Focalboard vs Operately: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to make an informed decision
Focalboard
Focalboard is a free open-source project management tool that helps teams organize tasks using boards, tables, and calendar views.
Operately
Operately is an open-source startup operating system that brings together goals, projects, and processes to help teams execute efficiently.
Focalboard
Focalboard is a free open-source project management tool that helps teams organize tasks using boards, tables, and calendar views.
Operately
Operately is an open-source startup operating system that brings together goals, projects, and processes to help teams execute efficiently.
Focalboard
Kanban, table, gallery, and calendar views
Customizable task cards with properties
Pre-built templates for quick start
Board filters and saved views
Team collaboration with comments and mentions
Open source with GitHub access
Self-hosted for data privacy
Multi-language interface
Works offline on desktop
Free to use and modify
Operately
Goal tracking with OKRs and visual progress maps
Project management with tasks and milestones
AI executive coach for strategic feedback
Team spaces for department organization
Message boards for focused discussions
Document and file storage system
Automated check-ins and reminders
Self-hosting option available
Activity feeds for transparency
Access control and permissions
Focalboard
Focalboard is completely free to use because it is open-source software. There are no subscription fees, usage limits, or hidden costs. You can download and use it without any payment.
You have two main options for using Focalboard. The Personal Desktop app is available for free download on Windows, Mac, and Linux. This version is perfect for individual use and small projects. The Personal Server version is also free and can be installed on your own computer or server to support multiple users and team collaboration.
If you use Mattermost, Focalboard comes built-in as the Boards plugin starting from version 6.0. This integration is also free and provides seamless connection between messaging and project management.
Operately
Operately offers three pricing tiers to fit teams of different sizes:
Free Plan ($0/month): Perfect for small teams just starting out. Includes all core features, supports up to 20 users, provides 25 AI messages per month, 1GB storage, community support, and the self-hosting option.
Team Plan ($99/month): Ideal for growing teams. Includes everything in the Free plan, plus support for up to 50 users, 500 AI messages monthly, 100GB storage, priority support, and options to purchase additional AI credits and storage.
Business Plan ($299/month): Designed for established teams and organizations. Includes all Team features, plus support for up to 200 users, 2,500 AI messages per month, 1TB storage, dedicated support, and custom onboarding assistance.
All plans include the self-hosting option for companies that want to manage their own infrastructure and maintain full control over their data.