Eigenfocus: Project Management Without the Monthly Tax

Most platforms—Asana, Monday, ClickUp, Jira—force you into expensive monthly subscriptions that scale with your team, punishing growth and creating endless budget bloat. Eigenfocus breaks this model with a refreshing approach: a powerful, flexible project management tool available as both self-hosted (pay once) and cloud options. Whether you're a freelancer tracking personal projects, a startup managing product development, or a consulting firm juggling client work, Eigenfocus delivers the essential organization and time tracking you need without the enterprise-grade complexity you don't.

Website: https://eigenfocus.com/

GitHub - Eigenfocus/eigenfocus: Self-Hosted - Project Management, Planning and Time Tracker

Self-Hosted - Project Management, Planning and Time Tracker - Eigenfocus/eigenfocus

GitHubEigenfocus

Why Choose Eigenfocus?

In a market saturated with bloated, subscription-based project management tools, Eigenfocus stands out with a fundamentally different approach:

• Simple Like Trello, Flexible Like Jira
  Eigenfocus strikes the perfect balance—intuitive drag-and-drop boards for visual thinkers, but with the customization power to handle complex workflows.
• Pay Once, Use Forever
  The self-hosted version has a one-time payment model—no monthly subscriptions, no per-user scaling, no budget surprises.
• Time Tracking Built In
  Track time directly on issues and generate detailed reports for billing, productivity analysis, or performance reviews.
• Multiple Views & Custom Statuses
  In the PRO version, configure multiple views with dynamic columns based on status, assignee, or labels—see your work exactly how you need to.
• Focus Space for Productivity
  Built-in focus timers and space to help you execute tasks with maximum efficiency.
• Self-Hosting for Privacy & Control
  Deploy on your own infrastructure for complete data sovereignty and customize to your heart's content.

Spotlight on Key Features

1. Versatile Project Management

• Customizable kanban boards for visual workflow management
• Issues with markdown descriptions, file attachments, and labels
• Real-time updates and collaborative editing
• Issue comments and notes for team discussion

2. Integrated Time Tracking

• Track time on projects and specific issues
• Generate reports by project and date ranges
• Analyze productivity and billable hours
• Time-based insights for better estimation

3. Focus & Productivity Tools

• Built-in focus timers for deep work sessions
• Personal productivity metrics
• Task prioritization and organization

4. PRO: Advanced Project Organization

• Custom issue statuses and types for complex workflows
• Multiple views with saved filters and perspectives
• Dynamic columns representing status, labels, or assignees
• Grid view for tabular data visualization (coming soon)

5. PRO: Team Collaboration

• Multiple users with permission controls
• Issue assignment and tracking
• Synchronized workflows across team members
• Real-time collaboration and updates

Eigenfocus vs. Closed-Source Alternatives

How does Eigenfocus compare to the big names in project management? Here's a side-by-side look:

Beyond the Feature Matrix

• No Subscription Fatigue: Eigenfocus is available as a one-time purchase for self-hosting, freeing you from the endless subscription cycle.
• No Team Size Penalties: Unlike tools that charge per user, making growth painful, Eigenfocus scales with you at no additional cost.
• No Forced Upgrades: You decide when and if to upgrade, with no surprise feature removals or forced migrations.
• No Data Privacy Concerns: Self-host to keep your project data, client information, and strategic planning entirely private.

Getting Started in Minutes

Eigenfocus is designed for effortless deployment and use:

🐳 Docker (Recommended)

docker run \
    --restart unless-stopped \
    -v ./app-data:/eigenfocus-app/app-data \
    -p 3001:3000 \
    -e DEFAULT_HOST_URL=http://localhost:3001 \
    -d \
    eigenfocus/eigenfocus:1.1.0-free

🐳 Docker Compose

services:
  web:
    image: eigenfocus/eigenfocus:1.1.0-free
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - ./app-data:/eigenfocus-app/app-data
    environment:
     - DEFAULT_HOST_URL=http://localhost:3001
    ports:
      - 3001:3000

Run with: docker compose up -d

🌐 Try the PRO Demo

Check out the live demo to explore all features before deciding.

Real-World Applications

For Freelancers & Consultants

Track client projects, manage deliverables, and generate accurate time reports for billing—all in one place, with no per-client subscription costs.

For Startups

Organize sprints, track features, and manage product roadmaps with a tool that scales with your team size without scaling your monthly expenses.

For Remote Teams

Stay synchronized across time zones with visual boards, clear issue tracking, and comprehensive time logs for accountability.

For Software Development

Manage sprints, track bugs, and organize feature development with custom workflows that match your development process.

For Personal Productivity

Organize side projects, track personal goals, and manage your productivity with focus timers and organized task boards.

Join the Eigenfocus Community

With over 634 GitHub stars and growing, Eigenfocus is continuously improving:

• Follow Updates: Star the repository on GitHub to stay informed about new features
• Suggest Features: Share your ideas on GitHub Issues
• Spread the Word: Help others discover a subscription-free project management alternative

Final Thoughts

Project management tools should enable your work, not become a significant line item in your budget. Eigenfocus represents a new approach—powerful enough for complex projects, simple enough for individual use, and financially sustainable with its one-time purchase model.

Whether you're escaping the complexity of Jira, the pricing structure of Asana, or simply looking for a more flexible and cost-effective way to organize your work, Eigenfocus offers a compelling alternative that puts you back in control.

Ready to transform your project management approach? Explore eigenfocus.com or dive into the free version on GitHub.