I've spent the past year actively seeking out open-source software, especially when it comes to my productivity stack. This is partly due to the open-source community's greater focus on user privacy, but also my desire to escape the predatory monetization of many proprietary services.

This has led me to finding some great apps and services, especially ones I could use to manage my tasks and to-do lists. I focused on tools that have cross-platform availability or mobile-responsive websites, since I personally find this kind of flexibility helpful. Here's a look at a few that I have tried.

Super Productivity

The most user-friendly solution

Super Productivity is a favorite task management app among writers at XDA, and for good reason. Not only is it completely free to use, but you can easily set up cross-platform syncing through Dropbox, Google Drive, or WebDAV.

I've found the service particularly helpful for task management when overwhelmed, as it allows me to easily dump tasks into its inbox. It includes other useful features such as recurring task scheduling, reminders, and a daily planner view. If you prefer to view your tasks as a Kanban board or Eisenhower Matrix, you can do this too.

Vikunja

Self-hosted convenience

I like Vikunja because it incorporates the most useful features of solutions like Todoist, while still remaining lightweight. You can create tasks as simple checklists, but can also add additional fields such as priority, due dates, categories, and subtasks.

You can also switch between different views or set up different filters to sort through your tasks, which is helpful if you have a large amount to get through.

Since it has native mobile apps, you can set up push notifications for task reminders on your smartphone. I find these particularly helpful for my most important tasks.

If you're not keen on self-hosting a server, the developer does offer a hosted solution — however, this isn't free. Vikunja Cloud plans start at 4 euros per month.

Donetick

Simple yet powerful chore management

Self-hosted services have come and gone in my rotation, but Donetick has stuck around since I first started using it. I found that separating my tasks into different apps helps me keep things organized, so having a home for all my chores is useful.

One of my favorite features is the ability to complete tasks in the past, which is helpful when you forget to actually mark something as done. Thanks to its recurring tasks, with the ability to schedule follow-ups based on task completion rather than pre-determined time periods, the service has become the easiest way for me to keep an eye on my household and pet care tasks.

Like Vikunja, it also has mobile apps so that you can receive push notifications on your smartphone. But it has other useful features, such as the ability to award points for tasks, as well as a calendar view.

Fizzy

Kanban boards without bloat

If you're specifically looking for a Kanban board solution, rather than one that just offers a Kanban view, then Fizzy might be the solution for you.

You can self-host the service, but it also offers a free hosted version for up to 1000 cards. This means that it's easy to set up, and you can really see if it suits your needs before investing in hosting it yourself (or a subscription).

I like the service's simple view for tasks, as well as the ability to add extra columns depending on your workflow. Switching between boards is also pretty simple, and overall the UI is streamlined while still looking modern.

If you find solutions like Notion overwhelming, then you could give Fizzy a try and see if its approach suits you.

Jotty Page

Simple checklists and boards

Jotty Page is another one of my favorite self-hosted services, with a focus on simple checklists and Kanban boards. The app also allows you to create notes using a rich text editor or Markdown, so it's more than just a task-tracking solution.

However, it's the checklists and boards that I've used the most on Jotty lately. The task project view, which creates a Kanban-like view, is perfect for my personal projects that happen in stages. For work projects, the time tracking feature also comes in handy when I have to bill for time spent.

Meanwhile, the checklists feature is great for simpler tasks and lists, like my shopping lists and articles I want to pitch. Since the service is mobile-responsive, it's also easy to use it on your smartphone.

The downside is that there is no hosted option available — you have to self-host it. However, it's definitely worth the effort.

Manage your tasks your way

Some of the benefits of open-source software is the enhanced privacy many services offer, as well as the commitment to avoiding vendor lock-in. Any of these task management apps will give you access to powerful features, but the best solution will depend on your needs and the amount of time you want to invest.

Super Productivity is the simplest solution to implement as it doesn't require self-hosting, while Fizzy offers a free, hosted solution with certain limits. But if you're willing to put the time into hosting your own server, you should also check out Vikunja, Donetick, and Jotty.