The Operating System for Business Operations
What Linux is to servers, Redmine is to operations. A free, open-source, battle-tested foundation. MSS plugins are the applications.
Redmine+ Plugins
Redmine (Operating System)
What is Redmine?
An open-source web application created in 2006. Projects, tickets, workflows, time tracking, custom fields, role-based permissions. All built-in, all free.
20 years of active development. Thousands of companies. Zero license fees.
Projects
Tickets
Time tracking
Workflows
More than a project tool
Calling Redmine a "project management tool" is like calling Linux a "file system". Redmine is a platform. Its ticket engine is so flexible that companies run HR processes, recruitment pipelines, asset management, and entire operational workflows on it, without a single plugin.
Plugins unlock its full potential. That is where MSS comes in.
Extensibility
A thriving plugin ecosystem
Redmine was designed to be extended. Over 1,000 community and commercial plugins exist today. Install only what you need.
Modular
Each plugin is independent. Install, remove, or upgrade without affecting the core.
Transparent
Open-source core means no black boxes. You can inspect, audit, or extend anything.
Integrated
Plugins share the same data model, permissions, and UI. No fragmented silos.
The honest comparison
Why not Jira?
Jira is a great tool. But it comes with trade-offs most teams accept without questioning.
| Jira / SaaS | Redmine |
|---|---|
| Forces Scrum/Kanban methodology | Adapts to how your team actually works |
| $8.15/user/month (scales with headcount) | Free. Forever. Unlimited users. |
| Cloud-only for most teams | Self-hosted. Your servers, your rules. |
| Project management only | Operational platform (projects + HR + capacity) |
| Vendor lock-in (Atlassian ecosystem) | Open-source. No lock-in. Ever. |
Data Sovereignty
Your infrastructure. Your data. Your compliance.
Open-source security
Code scrutinized by a global community. Integrates with LDAP, Active Directory, and your existing IT stack.
Total data governance
Your database, your servers, your access logs. No third-party data processors. No blind trust.
GDPR & SOC 2 ready
You decide where data lives, who accesses it, and how the network is secured. The gold standard for your legal team.
How do I get Redmine?
100% free and open-source
Host it on bare metal, private cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure), or use a managed Redmine provider. Your only costs are hosting and maintenance.
Version Compatibility
MSS plugins are tested with Redmine 5.1, 6.0, and 6.1.
Makes Sense Software
Applications for your operating system
Redmine is the foundation. MSS plugins are the polished, production-ready applications that turn it into a complete operational platform.
Redmine+
Standalone plugins for your Redmine. One-time purchase, use forever. Start with Board+ today.
Explore Redmine+Our capacity planning SaaS platform. Connects project demand to workforce capacity for growing teams.
Discover Merlin