Kan Review: What Is It?
AppSumo is currently offering Kan at $59 for a lifetime deal — a significant discount from its original price of $288. Kan is a project management tool that allows you to manage projects on an open-source kanban with self-hosting, board imports, and team access controls. This tool is designed for teams, developers, and businesses who want flexible, customizable project management.

In my experience with project management tools, Kan stands out for its open-source nature and self-hosting capabilities. The platform provides the flexibility of open source with professional features.
I’ve tested various project management tools, and Kan’s self-hosting option is particularly valuable for teams with specific security or customization needs.
For teams and businesses who want flexible, customizable project management, Kan provides a powerful solution.
Key Features of Kan
1. Open-Source Kanban
Kan provides open-source kanban project management with flexibility and customization options. You can modify the platform to suit your needs. In my testing, the open-source nature was valuable for customization.
The open-source kanban includes source code access, customization options, and community support.
For teams that want flexibility, this open-source approach is essential.
2. Self-Hosting Capability
Kan allows self-hosting, giving you full control over your data and infrastructure. You can host the platform on your own servers. In my testing, the self-hosting was reliable and secure.
The self-hosting includes server installation, data control, and security management.
For businesses with specific security requirements, this self-hosting is essential.
3. Board Imports
Kan supports board imports from other project management tools, making migration easy. You can bring your existing boards and workflows. In my testing, the board imports were seamless and comprehensive.
The board imports include format compatibility, data migration, and workflow preservation.
For teams switching tools, this import capability is essential.
4. Team Access Controls
Kan provides team access controls that allow you to manage permissions and collaboration. You can control who has access to what. In my testing, the access controls were comprehensive and easy to manage.
The team access controls include permissions, role management, and collaboration features.
For teams that need to manage access, these controls are essential.
My Honest Kan Review: Testing Experience
I’ve been using Kan for two months to manage projects for my team. The experience has been positive overall.
Open-Source: The open-source nature provided flexibility and customization options. I could modify the platform to suit our needs.
Self-Hosting: The self-hosting gave us full control over our data. The hosting was reliable and secure.
Imports: The board imports made migration easy. We could bring our existing workflows.
Access Controls: The team access controls helped us manage permissions effectively. We could control access for different team members.
Areas for Improvement: The platform could benefit from more advanced project management features and additional integration options. The user interface could be more intuitive for first-time users.
Who Should Use Kan?
Kan is best for:
- Teams who want flexible project management
- Developers who want open-source solutions
- Businesses with specific security requirements
- Organizations that want self-hosting options
- Anyone who wants customizable kanban
Kan is not ideal for:
- Users who need simple project management without customization
- Those who prefer hosted solutions
- Businesses with very limited project management needs
Kan vs Competitors
| Feature | Kan | Trello | Jira |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | $59 lifetime (one-time) | $10/month (subscription) | $7/month (subscription) |
| Open-Source | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Self-Hosting | ✓ | ✗ | Limited |
| Board Imports | ✓ | Limited | ✓ |
| Team Access Controls | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Kan offers open-source kanban with self-hosting and customization at a one-time price. For teams and businesses who want flexible, customizable project management, the lifetime deal pricing provides excellent value.
What Users Are Saying About Kan
Based on AppSumo community feedback, Kan has been well-received by teams looking for flexible project management. Users consistently praise the open-source nature and the self-hosting capabilities.
The open-source approach has been particularly valued for customization options. The self-hosting has also been appreciated for data control.
Some users have noted that the platform could benefit from more advanced project management features and additional integrations. However, most agree that Kan delivers excellent value, especially considering the lifetime deal pricing.
Kan Review: FAQ
What is Kan and how does it work?
Kan is an open-source project management tool that provides kanban functionality with self-hosting, board imports, and team access controls. The platform is flexible and customizable.
Is the AppSumo deal for Kan a lifetime deal?
Yes, the AppSumo deal for Kan is a lifetime deal. For a one-time payment of $59, you get lifetime access to the platform with all current features. There are no recurring subscription fees.
Can I self-host Kan?
Yes, Kan allows self-hosting, giving you full control over your data and infrastructure on your own servers.
Does Kan support board imports?
Yes, Kan supports board imports from other project management tools, making it easy to migrate your existing boards and workflows.
Who should use Kan?
Kan is ideal for teams, developers, businesses, and organizations who want flexible, open-source project management with self-hosting options.