Redmine vs Trac

March 07, 2025 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Redmine
Redmine is a flexible alternative project management web application. Written using the Ruby on Rails framework, it is cross-platform and cross-database. Redmine is open source and released under the terms of the GNU General Public License v2 (GPL).
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Trac
Trac is an alternative wiki and issue tracking system for software development projects. Trac uses a minimalistic approach to web-based software project management. Our mission is to help developers write great software while staying out of the way. Trac should impose as little as possible on a team's established development process and policies.

Redmine and Trac, you see, are both gloriously open-source project management tools designed to help you track your issues, plan your projects and wonder where your life went wrong. They both allow you to track tasks, integrate with version control systems and offer web interfaces that make you feel productive without actually being productive. You can customize them to your heart’s content, though why you would, is entirely up to your personal philosophy on existential dread.

Now, Redmine, that’s the one that was born in Japan back in 2006, a full three years after Trac decided to make its debut in the United States. Redmine is, in fact, a bit of a show-off with its comprehensive project management tools, including Gantt charts and calendars. It’s not just for software developers, mind you—it wants to manage every project under the sun, even if that means managing the hopeless complexity of your life. Also, you’ll find it’s better at assigning roles and managing users, if that sort of thing interests you.

Trac, on the other hand, is like the cool, minimalist cousin who refuses to complicate things. Born in 2003, Trac focuses mostly on software development with a straightforward, no-frills interface. It’s the kind of tool that gets the job done without all the extra bells and whistles, which is exactly why it’s so popular among developers. With tight integration for Wikis and version control, Trac’s reliance on plugins leaves you feeling like you’re using something decidedly “pure”—if “pure” means lacking any unnecessary features that might cause you to question your very existence.

See also: Top 10 Issue Trackers
Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com