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Comparison · PM
OpenProject vs SmartSuite
A side-by-side editorial comparison of OpenProject and SmartSuite — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Shared themes:mcp
OpenProject vs SmartSuite: at a glance
| Feature | OpenProject | SmartSuite |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | PM | PM |
| Velocity score | 6.3 | 7.5 |
| Sparks · 30d | 0 | 0 |
| Top themes | project-management, mcp, ai-integration, open-source | mcp, governance, dashboards, no-code-platform |
| Last editorial update | 1mo ago | 3d ago |
| Website | Visit → | — |
What is OpenProject?
OpenProject's MCP Server gains write access — AI agents can now create tasks, add comments, and manage relations.
OpenProject 17.8.0 marks the most significant AI integration milestone in the product's history: the MCP Server can now create and update work packages, add comments, and manage relations — moving from a read-only query layer to a write-capable AI agent interface. The same release adds multiple target versions per work package, sprints and milestones to the project timeline, and relation display in the free Community edition. OpenProject 17.7.0 laid the organizational management foundation: departments, work-related user attributes, and individual work schedules for capacity planning.
What is SmartSuite?
SmartSuite's dashboard filters learn to exclude, as admin undo reaches deleted teams.
SmartSuite ships weekly on three fronts: AI access (a hosted MCP server and a refreshed model picker), admin governance (Managed Secrets with an audit trail, and now deleted teams that go to the Recycle Bin with their members) and dashboard depth. The latest release gives dynamic filter widgets an Is / Is Not operator that viewers can switch on the dashboard.
OpenProject vs SmartSuite: editorial side-by-side
OpenProject's MCP Server gains write access — AI agents can now create tasks, add comments, and manage relations.
◆ Current state
OpenProject 17.8.0 marks the most significant AI integration milestone in the product's history: the MCP Server can now create and update work packages, add comments, and manage relations — moving from a read-only query layer to a write-capable AI agent interface. The same release adds multiple target versions per work package, sprints and milestones to the project timeline, and relation display in the free Community edition. OpenProject 17.7.0 laid the organizational management foundation: departments, work-related user attributes, and individual work schedules for capacity planning.
◆ Where it's heading
The two-track development pattern is clear: broader project management capabilities for enterprises (resource management, capacity planning, PM² methodology support) and a rapidly maturing AI interface through the MCP Server. The progression from read-only MCP to write-capable MCP is a qualitative shift — AI assistants become active project participants rather than passive query tools. The XWiki integration in 17.6.0 shows the platform also extending into enterprise knowledge management.
◆ Prediction
The logical next step is workflow automation via the MCP Server — AI agents that can trigger status transitions, query resource availability from the 17.7.0 capacity data, or auto-assign work packages based on department membership. The data model is in place; the automation layer is the missing piece.
SmartSuite's dashboard filters learn to exclude, as admin undo reaches deleted teams.
◆ Current state
SmartSuite ships weekly on three fronts: AI access (a hosted MCP server and a refreshed model picker), admin governance (Managed Secrets with an audit trail, and now deleted teams that go to the Recycle Bin with their members) and dashboard depth. The latest release gives dynamic filter widgets an Is / Is Not operator that viewers can switch on the dashboard.
◆ Where it's heading
The product is turning into a governed backend that scripts and AI agents operate, with credential controls and recoverable access structures. Dashboard and mobile parity work runs alongside as steady catch-up, removing the need for duplicate widgets and making admin actions reversible.
◆ Prediction
Expect more audit and access controls around automated actors, such as scoping which scripts or connections can use a secret, and further dashboard filter and mobile widget releases.
Alternatives to OpenProject and SmartSuite
Other PM products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either OpenProject or SmartSuite.
Camunda
Camunda's 8.10 patch line is fixing data-loss bugs; the rest of the feed is release plumbing.
NocoBase
NocoBase's beta drops Refine and gates realtime topics, bumping app-server to 3.0.
Float
Float is moving from who's-free scheduling toward staffing on experience and pricing on rate cards.
RentRedi
RentRedi opens tenant chats to teammates, part of a run of fixes for landlords with staff.
Hive
Hive makes its AI proofer a named approver and lets workflow buttons open prefilled Forms.
See all OpenProject alternatives → · See all SmartSuite alternatives →
Recent activity from OpenProject and SmartSuite
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 4d agoSmartSuiteFilter Widget: Multiple Operators in Dynamic Filters
- 4d agoSmartSuiteRecycle Bin: Restore Team
- 11d agoSmartSuiteManaged Secrets
- 11d agoSmartSuiteMobile: Data Schema Widget
- 18d agoSmartSuiteMobile: Pivot Table Widgets on Dashboards
- 18d agoSmartSuiteAI: Updated Supported Models
- 1mo agoOpenProjectOpenProject 17.8.0 ⚡
- 2mo agoOpenProjectOpenProject 17.7.2: bug fix release
- 2mo agoOpenProjectOpenProject 17.7.1: bug fix release
- 2mo agoOpenProjectOpenProject 17.7.0
- 3mo agoOpenProjectOpenProject 17.6.0
- 4mo agoOpenProjectOpenProject 17.5.1: bug fix release
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between OpenProject and SmartSuite?
Both compete on the same themes — mcp — within PM. SmartSuite is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 6.3), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is OpenProject better than SmartSuite?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. SmartSuite is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 6.3), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other PM products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to OpenProject?
Top OpenProject alternatives in PM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "OpenProject alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/openproject for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to SmartSuite?
Top SmartSuite alternatives in PM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "SmartSuite alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/smartsuite for the full list with editorial commentary on each.