Curious about what makes your favorite software powerful? The magic lies in open-source projects, where collaboration drives innovation.
Whether you’re a developer or just interested in tech, navigating the vast open-source landscape can be overwhelming. Some projects may go unnoticed, and you don’t want to invest your skills in those that might fade away.
My team and I explored open-source tools from machine learning to web development, and our research yielded valuable insights. In this blog, I’m going to list down some cool open-source projects, ensuring you have the best tools at your disposal.
The 24 Best Open Source Projects to Contribute to
Discovering the right open source project management tools to contribute can enhance your coding skills and expand your network within the open-source community
Here are the top 24 top open source projects ideal for new contributors, to help you manage projects seamlessly
Communication and collaboration tools
1. ClickUp (Best for all-in-one customized project management)
Though ClickUp for Software Teams isn’t an open-source tool in the traditional sense, it mirrors the foundational principles of the open-source philosophy, such as flexibility, sharing, collaboration, and community engagement. Its user-friendly interface, vast customization options, and robust integration capabilities make it a prime tool in project management. ClickUp Project Management offers top-notch privacy and sharing functionalities, ensuring no compatibility issues across its full range of project management features. Like open-source projects allowing developers to tailor their tools to fit specific needs, ClickUp offers extensive customization options. Users can tailor views and dashboards to their preferences and set up detailed automation with various apps.
ClickUp fosters a collaborative environment where users can share insights, tips, and best practices through a community group . This community aspect mirrors the open-source culture, where users contribute to the tool’s growth and enhance its usability through shared knowledge.
ClickUp users benefit from a rich repository of resources, tutorials, and user-generated content that helps them maximize the platform’s potential.
Moreover, developers can enhance their work by integrating with GitHub or creating applications using the ClickUp API. This adds to even greater developer flexibility and control over project management workflows.
Read More: How can open APIs customize your workflows?
ClickUp best features
Keep all project metrics at your fingertips by customizing your ClickUp Dashboards
Keep all project metrics at your fingertips by customizing your ClickUp Dashboards —tailor dashboards to suit your project needs, enabling comprehensive visibility and monitoring.
Create custom automation to align with your workflows with ClickUp Automations
Streamline open source projects and workflows with ClickUp Automations by automating repetitive tasks such as status updates and project handoffs. This capability enhances efficiency and reduces manual errors.
Use ClickUp Brain to fasten your project planning and management
Fast-track your projects by leveraging ClickUp Brain to generate subtasks based on descriptions, summarize threads, and autonomously update tasks, making project management smoother and more intuitive.
Centralize project documentation with ClickUp Docs to keep your team aligned and informed
- Keep every team member informed and aligned by documenting project details comprehensively within ClickUp Docs Seamlessly integrate with over 200 tools like GitHub, Slack, and Google Drive, enhancing functionality and connectivity within your tech stack with ClickUp Integrations
*Read More:
Top 10 API integration platforms to streamline your business operations in 2024
Collaborate in real time using ClickUp Whiteboards to turn brainstorming into structured project plans
Use ClickUp Whiteboards to facilitate real-time collaboration on strategic initiatives, transforming brainstorming sessions into actionable project tasks.
ClickUp limitations
- The freemium model may limit some advanced features, pushing users towards paid plans
- The learning curve might be steep for some users
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7/month per user
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
Also read: We Tested the 10 Best Open Source Productivity Software
2. Mattermost: A flexible open-source collaboration platform
via Mattermost Mattermost is an open-source messaging and collaboration platform designed for developers and companies seeking a secure and configurable team communication tool. It enables teams to organize conversations, share files, and manage projects through integrated channels and workflows.
Mattermost best features
- Deploy Mattermost on your servers to maintain full control over your organization’s communications and data security
- Customize and extend its functionality with plugins, integrations, and bots to tailor the platform to your specific needs
Mattermost limitations
- Requires self-hosting, which can be complex and resource-intensive for small teams or organizations without dedicated IT support
Mattermost pricing
- Free: Free
- Professional: $10/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Mattermost reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.3/5 (332 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (158 reviews)
Machine learning and AI
3. TensorFlow: A powerful open-source platform for machine learning
via TensorFlow TensorFlow is an open-source projects library designed for high-performance numerical computation. It offers a flexible ecosystem that allows developers to easily build and deploy machine learning models.
TensorFlow supports diverse applications with its Open API , which is backed by extensive API documentation tools . This ensures developers can easily customize and extend their machine learning projects.
TensorFlow best features
- Flexible APIs like Keras simplify model design
- Compatibility across devices—from smartphones to clusters
TensorFlow limitations
- Steep learning curve for beginners
TensorFlow pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
TensorFlow ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5 out of 5 (60+ reviews)
- Capterra: Rating: 4.6 (100+ reviews)
4. PyTorch: A versatile tool for machine learning
via PyTorch PyTorch is an open source machine learning library favored for applications like computer vision and natural language processing. It excels in deep learning model development and research. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools, such as tensor computing with strong GPU acceleration and dynamic computation graphs for flexible model building.
PyTorch best features
- TorchScript facilitates a smooth transition from development to production
- Multi-GPU support to scale projects effectively
PyTorch limitations
- Increased memory consumption in comparison to more static graph frameworks
PyTorch pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
PyTorch reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
5. Scikit-learn: A robust toolkit for machine learning in Python
via Scikit-learn Scikit-learn is a Python library that provides simple and efficient data mining and analysis tools. It is built on NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib, is accessible to everyone, and is reusable across various contexts. Scikit-learn is open source under the BSD license and is suitable for commercial use.
Scikit-learn best features
- Comprehensive machine learning toolkit to handle classification, regression, clustering, and dimensionality reduction
- Seamless integration with Python’s scientific stack
Scikit-learn limitations
- No native support for deep-learning libraries
Scikit-learn pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Scikit-learn reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.8 out of 5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
Web development
6. Django: A high-level framework for rapid web development
via Django Django is a high-level Python web framework that supports rapid development with clean, pragmatic design. Favored by perfectionists under deadlines, Django streamlines web app development by handling much of the routine work, allowing developers to focus on unique app features.
Django best features
- Accelerate the development cycle from concept to completion to boost productivity.
- Boost application security by automatically safeguarding against SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and clickjacking while securely managing user authentication and sessions.
Django limitations
- Deployment can be challenging on some platforms, like Windows or shared hosts
- Database changes are hard to revert once committed
Django pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Django reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (160+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (10+ reviews)
7. Flask: A lightweight framework for flexible web development
via Flask Flask, a micro web framework for Python, is perfect for beginners. It is lightweight yet powerful and allows users to create web applications quickly. Flask is built on the Werkzeug WSGI toolkit and Jinja template engine and relies on the Click CLI toolkit for its command-line capabilities.
Flask best features
- Easy-to-use and extensible framework for application development
- Minimal frameworks provide low core complexity while allowing for significant extensions
Flask limitations
- Minimalistic core may require numerous extensions for large applications
Flask pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Flask reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: Rating: 4.6/5 (10+ reviews)
8. React: A robust library for building user interfaces
via React React is the definitive library for building web and native user interfaces, offering unmatched flexibility in the development process. This tool enhances developer productivity by utilizing JavaScript, a versatile programming language. Its GitHub integration capabilities streamline development workflows and promote collaboration.
React best features
- Modular, maintainable code with component-based architecture
- JSX syntax simplifies writing and understanding code by integrating UI logic directly
React limitations
- Users have reported occasional challenges integrating complex native modules in React Native
React pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
React reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (130 reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
9. Vue.js: A progressive JavaScript framework for building web interfaces
via Vue.js Vue.js is recognized as a progressive JavaScript framework designed for building user interfaces. It provides the simplicity of integration like a library and the robust feature set of a full-fledged framework, making it suitable for everything from small-scale applications to large-scale enterprise-level projects.
Vue.js best features
- Intuitive API and world-class documentation to facilitate easy adoption
- Reactive and compiler-optimized rendering to minimize the need for manual optimization
Vue.js limitations
- Newer in the market with some challenges in complex scenarios
Vue.js pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Vue.js reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.8/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (10+ reviews)
DevOps and automation
10. Jenkins: A leading automation server for scalable software development
via Jenkins Jenkins is an open-source automation server that lets you deploy, automate, and build tools and projects of any scale. This tool is known for its extensive community members’ support and ability to handle complex workflows efficiently.
Jenkins best features
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for integrating CI/CD toolchains
- Scalable distributed architecture for managing larger workloads
Jenkins limitations
- Configuration can be challenging
- UI may feel outdated compared to modern tools
Jenkins pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Jenkins reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.4/5 (500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (550+ reviews)
11. Ansible: A powerful automation engine for IT processes
via Ansible Ansible is an ideal open-source IT automation tool for simplifying provisioning, configuration management, application deployment, and many other IT processes. The Red Hat® Ansible Automation Platform enhances its robust framework by integrating numerous upstream projects into a unified enterprise solution for advanced automation needs.
Ansible best features
- Comprehensive automation of IT processes across multiple environments and systems for improved efficiency
- Easy handling of complex operations with an extensive library of pre-built modules for scalability
Ansible limitations
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and large-scale automation scenarios
Ansible pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Ansible reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (270+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
12. Kubernetes: A powerful orchestrator for containerized applications
via Kubernetes Kubernetes, or K8s, revolutionizes the management of containerized applications through its robust automation capabilities. As a cornerstone of modern DevOps, Kubernetes excels in deploying, scaling, and managing complex applications.
Kubernetes best features
- Ensure smooth transitions and quick recovery from disruptions with automated rollouts and rollbacks
- Facilitate efficient networking without altering application code through service discovery and load balancing
Kubernetes limitations
- Management complexities reported by users make the tool challenging to handle initially
Kubernetes pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Kubernetes reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (130+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
Data management and analysis
13. Elasticsearch: A dynamic search and analytics engine
via Elasticsearch Elasticsearch is a distributed, RESTful search and analytics engine known for its speed, scalability, and ability to handle various data types. As the core component of the Elastic Stack, Elasticsearch supports a variety of use cases, including log and infrastructure monitoring, application performance monitoring, and more.
Elasticsearch best features
- Deploy search capabilities across diverse data types for real-time performance
- Derive insights from advanced analytics through real-time search and aggregation
Elasticsearch limitations
- Limited support for KNN queries compared to standard full-text searches
- Needs detailed examples and tutorials for new users, especially to implement crawlers
Elasticsearch pricing
- Standard: $95/month
- Gold: $109/month
- Platinum: $125/month
- Enterprise: $175/month
Elasticsearch reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (80+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (60+ reviews)
14. Apache Kafka: A powerful platform for real-time data streams
via Apache Kafka Apache Kafka is a powerhouse in data streaming. As an open-source distributed event streaming platform, it enables high-performance data pipelines to streamline analytics and data integration. Apache Kafka encourages community involvement, and maintaining its robust architecture often involves a pull request from global contributors.
Apache Kafka best features
- Rapid message delivery with low latency across distributed systems for high throughput
- Extensive networks handling trillions of messages and petabytes of data daily with scalability support
Apache Kafka limitations
- Limited Python support can restrict usability for some developers
Apache Kafka pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Apache Kafka reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (110+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
15. PostgreSQL: An advanced open source relational database
via PostgreSQL With over 35 years of active development, PostgreSQL has gained a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance. It supports a wide range of advanced data types and performance optimization features, which are crucial for efficiently handling large volumes of data.
PostgreSQL best features
- Data accuracy and consistency with robust transactional support and strong integrity guarantees
- High-speed data retrieval through extensive indexing options and a powerful query optimizer
PostgreSQL limitations
- Needs more integration with widely used open-source applications for enhanced functionality
PostgreSQL pricing
- Available as free open-source software
PostgreSQL reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.4/5 (630 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (410 votes)
Operating systems
16. Linux Kernel: The core of Linux operating systems
via Linux Kernel Linux kernel is the central component of Linux operating systems, serving as the critical mediator between hardware and processes. It manages system resources and simplifies complex interactions, ensuring efficient performance. Developed with security in mind, the kernel is a testament to the power and flexibility of open-source tools.
Linux Kernel best features
- Enhanced system stability and performance by efficiently managing memory and processes
- Vvast hardware ecosystem with an extensive range of device drivers
Linux Kernel limitations
- Requires in-depth technical knowledge for customization and troubleshooting
Linux Kernel pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Linux Kernel reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
17. SerenityOS: A fresh take on classic desktop operating systems
via SerenityOS SerenityOS is an open-source operating system that combines a nostalgic graphical user interface with modern software design principles. It was built from scratch, emphasizing a cohesive, tight-knit user and developer community that continually enhances its capabilities and stability.
SerenityOS best features
- Nostalgic user experience with a modern twist through a retro 90s GUI aesthetic
- Robust, flexible, and powerful system management provided by a Unix-like core
SerenityOS limitations
- Its niche user base may not appeal to all users, particularly those accustomed to mainstream commercial OS
SerenityOS pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
SerenityOS reviews and ratings
- Not enough reviews
Mobile development
18. Flutter: A versatile framework for cross-platform development
via Flutter Created by Google, Flutter is an open-source UI software development tool for developing native applications for Android, Mac, Google Fuchsia, iOS, Linux, Windows, and the web from a single codebase. This tool is renowned for helping developers build attractive, natively compiled tools and applications.
Flutter best features
- High performance achieved by compiling to ARM, Intel machine code, and JavaScript for rapid execution across all devices
- Multiple platform deployment from a single codebase, including iOS, Android, web, and desktop
Flutter limitations
- Performance currently lags behind native platforms like Kotlin or Swift, highlighting a need for further development
Flutter pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Flutter reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (60+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (70+ reviews)
19. React Native: A powerful framework for building mobile apps
via React Native Developed by Facebook, React Native is designed to create native mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It enables developers to write code once and deploy it on Android and iOS platforms, significantly reducing development time and costs while maintaining a high performance and user experience.
React Native best features
- Cross-platform mobile applications with one codebase
- Vast ecosystem of libraries and tools to enhance app functionality
React Native limitations
- Performance can lag behind truly native apps, particularly for complex or graphics-intensive applications
React Native pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
React Native reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (130 reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
E-commerce and business solutions
20. ERPNext: The most agile ERP on the planet
via ERPNext ERPNext is widely regarded among the top free and open source ERP software. The tool offers a complete suite of business management tools, from financial accounting to CRM and manufacturing. Its user-friendly interface and extensive customizability make it a preferred choice for over 10,000 companies worldwide.
ERPNext best features
- Comprehensive ERP system with over 1,000 modules to streamline business operations
- Real-time financial accounting and reporting for enhanced transparency and control
ERPNext limitations
- Underutilization of key modules in some implementations can limit access to valuable features and insights
ERPNext pricing
- Small Business: $52/month for teams with around 50 employees
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
ERPNext reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (130+ votes)
21. Bagisto: The versatile Laravel e-commerce framework
via Bagisto Bagisto is an open source e-commerce platform built on Laravel and Vue.js. It helps businesses establish or expand their online stores. With various customizable features and an intuitive interface, Bagisto supports marketplaces, mobile apps, blockchain, and headless commerce applications, all powered by Generative AI.
Bagisto best features
- Dynamic mobile platform synchronizes products and categories in real-time
- Comprehensive suite of tools for efficient order management and enhanced customer interaction
Bagisto limitations
- Newer users may not fully utilize all available modules, leading to underutilization of the platform’s capabilities
Bagisto pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Bagisto reviews and ratings
- Not enough reviews
22. Odoo: A comprehensive suite for business management
via Odoo Odoo is an open source, all-in-one business software that offers a range of applications to streamline and automate business processes. Its modular architecture, Odoo, enables users to start with basic modules and add more as their business grows. It’s widely used for CRM, e-commerce, accounting, inventory, point of sale, and project management.
Odoo best features
- Seamless user experience combines all business functions through comprehensive integration
- Customization options in Odoo Studio tailor solutions to specific business needs
Odoo limitations
- Non-profits struggle with Odoo’s complexity in managing donations, as it uses invoicing and sales modules not optimized for these tasks
Odoo pricing
- One App Free Plan: $0
- Standard Plan: $31.10/month per user
- Custom Plan: $46.80/month per user
Odoo reviews and ratings
- G2: 4.2/5 (260+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (940 reviews)
Educational projects
23. freeCodeCamp: A leading platform for coding education
via freeCodeCamp freeCodeCamp is a non-profit organization that offers free, interactive coding lessons and other projects to help people learn web development and earn certifications in various programming disciplines. With its extensive curriculum, you can master basic HTML and CSS to complex topics and technologies like machine learning and information security.
freeCodeCamp best features
- Chance to build a portfolio of real-world projects to demonstrate competence and skills through project-based learning
Vibrant community of learners and experts for assistance, mentorship, and collaboration
freeCodeCamp limitations
Lack of structure in self-paced learning can be challenging for students who thrive in a more traditional educational environment
freeCodeCamp pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
freeCodeCamp reviews and ratings
- Not enough reviews
24. Open edX: An expansive learning platform for diverse educational needs
via Open edX Open edX is one of the secure, highly scalable open source projects used by universities, enterprises, and government organizations worldwide. It is designed to deliver diverse learning experiences, including massive open online courses (MOOCs), small private online courses, and corporate training sessions.
Open edX best features
- Engaging online learning experiences at scale across various formats, such as MOOCs and corporate training
- Enhanced user engagement with interactive content, multimedia integration, and real-time communication tools
Open edX limitations
- The Open edX Community Edition may require additional plugins or custom development to address specialized needs, which can increase complexity and time for tailored implementations
Open edX pricing
- Available for free as it is open source
Open edX reviews and ratings
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (80+ votes)
Start Your Project with the Right Open-Source Tool—ClickUp
When managing open-source software development, not all tools are created equal. They can make all the difference in fostering innovation and collaboration. Each of the open-source projects mentioned offers unique advantages, but ClickUp stands out as a game-changer.
It’s more than just a management platform—it’s a flexible, customizable solution designed to enhance team collaboration and streamline project workflows, especially for developers working in open-source environments.
What makes ClickUp particularly powerful is its ability to align with the core values of open-source—transparency, collaboration, and adaptability. It integrates effortlessly into various development workflows, from small teams to large-scale projects, allowing users to manage tasks, automate processes, and track progress easily.
Whether working on a personal project or contributing to a global initiative, ClickUp offers the structure and tools needed to stay efficient and organized.
With open-source development evolving rapidly, a reliable tool like ClickUp is critical to staying competitive and driving innovation forward. Are you ready to optimize your project management strategies? Sign up with ClickUp today and experience how it transforms your open source projects.