In simple English
ZenTao is a program to run your own project management board on your own server. It helps you track tasks, bug reports, and product features from one dashboard. You can use it to manage software development using Scrum, Kanban, or Waterfall methods. It costs nothing to download and run yourself, but you need a server and some technical skill to install it. You must also maintain the server and handle your own data backups over time.
What it is
ZenTao is a web application written in PHP (a programming language used to build websites) that combines bug tracking, test management, and project planning. It separates your work into distinct concepts for products, projects, and quality assurance.
What it is good for
Solo builders and small teams who want a free, self-hosted alternative to commercial issue trackers and need to manage tasks alongside bug reports without paying monthly fees.
- Combines task management, bug tracking, and test cases in a single self-hosted tool.
- Supports multiple planning styles including Scrum, Kanban, and Waterfall.
- Free to use on your own server with no user limits on the open-source edition.
- Requires a PHP server environment and database setup, which can be hard for non-programmers.
- Uses a custom and AGPL licence combination that may restrict how you modify or share the code.
- Includes upsells and references to paid commercial editions within the interface.
Jira
MySQL
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git clone https://github.com/easysoft/zentaopms.git # Move the files to your PHP web server document root and open it in your browser to complete the web installer.