Gone are the days when maintenance management software was only available to enterprise companies with huge O&M budgets. Today, businesses that don’t have the budget for paid software subscriptions can seek out open-source maintenance management software options.
Over the past several years, work order software providers have transitioned from clunky, onsite hardware to affordable, cloud-based platforms. The result? Small businesses can now enjoy the same capabilities—creating digital work orders, cataloging real-time asset performance data, tracking spare parts, and monitoring time and cost metrics—without the hefty price.
Maintenance management software increases productivity and improves operations by centralizing management tools, maintenance processes, and maintenance schedules involved in running preventive maintenance (PM) programs. Mobile CMMS software providers like MaintainX offer full-stack solutions designed to help operational managers reduce downtime, extend asset life cycles, and enhance supply-chain control.
Are you wondering what your best maintenance management software options are for keeping tabs on equipment maintenance for free? If so, you’re in luck! Below we’ve compiled a list of the best free and open-source maintenance management software packages currently available. Before we dive into our recommendations, let’s take a closer look at open-source maintenance management software.
What Is Open-Source Maintenance Management Software?
Open-source software (OSS) is developer-distributed software intentionally published with source codes to allow users to modify program functionality at no cost.
Programmers can make changes to CMMS open-source software, including fixing bugs, improving features, enhancing usability, and applying various customizations.
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a global authority on OSS and develops the criteria for classifying software as open source. For a software product to be considered open source, its license must include all of the following user rights:
- Zero restrictions on redistribution
- Source code must be included in the software package
- Freedom to modify and make improvements to the software
- Freedom to study how the software works
- Freedom to use the software for any purpose
With that said, open-source maintenance management software is a form of open-sourced software built for O&M task automation. Essentially, it’s a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) that doesn’t require any corporate licensing for usage.
OSS allows users to modify the software to meet their unique needs without incurring high costs. Typically, you can set up and implement open-source software without much help.
Also, for those who do need help, online public software repositories and user communities are sometimes available with useful information and support. Not surprisingly, open-source vendors rarely offer support for their non-licensed codes.
Is There a Fee For Using Open-Source Software?
Many people use open-source software and free software interchangeably. But it’s important to note that open source and free are not synonyms. While open-source maintenance management software products are generally free, the entire software package isn’t necessarily free.
As explained by How-to Geek, the term “free” refers to user freedoms provided by open-source software. However, different types of licenses are used with open-source software, some of which are only available for a fee.
Still, as previously mentioned, you don’t have to blow your budget on proprietary work order management software to effectively manage your maintenance operations.
The 4 Best Free Maintenance Management Software
Without further ado, here are the 4 best open-source maintenance software solutions:
1. MaintainX
MaintainX is a cloud-based CMMS system that offers unlimited work orders, asset cataloging, parts inventory, and maintenance team communication. You can customize a limited number of work order templates, maintenance checklists, and standard operating procedures with the provider’s free plan.
Key features of MaintainX’s free plan include the ability to create, assign, and monitor work orders; catalog an unlimited number of asset entries; send team messages via chat; and make customizable API integrations with your organization’s pre-existing software programs (e.g., facility management ERP).
MaintainX is available on desktops and mobile apps for both Android and iOS smartphone devices. The software’s paid version provides advanced functionality for the lowest entry-level price in the marketplace.
2. Fiix
Also cloud-based, Fiix helps organizations streamline their maintenance work processes, perform preventive maintenance tasks, and minimize backlogs. A key feature is the ability to manage physical assets, replacement parts, and work orders. With Fiix, you can schedule and track the progress of maintenance activities while also accessing historical asset maintenance data.
One potential downside to Fiix is that its free version only supports a maximum of three users.
3. UpKeep
The core functionalities of UpKeep include asset, work order, and inventory management. With UpKeep, maintenance pros can organize maintenance tasks by criticality, due dates, and assigned maintenance technicians. Like the other providers on our list, it offers both cloud-based and on-premise deployment options.
4. eMaint
Finally, eMaint is another choice for those looking to up-level their maintenance management program, decrease downtime, and streamline asset tracking on a budget. eMaint enables you to optimize task workflows, automate preventive maintenance, and track MRO inventory.
eMaint also offers remote access on both desktop and mobile devices. While eMaint doesn’t offer a free plan, it offers a free trial for its Professional and Enterprise Plans.
Streamline O&M with MaintainX
While free open-source CMMS software may be available, you don’t have to dig deep into your pockets to get effective maintenance management software solutions with workflow automation capabilities.
Each of the free platform options mentioned in this article can help get the job done.
Are you ready to experience the most user-friendly app in the marketplace? Click the link at the bottom of the page to download MaintainX, considered one of the best maintenance software platforms, for free today.
Best Maintenance Management Software FAQs
How Does Maintenance Management Software Contribute to Reducing Downtime and Increasing Asset Reliability?
Maintenance management tools allow for preventive maintenance scheduling, preventive maintenance tasks, and asset management. By looking at metrics and KPIs, and identifying potential issues beforehand, it helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, thus increasing uptime and ensuring equipment reliability.
How Does Maintenance Management Software Contribute to Cost Control and Better Resource Utilization?
Intuitive maintenance programs help optimize resources by streamlining facility maintenance workflows, reducing unnecessary repairs, preventing overstocking of spare parts, and improving labor allocation and regulatory compliance. This ultimately leads to reduced operational maintenance costs and better resource utilization for maintenance needs.
Can Maintenance Management Software Be Integrated With Existing Enterprise Systems?
Most Maintenance Management Software solutions offer integration capabilities with various systems such as ERP, CMMS, accounting software, and enterprise asset management (EAM) systems. Integration ensures seamless data flow and improves communication across different departments.
FAQs
Caroline Eisner
Caroline Eisner is a writer and editor with experience across the profit and nonprofit sectors, government, education, and financial organizations. She has held leadership positions in K16 institutions and has led large-scale digital projects, interactive websites, and a business writing consultancy.
