An open source sign up sheet you can actually own
OpenSignup is a free, open-source sign-up sheet. It's licensed under AGPL-3.0, which means you can read the code, run it on your own server, and keep every sign-up on hardware you control. There are no ads on the page, nobody needs an account to sign up, and no company sits between you and your own list of names.
Why “open source” matters for something as small as a sign-up sheet
Most sign-up tools are closed products. You type in your volunteers, your parents, your team, and their names and email addresses end up on a server you can't see, sitting next to ads sold against them. If the pricing changes or the free tier gets thinner, you don't have much of an exit.
Open source changes who owns that.
You can run OpenSignup on your own domain, so your group's data never leaves your control. The code is public, so anyone can check exactly how sign-ups are stored and handled. And because the license is AGPL-3.0, the project stays open: if you self-host, you're never one pricing email away from losing access to your own lists. The ad question takes care of itself, because there's no ad network in the product to begin with.
If you just want a sign-up sheet in the next five minutes, use the hosted version at opensignup.org. If you'd rather run your own copy, host it yourself. It's the same tool either way.
What it's good for
The everyday coordination that sign-up sheets have always handled:
- Snack rotations for a sports team or a classroom
- Potlucks and class parties, so you don't end up with three bowls of pasta salad and no dessert
- Volunteer shifts for a PTA, a church, or a community event
- Carpools and ride coordination
People sign up by opening a link. No password, no account, nothing to install.
How it works
- Create your sheet. Add the slots (dishes, shifts, dates, seats) in a couple of minutes.
- Share the link by email, text, or group chat, and people pick a slot.
- They sign up without making an account, and everyone can see what's still open.
Self-hosting, briefly
OpenSignup lives on GitHub under AGPL-3.0 and is built to be self-hosted. Clone the repository, follow the README, and run it on your own server so your group's sign-ups stay entirely on hardware you own. If you'd rather not run a server, the hosted version at opensignup.org is free and needs no setup.
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenSignup really open source?
Yes. OpenSignup is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and the full source is on GitHub. You can read it, run it, and self-host it.
Can I self-host my own sign-up sheet?
Yes. Host OpenSignup on your own server and every sign-up stays under your control.
Is it free?
Yes, free to use on opensignup.org and free to self-host. There is no paid tier gating basic sign-up sheets.
Do people need an account to sign up?
No. Participants open your link and choose a slot. No login, no password, no app.
Are there ads?
No. There is no ad network in the product, so your sign-up page is never sold against your list.