Kan.bn

Product Introduction

1. Kan.bn is an open-source kanban board application designed to replicate Trello's simplicity while offering self-hosting flexibility and collaborative features. It enables users to organize tasks, track progress, and manage workflows through an intuitive visual interface. The product is available as a cloud-hosted service or as a self-hosted solution for full data control.
2. The core value of Kan.bn lies in its ability to simplify complex project management through a minimalist design, open-source transparency, and cost-effective scalability. It prioritizes user autonomy by allowing organizations to retain full ownership of their data while providing seamless collaboration tools for teams of all sizes.

Main Features

1. Kan.bn offers drag-and-drop card management with unlimited boards, lists, and cards, enabling users to customize workflows without restrictions. The interface supports real-time collaboration, including comments, activity logs, and workspace member roles for granular access control.
2. The platform provides Trello board imports, allowing users to migrate existing projects without data loss or workflow disruption. Advanced filtering tools with labels and custom tags ensure quick navigation and organization of large datasets.
3. Self-hosting capabilities enable deployment on private infrastructure with full data ownership, custom domain support, and API access for integration with third-party tools. Cloud-hosted plans include admin roles, priority support, and upcoming integrations with external apps.

Problems Solved

1. Kan.bn addresses the complexity and cost barriers of enterprise project management tools by offering a free, open-source alternative with no user limits on core features. It eliminates vendor lock-in and hidden fees associated with proprietary solutions.
2. The product targets remote teams, agile developers, and organizations requiring data sovereignty, particularly those transitioning from Trello or seeking budget-friendly collaboration tools.
3. Typical use cases include software development sprint planning, cross-departmental task tracking, and migrating legacy Trello boards to a customizable platform with enhanced security controls.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike Trello, Kan.bn provides full source code access, enabling customization and eliminating reliance on third-party infrastructure for self-hosted deployments. The open-source MIT license allows commercial use without licensing fees.
2. Innovative features like board templates, granular activity history logs, and workspace-level permissions exceed basic Trello functionality while maintaining backward compatibility through import tools.
3. Competitive pricing models offer unlimited free users on cloud plans and fixed-cost Pro tiers at $29/month, contrasting with per-user pricing structures common in SaaS project management tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why make an open-source Trello alternative? Kan.bn was created to provide a community-driven, customizable project management tool without vendor lock-in, leveraging open-source development for continuous feature improvements.
2. How do I import Trello boards? Users can export Trello boards as JSON files and upload them directly through Kan.bn's web interface, preserving card data, labels, and member assignments during migration.
3. What are the self-hosting requirements? The self-hosted version requires Docker or Kubernetes for containerized deployment, PostgreSQL for database management, and minimal server resources (2GB RAM, 1 CPU core) for basic installations.