Jinear

Product Introduction

1. Jinear is a self-hostable, privacy-focused productivity tool designed for project management and calendar organization, catering to small teams or individuals who prioritize data control. It combines task tracking, collaborative workflows, and calendar synchronization in a single platform, enabling users to manage deadlines, files, and team communication without relying on third-party cloud services. Built initially for personal use, Jinear is now open-source, allowing customization and private deployment on user-controlled servers.
2. The core value of Jinear lies in its ability to provide a unified, privacy-first workspace that eliminates the complexity of juggling multiple tools while ensuring full data ownership. It addresses the growing demand for alternatives to centralized SaaS platforms by offering self-hosting capabilities, unlimited projects for small teams, and seamless integration with existing productivity ecosystems like Google and Apple Calendar.

Main Features

1. Jinear integrates tasks, files, and comments into a single interface, enabling users to attach relevant documents, set reminders, and resolve misunderstandings directly within task cards. This eliminates the need for external file-sharing or communication tools, streamlining collaboration for distributed teams.
2. The platform offers a detailed calendar experience that visualizes project timelines alongside deadlines, allowing users to drag-and-drop tasks, adjust schedules, and sync events with external calendars (Google, Apple) via API. This ensures real-time updates across tools while maintaining Jinear as the central hub.
3. Cross-functional team alignment is facilitated through a unified project feed that displays task assignments, client updates, and progress statuses in real time. Role-based access controls and audit logs ensure security for self-hosted instances, making it suitable for client-facing workflows or sensitive internal projects.

Problems Solved

1. Jinear solves the fragmentation of productivity tools by replacing standalone project management apps (Asana), calendars (Google Calendar), and communication platforms with a single privacy-focused solution. This reduces subscription costs, minimizes context switching, and prevents data silos common in small-team workflows.
2. It specifically targets privacy-conscious users, freelancers, and small businesses (up to 3 users free) who require full control over their data but lack resources to build custom tools. Teams in regulated industries or those handling client-sensitive information benefit from its self-hostable architecture.
3. Typical use cases include managing client deliverables with embedded files/comments, tracking sprint deadlines in software development, and coordinating remote teams through a shared calendar that syncs with personal schedules. It also serves as a Basecamp alternative for agencies needing client update logs.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike cloud-based alternatives (Jira, Asana), Jinear operates on self-hosted servers, giving users complete ownership of databases and eliminating vendor lock-in. This contrasts with SaaS platforms that store data on third-party servers and impose usage limits.
2. The open-source codebase allows organizations to audit security protocols, add custom modules (e.g., industry-specific compliance features), or white-label the interface for client-facing use. Pre-built Docker containers simplify deployment, requiring minimal DevOps expertise.
3. Competitive advantages include a free tier with unlimited projects for small teams, native PWA support for offline access, and bidirectional sync with major calendars without requiring OAuth permissions. The Pro Plan adds advanced analytics and priority support while maintaining self-hosting flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can Jinear be hosted on my existing server infrastructure? Yes, Jinear provides Docker Compose files and documentation for deployment on any Linux/Windows server with PostgreSQL. Minimum requirements include 2GB RAM, 1 CPU core, and 10GB storage for small teams.
2. How does Jinear compare to Asana or Basecamp? Unlike Asana, Jinear includes built-in calendar synchronization and self-hosting, avoiding per-user fees. Compared to Basecamp, it offers finer access controls for files and native integration with personal calendars.
3. Does Jinear sync with Google Calendar in real time? Yes, tasks with deadlines automatically sync to Google/Apple Calendar via CalDAV, with changes reflected within 5 minutes. Users can enable/disable sync per project to avoid clutter.
4. Is my data encrypted in self-hosted mode? Data is encrypted at rest using AES-256 if configured via the server environment variables. All client-server communications enforce TLS 1.3, with optional VPN tunneling for private instances.
5. What happens if I upgrade to the Pro Plan? The Pro Plan unlocks SLA-backed support, custom branding, and advanced reporting (burndown charts, workload analytics). Pricing scales based on self-hosted instances, not user count, making it cost-effective for growing teams.