25+ Django Open Source Projects to Build Expertise for Beginners and Professionals

Django, renowned for its "batteries-included" philosophy, powers robust web applications across industries. Delving into Django open-source projects exposes practical applications of ORM, middleware, authentication, and REST APIs while honing debugging and testing skills.

These projects are perfect for beginners learning key patterns or professionals improving workflows. They provide insights into scalable architectures, security, and high-performance solutions, helping to enhance Django skills in 2025.

25+ Top Django Open Source Projects You Should Explore in 2025

Contributing to the best Django open source projects sharpens your problem-solving skills and equips you to tackle real-world web development challenges.

Let's dive into it. 

Foundational Django Open Source Projects for Beginners:

To-Do Web Application Using Django

This project helps you build a simple to-do application where users can create, edit, and delete tasks. It will solve the need for task management by allowing users to stay organized.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Python and Django.
Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• User authentication
• CRUD operations
• Web app routing

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Personal task management tools
• Project management applications

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Implementing advanced features like task deadlines or notifications.
• Expanding for multi-user support.

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Weather Application Using Django | Python

This project provides weather information using an API. It solves the problem of delivering real-time weather data to users.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Django and basic API usage.
Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• OpenWeather API
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• Working with APIs
• Parsing JSON data
• Displaying dynamic content

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Weather forecasting websites
• Mobile apps displaying live weather updates

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Adding additional data layers like air quality or radar images.
• Implementing a location-based weather feature.

Also Read: How to Make API Calls in Angular Applications: Complete Guide to Best Practices and Process in 2025

Blogging Platform Using Django

This project involves building a blogging platform where users can create, manage, and comment on posts.
Prerequisites: Intermediate understanding of Django, models, and templates.
Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Database design with Django models
• Building user authentication and permissions
• Template rendering

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Personal blogs
• Corporate content management systems

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Adding features like tagging, categories, and SEO optimization.
• Scaling for large numbers of posts and users.

Event Countdown Timer Using Django

This project builds a countdown timer for upcoming events. It allows users to track time until the next event or deadline.

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Django and JavaScript.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• JavaScript
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• Working with dynamic content
• Date/time manipulation
• Front-end interaction with Django backend

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Event countdowns for conferences
• Special promotions or offers

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Adding user customization for multiple events.
• Implementing real-time updates with WebSockets.

Image Gallery Interface Using Django

This project involves creating a gallery where users can upload and view images. It provides a clean, functional image gallery for users to interact with.

Prerequisites: Basic Django knowledge and familiarity with handling file uploads.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• Bootstrap
• HTML/CSS
• Python Image Library (PIL)

Key Skills Gained:

• File upload handling
• Image resizing and optimization
• User interface design

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Portfolio websites
• E-commerce image galleries

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Implementing an image search feature.
• Adding tags or categories to images.

YouTube Video Downloader Using Django

This project enables users to download videos from YouTube. It provides a simple interface to download videos from YouTube, solving the need for offline viewing.

This project should only be used for personal purposes and must comply with YouTube's Terms of Service.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Python and the YouTube API.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• YouTube API
• Python

Key Skills Gained:

• Working with external APIs
• Understanding video processing
• Implementing download functionalities

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Video downloading apps
• Educational content downloaders

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Adding support for different video qualities.
• Integrating with cloud storage solutions.

Word Counter Application Using Django

This project allows users to count words and characters in a block of text. It solves the need for content analysis by counting words in real-time.

Prerequisites: Basic Django and Python knowledge.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Text processing
• Real-time interaction with Django
• User input handling

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Blogging platforms
• Content writing tools

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Adding features like character limits for social media posts.
• Extending functionality for different languages.

Translator App Project Using Django

This project allows users to translate text from one language to another, leveraging third-party translation APIs.

Prerequisites: Basic Django and API integration knowledge.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• Google Cloud Translation API
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Working with third-party APIs
• Handling language-specific data
• Developing dynamic user interfaces

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Apps like Google Translate or Duolingo leverage translation APIs to assist users across languages.
• Customer support in global markets

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Handling uncommon languages or dialects.
• Adding real-time translation with chat applications.

Joke App Project Using Django Framework

This project involves creating an app that fetches jokes from an API and displays them to users.

Prerequisites: Basic Django knowledge and API integration.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• JokeAPI
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• API handling
• User interaction design
• Fetching and displaying dynamic content

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Entertainment apps
• Chatbot integrations

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Expanding the joke database for more categories.
• Adding user-generated content for jokes.

Wikipedia Search Application Using Django

This project enables users to search Wikipedia articles and display relevant results. Wikipedia's API has rate limits, so ensure you manage requests efficiently with caching mechanisms like Django’s caching framework.

Prerequisites: Familiarity with Django and basic API usage.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• Wikipedia API
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• Integrating external APIs
• Web scraping techniques
• Displaying data dynamically

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Knowledge-sharing platforms
• Educational apps

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Improving search functionality for relevance.
• Incorporating multilingual support for different Wikipedia versions.

URL Shrinker App Using Django

This project lets users shorten long URLs into smaller, shareable links.
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of Django and URL handling.
Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• PostgreSQL
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• URL manipulation
• Database management
• Building a user-friendly interface

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Social media sharing
• Marketing campaigns

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Tracking link analytics and redirect issues.
• Integrating features like link expiration and user management.

Also Read: 25+ Innovative DBMS Project Ideas for Beginners in 2025: Source Code, Benefits, and More

Creating a URL Shortener with Django

Build a URL shortener that shortens links and tracks analytics like clicks.
Prerequisites: Basic Django and database knowledge.
Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite/PostgreSQL
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• URL shortening techniques
• Database design and management
• Integrating analytics and reporting

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Digital Marketing
• Social media marketing campaigns

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Ensuring scalability for millions of links.
• Integrating custom domains for shortened URLs.

Setting Up Email Sending in Django

This project helps you integrate email functionality in Django to send messages to users.
Prerequisites: Basic Django knowledge and email handling.
Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SMTP/Email backend
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• Email configuration in Django
• Setting up backend services for email
• User registration and communication

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• User registration confirmation
• Password recovery emails

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Handling email delivery issues like spam filters.
• Integrating email templates for dynamic content.

Recipe Meal Planner Using Django

Build a meal planning application where users can create personalized meal plans with recipes.

Prerequisites: Familiarity with Django models and templates.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• Building dynamic forms
• Working with databases and meal data
• Integrating user feedback for customization

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Nutrition and diet apps
• Fitness platforms

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Expanding database for more recipes.
• Integrating with grocery delivery services.

Also Read: Top 10 Full Stack Developer Languages and Career Opportunities in 2025

Now, let's dive into intermediate Django open source projects that will prepare you for more complex challenges.

Intermediate Open Source Django Projects for Aspiring Professionals

Building on foundational skills, let’s now work with databases, integrate third-party services, and develop applications that are more complex and dynamic.

Real-time Chat Application Using Django

Build a chat application that allows users to communicate in real-time. For the Real-time Chat Application Using Django, you’ll need to set up Django Channels to enable real-time communication. Django Channels extends Django to handle WebSockets, allowing your application to manage real-time interactions such as live messaging.

Check out the official Django Channels documentation to get started with the setup.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Django Channels and WebSockets.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django Channels
• JavaScript
• WebSockets
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• Real-time messaging
• WebSocket implementation
• User authentication and session management

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Customer support chatbots
• Social media messaging features

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Scaling the application for larger user bases
• Adding group chat and multimedia-sharing capabilities

E-commerce Product Catalog Using Django

Create an online catalog to showcase products in an e-commerce setting.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Django models, views, and templates.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• PostgreSQL or SQLite
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• Product listing and categorization
• Creating a dynamic catalog
• Search and filter functionality

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Online retail stores like Amazon
• Product catalogs for e-commerce websites

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Integrating a payment gateway
• Supporting a large number of products and filters

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Adding a Shopping Cart to a Web Page with Django

Enable users to add and manage items in a shopping cart on a website.

Prerequisites: Understanding of Django session handling and database integration.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite/PostgreSQL
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Session management in Django
• Handling user input for dynamic cart updates
• Integrating products and pricing into the cart

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• E-commerce platforms like Shopify
• Online stores for physical and digital goods

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Ensuring secure transactions
• Implementing discount and promotion handling

Hotel Room Search Project in Django

Build a search engine for users to book hotel rooms based on location and dates.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Django models and advanced querying techniques.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• PostgreSQL
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Handling complex queries for dynamic search results
• Integration with a booking system
• Working with user authentication

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Hotel booking websites like Booking.com
• Travel apps for booking accommodations

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Real-time availability updates
• Integrating payment and booking confirmations

Google Authentication and Mail Fetching in Django

Implement Google authentication and fetch emails using the Gmail API for a seamless user experience.

Prerequisites: Basic understanding of OAuth and API integration.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• OAuth
• Gmail API
• HTML/CSS

Key Skills Gained:

• OAuth-based authentication
• API integration with Gmail
• Working with JSON data

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Google login for websites and apps
• Email management tools for organizations

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Integrating other email services
• Improving the security of email data handling

Also Read: Top 9 Machine Learning APIs for Data Science You Need to Know About

Building a Commenting System in Django

Create a system where users can leave comments on blog posts or product pages.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Django models, forms, and views.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite/PostgreSQL
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Working with forms and dynamic content
• Comment moderation and user interaction
• Implementing nested comments

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Comment sections in blogs and news websites
• Product reviews on e-commerce websites

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Preventing spam and abuse
• Moderating and managing large numbers of comments

Configuring Email Sending in Django

Set up email functionality to send automated messages from a Django application.

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of SMTP and email systems.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SMTP
• Mailgun/SendGrid

Key Skills Gained:

• Sending transactional emails
• Configuring SMTP settings in Django
• Integrating third-party email services

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Password reset emails
• Marketing campaigns and newsletters

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Managing large-scale email campaigns
• Improving email deliverability

Also Read: Computer Networking Basics: Network Types, Technologies, Topologies, Pros and Cons

Building on the foundational, let’s look at advanced Django projects that will push your capabilities in handling complex features, large-scale systems, and integration with third-party services.

Advanced Django Open Source Projects for Experienced Developers

These advanced-level projects focus on large-scale applications, third-party integrations, and complex workflows, preparing you for enterprise-level challenges.

E-commerce Website using Django

Build a fully functional e-commerce website with user authentication, product listings, and checkout functionality.

Prerequisites: Advanced knowledge of Django, Python, and working with databases.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• PostgreSQL/MySQL
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript
• Stripe/PayPal API

Key Skills Gained:

• Payment gateway integration
• User authentication and session management
• Product management and filtering

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Full-fledged e-commerce platforms like Amazon or eBay
• Online retail stores

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Handling high traffic and scaling
• Implementing personalized product recommendations

Razorpay Integration in Django

Integrate the Razorpay payment gateway into a Django project for secure transactions.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of payment gateway APIs and Django views/forms.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• Razorpay API
• Python
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Payment processing and integration
• Handling payment status and notifications
• Security best practices for payments

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Subscription-based services
• E-commerce platforms processing payments

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Ensuring secure transactions
• Supporting multiple payment methods and currencies

Note-Taking App using Django

Develop a note-taking application with features like saving, editing, and categorizing notes.

Prerequisites: Familiarity with Django models and user authentication.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite/PostgreSQL
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• CRUD operations with Django
• User authentication and session management
• Categorization and search functionality

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Personal note-taking apps like Evernote
• Collaborative note-sharing platforms

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Expanding features to include text formatting
• Implementing cloud syncing for mobile access

Online Resume Builder using Django

Create an online platform for building, editing, and exporting resumes.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Django forms and file handling.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• HTML/CSS
• Bootstrap
• PDF Generation (e.g., ReportLab)

Key Skills Gained:

• Dynamic form creation
• File handling and PDF generation
• User authentication and data validation

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• Resume builder websites like Canva
• Online portfolio creation tools

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Adding template customization options
• Enabling export in multiple file formats (e.g., Word, PDF)

College Management System using Django

Build a system to manage student and faculty records, including course registrations, assignments, and grades.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Django models, forms, and administrative interfaces.

Technology Stack and Tools Used:

• Django
• SQLite/PostgreSQL
• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript

Key Skills Gained:

• Building complex management systems
• Handling relational databases
• User role management (students, teachers, admins)

Examples of Real-World Scenarios:

• University student management platforms
• Educational institutions managing student data

Challenges and Future Scope:

• Integrating external tools like grading platforms
• Expanding the system to include online course delivery

Having completed advanced projects, choosing the right Django open-source projects that align with your learning goals will help you focus on areas that need further refinement.

How to Select the Right Django Open Source Projects for Your Learning Journey

Choosing the right Django open-source project from a vast ecosystem can be overwhelming, but doing so strategically will accelerate your learning. Focus on projects that challenge you to apply new concepts, refine existing skills, and offer real-world applications.

• Assess your current skill level: If you’re a beginner, start with simple projects like building a to-do list app. As you advance, move to projects involving complex features like e-commerce systems or third-party API integrations.
• Choose projects that offer new learning opportunities. Look for projects that expose you to areas you have yet to explore, such as integrating payment gateways, adding real-time features, or working with machine learning.
• Check project activity and community support: Contribute to projects with active communities. This ensures support for challenges and feedback on your contributions.
• Review the project’s code quality: Ensure the project has well-written, maintainable code. This will enhance your learning and improve your programming practices.
• Align projects with your career goals: Choose projects that reflect the type of development work you want to pursue—whether it’s backend development, API integration, or building scalable web applications.

Also Read: Career in Web Development: Ultimate Guide [2024]

To effectively choose the best Django open-source projects, you must also understand how to differentiate your work in the competitive landscape. 

Tips to Make Your Django Open Source Projects Stand Out in 2025

To stand out in the competitive world of Django development, it’s essential to showcase projects that not only demonstrate your technical expertise but also exhibit creativity and problem-solving skills.  

Here are five actionable tips to enhance your Django open-source projects:

• Focus on Clean Code and Documentation
  Ensure your code is clean, modular, and easy to understand. Proper documentation helps others understand your project and contributes to a smooth collaboration on open-source Django projects GitHub.
• Incorporate Advanced Features
  Integrate cutting-edge features such as authentication, payment gateways, or machine learning, which will help you stand out among the best Django open source projects.
• Showcase Real-World Use Cases
  Build projects that solve real-world problems. For example, develop an e-commerce platform, a task management system, or an online learning portal. Show how your project could make a difference.
• Keep the User Experience in Mind
  In your projects, prioritize responsive design and smooth UI/UX. Users appreciate well-designed applications that demonstrate attention to detail and professionalism.
• Contribute to the Community
  Engage with the Django community on GitHub by submitting issues and pull requests and helping others troubleshoot. Active participation in the community increases your credibility and visibility.

To further elevate your Django development skills and gain a competitive edge, let’s look at how upGrad can help you advance your expertise in Django open source projects.

How upGrad Enhances Your Development in Django Open Source Projects?

upGrad offers comprehensive programs that guide you through the process of building and contributing to top-tier Django open source projects. These courses provide hands-on learning, real-world projects, and expert mentorship to help you hone your skills and stand out in the competitive job market.

Here are some of the top courses: 

1. Executive Diploma in Data Science & AI
2. Node.js For Beginners
3. React.js For Beginners
4. JavaScript Basics from Scratch

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