Focalboard vs Planka: Self-Hosted Kanban Boards
Quick Verdict
Planka is the better standalone kanban board — it’s simpler, actively maintained, and focused on doing one thing well. Focalboard is better if you’re already using Mattermost and want integrated project management. Note: Focalboard’s standalone version is no longer actively developed; it’s been absorbed into Mattermost Boards.
Overview
Focalboard was an open-source project management tool by Mattermost, offering kanban boards, table views, gallery views, and calendar views. The standalone personal edition used SQLite; the Mattermost plugin version integrated directly into Mattermost. Important: Mattermost deprecated the standalone Focalboard in late 2023, folding it into Mattermost Boards (now part of Mattermost’s core product). The standalone server still works but receives no updates.
Planka is an actively maintained, Trello-like kanban board written in React with a Node.js backend. It focuses on visual project management with boards, lists, cards, labels, due dates, and attachments. It uses PostgreSQL and has a clean, modern interface.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Focalboard (Standalone) | Planka |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT → AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Status | Deprecated (standalone) | Actively maintained |
| Language | Go + TypeScript | Node.js + React |
| Database | SQLite/PostgreSQL | PostgreSQL (required) |
| Kanban view | Yes | Yes |
| Table view | Yes | No |
| Calendar view | Yes | No |
| Gallery view | Yes | No |
| Card covers | Yes | Yes |
| Labels | Yes | Yes |
| Due dates | Yes | Yes |
| Checklists | Yes | Yes |
| File attachments | Yes | Yes |
| Comments | Yes | Yes |
| Board templates | Yes (extensive) | No |
| Custom properties | Yes | No |
| Mattermost integration | Yes (native) | No |
| OIDC/SSO | Mattermost version only | Yes (v2+) |
| API | REST API | No public API |
| RAM usage | 100-200 MB | 150-300 MB |
Installation Complexity
Focalboard standalone was simple — a single Docker container with SQLite. However, since it’s deprecated, using the Mattermost Boards version requires deploying the entire Mattermost stack (Mattermost server + PostgreSQL), which is significantly more complex.
Planka needs PostgreSQL (two containers). Configuration is straightforward with environment variables. Active maintenance means Docker images are current and setup instructions are up to date.
Winner: Planka, because its deployment is current and supported.
Performance and Resource Usage
Focalboard standalone used 100-200 MB RAM with SQLite. Lightweight and efficient. Mattermost Boards inherits Mattermost’s footprint — 500 MB+ RAM.
Planka uses 150-300 MB for the Node.js app plus PostgreSQL. Total stack: 300-500 MB. Reasonable for what it offers.
Community and Support
Focalboard has an archived GitHub repository. No new issues are addressed, no updates are released. Existing deployments work but are frozen in time.
Planka has active development, responsive maintainers, and a growing community. Issues get addressed. Features get added. This matters for long-term viability.
Winner: Planka, definitively.
Use Cases
Choose Focalboard If…
- You’re already running Mattermost and want integrated boards
- You need table, calendar, and gallery views alongside kanban
- Custom properties on cards are essential
- Board templates save you time
- You accept the risk of using a deprecated standalone product
Choose Planka If…
- You want a standalone, actively maintained kanban board
- A clean Trello-like UX is your priority
- You need a reliable, supported product
- You don’t use Mattermost
- Long-term maintenance and updates matter
Final Verdict
For new deployments, choose Planka. Focalboard’s standalone version is deprecated, and choosing a project with no maintenance path is risky. Planka is actively developed, has a clean UI, and covers the core kanban workflow well.
The exception: if you already run Mattermost, use Mattermost Boards (the Focalboard successor). It integrates directly into your existing chat platform, which is genuinely useful for teams. But deploying Mattermost just to get Focalboard isn’t worth it when Planka exists.
FAQ
Is Focalboard completely dead?
The standalone version is deprecated. The codebase has been merged into Mattermost as “Mattermost Boards.” If you want Focalboard’s features, you need Mattermost.
Can I migrate from Focalboard to Planka?
There’s no built-in migration tool. Focalboard data is in SQLite or PostgreSQL; you’d need to write a custom script to transform and import into Planka’s schema.
Does Planka support multiple views like Focalboard?
No. Planka is kanban-only. If you need table, calendar, or gallery views, look at Vikunja instead.
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