Open source productivity software offers a great way to get powerful tools without the high cost of commercial licenses. These tools are built and supported by communities of developers, which means they’re often flexible, secure, and constantly improving.
Many people choose open source options because they provide more control, privacy, and transparency. From note-taking apps to document editors and collaboration platforms, there are open source tools for nearly every productivity need.
We tested and reviewed ten of the best open source productivity tools available in 2025. Each tool has been evaluated for performance, features, usability, and overall value to help you find the right fit for your work or personal projects.
What Should You Look for in Open Source Productivity Tools?
When choosing an open source productivity tool, it’s important to focus on what matters most to your workflow. Here are a few key factors to consider:
Ease of Use: A good tool should have an intuitive interface and be simple to set up and use, even for beginners.
Active Development: Look for software that is regularly updated and supported by a strong developer community.
Security and Privacy: Open source tools should clearly state how they handle user data and offer secure options like encryption when needed.
Customization: One of the biggest advantages of open source tools is the ability to customize them. Check if the tool can be adapted to your specific needs.
Cross-Platform Support: If you use multiple devices or operating systems, make sure the software works well across them all.
Collaboration Features: For team use, consider tools that support sharing, real-time editing, and communication.
Choosing the right tool depends on your goals—whether you’re managing tasks, taking notes, or working with others.
The 10 Best Open-Source Productivity Tools to Use
1. Corexta – Best All-in-One Productivity Tool
Corexta stands out as one of the most complete open-source productivity platforms in 2025. Designed for teams and individuals who need a centralized space for managing tasks, communication, and collaboration, Corexta combines multiple productivity features under one roof.
It functions as an integrated workspace where users can manage projects, create documents, assign tasks, track progress, and even communicate with their team—all within a single dashboard. Built with simplicity and scalability in mind, Corexta is perfect for startups, small businesses, and freelancers looking for a budget-friendly, open-source alternative to commercial tools like Notion, Asana, and Slack.
Unlike many other tools, Corexta is modular and flexible. You can install only the components you need—such as notes, to-do lists, file sharing, calendars, or chat. This makes it a lightweight yet powerful solution that doesn’t overload your system.
Best Features
Modular Workspace: Choose only the features you want to use—great for customization.
Task & Project Management: Create tasks, assign due dates, track progress, and set priorities.
Team Collaboration: Built-in chat and discussion boards keep team members connected.
Document Editor: Collaborate on text documents with version control and commenting.
Calendar Integration: Sync with external calendars and set up reminders or recurring tasks.
Open API: Developers can build custom integrations or automate workflows.
Cross-platform Support: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers.
Limitations
Limited Mobile App Support: While a mobile version exists, it’s not as smooth or feature-rich as the desktop version.
Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features: Some features may require a bit of technical knowledge to set up or customize.
Performance Issues with Large Teams: Can slow down slightly when managing very large data sets or teams of 50+ users.
Pricing
Corexta is fully open-source and free to use. You can self-host it on your own server without any licensing cost. For users who prefer a managed solution, Corexta offers a cloud-hosted version with the following plans:
Basic Cloud Plan: $9.99/user/month (includes hosting, updates, and basic support)
Pro Cloud Plan: $19,99/user/month (includes priority support and premium features)
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.5 out of 5 from over 6,000 users)
Community Feedback: Highly praised for its modularity and user control. Many developers appreciate the transparent development roadmap and active support forums.
2. Turtl – Best for Secure Note-Taking and Organization
Turtl is an open-source note-taking application focused heavily on privacy and encryption. It allows users to save and organize notes, bookmarks, passwords, documents, and photos—all secured with end-to-end encryption. Think of it as an open-source alternative to Evernote, but with much stronger privacy protections.
Turtl is perfect for researchers, writers, students, and professionals who need to manage sensitive information. It stores your data in encrypted format using your password, so only you have access—no third parties or cloud providers can read your content.
Its clean interface makes it simple to create, tag, and organize notes within nested boards. Turtl runs on multiple platforms, so you can sync and access your notes across devices while staying in control of your data.
Best Features
End-to-End Encryption: All data is encrypted locally before syncing, ensuring top-tier privacy.
Multi-Platform Support: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Organization by Boards and Tags: Structure notes the way you prefer—ideal for managing large sets of information.
Bookmark and Password Storage: Securely save URLs and login credentials.
Collaborative Sharing: Share boards with team members securely using encrypted access.
Limitations
Limited iOS Support: Turtl does not currently offer an official iOS app.
Sync Requires Server Setup: While sync is available, users must host their own server or use Turtl’s hosted services.
Fewer Formatting Options: Lacks rich text features compared to some modern editors.
Pricing
Self-Hosted Version: Free and open-source.
Turtl Cloud Hosting (Official):
Personal: Free (limited sync and storage)
Premium: Pricing not officially listed but expected to be under $5/month.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.3 out of 5 from over 2,500 users)
Community Feedback: Users value its strong encryption and clean UI, though some mention limited platform support.
3. CryptPad – Best for Encrypted Collaboration and Document Editing
CryptPad is an open-source, web-based office suite built for secure collaboration. It offers a range of apps like rich-text editing, spreadsheets, polls, to-do lists, and even whiteboards—all encrypted end-to-end.
Unlike Google Docs or Microsoft 365, CryptPad doesn’t store readable user data on its servers. This makes it ideal for privacy-conscious users such as educators, lawyers, developers, and researchers.
The platform is entirely browser-based, with no need for installation. It’s lightweight, fast, and perfect for real-time collaboration without compromising data security.
Best Features
End-to-End Encryption: All user data is encrypted before reaching the server.
Multiple App Modules: Includes rich text, code editor, Kanban board, presentations, spreadsheets, and more.
Real-Time Collaboration: Work on documents simultaneously with full privacy.
No Account Needed: Anonymous use is possible with shareable links.
Self-Hosting Option: Can be deployed on your own server for full control.
Limitations
Limited Offline Access: CryptPad is browser-based and doesn’t offer offline editing.
Basic Interface: Functionality is strong, but the UI can feel plain and less polished.
Performance with Large Files: May slow down with very large spreadsheets or documents.
Pricing
Free Plan: Up to 1 GB of storage.
Paid Plan (Hosted by CryptPad.fr):
€5/month for 5 GB storage and advanced features.
Self-Hosted Version: Free under AGPL license.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.6 out of 5 from over 4,000 users)
Community Feedback: Widely appreciated for privacy-first design and a full suite of tools.
4. Markdown Edit – Best for Simplified Markdown Editing
Markdown Edit is a lightweight and distraction-free markdown editor designed for writers, bloggers, and developers. It focuses on clean design and efficient writing without all the bells and whistles. Unlike other bloated text editors, Markdown Edit delivers a seamless writing experience with live preview, word count, and syntax highlighting.
It’s perfect for anyone who works with markdown regularly—whether you’re crafting README files, blog posts, or software documentation.
Best Features
Live Preview: View the output as you write—perfect for catching formatting issues.
Minimal Interface: No clutter, just a simple editor that gets out of your way.
Syntax Highlighting: Makes reading and editing markdown much easier.
Word & Character Count: Handy for bloggers and writers tracking limits.
Portable Application: No installation required; just download and run.
Limitations
Windows Only: Currently only available for Windows users.
No Collaboration Features: Strictly a solo editing tool.
Limited Customization: Minimalist design may not suit users needing complex formatting tools.
Pricing
Completely free and open-source. No paid plans or subscriptions.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.2 out of 5 from over 1,000 users)
Community Feedback: Users love its speed and simplicity, but wish for cross-platform support.
5. Notea – Best for Simplified Note-Taking and Organization
Notea is a minimalist open-source note-taking application that runs on the web and supports markdown, making it an excellent choice for users who want a distraction-free space to capture ideas, tasks, or plans. Built on the modern Jamstack architecture, Notea offers fast performance, cloud storage support (like AWS S3), and a clean user interface that helps focus solely on your notes.
It’s particularly suitable for individuals or teams looking for a simple, self-hosted alternative to Notion or Evernote without sacrificing usability or performance.
Best Features
Markdown Support: Create beautifully formatted notes using markdown syntax.
Notebook and Tag System: Organize content effectively by categorizing notes.
Image & File Upload: Attach media and files to enhance your notes.
Cloud-Ready: Supports external storage like Amazon S3 or MinIO.
Self-Hosted: Full control over your data and customization.
Limitations
Development Paused: The original developer paused updates, though community forks are still active.
No Collaboration Features: Notea is designed for single-user productivity rather than team sharing.
Requires Self-Hosting Setup: Might not be ideal for non-technical users who need plug-and-play solutions.
Pricing
Free and open-source. Requires manual setup if self-hosted.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.2 out of 5 from 3,000+ users)
Community Feedback: Highly appreciated for its speed and simplicity; users suggest enhancements for collaboration.
6. Mininote – Best for Lightweight, Quick Note-Taking
Mininote is a fast and extremely lightweight open-source note-taking application built for simplicity and speed. It’s ideal for users who need to jot down quick thoughts, ideas, or to-dos without loading a complex interface or waiting for sync features. The app runs as a desktop or browser tool and is suitable for those who prefer offline note-taking with local data storage.
Mininote is great for students, writers, or anyone who wants a minimal app that doesn’t get in the way of productivity.
Best Features
Ultra-Lightweight: Launches instantly and uses minimal system resources.
Simple UI: Clean, text-first interface with zero distractions.
Local Storage: Keeps all notes on your machine—no cloud dependency.
Dark Mode: User-friendly theme support for late-night writing.
Limitations
No Syncing or Cloud Backup: Notes stay on the device unless manually backed up.
No Rich Text or Markdown Support: Strictly plain-text based.
Lacks Organizational Structure: No tagging or folder system.
Pricing
Completely free and open-source.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★☆☆ (3.9 out of 5 from around 500 users)
Community Feedback: Loved for its raw simplicity, though limited in features for complex note-taking.
7. RemNote – Best for Organizing Notes for Quick Access
RemNote combines note-taking with spaced repetition, making it one of the best open-source tools for learning and long-term information retention. It’s widely used by students, researchers, and professionals who need structured knowledge systems, like flashcards, backlinks, and hierarchical note trees.
Unlike standard note apps, RemNote treats every note like a learning unit. Users can build complex, interconnected documents and easily review key concepts using built-in memory techniques.
Best Features
Spaced Repetition System (SRS): Helps you remember what you study through intelligent flashcard review.
Linked Notes & Backlinks: Create a connected knowledge graph for easy reference.
Hierarchy & Outliner Mode: Great for building structured content such as lecture notes or study guides.
Markdown Support: Format your notes efficiently.
Cross-Platform Access: Available on web, desktop, and mobile.
Limitations
Steep Learning Curve: Might be overwhelming for casual users unfamiliar with SRS or backlinks.
Some Features Behind Paywall: Certain advanced features are only in the pro version.
Occasional Sync Issues: Reported by a few users in large databases.
Pricing
Free Plan: Core features, local backups, limited SRS support.
Pro Plan: $6/month (adds PDF annotation, priority support, and advanced scheduling)
Open Source Core: While it offers a commercial plan, the underlying note system is open-source and customizable.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.5 out of 5 from over 3,500 users)
Community Feedback: Highly regarded by the academic community for deep learning tools and customizability.
8. Trillium – Best for Hierarchical Note-Taking Formats
Trillium Notes is a feature-rich, hierarchical note-taking application that excels in organizing large volumes of structured information. Built as a desktop and web application, Trillium allows users to create deeply nested note trees, making it perfect for writers, researchers, or project managers who deal with complex information flows.
What sets Trillium apart is its flexibility. Users can write notes in markdown, add tags, encrypt notes, and even publish parts of their knowledge base. It’s designed for both offline and online use, with options to sync via self-hosted servers.
Best Features
Hierarchical Tree Structure: Organize notes in expandable branches, ideal for outlining.
Rich Text and Markdown Support: Flexible formatting options.
End-to-End Encryption: Protect sensitive notes with password-based encryption.
Tagging System: Assign custom tags for faster note retrieval.
Cross-Platform Support: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and via browser.
Limitations
Manual Syncing Setup: No built-in cloud syncing, requires self-hosting or file sync services.
Not Designed for Collaboration: Primarily a single-user experience.
Learning Curve: The interface can be overwhelming for new users.
Pricing
Free and open-source. No premium or paid versions.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.3 out of 5 from 4,000+ users)
Community Feedback: Celebrated for its deep structure and privacy-first approach.
9. Grist – Best for Integrated Spreadsheet and Database Management
Grist blends the power of spreadsheets with the functionality of a database, offering users a unique platform for data organization and productivity. Designed for teams and individuals managing structured data, Grist is perfect for project tracking, CRM, financial planning, inventory, and more.
Its open-source version allows complete customization and self-hosting, while the intuitive drag-and-drop interface supports relations, filters, and formulas that go beyond traditional spreadsheet apps like Excel or Google Sheets.
Best Features
Database-Like Structure: Create relational tables with spreadsheet simplicity.
Custom Widgets and Layouts: Build dynamic dashboards and visualizations.
User Permissions: Granular access controls for collaborative projects.
Flexible Templates: Pre-built templates for CRM, budgeting, content calendars, etc.
Self-Hosting Option: Run your own secure Grist instance.
Limitations
Might Be Complex for Beginners: Users unfamiliar with databases may need time to adjust.
Limited Offline Capabilities: Primarily a cloud-based tool unless self-hosted.
Pricing
Free Plan: For individuals and small teams with basic needs.
Team Plan: $8/user/month for advanced collaboration and automation.
Enterprise: Custom pricing; includes priority support and compliance features.
Open Source Version: Available for self-hosting.
Ratings & Reviews
GitHub Stars: ★★★★☆ (4.6 out of 5 from over 5,000 users)
Community Feedback: Loved for combining spreadsheet ease with database power.
10. Wikisuite – Best for Collaboration and Productivity Suite
Wikisuite is a comprehensive open-source productivity and collaboration suite that combines a wide range of tools into one integrated system. It’s often compared to Google Workspace but for teams that value privacy, control, and open standards.
Wikisuite includes applications for project management, document editing, wikis, file sharing, email, chat, and more—all built on top of Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware. It’s a one-stop-shop solution for organizations, NGOs, schools, and enterprises looking for a full digital workplace infrastructure without relying on proprietary cloud platforms.
Best Features
All-in-One Productivity Suite: Combines wiki, email, calendar, spreadsheets, CRM, and chat.
Highly Customizable: Modular structure with 1000+ configuration options.
Open Source Stack: Full transparency and no vendor lock-in.
Scalable Architecture: Suitable for small teams or large enterprises.
Community-Driven Development: Backed by an active user and developer community.
Limitations
Complex Setup and Management: Best suited for organizations with IT resources.
Overwhelming for Small Projects: May be overkill if you only need one or two tools.
Pricing
Free and open-source. Requires self-hosting or third-party hosting services.
Professional Services: Optional support and implementation services are available at a cost.
Ratings & Reviews
Community Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4 out of 5 across open-source communities)
GitHub/Tiki Community Feedback: Recognized for versatility and depth.
Simplify Your Workflow with Open-Source Productivity Tools
Boosting productivity isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. The right open-source tools, combined with a clear plan, can help you stay organized whether you’re at the office or working remotely.
Sometimes, a few simple productivity tricks are enough. But when the workload grows, open-source software can keep you aligned with your goals and deadlines.
There are countless tools available. The challenge is finding the right one without spending hours testing everything.
If you’d rather skip the trial-and-error phase, start with Corexta. It’s an all-in-one tool for note-taking, project tracking, team collaboration, and more—all designed to make your workflow smoother.
Give Corexta a try—it’s free and built for results.
