A different kind of project management tool
Most modern project management tools are SaaS. It’s the default choice for a reason: setup is simple, initial costs are low and predictable, and there’s no infrastructure to manage.
But when we set out to build PM Engine, we made a different choice: self-hosting.
In this post, we’ll explain why — and how that decision benefits the teams who use it.
The trade-offs behind the SaaS model
SaaS tools are popular because they’re fast to adopt and easy to maintain. But for many teams, those early advantages give way to longer-term trade-offs. After the honeymoon phase, it often becomes clear that you don’t own your data, you’re tied to the vendor's release cycle, and you’re locked into their pricing model.
This isn’t about bad intent. It’s about the structure of the business model.
Why SaaS pricing can feel unfair
SaaS providers appear to have unfair pricing practices because their business model both forces them to and allows them to.
First, they must manage the financial risk of new features. When a trendy feature like AI is added, vendors often don’t know how heavily it will be used or what it will cost to run. To avoid losses, they raise prices for everyone. Even if you never touch the new feature, you pay for its potential cost. If the vendor miscalculates and costs exceed expectations, they raise prices again to cover the difference.
Second, many SaaS companies are backed by VCs or are publicly traded, creating immense pressure for high profits and constant growth.
Finally, the model enables price hikes because vendors hold your data hostage. The cost and complexity of migrating make it difficult to leave, so you are more likely to accept the new pricing. You can't just stop paying the bills.
What our approach means for you
We built PM Engine on a different structure that creates mutual, long-term benefits. This self-hosted model provides clear advantages for your team.
- You have full data ownership. Your data lives on your infrastructure, where you control it.
- You are in charge. You decide when and if to update. No forced changes or redesigns.
- You have a lower profile. Unlike globally recognized SaaS platforms, your private instance is not a high-visibility target for hackers.
- You control your costs. Because you manage your own resources, there are no forced price hikes tied to vendor cost structures.
What makes this model sustainable
Our self-hosted structure allows us to move faster and pass significant savings on to you.
Because we don’t manage or pay for the infrastructure your team uses, our operational burden is significantly lower and our costs don’t increase when you add users. This allows us to focus on development and offer pricing that is simpler and more predictable, close to a flat rate.
We can also ship more courageous updates. We release features as they become ready, and you can test, evaluate, and provide feedback before deciding to go live. This gives you control and gives us a better feedback loop.
We are backed by a patient, professional investor, not a VC firm demanding a fast exit. Our goal is to build long-lasting success with a happy, loyal customer base. We don't force you to keep paying to access your data; we trust that if the product delivers value, you'll stay by choice.
Is self-hosting right for your team?
PM Engine isn’t for everyone. But if your team fits this description, modern self-hosting may be a better fit than you think:
- You handle sensitive or strategic project data.
- You want more autonomy over your tools and infrastructure.
- You dislike per-seat pricing models.
- You have light or moderate IT capabilities.
- You value long-term clarity over short-term convenience.
The bottom line: ownership is practical
This isn’t an anti-SaaS argument. SaaS is the right choice for many teams.
But if you value transparency, autonomy, and long-term stability, self-hosting is no longer a complex burden. It’s a practical, modern solution.
PM Engine was built for those teams.