Top Open Source GRC Tools (2025)

In an era where businesses handle sensitive data, comply with complex regulations, and face evolving security threats, governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) has become a strategic priority. Organizations need structured, reliable ways to assess and track risks, maintain regulatory compliance, and manage audits efficiently.

That’s where open source GRC tools come in. These platforms offer flexibility, transparency, and community-driven innovation — all without the high licensing costs of proprietary systems. For businesses seeking customization and control, open source GRC solutions are the foundation for smarter, more secure operations.

Understanding Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) refers to the framework that helps organizations align IT operations with business goals, manage risks effectively, and comply with industry regulations.

In simpler terms:

• Governance ensures decisions are aligned with strategic objectives.
• Risk management identifies, assesses, and mitigates potential threats.
• Compliance ensures that internal policies and external regulations are consistently met.

GRC tools automate these processes — enabling companies to focus on strategy rather than manual compliance tracking.

For teams managing large-scale data or multiple regulatory frameworks, using an open source solution means having total transparency and flexibility. Platforms like Baserow’s Governance, Risk & Compliance solution make it easy to centralize all governance workflows, from incident tracking to documentation, in one place.

Why Choose Open Source GRC Tools?

Open source GRC software is more than just a cost-saving option — it’s a smarter, future-proof choice for teams that value transparency, control, and innovation.

Here’s why many organizations are switching to open source GRC platforms:

• Transparency and Trust

Open source systems allow full visibility into the codebase, giving security teams confidence in how data is handled. Unlike proprietary software, there are no hidden processes — everything is auditable.

• Flexibility and Customization

Every company faces unique compliance requirements. Open source GRC tools can be modified to fit these needs, ensuring a perfect alignment with your internal processes and regulatory frameworks.

• Community-Driven Development

With open source, you benefit from global collaboration. Developers and compliance experts continuously improve the software, add integrations, and share best practices — keeping your system up to date and secure.

• Integration with Existing Systems

Modern open source GRC platforms integrate seamlessly with tools for ticketing, communication, and documentation. That makes it easier for a CISO assistant or compliance team to automate recurring workflows.

For more context on open source advantages, check out Baserow’s guide to open source alternatives — a detailed look at why open ecosystems are redefining software reliability.

Key Features to Look for in GRC Software

Selecting the right GRC software depends on your organization’s complexity, size, and compliance maturity. According to Gartner’s research on top-requested GRC platform features, these are the must-have capabilities:

• Risk Assessments and Management: The core of any GRC system. A good platform should help you identify risks, assign ownership, and monitor mitigation progress.
• Compliance Tracking: Tools should simplify the process of mapping regulations to internal policies, helping teams stay ahead of audit and compliance efforts.
• Audit Management: Internal and external audits become easier when you can automate the collection of data, documentation, and evidence gathering.
• Security Controls: Implementing and monitoring standardized controls across teams ensures consistency and readiness for regulatory audits.
• Automated Reporting: Generating real-time reports on compliance and risk metrics saves significant time and effort for the security team.

When evaluating GRC software, look for platforms that not only tick these boxes but also provide room to adapt — like Baserow’s open source, no-code infrastructure, which makes compliance tracking and audit process management more visual and intuitive.

Top Open Source GRC Platforms in 2025

As open source adoption grows, several GRC solutions have gained prominence for their capabilities and community support. Here are some of the best open source GRC tools to explore in 2025:

1. Baserow

As a modern no-code platform, Baserow stands out for its ability to help teams create fully customizable GRC workflows without technical barriers. From risk assessments to compliance dashboards, Baserow provides an open, flexible framework for governance processes.

Use Case Example:

A global SaaS company used Baserow to replace spreadsheet-based risk tracking with a centralized, no-code GRC database. Their security team could map security controls, monitor compliance requirements, and automate audit readiness — all without relying on external vendors.

This kind of adaptability demonstrates why Baserow is quickly becoming one of the most optimized open source GRC solutions for modern teams.

2. Eramba

One of the most well-known open source GRC tools, Eramba covers everything from policy management to audit scheduling and risk assessments. Its dashboard provides complete visibility into compliance tracking and control effectiveness, supporting both internal and external audits.

3. OTRS

Originally designed as a service management suite, OTRS now offers strong GRC capabilities through modules for incident handling, governance workflows, and risk reporting. It’s well-suited for organizations that require integrated process automation and audit management.

4. GRR Rapid Response

Developed by Google, GRR is focused on incident response and digital forensics — a must-have for security teams dealing with large-scale data environments. It’s especially useful for assessing and tracking security threats in real time.

5. OpenGRC

A lightweight yet powerful platform that simplifies governance and compliance processes for small to mid-sized teams. OpenGRC excels in task automation and reporting, making it ideal for organizations seeking to enhance efficiency without adding complexity.

How Baserow Transforms Open Source GRC Management

As organizations seek smarter ways to handle governance and compliance, Baserow offers a refreshing alternative to traditional GRC software. It’s a no-code, community-driven platform that lets teams build, automate, and adapt their GRC systems without complex setup or coding.

Within the Baserow Community, users share templates and workflows for everything from policy management to audit preparation. This shared innovation helps teams strengthen governance strategies and stay compliant more efficiently.

Additionally, Baserow’s security infrastructure ensures that sensitive data is protected while meeting evolving regulatory compliance standards. Security teams can customize dashboards, assign risk ownership, and maintain evidence for external audits—all in a unified, user-friendly workspace.

If you’re looking for practical insight into how no-code tools enhance GRC workflows, watch this short Baserow overview video that highlights its flexibility for data governance, risk tracking, and compliance efforts.

The Future of Open Source GRC Solutions

The demand for open source GRC platforms is rapidly growing. Businesses of all sizes are recognizing the value of tools that provide both autonomy and adaptability. As governance and risk management requirements expand, these platforms are evolving with automation, AI, and community-driven innovation.

By combining open source flexibility with no-code simplicity, Baserow demonstrates how future-ready GRC solutions can empower teams to manage governance frameworks without traditional software constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What makes a good GRC tool?

A good GRC tool integrates governance, risk, and compliance workflows seamlessly while remaining adaptable to changing requirements.

• What are the 4 modules of GRC?

Risk management, compliance, policy management, and audit processes.

• What are the three major types of risks when using open source?

Licensing, security vulnerabilities, and maintenance dependencies.

• How much do GRC tools cost?

Open source GRC tools are typically free to use, with optional paid support or hosting costs depending on organizational needs.

Streamline Your GRC Workflows with Baserow

Open source GRC tools empower organizations to maintain control, flexibility, and transparency across governance, risk, and compliance processes. As more businesses move toward open, customizable systems, Baserow stands out as a practical, no-code solution that helps teams collaborate, automate, and scale efficiently.

Start building your own governance and compliance workflows today — sign up for free on Baserow and experience how simple GRC management can be.