Vikunja vs Planka: Self-Hosted Task Management

Quick Verdict

Vikunja is the better all-around task management tool — it covers lists, kanban boards, Gantt charts, and CalDAV sync. Planka is the better pure kanban board with a cleaner Trello-like UX. Choose based on whether you need a task manager or a kanban board.

Overview

Vikunja is a full-featured task management platform written in Go with a Vue.js frontend. It supports multiple views (list, kanban, Gantt), labels, priorities, assignees, due dates, reminders, file attachments, and CalDAV integration. Think of it as a self-hosted blend of Todoist and Trello.

Planka is a Trello-like kanban board written in React with a Node.js backend. It focuses on visual project management — boards, lists, cards, labels, due dates, and attachments. It uses PostgreSQL and has a clean, modern UI that closely mirrors Trello’s design.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Vikunja	Planka
License	AGPL-3.0	AGPL-3.0
Backend	Go	Node.js
Frontend	Vue.js	React
Database	SQLite/PostgreSQL/MySQL	PostgreSQL (required)
List view	Yes	No
Kanban view	Yes	Yes (primary)
Gantt chart	Yes	No
Table view	Yes	No
CalDAV sync	Yes	No
Labels	Yes	Yes
Due dates	Yes	Yes
Assignees	Yes	Yes
Priorities	Yes (5 levels)	No
Comments	Yes	Yes
File attachments	Yes	Yes
Checklists	Yes	Yes
Time tracking	No	No
Card covers	No	Yes
Board background	No	Yes
Drag and drop	Yes	Yes
API	REST API	No public API
Mobile app	PWA	PWA
OIDC/SSO	Yes	Yes (v2+)
RAM usage	50-100 MB	150-300 MB

Installation Complexity

Vikunja can run with SQLite (single container, no database needed) or PostgreSQL/MySQL. The simplest setup is a single Docker container. Configuration is through environment variables or a config file.

Planka requires PostgreSQL — there’s no SQLite option. The Docker setup needs two containers (app + database). Environment variables configure the app, including a SECRET_KEY for sessions.

Both are straightforward Docker Compose deployments. Vikunja is slightly simpler with the SQLite option.

Performance and Resource Usage

Vikunja is lightweight thanks to the Go backend. With SQLite, it uses 50-100 MB of RAM total. Even with PostgreSQL, the combined stack stays under 250 MB.

Planka uses 150-300 MB for the Node.js app, plus PostgreSQL overhead. Total stack is around 300-500 MB. Not heavy, but more than Vikunja’s minimal SQLite setup.

Community and Support

Vikunja has an active community with forums, Matrix chat, and regular releases. Documentation covers Docker deployment, API reference, and configuration thoroughly. The project has been around since 2018.

Planka has a growing community and active development on GitHub. Documentation is more limited but covers the essentials. The project is newer but has gained significant traction since 2022.

Use Cases

Choose Vikunja If…

• You need more than kanban — lists, Gantt charts, table views
• CalDAV integration with your calendar matters
• You want the lightest possible resource footprint (Go + SQLite)
• You need an API for automation and integrations
• You want task priorities and advanced filtering
• You’re replacing Todoist, not Trello

Choose Planka If…

• You want a clean Trello-like kanban experience
• Visual features matter (card covers, board backgrounds)
• Your workflow is board-centric, not list-centric
• You want the closest Trello UX clone
• You prefer a React-based frontend
• You’re replacing Trello, not Todoist

Final Verdict

These apps serve different primary use cases despite both having kanban views. Vikunja is a task management platform with kanban as one of several views. Planka is a kanban board, period.

If you need a Todoist replacement with lists, calendars, and Gantt charts, Vikunja is the answer. If you need a Trello replacement with clean boards and visual project management, Planka is the answer. Both are solid, well-maintained, and capable for small-to-medium teams.

FAQ

Can I use both Vikunja and Planka together?

You can, but it creates data fragmentation. Pick one based on your primary workflow — list-based (Vikunja) or board-based (Planka).

Does Vikunja’s kanban view compare to Planka’s boards?

Vikunja’s kanban view is functional but more basic. Planka’s kanban is its primary interface and feels more polished, with card covers and smoother drag-and-drop.

Which handles teams better?

Vikunja has more granular permissions, assignees with priority levels, and API access for automation. Planka has simpler team features focused around board membership. For larger teams, Vikunja offers more control.

Related

• How to Self-Host Vikunja
• How to Self-Host Planka
• Planka vs WeKan
• Vikunja vs Todoist
• Best Self-Hosted Task Management
• Self-Hosted Alternatives to Trello