklenz provides team-wide utilization views built directly into the product.
Winner: Worklenz.
Self-Hosting & Cost
Both tools are genuinely open source and free to self-host with no user caps.
Winner: Tie, both deliver real open-source value here.
Who Should Choose Worklenz?
- Teams wanting a modern interface alongside open-source self-hosting
- Teams wanting resourcing built in without plugins
- Teams wanting both an official cloud product and free self-hosting
Who Should Choose Redmine?
- Teams wanting a mature, proven open-source tool with a large plugin ecosystem
- Organizations already invested in Redmine’s plugin/customization ecosystem
- Teams comfortable with a more dated interface in exchange for stability
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redmine really free?
Yes - it’s GPL-licensed open source with no licensing fees, no user limits, and no feature paywalls. You only pay for hosting and optional plugins/customization.
Does Redmine include resource management?
Not as a core feature - you’d typically need plugins to add dedicated resourcing or workload views.
Is Redmine’s interface outdated?
Many users note its interface feels dated compared to newer tools, though it remains fully functional and reliable.
Is Worklenz as mature as Redmine?
Redmine has a longer track record (since 2006) and larger plugin ecosystem; Worklenz is newer but offers a more modern interface and built-in resourcing without needing plugins.
Final Verdict
If you want a mature, proven open-source tool with a large plugin ecosystem and don’t mind a dated interface, Redmine remains a solid, genuinely free choice. If you want a more modern interface with resourcing built in directly, while still getting free open-source self-hosting, Worklenz is the more contemporary option.