Planka vs Focalboard: Kanban Board Showdown
Quick Verdict
Want a Kanban board you can rely on long-term? Choose Planka. Focalboard’s standalone version hasn’t received updates since June 2024 — Mattermost absorbed its functionality into Mattermost Boards, and the standalone Docker image is effectively abandoned. Planka is actively maintained, supports real-time collaboration, and runs a clean two-container stack. The only reason to consider Focalboard is if you’re already running Mattermost and want boards integrated directly.
Overview
Planka is an actively maintained Kanban board that mirrors Trello’s core experience. Boards, lists, cards, labels, due dates, checklists, file attachments, and multi-user real-time collaboration. It runs as a Node.js app with PostgreSQL, actively receiving updates and security patches.
Focalboard started as a Notion/Trello hybrid by Mattermost. The last standalone Docker image (v7.11.4) was released in September 2023 and hasn’t been updated since. Mattermost now maintains board features exclusively as a plugin within the Mattermost platform. The standalone image (mattermost/focalboard:7.11.4) still works but won’t receive patches.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Planka | Focalboard (Standalone) |
|---|---|---|
| Kanban boards | Yes | Yes |
| Table view | No | Yes |
| Gallery view | No | Yes |
| Calendar view | No | Yes |
| Custom properties | Labels, due dates | Custom fields (text, number, date, select, etc.) |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes (WebSocket) | No (polling) |
| File attachments | Yes | Yes |
| Checklists | Yes | Yes (subtasks) |
| Comments on cards | Yes | Yes |
| Card cover images | Yes | No |
| User management | Yes (admin panel) | Yes (basic) |
| Notifications | Yes (in-app) | Yes (basic) |
| Import from Trello | No (manual migration) | Yes (direct import) |
| Import from Asana | No | Yes |
| Import from Notion | No | Yes |
| API | Yes (REST) | Yes (REST) |
| Mobile app | No (responsive web) | No |
| Active development | Yes (monthly releases) | No (last update June 2024) |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 / MIT (personal) |
Installation Complexity
| Aspect | Planka | Focalboard |
|---|---|---|
| Docker containers | 2 (app + PostgreSQL) | 1 (SQLite built-in) |
| External database | PostgreSQL (required) | None (SQLite default) |
| Setup time | 10 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Config method | Environment variables | Environment variables |
| Pre-built images | Yes (ghcr.io/plankanban/planka) | Yes (mattermost/focalboard:7.11.4) |
Focalboard’s single-container setup is simpler — one image, one volume, no database to manage. Planka needs PostgreSQL but the trade-off is better data integrity and easier backup with pg_dump.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | Planka | Focalboard |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM | ~150 MB (app + PostgreSQL) | ~50 MB |
| CPU usage | Low | Minimal |
| Disk footprint | Small | Tiny |
| Scales to teams | Yes (10-50 users) | Limited (designed for small teams) |
Focalboard is the lightest Kanban option at 50 MB RAM with SQLite. Planka’s PostgreSQL requirement adds overhead but provides better concurrency for multi-user environments.
Community and Support
| Aspect | Planka | Focalboard |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 8,000+ | 22,000+ |
| Last release | 2026 (active) | Sept 2023 (7.11.4, final standalone) |
| Community size | Growing | Large but declining |
| Documentation | Good | Good (but frozen) |
| Bug fixes | Ongoing | None expected |
| Security patches | Ongoing | None expected |
Focalboard’s high star count reflects historical popularity, not current activity. The repository is effectively in maintenance mode with no new contributions since mid-2024.
Use Cases
Choose Planka If…
- You need an actively maintained Kanban board
- Real-time collaboration matters (multiple users editing simultaneously)
- Long-term security patches are important
- You want a clean Trello-like experience
- You’re running for a team of 5-50 people
Choose Focalboard If…
- You’re already running Mattermost (use the plugin, not standalone)
- You need multiple views (table, gallery, calendar) beyond Kanban
- You want Trello/Asana/Notion import
- You accept the maintenance risk of unmaintained software
- Memory is extremely constrained (50 MB)
Final Verdict
If you need a Kanban board today and want it maintained tomorrow, the practical choice is Planka because it receives regular updates and security patches. Focalboard has more views and import options, but running unmaintained software in production is a liability — no security fixes, no bug patches, no one upstream to report issues to.
If you need the multi-view flexibility Focalboard offers (table, calendar, gallery), look at Vikunja instead — it’s actively maintained and supports all those views plus Kanban.
FAQ
Can I migrate from Focalboard to Planka?
There’s no direct migration tool. Both support JSON export/import to varying degrees, but you’ll likely need to recreate boards manually. If you have a small number of boards, the effort is minimal.
What about Mattermost Boards?
Mattermost Boards is the successor to Focalboard standalone. If you run Mattermost, it’s built-in — no separate deployment needed. It receives updates as part of Mattermost releases.
Is Focalboard still safe to run?
The code works, but with no security patches since June 2024, any vulnerabilities discovered after that date remain unpatched. For internal/VPN-only use, the risk is manageable. For internet-facing deployments, it’s harder to recommend.
Related
Get self-hosting tips in your inbox
Get the Docker Compose configs, hardware picks, and setup shortcuts we don't put in articles. Weekly. No spam.
Comments