Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Redmine in the Cloud: A Comparison with On-Premises Deployment

In this article, we explain the benefits and drawbacks of using Redmine in the cloud, compared with on-premises deployment.

Redmine is a widely used open-source project management tool, and choosing the right deployment model is an important decision.

If you are considering adopting or migrating to Redmine, this guide will help you determine which option best fits your needs.

Cloud vs On-Premises Redmine

Table of Contents

What Is Redmine?

Redmine is a powerful tool that brings together essential features for project management in one place.

  • Issue tracking (task management)
    Manage tasks as “issues” by clearly defining who is responsible, what needs to be done, and by when. This helps prevent missed tasks and delays.

  • Gantt charts
    Visualize the overall project schedule. You can easily see when tasks start and which tasks run in parallel, making planning and progress tracking easier.

  • Wiki
    A shared space for storing project-related information such as meeting notes, specifications, and procedures.

Since Redmine is open source, it is generally free to use. It is also highly customizable to fit your workflow.

Cloud vs On-Premises

There are two main ways to use Redmine:

On-Premises

You set up your own servers and install Redmine yourself.

While this allows for full customization, you are responsible for all server-related tasks, including setup, updates, backups, and security.

Cloud-Based

You use Redmine hosted on servers managed by a service provider.

Server management is handled entirely by the provider, and you can access the system from anywhere with an internet connection. In most cases, a monthly or annual subscription fee applies.

Why Choose the Cloud? 7 Key Benefits

1. No Server Management Required

The biggest advantage of the cloud is that you are freed from complex server management tasks such as setup, updates, backups, and security measures.

This allows IT staff to focus on more important work and helps reduce operational costs.

2. Fast Deployment

Unlike on-premises environments, which require time for setup and configuration, cloud-based Redmine can be used immediately after sign-up.

With My Redmine Global Edition, you can smoothly move from a free trial to full use.

3. Access Anytime, Anywhere

As long as you have an internet connection, you can access Redmine from the office, home, or on the go.

This supports flexible work styles such as remote and hybrid work, and improves team collaboration. (My Redmine also supports IP address restrictions.)

4. Built-in Backup and Security

My Redmine Global Edition includes automatic backups and security measures as standard features.

Even without specialized knowledge, you can safely manage important data. Measures include encrypted communication and protection against unauthorized access.

5. Always Up-to-Date

With regular updates and security patches, you can always use the latest stable version without manual maintenance.

6. Lower Initial Costs

On-premises deployment often requires significant upfront investment in hardware and setup.

With My Redmine GLobal Edition, you can start with a simple subscription, reducing initial costs.

7. Scalable for Large Teams

My Redmine Global Edition supports up to 1,000 users on standard plans, making it suitable for large teams without concerns about user limits.

Considerations and Drawbacks

1. Ongoing Costs

Cloud services require continuous monthly or annual fees. It is important to evaluate the total cost over time compared to on-premises deployment.

Please refer to the pricing for My Redmine Global Edition.

2. Limited Customization

Compared to on-premises environments:

  • Direct server access is not available
  • Installing custom plugins freely may not be possible
  • Modifying core functionality is restricted

However, My Redmine Global Edition provides plugins developed in-house as well as carefully selected plugins, allowing it to meet a wide range of needs within the scope of standard features and available plugins. We recommend confirming in advance what types of customization are possible.

You can find the list of pre-installed plugins for My Redmine Global Edition here.

3. Internet Connection Required

A stable internet connection is required to use cloud-based Redmine.

Offline use is not possible.

Summary

We have explained the benefits and drawbacks of using Redmine in the cloud.

Cloud-based Redmine is a good fit if you:

  • Do not have in-house expertise for server management
  • Want to reduce operational costs and workload
  • Need to deploy quickly
  • Support remote or flexible work styles
  • Want to use the latest features and security
  • Prefer reliable support

On the other hand, on-premises deployment may be more suitable if you require deep customization or must comply with strict security policies.

Choosing the right environment depends on your organization’s needs.

Try It Now with My Redmine!

You can try My Redmine today with our Free Trial.

Experience the benefits of cloud-based Redmine by exploring its features and usability.

Click here for My Redmine Free Trial

You can try My Redmine for free for up to two months (until the end of the following month).