Best Self-Hosted Productivity Apps 2026: Tasks, Calendar, Notes
The best self-hosted apps for productivity in 2026: tasks, planning, kanban, calendar, notes and time tracking, plus a Docker quick start and backup basics.
Open Sunsama Team · · Updated · 15 min read
The best self-hosted productivity app overall in 2026 is Open Sunsama. It is a task manager and daily planner with time blocking, and any AI agent can use it.
Add Vikunja or tududi for shared task lists, Radicale or Nextcloud Calendar for your calendar, and Joplin Server or Trilium for notes. All of them run on a small server or a home box, most with a single Docker command.
We build Open Sunsama, so we put it first — here is why, and where others fit better. A task list tells you what to do, and Open Sunsama also plans when you do it. If you need an MIT or GPL license, or shared team lists, Vikunja and tududi fit better.
This guide covers the best self-hosted apps for each productivity job. Each one has a card with its license, latest release and a link to the source code. Then we show how to run Open Sunsama with Docker, and how to keep it all safe and backed up.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Open Sunsama, a self-hosted task manager and planner with time blocking and MCP.
- Self-hosted task lists: Vikunja, or tududi if you want small and simple. Nextcloud Tasks if you run Nextcloud.
- Self-hosted kanban and projects: WeKan or Kanboard for boards. Plane or Leantime for team projects.
- Self-hosted calendar: Radicale or Baïkal for a small CalDAV server, or Nextcloud Calendar for a full web calendar.
- Self-hosted notes: Joplin Server for synced notes, Trilium for a note tree, AppFlowy for Notion-style docs.
- Self-hosted time tracking: Kimai for billing, solidtime for freelancers.
The best self-hosted app for each job
| Job |
Replaces |
Our picks |
| Daily planning and time blocking |
Sunsama, Akiflow |
Open Sunsama |
| Task lists |
Todoist, TickTick |
Vikunja, tududi, Nextcloud Tasks |
| Kanban boards |
Trello |
WeKan, Kanboard, Nextcloud Deck |
| Team projects |
Jira, Asana |
Plane, Leantime |
| Calendar and contacts |
Google Calendar |
Nextcloud Calendar, Radicale, Baïkal |
| Notes and docs |
Evernote, Notion |
Joplin, Trilium, AppFlowy |
| Time tracking |
Toggl, Harvest |
Kimai, solidtime |
Self-hosted productivity apps 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 |
| tududi | MIT | 3.4k | v1.5.0 (Sep 2026) | Web, Server | Docker | REST, CalDAV | Official |
| Nextcloud Tasks | AGPL-3.0-or-later | 707 | v0.18.1 (Jun 2026) | Web, Server | Nextcloud app | CalDAV | Official |
| WeKan | MIT | 21.1k | v12.01 (Sep 2026) | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server | Docker, Snap, Sandstorm and more | REST, Webhooks | Community |
| Kanboard (Maintenance mode) | MIT | 9.9k | v1.2.54 (Aug 2026) | Web, Server | PHP app, Docker | JSON-RPC, Plugins, Webhooks | Community |
| Nextcloud Deck | AGPL-3.0-or-later | 1.4k | v1.19.0 (Sep 2026) | Web, Server | Nextcloud app | REST, CalDAV | Community |
| Plane | AGPL-3.0-only | 59.8k | v1.4.2 (Aug 2026) | Web, Server | Docker, Kubernetes | REST, Webhooks | Official |
| Leantime | AGPL-3.0-only | 11.7k | v3.10.0 (Sep 2026) | Web, Server | PHP app, Docker | JSON-RPC, Plugins | Official |
| Nextcloud Calendar | AGPL-3.0-or-later | 1.2k | v6.6.1 (Sep 2026) | Web, Server | Nextcloud app | CalDAV | Official |
| Radicale | GPL-3.0-or-later | 5k | v3.8.1 (Sep 2026) | Server | Docker, pip | CalDAV, CardDAV, Plugins | Community |
| Baïkal | GPL-3.0-only | 3.3k | 0.12.1 (Aug 2026) | Server | PHP app | CalDAV, CardDAV | Community |
| 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 |
| Trilium Notes | AGPL-3.0-or-later | 38k | v0.105.0 (Aug 2026) | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server | Docker, binary | REST | Official |
| AppFlowy | AGPL-3.0-only | 76.9k | 0.14.5 (Sep 2026) | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Server | Docker (commercial build) | None | Community |
| Kimai | AGPL-3.0-or-later | 5k | 2.67.0 (Sep 2026) | Web, Server | Docker, PHP app | REST, Plugins | Community |
| solidtime | AGPL-3.0-or-later | 8.9k | v0.21.0 (Sep 2026) | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server | Docker | REST | Community |
Stars, licenses and releases from each project's repository, checked Sep 2026. App names link to the source code.How we compared
We build Open Sunsama and use it every day, so we know it best. For the other apps, we read the license file, the release notes, the install and backup docs, and the open issues. We also read what users say on r/selfhosted, Hacker News and GitHub.
Stars, releases and last commits 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 every app for weeks, so we don't claim to have tested them. Every app here has a server you can run yourself, and still gets fixes.
Self-hosted daily planner
A to-do list tells you what to do. A planner tells you when. That is the gap people on r/selfhosted keep asking about: "So far I have not seen anything that comes close" to Sunsama.
Open Sunsama: best overall, a self-hosted planner with time blocking
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: One person who wants tasks, a daily plan and time blocks on their own server, with AI agents that can 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.
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 is the one self-hosted app here that plans your day on a calendar.
Plan your whole day in one place with Open Sunsama
Open Sunsama puts each day on a board next to your backlog. You drag in what fits, then block time for it on the calendar.
Drag tasks from the backlog into Today to plan your day.
What you get:
- A board of days: Today, Tomorrow and a backlog.
- Time blocking on a calendar, with day and week views.
- Rollover, recurring tasks, reminders and a focus timer that tracks planned vs actual time.
- A web app that works on desktop and phone browsers.
- A REST API with API keys, and an MCP server at your own API address.
Drag a task onto the calendar, then resize the block to fit the work.
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 one person's planner, not a team project tool.
- Calendar sync covers Google, Outlook and iCloud. There is no CalDAV task sync yet.
- The ready-made desktop apps connect to the hosted service. On your own server, you use the web app, or build the desktop app with your own API address.
Pick it if you want to plan your day on your own server. The Docker quick start is further down.
Self-hosted task managers
Vikunja: the closest thing to a self-hosted Todoist
2. Vikunja
A self-hosted to-do app with lists, kanban, Gantt and table views.
Best for: People and small teams who want Todoist-style lists plus kanban, Gantt and table views.
Note: The admin panel, audit logs and time tracking are in the paid Vikunja Pro add-on.
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 self-hosted task manager for people coming from Todoist.
- Good: list, kanban, Gantt and table views, CalDAV, a Todoist importer, a REST API and SQLite, PostgreSQL or MySQL.
- Falls short: the Android app is in alpha and there is no official iOS app. Some admin features are in the paid Pro add-on.
- Pick it if you want Todoist's workflow on your own server. See our open source Todoist alternatives.
tududi: the smallest self-hosted to-do app with MCP
3. tududi
A self-hosted app for tasks, projects, notes and areas, with CalDAV sync and a Telegram bot.
Best for: Home-labbers who want tasks, projects and notes in one small container.
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 task app, with an MCP server built in.
- Good: one Docker command, SQLite or PostgreSQL, CalDAV sync, a REST API and a Telegram bot.
- Falls short: no native phone app, and no calendar view for time blocking.
- Pick it if you want a simple task list your AI agent can use on day one.
Nextcloud Tasks: tasks inside your Nextcloud
4. Nextcloud Tasks
The tasks app for Nextcloud, which stores tasks in your own server and syncs over CalDAV.
Best for: Nextcloud users who want their tasks synced over CalDAV to any phone app.
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
Verdict: the natural pick if Nextcloud already runs your files and contacts.
- Good: tasks live in your own Nextcloud, and any CalDAV app can sync them, like Tasks.org or Apple Reminders.
- Falls short: you need a full Nextcloud server, and the app itself is simple.
- Pick it if you already run Nextcloud and want tasks on your phone.
WeKan: a self-hosted Trello
5. WeKan
A self-hosted kanban board like Trello, with swimlanes, checklists and custom fields.
Best for: Teams moving off Trello who want boards, swimlanes and checklists on their own server.
Captured from the public demo at boards.wekan.team- License
- MIT (MIT License)
- Stars
- 21.1k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v12.01 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- JavaScript
- Platforms
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server
- Self-host
- Docker, Snap, Sandstorm and more
- API
- REST, Webhooks
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: the most complete Trello-style board you can self-host.
- Good: swimlanes, checklists, custom fields, a REST API and webhooks. Install with Docker, Snap and more.
- Falls short: no phone app, and it can feel heavy for one person.
- Pick it if your team already thinks in Trello boards.
Kanboard: a tiny kanban board that keeps working
6. Kanboard (Maintenance mode)
A simple self-hosted kanban board for projects, with list, calendar and Gantt views.
Best for: People who want a small, stable kanban board and nothing else.
Note: The author says Kanboard is in maintenance mode: small fixes only, no new major features.
Official screenshot from kanboard.org, © the Kanboard project- License
- MIT (MIT License)
- Stars
- 9.9k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v1.2.54 (Aug 2026)
- Language
- PHP
- Platforms
- Web, Server
- Self-host
- PHP app, Docker
- API
- JSON-RPC, Plugins, Webhooks
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: a fast, minimal board that runs on almost any PHP host.
- Good: list, calendar and Gantt views, automatic actions, plugins and a JSON-RPC API.
- Falls short: the author says it is in maintenance mode, so expect fixes, not new features.
- Pick it if you want a board you set up once and forget.
Nextcloud Deck: kanban inside your Nextcloud
7. Nextcloud Deck
A kanban board app for Nextcloud, for personal planning and team projects.
Best for: Nextcloud users who want a simple kanban board next to their files and calendar.
Note: Deck runs only inside a Nextcloud server.
Official screenshot from apps.nextcloud.com, © the Nextcloud Deck project- License
- AGPL-3.0-or-later (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later)
- Stars
- 1.4k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v1.19.0 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- JavaScript
- Platforms
- Web, Server
- Self-host
- Nextcloud app
- API
- REST, CalDAV
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: a simple board for people who already run Nextcloud.
- Good: boards, lists and cards, with a REST API. Cards with due dates show up in your Nextcloud calendar.
- Falls short: it only runs inside Nextcloud, and its README warns it is not ready for very heavy use.
- Pick it if you want a board without adding another server.
Plane: self-hosted issues, sprints and roadmaps
8. Plane
An open source project tool for issues, sprints (cycles), roadmaps and docs, like Jira or Linear.
Best for: Software teams that want a Jira or Linear style tool on their own server.
Note: Only the free Community Edition is open source; paid editions add closed-source features and the mobile apps.
Official screenshot from the project's README, © the Plane project- License
- AGPL-3.0-only (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0)
- Stars
- 59.8k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v1.4.2 (Aug 2026)
- Language
- TypeScript
- Platforms
- Web, Server
- Self-host
- Docker, Kubernetes
- API
- REST, Webhooks
- MCP
- Official
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: the most modern self-hosted project tool for teams.
- Good: issues, cycles, roadmaps, docs, a REST API, webhooks and an official MCP server.
- Falls short: only the Community Edition is open source. The mobile apps and some features need a paid edition.
- Pick it if your team wants to leave Jira or Linear for its own server. Our open source kanban boards list covers more.
Leantime: projects plus a personal "My Work" page
9. Leantime
A self-hosted project tool with kanban, Gantt and timesheets, plus a personal My Work page and calendar.
Best for: Small teams who want projects, timesheets and a personal to-do view in one tool.
Note: Some add-ons, including the MCP server, are paid plugins.
Official screenshot from the project's README, © the Leantime project- License
- AGPL-3.0-only (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 only)
- Stars
- 11.7k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v3.10.0 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- PHP
- Platforms
- Web, Server
- Self-host
- PHP app, Docker
- API
- JSON-RPC, Plugins
- MCP
- Official
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: a friendly project tool that also helps each person plan their own work.
- Good: kanban, Gantt, list and calendar views, timesheets, goals and docs.
- Falls short: no phone app, and some add-ons, like the MCP server, are paid plugins.
- Pick it if you want team projects and personal to-dos in one place.
Self-hosted calendars
Nextcloud Calendar: a full web calendar you host
10. Nextcloud Calendar
The calendar app for Nextcloud, with shared calendars, invites, free/busy and appointment booking.
Best for: People who want a shared web calendar with invites, free/busy and booking pages.
Note: It runs inside a Nextcloud server, so you need one first.
Official screenshot from github.com/nextcloud/calendar, © the Nextcloud Calendar project- License
- AGPL-3.0-or-later (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later)
- Stars
- 1.2k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v6.6.1 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- JavaScript
- Platforms
- Web, Server
- Self-host
- Nextcloud app
- API
- CalDAV
- MCP
- Official
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: the most complete self-hosted calendar, if you run Nextcloud.
- Good: shared calendars, invites, free/busy and appointment booking. Phones sync over CalDAV.
- Falls short: it runs inside Nextcloud, so you need that server first.
- Pick it if you want a real Google Calendar replacement on your own box.
Radicale: a tiny CalDAV server
11. Radicale
A small CalDAV and CardDAV server that stores your calendars and contacts as plain files.
Best for: People who only need a sync server for the calendar apps on their phone and computer.
Note: It is only a sync server; its web page manages calendars but can't show or edit events.
Captured from a local install of Radicale 3.8.0- License
- GPL-3.0-or-later (GNU General Public License v3.0 or later)
- Stars
- 5k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v3.8.1 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- Python
- Platforms
- Server
- Self-host
- Docker, pip
- API
- CalDAV, CardDAV, Plugins
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: the lightest way to host your own calendar and contacts.
- Good: small, simple to run with pip or Docker, and it stores everything as plain files.
- Falls short: its web page manages calendars but can't show or edit events.
- Pick it if you want your calendar off Google with the least work.
Baïkal: a CalDAV server with a web admin
12. Baïkal
A lightweight CalDAV and CardDAV server in PHP, with a web admin to manage users and calendars.
Best for: People on a PHP host who want a calendar and contacts server with a simple admin page.
Note: It is only a sync server; you view and edit events in another calendar app.
Official screenshot from sabre.io, © the Baïkal project- License
- GPL-3.0-only (GNU General Public License v3.0 only)
- Stars
- 3.3k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- 0.12.1 (Aug 2026)
- Language
- PHP
- Platforms
- Server
- Self-host
- PHP app
- API
- CalDAV, CardDAV
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: a small calendar and contacts server with a friendly admin page.
- Good: a web admin to add users and calendars, and it runs on common PHP hosting.
- Falls short: like Radicale, it is only a sync server. You see events in another app.
- Pick it if you want Radicale's job with a web admin for users.
Self-hosted notes and docs
Joplin Server: private notes on every device
13. Joplin
A Markdown note and to-do app for desktop and phone that syncs through the service you pick.
Best for: People who want Markdown notes on desktop and phone, synced through their own server.
Note: The apps are AGPL, but Joplin Server is under a personal-use license, not an open source one.
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: the best self-hosted notes setup if you want real phone apps.
- Good: apps for desktop, iOS and Android, end-to-end encryption, and Joplin Server in Docker.
- Falls short: the apps are AGPL, but Joplin Server uses a personal-use license. For a fully open setup, sync the apps through WebDAV or Nextcloud instead.
- Pick it if you want private notes on every device.
Trilium Notes: a private wiki on your server
14. Trilium Notes
A note app for building a large personal knowledge base as a tree, with scripting and a web server.
Best for: People who want a large knowledge base as a tree of notes, in the browser.
Official screenshot from the project's README, © the Trilium Notes project- License
- AGPL-3.0-or-later (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later)
- Stars
- 38k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v0.105.0 (Aug 2026)
- Language
- TypeScript
- Platforms
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server
- Self-host
- Docker, binary
- API
- REST
- MCP
- Official
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: a personal wiki for people with thousands of notes.
- Good: a web app you host, scripting, a REST API and a built-in MCP server.
- Falls short: no official phone app; you use the web version or a community app.
- Pick it if you want a big private knowledge base on your own server.
AppFlowy: self-hosted Notion-style docs
15. AppFlowy
A workspace for docs, wikis and task boards, built as an open source Notion alternative.
Best for: People who want Notion-style docs, wikis and boards with apps on every device.
Note: The apps are open source, but the current sync server is a commercial build whose free self-host tier allows one user.
Captured from the web app at appflowy.com- License
- AGPL-3.0-only (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0)
- Stars
- 76.9k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- 0.14.5 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- Dart
- Platforms
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Server
- Self-host
- Docker (commercial build)
- API
- None
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: the closest self-hosted match for Notion, with one catch.
- Good: docs, databases and boards, with apps for desktop, web, iOS and Android.
- Falls short: the apps are AGPL, but the current sync server is a commercial build. Its free self-host tier allows one user.
- Pick it if you want a Notion-style workspace just for yourself.
Self-hosted time tracking
Kimai: time tracking with invoices
16. Kimai
A web app for tracking work hours, with timesheets, reports, invoices and teams.
Best for: Freelancers and teams who bill clients by the hour.
Note: Some extra features are sold as paid plugins in the Kimai store.
Captured from the public demo at demo.kimai.org- License
- AGPL-3.0-or-later (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later)
- Stars
- 5k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- 2.67.0 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- PHP
- Platforms
- Web, Server
- Self-host
- Docker, PHP app
- API
- REST, Plugins
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: the most complete self-hosted time tracker for billable work.
- Good: timesheets, rates, invoices, reports, teams and an API. Runs with Docker or on a PHP host.
- Falls short: some extra features are paid plugins.
- Pick it if you need timesheets and invoices on your own server.
solidtime: a modern time tracker for freelancers
17. solidtime
A modern time tracker for freelancers and agencies, with projects, clients and billable rates.
Best for: Freelancers who want a clean timer with projects, clients and billable rates.
Note: Some advanced self-hosted features need the paid On-Premise Business plan.
Official screenshot from docs.solidtime.io, © the solidtime project- License
- AGPL-3.0-or-later (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 or later)
- Stars
- 8.9k (as of Sep 2026)
- Latest release
- v0.21.0 (Sep 2026)
- Language
- PHP
- Platforms
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Server
- Self-host
- Docker
- API
- REST
- MCP
- Community
Source code · Website · Docs · Facts checked Sep 2026
Verdict: the most modern self-hosted time tracker.
- Good: projects, clients, billable rates, desktop apps, a browser extension and a REST API.
- Falls short: some advanced self-hosted features need a paid plan. No phone app.
- Pick it if you want a polished timer you host yourself. Our open source focus apps list covers more timers.
How to self-host Open Sunsama with Docker
This quick start runs Open Sunsama on your own machine. You need Docker and about 2 GB of RAM. It takes one command, plus a few minutes for the first build.
1. Get the code, then build and start everything.
git clone https://github.com/ShadowWalker2014/open-sunsama.git
cd open-sunsama
docker compose up -d --build
This starts PostgreSQL, Redis, the API and the web app. The API creates its tables and its own secrets on first start, so a local trial needs no setup.
2. Open the app. Go to http://localhost:3000 and create your account. Check the API with curl http://localhost:3001/health.
For a real server, set API_URL, WEB_APP_URL and POSTGRES_PASSWORD in .env before your first build. You will also want your own domain and HTTPS. The Docker deployment guide covers the production setup, the reverse proxy and every setting.
Tasks, time blocks, rollover and the API work out of the box. A few features call outside services, so you add your own keys:
- Google or Outlook calendar sync: your own OAuth app keys.
- File attachments: any S3-compatible storage.
- Email: a Resend API key.
- Push notifications: VAPID keys.
Connect your AI agent to your own server
Your instance serves an MCP server at https://your-api-domain/mcp. Add it in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any MCP client, then sign in with OAuth. Set API_URL and WEB_APP_URL so the sign-in screen points at your domain.
After that, you can say "plan my afternoon" and watch the blocks appear. The talk goes between your agent and your server, with no relay in between. The MCP overview has the setup for each client, and the API reference covers API keys.
How to keep a self-hosted stack secure
Self-hosting removes the vendor. It also makes you the security team. These basics cover most of the risk.
- Use HTTPS. Put Caddy, nginx or Traefik in front of every app. Never send a login over plain HTTP.
- Keep the database private. Open Sunsama's compose file binds PostgreSQL and Redis to localhost only. Keep it that way, and check the same for every other app.
- Change default passwords. Set your own database password before the first start.
- Put personal apps behind a VPN. If only you use it, Tailscale or WireGuard keeps it off the open internet.
- Update on a schedule. Pull and rebuild once a month, or when a release fixes a security bug.
- Turn off open sign-ups on apps that allow it, once your accounts exist.
How to back up your self-hosted apps
A backup you have never restored is a hope, not a backup. Use the 3-2-1 rule: three copies, on two kinds of storage, with one off-site.
For Open Sunsama, dump PostgreSQL every night:
docker compose exec -T postgres pg_dump -U opensunsama opensunsama | gzip > backup_$(date +%F).sql.gz
For SQLite apps like tududi and Trilium, stop the app or use its backup feature, then copy the database file. For Radicale, copy its data folder.
Then copy the files off the box, for example to another server or object storage. Once a quarter, restore one into a fresh container and check your tasks are there.
Self-hosted vs cloud: which should you pick?
Self-host when you want full control, or when GDPR says your data must stay in one place. It also makes sense if you already run a home server. You trade a little time each month for owning everything.
Use a hosted version when you want to plan your day today and never think about servers. Open Sunsama, Vikunja and tududi run the same code in the cloud and on your box, so you can move later. On the hosted version, grab the desktop apps too, and use the web app on your phone.
Which one should you pick?
- For most people: Open Sunsama. One self-hosted place to plan your day, with time blocks and AI agents.
- You want a self-hosted Todoist: Vikunja.
- You want the smallest self-hosted to-do app, with MCP, under MIT: tududi.
- You already run Nextcloud: Nextcloud Tasks, Calendar and Deck.
- You want a Trello board: WeKan or Kanboard.
- Your team wants Jira or Linear on its own server: Plane.
- You want your calendar off Google: Radicale, Baïkal or Nextcloud Calendar.
- You want private notes on every device: Joplin.
- You bill by the hour: Kimai or solidtime.
More open source guides
Frequently asked questions
What are the best self-hosted productivity apps?
Open Sunsama is our pick overall: tasks, a daily planner and time blocking in one app, with an MCP server for AI agents. Add Vikunja or tududi for shared task lists, Radicale or Nextcloud Calendar for your calendar, Joplin or Trilium for notes and Kimai for time tracking.
What is the best self-hosted task manager?
Open Sunsama is our pick for planning your own day with time blocks. Vikunja is the best Todoist-style task manager, and tududi is the lightest. Nextcloud Tasks is best if you already run Nextcloud.
Is there a self-hosted daily planner like Sunsama?
Yes. Open Sunsama gives you a board of days, time blocking on a calendar, rollover and a focus timer, and you can run it with Docker. Its code is public under a non-commercial license.
Is Open Sunsama open source, and can I self-host it at work?
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.
Can I use a self-hosted todo app on my phone?
Yes. Joplin has phone apps that sync with your own Joplin Server. Vikunja, tududi and a self-hosted Open Sunsama run in your phone's browser. Tasks.org on Android syncs with your own CalDAV server, like Radicale or Nextcloud.
Is self-hosting more secure than a cloud app?
Only if you keep it up. You remove the vendor from the picture, but you own HTTPS, updates and backups. A well-kept server is private. A forgotten one is a risk.
How do I back up a self-hosted task manager?
Dump the database every night, copy it to a second place, and test a restore. For Open Sunsama, that is a pg_dump of PostgreSQL. For SQLite apps like tududi, copy the database file.
Can AI agents use my self-hosted planner?
Yes, if the app has an MCP server. Open Sunsama serves one at your own API address, and tududi, Plane and Trilium ship their own. Your agent then talks to your server, not a third party.