Project management is the process of planning, executing, and closing projects efficiently and effectively. It involves coordinating resources, tasks, and timelines to achieve specific goals within a set timeframe. Effective project management is crucial for the success of any business, whether you’re leading a small team or managing complex tasks across a large organization. However, many companies are hesitant to invest in expensive software. Fortunately, there are several high-quality free project management software options available that can help ease your workflow without added expense.
Why Choose Free Project Management Software?
Free project management software is a cost-effective solution for businesses that need tools without the financial burden. These platforms often provide essential features like task management, team collaboration, and project tracking, making them suitable for startups, small businesses, and freelancers.
Top 30 free project management software
1. Trello
Trello is a straightforward workflow system that anyone can quickly learn to use. Consequently, it simplifies task management and project progress monitoring. Converting complex projects into easy-to-manage Kanban boards enhances workflow visualization. Furthermore, its interactive digital Kanban Board allows for swift updates to projects and tasks.
The free version provides personal Kanban boards, cards, and lists, along with a 10MB file attachment limit. Additionally, it includes 50 automated commands per month for repeatable tasks and offers two-factor authentication for added security.
2. Asana
Asana is a project management tool that allows you to break down projects into sections and sub-lists, with dashboards to track progress. Also, the free Basic plan offers unlimited projects, tasks, and storage for up to 15 users, along with list, board, and calendar views.
3. Airtable
Airtable features a default spreadsheet-like view and offers suggested templates tailored to your team’s needs. You can start with one of these templates, explore other options, or create a custom project, known as a “base,” from scratch. Additionally, the free plan includes unlimited bases, supports up to 5 users, allows 1,000 records per base, and provides 6 view options, including grid, calendar, and Kanban.
4. ClickUp
ClickUp is an impressive platform that offers a lot of functionality with its free option. For instance, it includes task lists, Kanban boards, project budgeting, file sharing, team communication, and time tracking. Consequently, you can manage various aspects of your projects efficiently without needing to upgrade.
5. ActiveCollab
ActiveCollab manages client projects along with invoicing and time tracking in one place. Specifically for agencies and freelancers, this app offers features that simplify client management. For example, you can estimate and track time for each task, mark tasks as billable or non-billable, and manage expenses directly from the task details screen.
Moreover, the free plan has user permissions, allowing you to involve clients in your process while keeping sensitive information secure.
6. Wrike
Wrike is an all-in-one project management software designed to handle both small and large projects as organizations grow. Wrike’s automated workflows streamline repetitive tasks, and its AI capabilities make smart suggestions for automation based on your team’s activities. Additionally, the AI features support content creation, editing, risk predictions, task creation, and summarizing task comments.
7. monday.com
monday.com is a highly customizable work management platform that can handle various projects and workflows. Additionally, it seamlessly connects to other tools through its integration library. Creating automation is straightforward and requires no coding. You can set the platform to fit any workflow, with a strong emphasis on collaboration.
8. Celoxis
Celoxis is an all-in-one project portfolio management (PPM) software that seamlessly integrates planning, tracking, and managing workflows on a customizable platform. Additionally, it provides sophisticated analytics and dashboards, allowing teams to streamline projects, resources, and workflows. By leveraging business intelligence, Celoxis helps teams make informed, data-driven decisions.
9. Basecamp
Basecamp has recently entered the free online project management software market with its new version. This free version is ideal for freelancers, students, families, and personal projects. It includes all essential features such as task lists, project schedules, and discussion boards.
10. Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a project management application that handles projects of all sizes and complexities. It includes features that mimic social networking sites, such as feeds, forums, and discussions. You can access the tool on mobile devices for iOS, Android, and other systems.
11. Notion
Notion is best for creative teams. It stands out as one of the most adaptable, multi-functional project management platforms available today. It supports project management, task management, team wikis, vision boards, and more, allowing teams to customize it to fit their various needs.
12. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a leading work execution platform that excels in real-time work management, advanced dashboard reporting, collaboration, and automation. Organizations use Smartsheet to dynamically plan, execute, and report on projects of any scale.
13. MeisterTask
MeisterTask provides a simple yet powerful project and task management tool that transitions seamlessly between web and mobile platforms. It is a flexible project management tool that integrates with MindMeister for brainstorming sessions. It offers Kanban-style boards for task management.
14. Hive
Hive is a project management platform that consolidates all your workplace tools into a single dashboard. You can manage projects, chat with coworkers, send emails, and start Zoom calls without leaving the window. Hive provides a variety of features, including 6 flexible project views such as Gantt, Kanban, Calendar, and Table.
15. Hubstaff
Hubstaff excels with its automated workflows based on agile methodology. It allows you to focus by prioritizing tasks, automating stand-ups, and easily sharing comments and project status with your team. The free plan supports up to 5 users.
16. TeamGantt
TeamGantt is project management software designed to meet the needs of smaller businesses. You can set it up quickly, often getting it running within an hour or two. Pricing starts at $0 per month for up to 10 users and 1 project.
17. Todoist
Todoist is a straightforward yet powerful tool for creating interactive to-do lists. You can assign priority levels, designate tasks to team members, and flag items, with customizable reminders available as a premium feature. Categorize actionable items into different projects to create a clear structure where each ‘list’ represents a project name and includes a series of actions.
18. Bitrix24
Bitrix24’s project management software features Kanban boards, Gantt charts, task counters for easy prioritization, and reports for analyzing the time required for various tasks. You can also create to-do lists within tasks.
19. Apploye
Apploye is a project time tracker that lets you manage projects and monitor time. You can add tasks, teams, and notes to each project. Apploye automatically calculates payments and tracks project costs based on time. It also includes features for time tracking, remote employee monitoring, and employee attendance, making project management more seamless.
Apploye is free for 10 days and the price starts at $4 per month.
20. Project.co
Project.co is a client-facing project management system that unites your team with your clients’ teams in one platform. You can set up each piece of work as its project, complete with a discussion feed, notes, tasks, team assignments, and payments. Additionally, you can track the time spent on each project. Pricing starts at $10 per user per month, with a free 14-day trial available.
21. Toggl Plan
Toggl Plan helps you automate task delegation and visualize project progress, showing which tasks are completed and which are pending. It’s a valuable tool for teams that frequently collaborate with other departments. Try it free for 14 days, then it’s $8 per user per month.
22. Teamly
Teamly optimizes remote team management with its diverse range of tools. It simplifies task assignments, time tracking, and communication, making it an ideal solution for teams working outside traditional office settings.
23. Coda
Coda serves as the single source of truth for your product teams. As a project management tool, it is flexible and powerful enough to consolidate all your team’s assets and workflows into a single document. Doc viewers and editors are always on a free plan.
24. Visme
Visme streamlines project management and content creation workflows with its all-in-one tool. It offers team and workflow management features, enabling different departments to collaborate seamlessly across multiple projects and platforms. Users can delegate and track tasks, visualize strategies, conduct productive meetings, and facilitate direct communication within projects.
25. nTask
nTask supports creating and managing multiple projects and tasks. Users can define roles for team leaders, set budgets, and establish milestone and time-tracking criteria for each project. The basic plan is free for users.
26. Teamwork
Teamwork is a project management and collaboration platform that keeps in-house and remote teams organized and productive. You can upload files, assign tasks and deadlines, and chat with teammates for each project. By centralizing project information, Teamwork helps reduce misunderstandings and missed deadlines.
27. Freedcamp
Freedcamp offers a feature-rich project management tool for personal and professional use. Each project includes its tasks, milestones, files, discussions, timelines, issue tracker, and calendar. The dashboard provides a clear, concise overview of team activity, projects, and tasks.
28. Paymo
Paymo’s free version supports only one user, but it can be an efficient option for freelancers or small teams needing to track billable hours and invoice clients. It lets you organize project timelines, create to-do lists, and manage budgets for multiple projects simultaneously.
29. Taiga
Taiga is a free and open-source project management tool for cross-functional agile teams to work effectively. It supports Kanban boards, Scrum, and Sprints, making it ideal for software development projects.
30. GoodDay
GoodDay is a modern work management platform that combines top tools for high-level planning, project, and product management. It provides task management, time tracking, and collaboration features. The Forever Free version is ideal for small teams.
Choosing the right project management software can significantly impact your team’s productivity and project outcomes. Free project management software options offer a variety of features for different team sizes and project requirements.