What We’re Comparing
The first option is a combination of two self-hosted open-source tools. Rocket.Chat handles communication: channels, private messages, video calls, integrations via webhooks. Planka is a minimalist Kanban board on Docker, a Trello alternative without the bloat. Two separate services, two interfaces.
The second option is YouGile, a Russian “all-in-one” platform: tasks + chat. The concept is simple: each task is a separate chat thread. Kanban, Scrum, Gantt, timers, JS scripting. Available as a cloud service and a self-hosted on-premise version.
Functionality
Rocket.Chat is stronger as a messenger – full-fledged channels, threads, history, video calls, rich integrations. Planka covers basic Kanban, but nothing more: no Gantt charts, no timers, no sprints.
YouGile wins on project management features. Gantt, Scrum, task timers, built-in JS automation – all from a single interface. However, its chat works differently: communication is tied to tasks, not to channels.
Cost
Rocket.Chat + Planka – free. Both are open-source, no license fees. Requires server resources and time for maintenance.
YouGile – 594 ₽ per user per month. For 15 people, that’s about 106,920 ₽ per year. The cloud version is free for up to 10 users; for 15+ users, it’s paid.
Deployment
Planka is up and running in 10 minutes – one container plus PostgreSQL. Rocket.Chat is more complex: requires MongoDB, a reverse proxy, separate configuration for push notifications for the mobile client (without this, notifications on Android/iOS don’t work without workarounds).
YouGile doesn’t require deployment; the online version is available immediately after registration.
Who Each Option Suits
Rocket.Chat + Planka is a logical choice for a team with IT expertise and existing infrastructure. Zero license cost, open source, full control over data. If Gantt charts are needed, Planka can be replaced with Vikunja (also open-source, Docker, includes Gantt and recurring tasks).
YouGile is suitable if the team doesn’t want to maintain and support two separate services and is willing to pay for the convenience of a unified interface. Especially if project management features – Gantt, timers, automation – are more important than a full-fledged messenger.