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Comparison · PM

Redmine vs SmartSuite

A side-by-side editorial comparison of Redmine and SmartSuite — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

Redmine vs SmartSuite: at a glance

FeatureRedmineSmartSuite
SectorPMPM
Velocity score6.37.5
Sparks · 30d10
Top themesopen-source, project-management, rails-8, webhooksno-code, work-management, forms, governance
Last editorial update1d ago16h ago
WebsiteVisit →

What is Redmine?

Redmine hits 7.0 with a Rails 8 jump and its first webhooks, 20 years in

Redmine is a 20-year-old open-source, Rails-based project management tool that just shipped 7.0.0 on its anniversary. The 7.0 release completes the UI modernization begun in 6.0/6.1 and adds a Rails 8 migration plus webhook event triggers. In parallel, the project keeps three older branches (5.1, 6.0, 6.1) patched with coordinated security releases.

Read the full Redmine trajectory →

What is SmartSuite?

SmartSuite grinds through Forms 2.0, governance, and an AI Center refresh — no-code aimed at GRC and PMO.

SmartSuite is a no-code work-management platform positioning hard at regulated operations — GRC, ITSM, PMO, and service desk. The current release stream is dominated by three arcs: a year-long Forms 2.0 buildout, a Default Values framework spanning field types, and governance features like Dynamic Record Permissions. Its AI Center keeps a multi-provider, bring-your-own-model catalog (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini) current.

Read the full SmartSuite trajectory →

Redmine vs SmartSuite: editorial side-by-side

Redmine logo6.3

Redmine hits 7.0 with a Rails 8 jump and its first webhooks, 20 years in

◆ Current state

Redmine is a 20-year-old open-source, Rails-based project management tool that just shipped 7.0.0 on its anniversary. The 7.0 release completes the UI modernization begun in 6.0/6.1 and adds a Rails 8 migration plus webhook event triggers. In parallel, the project keeps three older branches (5.1, 6.0, 6.1) patched with coordinated security releases.

◆ Where it's heading

The arc is modernization plus integration: after two releases spent redesigning the interface, 7.0 resets the platform onto Rails 8 and introduces native webhooks — Redmine's first step toward the automation surface that hosted trackers already assume. The disciplined multi-branch security backporting suggests the team will keep legacy users supported rather than forcing the jump to 7.0.

◆ Prediction

Expect a 7.0.x maintenance line with bug fixes and security backports to follow the major, mirroring how 6.0 was stabilized, and incremental expansion of the new webhook triggers.

S7.5

SmartSuite grinds through Forms 2.0, governance, and an AI Center refresh — no-code aimed at GRC and PMO.

◆ Current state

SmartSuite is a no-code work-management platform positioning hard at regulated operations — GRC, ITSM, PMO, and service desk. The current release stream is dominated by three arcs: a year-long Forms 2.0 buildout, a Default Values framework spanning field types, and governance features like Dynamic Record Permissions. Its AI Center keeps a multi-provider, bring-your-own-model catalog (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini) current.

◆ Where it's heading

The roadmap reads as methodical breadth rather than big bets: forms are becoming a first-class internal submission surface, record- and field-level permissions are getting granular for auditors, and automation runs are gaining end-to-end traceability. The AI Center is maintained as a cost-tiered model layer rather than a differentiated capability, tracking new flagship releases as they ship.

◆ Prediction

Expect the Forms 2.0 and Default Values rollouts to keep shipping incrementally, and the AI Center to track new flagship models with tier reclassifications rather than net-new AI features.

Alternatives to Redmine 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 Redmine or SmartSuite.

See all Redmine alternatives → · See all SmartSuite alternatives →

Recent activity from Redmine and SmartSuite

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 23h agoSmartSuiteAutomations: Run Links in Activity History
  2. 23h agoSmartSuiteLinked Record: Default Value Support
  3. 1d agoSmartSuiteAI Center: Support for new models
  4. 2d agoRedmineRedmine 7.0.0 is now available
  5. 8d agoSmartSuiteForms: Yes/No Default Value Support
  6. 8d agoSmartSuiteFilter Widget: Static Filters
  7. 8d agoSmartSuiteForms: Layout and Appearance
  8. 17d agoRedmineRedmine 6.1.3, 6.0.10 and 5.1.13 released
  9. 3mo agoRedmineRedmine 6.1.2, 6.0.9 and 5.1.12 released
  10. 3mo agoRedmine1.4.x series
  11. 3mo agoRedmine1.1.x series
  12. 3mo agoRedmine1.2.x series

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Redmine and SmartSuite?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. SmartSuite is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 6.3), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 1. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is Redmine 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 1. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other PM products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to Redmine?

Top Redmine alternatives in PM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Redmine alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/redmine 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.