7+ open source software tools for the public sector
Tags: opensource, tooling, productivity, software
Published: 2024-06-07 16:25:00

Open source software is becoming more and more important, especially in the public sector in Europe. 

Open source implies providing access to its source code or segments of it, permitting utilization, modification, additions, and distribution. This means that the software is particularly transparent and therefore secure and reliable. By using an open source software in the public sector, you make sure to play it safe. You also stay independent by avoiding a vendor lock-in, which could save a lot of money.

OpenProject is a [popular choice in the public sector](https://www.openproject.org/project-management-public-sector/) when looking for project management software. But what about other software categories like file sharing, messaging or an office suite? There are several great software solutions on the market which are gaining more and more recognition in the European public sector.

Here are seven open source software tools to check out. Links take you to more detail and screenshots.

#1
[OpenProject](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#openproject-the-open-source-project-management-software) – Project management software

*Similar to Jira (but more comprehensive and customizable)

#2
[Nextcloud](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#nextcloud-the-open-source-content-collaboration-platform) – Content creation, collaboration, and storage platform

*Similar to Google Drive (but with video conferencing, mail, and more)

#3
[Univention](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#univention-the-open-source-solution-for-identity-and-access-management) – Identity and access management

*Proprietary options include Datadog, Splunk, and Site24x7

#4
[Element](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#element-the-open-source-messenger) – Chat and messaging

*Similar to Slack (but with end-to-end-encryption)
*[Nordeck](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#nordeck-open-source-widgets-for-element-matrix-and-jitsi) offers open source widgets for Element

#5
 [Open-Xchange](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#open-xchange-the-open-source-e-mail-provider) – Email

*Similar to Gmail (but open source and secure)

#6
[Collabora Online](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#collabora-online-the-open-source-office-suite) – Office suite

*Similar to Microsoft Office (but well-integrated with NextCloud)

#7
[XWiki](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#xwiki-the-open-source-enterprise-wiki) – Enterprise wiki

*Similar to Confluence (but open source)

## Read more
Learn more about why you should consider open source software tools in this article: [8 reasons to choose an open source software](https://www.openproject.org/blog/why-open-source-project-management-software/)

Read the full article [on the OpenProject blog](https://www.openproject.org/blog/open-source-software-public-sector/#nextcloud-the-open-source-content-collaboration-platform).