Tasks.md vs planka
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Tasks.md is a lightweight, self‑hosted task management board that stores each card as an individual Markdown file on your server. This file‑based approach makes editing, backing up, and version‑controlling tasks simple with any text editor or Git workflow. Delivered as a Docker container, it runs locally or on a private network and is accessed through a clean browser UI. It offers lanes, cards, tags, and filters for individuals and small teams who prefer a no‑frills board without third‑party data exposure.
Planka is an open‑source, Kanban‑style project management tool that lets teams create projects, boards, lists and cards. Its drag‑and‑drop interface updates instantly for all connected users, and card descriptions support full Markdown. Designed for self‑hosting via Docker, Planka offers OpenID Connect SSO, notifications to over 100 providers, and full internationalisation. A hosted cloud version and a paid Pro edition are also available.
- Zero cost, fully free
- Data stored as plain Markdown files
- Easy Docker deployment
- No external data sharing
- Open-source and free to self‑host
- Real‑time synchronization across users
- Rich Markdown support for detailed cards
- Extensive notification integrations
- Limited advanced features compared to SaaS kanban tools
- No built‑in mobile app, relies on browser access
- Requires self‑hosting knowledge for setup and maintenance
- Self‑hosting requires Docker knowledge
- Limited native reporting features
- Pro version needed for advanced admin tools
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataPlanka offers AI‑enhanced writing and analytics for teams willing to host and manage a richer feature set, while Tasks.md provides a lightweight, free markdown task manager with minimal learning curve.
Key differences
- •AI‑driven writing assistance and analytics (Planka) vs plain markdown task storage (Tasks.md).
- •Planka’s free tier is limited; Tasks.md is fully free.
- •Planka targets collaborative writing projects; Tasks.md targets general task tracking for individuals/small teams.
- •Planka includes real‑time collaboration with AI suggestions; Tasks.md offers real‑time sync but no AI features.
- •Planka has higher GitHub star count (12,270 vs 2,159), indicating larger community adoption.
Pricing & value
Tasks.md is completely free; Planka uses a freemium model with limited free features.
Ease of use / learning curve
Tasks.md has a very low learning curve and clean UI; Planka has a steep learning curve.
Features & depth
Planka provides AI writing assistance, detailed analytics, and extensive customization; Tasks.md offers basic markdown task management.
Integrations & ecosystem
Planka integrates with popular writing tools and platforms; Tasks.md has minimal integrations at launch.
Collaboration
Both support real‑time collaboration, but Planka adds AI‑driven suggestions during collaboration.
Scalability
Planka’s self‑hosted, open‑source architecture and larger community (12,270 stars) suggest better scalability for larger teams.
Support
Tasks.md lists email support; Planka’s support options are not specified.
Choose Tasks.md if…
Individuals or small teams wanting a free, simple markdown task manager with minimal setup.
Choose planka if…
Teams needing AI‑assisted writing, analytics, and richer collaboration, willing to host and manage a freemium product.
Common questions
Is there any cost to start using either tool?
Tasks.md is completely free; Planka offers a freemium model with limited free features.
Can I host both tools on my own server?
Yes, both Planka and Tasks.md are self‑hosted open‑source applications.
Which tool provides AI assistance for writing?
Planka includes AI‑driven content suggestions and analytics; Tasks.md does not have AI features.