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Vikunja

Application256MB+ RAM

Open-source to-do and task management app (Todoist/Trello alternative)

taskstodoproject-managementtodoist-alternativetrello-alternative

Deploy Vikunja in 3 Steps

1

Connect Your VPS

Add your server credentials to Server Compass

2

Select Vikunja

Choose from our template library

3

Deploy & Configure

Fill in settings and click Deploy

No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide

Deploy Vikunja on a VPS with Server Compass

Use the Vikunja template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted open-source task management app on your VPS, then verify the Vikunja web UI in a browser.

About 7 minutesBrowser verified
1
Step 1

Open the server Apps tab

Select your VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.

Server Compass Apps tab before creating a Vikunja app
2
Step 2

Choose an app template

Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.

Choosing to deploy an app from a Server Compass template
3
Step 3

Search for Vikunja

Use the template picker search to find Vikunja in the Server Compass template catalog.

Searching for Vikunja in the Server Compass template picker
4
Step 4

Select the Vikunja template

Choose the Vikunja template. Server Compass fills the Vikunja image, host port, persistent task data volumes.

Vikunja template selected in Server Compass
5
Step 5

Review the Vikunja settings

Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named vikunja-demo and used host port 3456.

Reviewing Vikunja project settings and compose services
6
Step 6

Deploy Vikunja

Review the generated environment values, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.

Reviewing Vikunja environment variables and port before deployment
7
Step 7

Watch the deployment progress

Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the Vikunja image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.

Server Compass deploying the Vikunja template on the VPS
8
Step 8

Confirm Vikunja is running

After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Vikunja app is marked Running with its application URL available.

Vikunja template running in the Server Compass Apps tab
9
Step 9

Open Vikunja in the browser

Open the application URL in a browser. The Vikunja web UI confirms the site is reachable.

The deployed Vikunja web UI loaded in a browser

After Vikunja Opens

  • Register the first Vikunja account before production use.
  • Configure projects, HTTPS, teams, and user access before production use.
  • Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing the task workspace to users.
  • Back up the Vikunja data volume before relying on it for production notes.

Verified Result

The Vikunja web UI loaded successfully in a browser.

Vikunja deployment questions

What does the Vikunja template deploy?

It deploys Vikunja with a persistent data volume for notes.

Which port did the tutorial use?

The tutorial used host port 3456, which maps to the Vikunja web server on container port 80.

Why does the guide stop at the first-run web UI?

The tutorial verifies the clean first-run web UI because real projects, tasks, teams, and access settings depend on the production server.

Should this become a blog post?

No. The deployment guide should live on the Vikunja template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.

Why Self-Host Vikunja?

Vikunja is a powerful task management app that replaces Todoist and Trello. Self-hosting means your tasks, projects, and deadlines stay on your server. For teams, this eliminates the per-user subscription costs of SaaS project management tools.

Kanban boards, lists, Gantt charts, and calendar views
Your task data stays on your own server
No per-user pricing — add unlimited team members
Recurring tasks, reminders, and file attachments
CalDAV support for syncing with calendar apps

Vikunja vs Alternatives

Vikunja vs Todoist

Todoist charges per user and stores your data in their cloud. Vikunja is self-hosted, free, and more feature-rich.

Vikunja vs Trello

Trello limits free boards and charges for features. Vikunja offers all views (kanban, list, Gantt) with no restrictions.

Vikunja vs Planka

Planka is kanban-only. Vikunja offers lists, Gantt charts, calendar views, and more task management features.

Why Deploy Vikunja with Server Compass?

Server Compass deploys Vikunja with persistent storage for your tasks, attachments, and user data. The lightweight container needs only 256MB RAM, making it ideal for any VPS.

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After Deployment

After deploying Vikunja with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup

1

Create your account

2

Create projects and tasks

3

Configure integrations

Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.

Vikunja FAQ

Common questions about self-hosting Vikunja

How do I deploy Vikunja with Server Compass?

Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Vikunja from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.

What are the system requirements for Vikunja?

Vikunja requires a minimum of 256MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.

Can I migrate my existing Vikunja data?

Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Vikunja backup and restore procedures.

How do I update Vikunja to the latest version?

Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Vikunja image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.

Is Vikunja free to self-host?

Vikunja is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.

Ready to Self-Host Vikunja?

Download Server Compass and deploy Vikunja to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.

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