8 Best Open Source Todoist Alternatives in 2026 (Self-Hosted)

The best open source Todoist alternatives for 2026, with license, releases, self-hosting, mobile apps, API and MCP for each, and a link to the source code.

Open Sunsama Team · September 24, 2026 · 12 min read

8 Best Open Source Todoist Alternatives in 2026 (Self-Hosted)

The best open source Todoist alternative overall is Open Sunsama. It keeps your tasks and your calendar in one place, lets you time block your day, and works with any AI agent over MCP.

If you want the closest Todoist clone, pick Vikunja. If you want no server at all, pick Super Productivity.

We build Open Sunsama, so we put it first — here is why, and where others fit better.

Todoist tells you what to do, but not when. Open Sunsama plans the when, runs on your own server, and lets Claude or ChatGPT plan your day with you. If you need an MIT or GPL license, or a tool for a whole team, other apps below fit better, and we say which.

Each app below has a card with its license, latest release, platforms, API and MCP, plus a link to its source code. We checked every fact on 24 September 2026.

Quick answer

Best overall: Open Sunsama for daily planning, time blocking and any AI agent (non-commercial license).
Closest to Todoist, self-hosted: Vikunja (AGPL-3.0).
No server, best apps: Super Productivity (MIT).
Small, simple, AI-ready: tududi (MIT).
Android, synced to your own CalDAV: Tasks.org (GPL-3.0).
Linux desktop: Planify (GPL-3.0).
Notes first, to-dos second: Joplin (AGPL-3.0).
Teams and projects: OpenProject (GPL-3.0).

Open source Todoist alternatives compared

App	License	Stars	Latest release	Platforms	Self-host	API	MCP
Open Sunsama	Open Sunsama Non-Commercial License	65	v1.0.16 (Sep 2026)	Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server	Docker	REST	Official
Vikunja	AGPL-3.0-or-later AND GPL-3.0-or-later	5.5k	v2.6.0 (Aug 2026)	Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, Server	Docker, binary, packages	REST, CalDAV, Webhooks, CLI	Official
Super Productivity	MIT	22.2k	v19.1.0 (Sep 2026)	Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android	Docker (web app, sync server)	REST, Plugins	Community
tududi	MIT	3.4k	v1.5.0 (Sep 2026)	Web, Server	Docker	REST, CalDAV	Official
Tasks.org	GPL-3.0-only	5.6k	15.12 (Sep 2026)	macOS, Windows, Linux, Android	No	None	Official
Planify	GPL-3.0-or-later	5.7k	v4.20.0 (Sep 2026)	Linux	No	CLI	None found
Joplin	AGPL-3.0-or-later AND LicenseRef-Joplin-Server-Personal-Use	56.5k	v3.7.18 (Sep 2026)	macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Server	Docker (Joplin Server)	REST, Plugins, CLI	Official
OpenProject	GPL-3.0-only	16.2k	v17.8.0 (Sep 2026)	Web, iOS, Android, Server	Docker, packages, Helm	REST, Webhooks, Plugins	Official

Stars, licenses and releases from each project's repository, checked Sep 2026. App names link to the source code.

Check the releases again before you commit, since these projects ship often. For a wider list of task apps, see our best open source to-do list apps.

How we compared

We build Open Sunsama and use it to plan our own days. For the other apps, we read each license file, the latest release notes, and the docs for sync, API and MCP. We also read the open issues, and what users say on Reddit, Hacker News and GitHub.

Stars and releases come from each project's GitHub page on 24 September 2026. Screenshots come from each project's own images, or from demos and web apps we opened ourselves. The caption under each shot names its source.

We did not run each app for weeks, so we don't claim to have tested them. We left out apps with no release in the past year, because people on r/selfhosted ask "seems no longer maintained?" about every project.

1. Open Sunsama: best overall for daily planning, time blocking and AI agents

1. Open Sunsama

A daily planner with a kanban board of days, time blocking, focus mode and a hosted MCP server for AI agents.

Best for: People who want to plan a calm, realistic day on a calendar, and let Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor help.

Note: The code is public under a non-commercial license: you can read, run and self-host it for personal use. Companies need a commercial license.

Open Sunsama screenshot — Captured from the Open Sunsama web app

License: Open Sunsama Non-Commercial License
Stars: 65 (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v1.0.16 (Sep 2026)
Language: TypeScript
Platforms: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server
Self-host: Docker
API: REST
MCP: Official

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: best overall. It does what Todoist does, then plans when you will do it.

Plan your whole day in one place with Open Sunsama

Open Sunsama plans your day on a board and a calendar. Each day is a column on a kanban board, next to your backlog. You drag the tasks you will really do into Today.

Drag tasks from the backlog into Today to plan your day.

Then you give each task a slot. Drag it onto the calendar and resize the block to fit. Your Google, Outlook or iCloud events sit right next to it.

Drag a task onto the calendar, then resize the block to fit the work.

What it does well:

Time blocking on a real calendar, in day and week views.
Unfinished tasks roll over to the next day, so nothing gets lost.
Planned vs actual: a focus timer tracks the time you really spent.
Subtasks, rich notes, file attachments and priorities P0 to P3.
Keyboard first, with a command palette on Cmd+K.
A hosted MCP server with OAuth sign-in and 24 tools. It works in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and any MCP client, and it reads your synced meetings too. See the MCP setup guide.
A public REST API with API keys, documented in the API reference.
Web, desktop for Mac, Windows and Linux, and a mobile web app for your phone. Get them on the download page.

Where it falls short:

The code is public on GitHub. It uses a non-commercial license: you can read it, run it and self-host it for personal use. Companies need a commercial license.
It is young. The first commit was in January 2026, so it has fewer years behind it than Vikunja or Joplin.
No bulk Todoist migration for projects or labels, and no CalDAV task sync. Individual Todoist tasks can be imported by link.
No native iOS or Android app. On a phone, it runs in the browser.
The ready-made desktop apps connect to the hosted service, not to a server you host.
It plans one person's day. It is not a team project tool.

Pick it if you want your to-do list and your calendar in one place, with an agent that can plan your day for you. The Docker guide covers self-hosting.

2. Vikunja: the closest self-hosted Todoist

2. Vikunja

A self-hosted to-do app with lists, kanban, Gantt and table views.

Best for: Todoist users who want lists, labels and reminders on their own server.

Note: The admin panel, audit logs and time tracking are in the paid Vikunja Pro add-on.

Vikunja screenshot — Official screenshot from vikunja.io, © the Vikunja project

License: AGPL-3.0-or-later AND GPL-3.0-or-later (GNU AGPL v3.0 or later (server and web app); GNU GPL v3.0 or later (desktop app))
Stars: 5.5k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v2.6.0 (Aug 2026)
Language: Go
Platforms: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, Server
Self-host: Docker, binary, packages
API: REST, CalDAV, Webhooks, CLI
MCP: Official

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: the best pick if you want Todoist's workflow on your own server.

What it does well:

Four views of the same tasks: list, kanban, Gantt and table.
Quick add with natural language, like Todoist.
A built-in Todoist importer that brings over tasks, labels and due dates.
CalDAV, so your tasks show up in other calendar and to-do apps.
A REST API, webhooks and desktop builds for Mac, Windows and Linux.

Where it falls short:

The Android app is still in alpha, and there is no official iOS app.
A built-in MCP server is on the main branch, but not yet in a stable release.
The admin panel, audit logs and time tracking are in the paid Vikunja Pro add-on.

Pick it if you want the most Todoist-like app you can self-host.

3. Super Productivity: no server needed

3. Super Productivity

A to-do app with timeboxing, time tracking and focus mode that can pull in issues from Jira or GitHub.

Best for: Developers and solo workers who want tasks, time tracking and timeboxing offline.

Super Productivity screenshot — Captured from the web app at app.super-productivity.com

License: MIT (MIT License)
Stars: 22.2k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v19.1.0 (Sep 2026)
Language: TypeScript
Platforms: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Self-host: Docker (web app, sync server)
API: REST, Plugins
MCP: Community

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: the most complete open source to-do app you can run with zero servers.

What it does well:

Real apps for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android and iOS.
Works offline with no account.
Sync through WebDAV, Dropbox or SuperSync, which you can also host yourself.
Pulls tasks in from GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Linear and more.
Timeboxing, a Pomodoro timer and time tracking built in.

Where it falls short:

It is built around one person on many devices. It is not a shared team server.
MCP support comes from community servers, not the core app.

Pick it if you want an MIT-licensed app that works on a plane and syncs through storage you already own.

4. tududi: small, calm and AI-ready

4. tududi

A self-hosted app for tasks, projects, notes and areas, with CalDAV sync and a Telegram bot.

Best for: Home-labbers who want areas, projects, tasks and notes in one small Docker container.

tududi screenshot — Official screenshot from the project's README, © the tududi project

License: MIT (MIT License)
Stars: 3.4k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v1.5.0 (Sep 2026)
Language: TypeScript
Platforms: Web, Server
Self-host: Docker
API: REST, CalDAV
MCP: Official

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: the lightest self-hosted option, with an MCP server built in.

What it does well:

One Docker command, with SQLite or PostgreSQL.
A built-in MCP server, so your agent talks straight to your own instance.
CalDAV sync with Apple Reminders, Tasks.org and Thunderbird.
A REST API with API keys, and a Telegram bot.

Where it falls short:

No native phone app. It installs as a web app on your home screen instead.
No calendar view for time blocking.

Pick it if you want a simple self-hosted to-do list your AI agent can use on day one.

5. Tasks.org: the Android app for your own server

5. Tasks.org

An Android to-do app, now also on desktop, that syncs with CalDAV, Google Tasks or EteSync.

Best for: Android users with Nextcloud, Radicale or another CalDAV server.

Note: Some features and the desktop app need a name-your-price subscription (from $1 a year).

Tasks.org screenshot — Official screenshot from the project's Google Play listing, © the Tasks.org project

License: GPL-3.0-only (GNU General Public License v3.0 only)
Stars: 5.6k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: 15.12 (Sep 2026)
Language: Kotlin
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
Self-host: No server
API: None
MCP: Official

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: the best open source phone app for people who already run CalDAV.

What it does well:

A polished Android app with widgets, filters, tags and endless subtasks.
Syncs with CalDAV, Google Tasks or EteSync, or stays local.
No ads, and it works fully offline.
A new desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux, with its own MCP server.

Where it falls short:

No iOS app.
The desktop app and some features need a name-your-price subscription.
It is a client, not a server. You still need something to sync with.

Pick it if your phone is your main planner and you already host a CalDAV server.

6. Planify: a clean Linux desktop app

6. Planify

A to-do app for the Linux GNOME desktop that syncs with Todoist, Nextcloud or CalDAV.

Best for: GNOME users who want a native to-do app that can keep syncing with Todoist.

Planify screenshot — Official screenshot from flathub.org, © the Planify project

License: GPL-3.0-or-later (GNU General Public License v3.0 or later)
Stars: 5.7k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v4.20.0 (Sep 2026)
Language: Vala
Platforms: Linux
Self-host: No server
API: CLI
MCP: None found

Source code · Website · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: the best-looking open source to-do app for the Linux desktop.

What it does well:

A native GTK app, installed from Flathub.
Syncs with Todoist, Nextcloud or any CalDAV server.
A small command-line tool to add and list tasks.

Where it falls short:

Linux only, with no phone or web app.
No MCP server that we could find.

Pick it if you live on Linux and want to keep syncing with Todoist while you try open source.

7. Joplin: notes first, tasks second

7. Joplin

A Markdown note and to-do app for desktop and phone that syncs through the service you pick.

Best for: People who want notes and checklists in one private app on every device.

Note: The apps are AGPL, but Joplin Server is under a personal-use license, not an open source one.

Joplin screenshot — Official screenshot from the project's README, © the Joplin project

License: AGPL-3.0-or-later AND LicenseRef-Joplin-Server-Personal-Use (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later (apps); Joplin Server Personal Use License (packages/server))
Stars: 56.5k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v3.7.18 (Sep 2026)
Language: TypeScript
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Server
Self-host: Docker (Joplin Server)
API: REST, Plugins, CLI
MCP: Official

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: a great notes app that can hold your to-dos too.

What it does well:

Apps for desktop, Android, iOS and the terminal.
Sync through Joplin Server, Nextcloud, WebDAV, Dropbox and more.
Markdown notes with to-do checkboxes and a plugin system.
A built-in MCP server in the desktop app. It listens only on your own machine.

Where it falls short:

Tasks are notes with checkboxes. There are no real projects, calendar view or time blocking.
Joplin Server uses a separate personal-use license, not AGPL.

Pick it if your "tasks" are mostly notes and you want one app for both.

8. OpenProject: for teams, not for one person

8. OpenProject

A self-hosted project management suite with boards, Gantt charts, time tracking and wikis.

Best for: Teams that need Gantt charts, boards, time tracking and wikis in one server.

Note: Some features, including the built-in MCP server, are paid Enterprise add-ons.

OpenProject screenshot — Captured from the web app at community.openproject.org

License: GPL-3.0-only (GNU General Public License v3.0 only)
Stars: 16.2k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v17.8.0 (Sep 2026)
Language: Ruby
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Server
Self-host: Docker, packages, Helm
API: REST, Webhooks, Plugins
MCP: Official

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Verdict: a full project tool. It is heavier than Todoist, and that is the point.

What it does well:

Gantt charts, agile boards, time tracking and wikis in one server.
A mature REST API, webhooks and a Docker install.
A long track record, backed by a company.

Where it falls short:

Far more than one person needs to track their own tasks.
The MCP server is an Enterprise add-on, not part of the free edition.
The mobile app is still in beta.

Pick it if you are replacing Todoist for a whole team, not just yourself.

Other open source to-do apps worth a look

These three did not make the top eight, but each fits a certain kind of person well.

Taskwarrior: a to-do list for the terminal

Taskwarrior

A command-line to-do list with tags, projects, priorities, due dates and reports.

Best for: People who live in the command line and want fast tags, projects and reports.

Taskwarrior screenshot — Official screenshot from taskwarrior.org, © the Taskwarrior project

License: MIT (MIT License)
Stars: 6.1k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v3.5.0 (Aug 2026)
Language: C++
Platforms: macOS, Linux
Self-host: Optional sync server
API: CLI, Plugins
MCP: Community

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Taskwarrior is fast and scriptable. It suits developers who never leave the terminal, but it has no phone app.

Nextcloud Tasks: tasks inside your Nextcloud

Nextcloud Tasks

The tasks app for Nextcloud, which stores tasks in your own server and syncs over CalDAV.

Best for: Nextcloud users who want tasks synced over CalDAV to any app.

Nextcloud Tasks screenshot — Official screenshot from the project's README, © the Nextcloud Tasks project

License: AGPL-3.0-or-later (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later)
Stars: 707 (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v0.18.1 (Jun 2026)
Language: JavaScript
Platforms: Web, Server
Self-host: Nextcloud app
API: CalDAV
MCP: Official

Source code · Website · Facts checked Sep 2026

Nextcloud Tasks stores your tasks on your own Nextcloud server. On a phone, you use any CalDAV app, like Tasks.org or Apple Reminders.

Donetick: chores and shared tasks for a household

Donetick

A self-hosted app for shared tasks and chores, with flexible repeats and task rotation.

Best for: Households that share chores, with repeats and task rotation.

Donetick screenshot — Official screenshot from the project's README, © the Donetick project

License: AGPL-3.0-only (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 only)
Stars: 2.6k (as of Sep 2026)
Latest release: v0.1.79 (Aug 2026)
Language: Go
Platforms: Web, Server
Self-host: Docker, binary
API: REST, Webhooks
MCP: Community

Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026

Donetick is built for shared chores that repeat. It can rotate a task between people, so no one gets stuck with the dishes.

Which one should you pick?

For most people: Open Sunsama. One place to plan your day, with time blocks and an AI agent.
You want Todoist's workflow, on your server: Vikunja.
You never want to run a server: Super Productivity.
You want the simplest Docker install with AI access, under MIT: tududi.
Your phone is your planner: Tasks.org with your own CalDAV server.
You live on Linux: Planify.
Your tasks are really notes: Joplin.
You manage a team: OpenProject.

What about AI and MCP?

MCP is the plug that lets an AI agent read and change your tasks. Todoist has its own official MCP server now, so AI alone is not a reason to leave.

The reasons to switch are ownership and control. With an open source app, you can read the code, run it on your own box and export your data.

Open Sunsama goes one step further. Your agent can plan your whole day, and because the code is public, it can even change the planner itself. See our list of task managers with MCP for more.

How to switch from Todoist

Export your Todoist data as CSV from Todoist's settings.
Move only open tasks. Leave the old ones behind.
Use the new app for one real week before you cancel.

For Open Sunsama, our Todoist migration guide walks you through it. You can also read how Open Sunsama compares on our Todoist alternative page and the open source task manager page.

More open source guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the best open source Todoist alternative?

Open Sunsama is our pick overall: it plans your day on a board and a calendar, and works with any AI agent over MCP. Vikunja is the closest Todoist clone you can self-host. Super Productivity is best if you want no server at all.

Is there a self-hosted Todoist with a good phone app?

Super Productivity has Android and iOS apps and syncs through your own WebDAV server or its self-hostable sync server. Tasks.org is a strong Android app that syncs with your own CalDAV server. Vikunja's Android app is in alpha, and tududi runs as a web app on your home screen.

Is Open Sunsama really open source?

The code is public on GitHub. It uses a non-commercial license: you can read it, run it and self-host it for personal use. Companies need a commercial license. It is not an OSI license like MIT or GPL, so pick Vikunja, tududi or Super Productivity if you need one.

Can I import my tasks from Todoist?

Vikunja has a bulk Todoist importer, and Planify syncs with a Todoist account directly. Open Sunsama lets you connect Todoist and import selected tasks one link at a time. It does not migrate whole projects or labels.

Which open source to-do apps work with Claude or ChatGPT?

Open Sunsama has a hosted MCP server with OAuth sign-in. tududi has one built in, and the Joplin and Tasks.org desktop apps have local ones. Vikunja's MCP server is on its main branch but not yet in a stable release. OpenProject's is a paid Enterprise add-on.

Does Todoist have an MCP server?

Yes. Todoist runs an official hosted MCP server at ai.todoist.net/mcp. If AI access is all you want, you do not need to leave Todoist. Switch for ownership, self-hosting or open code.

What is the difference between open source and self-hosted?

Open source means you can read the code. Self-hosted means the app runs on a server you control. Most apps here are both, but Tasks.org and Planify are apps that sync with a server you run, not servers themselves.