MeisterTask
Intuitive task management platform - GDPR and CCPA compliant, ISO certified
Quick Overview
| Company | Meister (MeisterLabs GmbH) |
|---|---|
| Category | Project Management |
| Headquarters | Munich area, Germany |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany |
| Data Centers | Germany (Frankfurt) |
| ISO Certified | Yes (ISO 27001) |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| CCPA Compliant | Yes |
| Main Features | Kanban boards, automations, integrations, time tracking, German servers |
| Pricing | Free tier / From 6.50/month |
| Best For | Teams seeking intuitive, compliant project management with European hosting |
| Replaces | Asana, Trello, Monday.com |
Detailed Review
MeisterTask has established itself as one of Europe's leading project management solutions, combining intuitive design with powerful functionality. Developed by MeisterLabs GmbH in the Munich area of Germany, MeisterTask was created with the philosophy that project management software should be beautiful, functional, and respectful of user privacy. Since its founding in 2006, the company has grown to serve millions of users worldwide while maintaining its commitment to German engineering excellence and European data protection standards.
German Engineering Meets Beautiful Design
MeisterTask stands out in the crowded project management market through its emphasis on user experience. Unlike tools that overwhelm users with features, MeisterTask focuses on making task management intuitive and even enjoyable. The interface is clean and visually appealing, with customizable backgrounds and a layout that makes it easy to see project status at a glance.
The Kanban-style boards that form the core of MeisterTask are flexible enough for various workflows while remaining simple enough for new users to understand immediately. Tasks can be dragged between columns, assigned to team members, given due dates, and enriched with attachments and comments. This visual approach to project management helps teams stay organized without requiring extensive training or documentation.
Comprehensive Feature Set
While MeisterTask's simplicity is a strength, it doesn't sacrifice functionality. The platform includes automation capabilities that can reduce repetitive tasks significantly. Automations can be triggered by various events, such as moving a task to a specific column, and can perform actions like assigning team members, changing due dates, or adding tags. These automations help teams maintain consistent workflows without manual intervention.
Time tracking is built directly into MeisterTask, allowing team members to track time spent on tasks without needing separate tools. This integration is valuable for teams that bill by the hour or want to understand where time is being spent across projects. Reports and analytics provide insights into team productivity and project progress.
The platform also includes an agenda view that shows all assigned tasks across projects in a unified timeline, helping team members manage their workload effectively. Notifications can be customized to keep team members informed without overwhelming them with alerts.
MindMeister Integration
MeisterTask integrates seamlessly with MindMeister, the mind mapping tool from the same company. This integration allows teams to brainstorm ideas visually in MindMeister and then convert those ideas directly into actionable tasks in MeisterTask. This workflow from ideation to execution is particularly valuable for creative teams and strategic planning processes.
Extensive Third-Party Integrations
Beyond MindMeister, MeisterTask offers integrations with hundreds of other tools through both native integrations and Zapier connectivity. Teams can connect MeisterTask with Slack for notifications, GitHub for development workflows, Google Drive for file attachments, and many more. This ecosystem approach ensures that MeisterTask fits into existing workflows rather than requiring teams to change how they work.
Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance
MeisterTask takes security seriously, as demonstrated by their ISO 27001 certification. This international standard for information security management requires rigorous security practices and regular audits. For businesses with compliance requirements, this certification provides assurance that MeisterTask meets recognized security standards.
Data is hosted on servers in Frankfurt, Germany, ensuring that European customers' data remains within EU jurisdiction. The platform is fully GDPR compliant, with features that support data subject rights including data export and deletion capabilities. MeisterTask has also achieved CCPA compliance, making it suitable for organizations with users in California.
Additional security features include two-factor authentication, SSO integration with major identity providers, and detailed audit logs for enterprise customers. Role-based access controls allow administrators to ensure that team members only see the projects and information relevant to their roles.
Pricing and Plans
MeisterTask offers a generous free tier that includes basic task management for unlimited projects and up to three project members. This makes it accessible for small teams or individuals who want to try the platform without commitment.
The Pro plan at 6.50 euros per month adds features important for productive teams, including unlimited integrations, automations, and timeline views. The Business plan adds additional features for larger teams including groups and permissions, compliance reports, and priority support. Enterprise plans with custom pricing are available for organizations with advanced security and administration needs.
Mobile Experience
MeisterTask's mobile apps for iOS and Android maintain the same intuitive experience as the desktop version. Tasks can be managed on the go, time tracked from mobile devices, and notifications ensure team members stay informed wherever they are. The mobile apps support offline access, syncing changes when connectivity is restored.
Customer Support and Resources
MeisterTask provides support through multiple channels including email, chat, and an extensive knowledge base. The documentation includes tutorials, best practices, and use case guides that help teams get the most from the platform. For enterprise customers, dedicated support and onboarding assistance ensure smooth deployment.
Part of the Meister Suite
MeisterTask is part of a broader suite of productivity tools from Meister that includes MindMeister for mind mapping and MeisterNote for documentation. This integrated approach means teams can manage their entire workflow from ideation through execution and documentation using tools that work seamlessly together.
Who Should Choose MeisterTask
MeisterTask is ideal for teams that value both usability and compliance. Marketing teams, creative agencies, and startups will appreciate the intuitive interface and visual project management approach. Enterprises in regulated industries benefit from the ISO certification and GDPR compliance. Organizations looking to reduce dependence on US-based tools while maintaining productivity will find MeisterTask a capable and trustworthy alternative.
Conclusion
MeisterTask demonstrates that European software can compete with and often exceed US alternatives in both functionality and user experience. Its combination of beautiful design, powerful features, and rigorous security makes it a compelling choice for teams of all sizes. The German hosting and GDPR compliance provide peace of mind for organizations concerned about data protection, while the generous free tier makes it accessible to try before committing. For teams seeking a project management solution that respects both their productivity needs and their privacy, MeisterTask delivers on all fronts.
Alternatives to MeisterTask
Looking for other European project management tools? Here are some alternatives worth considering:
Factro
German project management with Gantt charts
OpenProject
Open-source project management from Germany
Zenkit
German workspace with multiple views
Stackfield
German encrypted project collaboration
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, MeisterTask offers a genuinely free tier with unlimited projects and basic task management features. The free plan supports up to three project members and includes core functionality. Paid plans add advanced features like automations, integrations, and time tracking, but the free tier is fully functional for basic project management needs.
MeisterTask offers a more intuitive and visually appealing interface than Asana, with a gentler learning curve. While Asana may have more advanced features for large enterprises, MeisterTask provides everything most teams need with the added benefits of European hosting, GDPR compliance, and ISO certification. The integration with MindMeister also provides unique workflow advantages.
MeisterTask data is stored on servers in Frankfurt, Germany. This ensures that European customers' data remains within EU jurisdiction and is protected by German and European data protection laws. The company is committed to keeping data in Europe for compliance and privacy reasons.
Yes, MeisterTask offers extensive integration capabilities. Native integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Google Drive, and more. Through Zapier, teams can connect MeisterTask with hundreds of additional tools. The integration with MindMeister allows for seamless brainstorming-to-execution workflows.
Yes, MeisterTask scales well for larger teams with its Business and Enterprise plans. These plans include features like groups and permissions, compliance reports, SSO integration, and dedicated support. Many organizations with hundreds of users successfully use MeisterTask for their project management needs.
Yes, MeisterTask includes powerful automation features in paid plans. Automations can be triggered by events like moving tasks between sections and can perform actions such as assigning team members, setting due dates, adding tags, and more. These automations help teams maintain consistent workflows without manual effort.
MeisterTask holds ISO 27001 certification for information security management. The platform is also fully GDPR compliant and CCPA compliant. These certifications and compliance standards provide assurance for organizations with regulatory requirements and demonstrate the company's commitment to security and privacy.
Yes, MeisterTask offers a Trello import feature that allows you to migrate your boards and tasks from Trello. The import process preserves your project structure, tasks, assignments, and basic metadata. This makes switching from Trello to MeisterTask straightforward without losing your existing work.