SHARE
Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp

10 Best Free Project Management Tools to Boost Team Efficiency in 2025

Looking for free project management software? Here’s our list of the top free tools to help you plan, organize, and execute projects in 2023.

Published: Aug 22, 2025
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
project-management.com content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Project management solutions offer extensive features that help teams and professional users stay on track. With the right platform, you can manage tasks, collaborate in real time, and streamline workflows without adding to your expenses. This guide showcases the best free project management tools, outlining their costs, key features, and use cases to help you find the right fit for your individual goals or growing team.

  • monday.com: Best for individual use
  • ClickUp: Best for complex workflows
  • Smartsheet: Best spreadsheet-style project management
  • Jira: Best for agile software teams
  • Wrike: Best for complex timelines
  • Notion: Best for combined notetaking and task tracking
  • Teamwork.com: Best for client-facing work
  • Miro: Best for collaborative ideation
  • Trello: Best for visual project planning
  • Asana: Best for basic task tracking 

Our picks: Best free project management software compared

Project management software is vital for teams of all sizes, but choosing the wrong tool can lead to overspending. Luckily, several free project management tools offer great value. Our quick comparison lists our top recommendations to help you decide.

Best free project management software

Best for

Free plan user limit

AI features

Best for individual use

Two users

  • Sentiment analysis
  • Text summarization
  • Information extraction

Best for complex workflows

Unlimited

  • Custom AI agents 
  • Intelligent task assigning 
  • AI meetings

Best spreadsheet-style project management

Unlimited (free trial only)

  • Text generation
  • Data analysis
  • AI formulas

Best for agile software teams

10 users

  • Content generation
  • Summarize comments
  • Suggested tasks

Best for complex timelines

Unlimited

  • Subtask creation
  • Risk detection
  • Voice commands

Best for combined notetaking and task tracking

Unlimited

  • Coding assistant
  • Text translation
  • Design suggestions

Best for client-facing work

5 users

  • Content generation
  • Summarize task threads
  • Data extraction

Best for collaborative brainstorming

Unlimited

  • Screenshot‑to‑editable‑prototype
  • AI-generated diagrams
  • Text editing

Best for visual project planning

10 users

  • Action item extraction
  • Content generation
  • AI brainstorming

Best for basic task tracking

10 users

  • Automated custom fields
  • Project summaries
  • Automatic status updates
monday.com logo.

1. monday.com – Best for individual use

Overview

The monday.com free plan supports up to two users and offers three project boards with up to 1,000 task items. Users can access over 200 customizable templates, multiple view formats, and basic integrations with popular apps. However, advanced features like automations, time tracking, and detailed reporting require upgrading to paid tiers.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Sales dashboard in Monday.com displaying funnel stages, revenue progress, and rep activity.
  • thumbnail Monday.com board view of campaign requests with languages, platforms, and priorities.
  • thumbnail Marketing project boards in Monday.com showing budget, campaigns, and task statuses.

Standout features

  • Monday AI: Utilizes artificial intelligence to automate routine tasks and provide data-driven insights
  • Embedded documents: Allows integration and editing of documents directly within your monday boards
  • Custom notifications: Enables personalized alerts to keep team members informed about relevant updates and priority tasks

Pros

  • Highly customizable project boards
  • Intuitive automation tool
  • Over 200 project templates

Cons

  • Time tracking is available only in higher tiers
  • Per group seat pricing model can be confusing
  • Slight learning curve

Why I picked monday.com

monday.com is one of the best free project management software for individuals or solopreneurs managing their own projects and tasks. Its simple and visually appealing interface lets you quickly create projects and track tasks without the complexity found in multi-user platforms. It enables you to organize personal work tasks, deadlines, and priorities within its intuitive boards and views while giving you the right amount of functionality and customizability.

Like Trello, monday.com prioritizes simplicity. With its drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates, individuals can build workflows that match their priorities and planning style. 

monday.com’s key differences

monday.com sets itself apart with its visual and easy-to-use project boards, making navigation effortless for users of all skill levels. Its extensive template library helps you launch new projects without spending extra time on setup. Plus, monday.com’s robust integration with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom enhances productivity without additional cost.

Pricing

  • Free Forever
  • $0/user/month
  • Up to two seats
  • Free plan includes
  • Up to 1,000 items
  • 500 MB file storage
  • One week of activity log
  • Over 20 column types
  • 200+ templates
  • Unlimited messages
  • Embedded documents
  • Updates section
  • Shareable forms
  • Custom notifications
  • Kanban view
  • Unlimited dashboards (one board)
  • Basic
  • $12/user/month
  • Includes all in the Free plan, plus:
  • Unlimited items
  • 5 GB file storage
    Unlimited boards, docs, and free viewers
  • Custom fields
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Standard
  • $14/user/month
  • Includes all in the Basic plan, plus:
  • 6-month activity log
  • 20 GB file storage
  • Timeline, calendar, map, chart view
  • Up to five boards
  • Four guests per paid seat
  • Zoom integration
  • 500 trial AI credits
  • 150 automation credits/month
  • Pro
  • $24/user/month
  • Includes all in the Standard plan, plus:
  • 100 GB file storage
  • One-year activity log
  • 25,000 automation credits/month
  • Chart view
  • Unlimited guests
  • Time tracking
  • Formula column
  • Dependency column
  • Workload
  • Up to 20 boards
  • Private boards and docs
  • Enterprise
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes all in the Pro plan, plus:
  • Work performance insights
  • Audit log
  • Private workspaces
  • Premium integrations
  • 250,000 automation credits/month
  • Five-year activity log
  • 1 TB file storage
clickup logo.

2. ClickUp – Best for complex workflows

Overview

ClickUp’s free plan offers unlimited users, native time tracking, and multiple project views such as lists, boards, and calendars. However, it only provides 100 MB of storage, which limits file-sharing capabilities for smaller teams on a budget. Advanced features like extensive automation and resource management require upgrading to paid tiers.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail ClickUp Docs dashboard with templates, recent files, and workspace navigation.
  • thumbnail ClickUp whiteboard showing a sitemap layout for a website.
  • thumbnail ClickUp list view of rebranding tasks grouped by project stage

Standout features

  • Column calculations: Performs automatic calculations like sum, average, or range within list and table views
  • Everything view: Provides a comprehensive overview of all tasks across your workspace, regardless of their location within the platform
  • In-app video recording: Allows you to record and share screen recordings directly within tasks or comments

Pros

  • Up to 16 project views
  • Free plan boasts a rich feature set
  • Supports sprint management

Cons

  • Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the number of features
  • Desktop version may offer features not available on mobile
  • Lacks time tracking on the free plan

Why I picked ClickUp

ClickUp’s free plan stands out if you need powerful tools for complex workflow management without plan upgrades. Unlike competitors that reserve advanced views and task dependencies for higher tiers, ClickUp makes these available on its free version. This allows you to manage intricate projects effectively, including layered or dependent tasks.

Tech-savvy teams handling multifaceted projects with numerous tasks, subtasks, and dependencies will find ClickUp’s structure quite useful. You can set task dependencies, create checklists, and enable sprint planning without needing to upgrade. If your projects require detailed planning, ClickUp provides great value at no initial cost.

ClickUp’s key differences

ClickUp distinguishes itself from other free project management tools with its high level of customization, allowing users to tailor views, statuses, and workflows extensively. It also uniquely integrates native features like task dependencies and time tracking across plans. Additionally, ClickUp maintains a robust integration library to seamlessly connect with existing productivity tools.

Pricing

  • Free Forever
  • $0/user/month
  • Unlimited members
  • 100 MB storage
  • Unlimited tasks
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Collaborative Docs
  • Kanban and calendar views
  • Gantt chart, timeline, and mind map (60 uses each)
  • Sprint management
  • Up to 1,000 chat messages
  • In-app video recording
  • 24/7 support
  • Unlimited
  • $10/user/month
  • Includes all in the Free Forever plan, plus:
  • Unlimited storage, dashboards, and integrations
  • Guests with permissions
  • Gantt charts
  • Custom fields
  • Column calculations
  • Email in ClickUp
  • Teams (user groups)
  • Native time tracking
  • Goals and portfolios
  • Form view
  • Resource management
  • Agile reporting
  • AI compatible
  • Business
  • $19/user/month
  • Includes all in the Unlimited plan, plus:
  • Google single sign-on (SSO)
  • Unlimited teams
  • Custom exporting
  • Advanced automations
  • Advanced dashboard features
  • Advanced time tracking
  • Granular time estimates
  • Timesheets
  • Workload management
  • Timelines and mind maps
  • Goal folders
  • Enterprise
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes all in the Business plan, plus:
  • White labeling
  • Advanced permissions
  • Conditional logic in forms
  • Enterprise application programming interface (API)
  • Unlimited custom roles
  • Custom capacity in workload
  • Live onboarding training
Smartsheet logo.

3. Smartsheet – Best spreadsheet-style project management

Overview

Smartsheet’s spreadsheet-style interface makes it easy for teams who are accustomed to working with spreadsheets to transition to the platform. It offers a 30-day free trial, giving users full temporary access to its project management and spreadsheet capabilities. After the trial, however, users can only view documents but lose editing privileges. Continuous editing, advanced collaboration, and reporting features require ongoing paid subscriptions.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Smartsheet ticket tracker with form submission and task details pop-up.
  • thumbnail Smartsheet WorkApps dashboard showing university development charts and team messages.
  • thumbnail Smartsheet project tracking dashboard with task status chart and Gantt view.

Standout features

  • Rich formulas: Offers advanced formula capabilities for complex calculations and data analysis
    Team workload tracking: Visualizes team members’ workloads to optimize resource allocation
  • Conditional formatting: Applies formatting rules to cells based on specific criteria to highlight key information

Pros

  • Dynamic spreadsheet-like format
  • Offers a custom email domain
  • Flexible reports and dashboards

Cons

  • No longer offers a free version
  • Steep price jump between plans
  • Requires a paid subscription to access template sets

Why I picked Smartsheet

Smartsheet’s grid-based format closely resembles Excel and Google Sheets, making it ideal for users familiar with traditional spreadsheet tools. Unlike more visually driven platforms, Smartsheet provides robust formulas, cell linking, and data analysis capabilities with an easy-to-navigate interface.

Smartsheet is a natural fit for data-driven work, catering to professionals who prefer a spreadsheet-style approach to managing tasks and budgets. Teams can connect cells across multiple sheets, apply conditional logic, and build logical workflows using functions like IF, VLOOKUP, and COUNTIF. This level of flexibility makes it easier to manage budgets and track project health.

Smartsheet’s key differences

Beyond complex calculations, Smartsheet also offers built-in governance and compliance features like permission controls and enterprise-grade security. It also includes WorkApps, a no-code platform that lets you build custom interfaces for different stakeholders. These capabilities make Smartsheet ideal for cross-functional teams with strict IT requirements.

Pricing

  • Pro
  • $9.00/user/month
  • Up to 10 users
  • 500 MB file storage
  • Pro plan includes:
  • Unlimited viewers
  • Gantt, grid, card, calendar views
  • Dashboards & reports (view only)
  • Cell and column formulas
  • 20 GB attachment storage (30 MB file limit)
  • 250 automations per month
  • Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and over 100 app integrations
  • Business
  • $19.00/user/month
  • Includes all in the Pro plan, plus:
  • Unlimited sheets and free guests
  • Timeline view
  • Team workload tracking
  • Admin capabilities
  • Editable dashboards & reports
  • Activity log
  • Forms and proofing
  • Document builder
  • 1 TB file storage
  • Unlimited automations
  • Group management
  • Unlimited automated workflows
  • Enterprise
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes all in the Business plan, plus:
  • Single Sign-On (SSO)
  • Enterprise access controls
  • Custom email domains
  • Customizable user experience
  • Activity and login history
  • Advanced item-level sharing
  • Admin Center with governance controls
  • Event reporting and alerts
  • Advanced Work Management
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes all in the Business plan, plus:
  • Project and portfolio automation
  • Capacity planning, workload, and timesheets
  • Secure sharing of select info
  • Import/export to cloud storage and Smartsheet
  • Custom calendar views
  • Data summaries and pivot reports
  • Data visualizations and metrics
  • No-code integrations and workflows
  • Centralized data management
Jira logo.

4. Jira – Best for agile software teams

Overview

Jira’s free plan supports up to 10 users and offers agile-specific tools like Scrum and Kanban boards, backlog management, and agile reporting. It includes 2 GB of storage, enough for small-team usage. However, it restricts advanced user permissions and administration settings on higher-tier subscriptions.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Jira Work Management dashboard showing project summary, team workload, and status charts.
  • thumbnail Jira backlog board in dark mode with task list, issue types, and sprint progress insights.
  • thumbnail Jira scrum board showing task columns for to-do, in progress, code review, and done.

Standout features

  • Summary views: Provides high-level overviews of project statuses, facilitating quick assessments of progress
    Release tracks: Manages and monitors different versions of your product, ensuring organized deployment cycles
    Custom approval: Enables the creation of tailored approval workflows to match your team’s specific processes

Pros

  • Robust issue tracking tools
  • Over 3,000 app integrations
  • Offers a variety of chart types

Cons

  • No budgeting features
  • Can be complex to set up for non-dev teams
  • Real-time collaboration tools could be better

Why I picked Jira

Primarily a software development tool, Jira comes with features that support agile project management methodologies, like scrum boards and sprint planning. Compared to general-purpose tools, Jira provides specialized resources to help you manage product backlogs, sprint cycles, and issue tracking. You can also create user stories, track bugs, and follow project progress through dedicated agile reports.

The Jira platform is designed to simulate the development life cycle, from planning and coding to testing and release. This allows QA teams and product managers to break down complex projects into manageable tasks, complete with story points, sprints, backlogs, and version control. 

Jira’s key differences

Jira uniquely focuses on agile-specific workflows, making it a strong contender for teams working on agile projects. Its powerful issue-tracking capabilities stand apart from competitors that offer more general task management. Plus, it offers extensive agile reporting, enhancing project oversight.

Pricing

  • Free Forever
  • $0/user/month
  • Up to 10 users
  • Free plan includes
  • Unlimited tasks, goals, projects, forms
  • Backlog, list, board, timeline, calendar, and summary views
  • Custom workflows
  • Project templates
  • Dashboards
  • Reports, dashboards, and team insights
  • One site
  • 2 GB storage
  • 100 emails/day
  • 100 automation runs/month
  • SSO, password policies, and encryption
  • Single project dependency
  • Standard
  • $8.60/user/month
  • Includes all in the Free plan, plus:
  • 250 GB storage
  • User roles and permissions
  • External collaboration
  • Multi-region data residency
  • 1,700 automations per site per month
  • Cloud support team
  • Unlimited email notifications
  • Anonymous access
  • Audit logs
  • Premium
  • $17/user/month
  • Includes all in the Standard plan, plus:
  • Unlimited storage
  • AI-powered summaries, generative AI editing, natural language
  • Cross-team planning and dependency management
  • Customizable approval process
  • 1,000 automations per user per month
  • 24/7 support
  • Enterprise
  • Custom pricing, billed annually
  • Includes all in the Premium plan, plus:
  • Unlimited storage
  • Cross-product insights with Atlassian Analytics and Data Lake
  • Advanced admin controls and security
  • Enterprise-grade identity and access management
  • Unlimited automations
The Wrike logo.

5. Wrike – Best for complex timelines

Overview

Wrike’s free plan provides unlimited user access, basic task management features, and essential project views like boards and lists. It includes 2 GB of storage for basic document sharing and collaboration. However, detailed Gantt charts, resource management tools, and advanced reporting require upgrading to paid plans.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Wrike calendar view showing project timelines and option to generate public links.
  • thumbnail Wrike task panel with Google Drive file creation and document options.
  • thumbnail Wrike interface showing user settings menu and project task statuses.

Standout features

  • Folder hierarchy: Organizes projects and tasks within a structured folder system for clarity and accessibility
  • Dynamic Gantt chart: Provides interactive timelines that adjust automatically as project details change
  • AI recommended tasks: Utilizes AI to suggest tasks based on your work patterns and priorities

Pros

  • Multilingual support across plans
  • Unlimited users in the free version
  • Delegate actions via voice commands

Cons

  • Limits the user count per plan
  • Offers very limited storage space
  • Resource management is only available on the fifth-level tier

Why I picked Wrike

Wrike works for teams managing complex project timelines, thanks to its structured project views. Even on the free plan, Wrike helps you map out detailed projects clearly, making it easier to track multiple timelines and deadlines simultaneously. 

The Wrike platform offers a suite of timeline-centric features, including the dynamic Gantt chart. It automatically adjusts all the dates when you move a task, and a simple switch highlights “must-finish” tasks in red so you know which ones to prioritize. You can stack several projects on one timeline and take a quick “snapshot” to see how your schedule changes over time, giving you a clear overview of your projects in one place.

Wrike’s key differences

Wrike uses a structured folder hierarchy, offering clear and organized access to tasks across multiple projects. It uniquely combines spreadsheet-style task views with boards, catering to users who prefer clarity in organizing complex project data. Additionally, Wrike offers robust security and collaboration tools even on its free plan, enhancing its value significantly compared to its competitors.

Pricing

  • Free Plan
  • $0/user/month
  • Includes all in the Pro plan, plus:
  • Task and subtask management
  • Table and Kanban view
  • Active task statuses
  • Internal and external collaborators
  • AI-recommended tasks
  • Basic integrations (Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Slack, Dropbox, etc.)
  • Real-time activity stream
  • 2 GB storage space
  • Team Plan
  • $10/user/month (billed annually)
  • For two to 15 users
  • Unlimited tasks, subtasks, projects
  • Includes all in the Free plan, plus:
  • 50 GB storage space
  • Project and task templates
  • Gantt charts
  • Dashboards
  • Calendar view
  • Personal work schedules
  • Request forms (limited)
  • Collaborator role
  • Integrations with Zoom, MS Project Viewer
  • Custom fields
  • Business
  • $25/user/month (billed annually)
  • For five to 200 users
  • Includes all in the Pro plan, plus:
  • 100 GB storage
  • Time tracking
  • Approvals & proofing
  • Automation (200 actions/user/month)
  • Resource management
  • Workload charts
  • Reports & analytics
  • Project blueprints
  • Request forms (advanced)
  • Job roles
  • Shareable dashboards
  • File and video proofing
  • Custom workflows
  • User groups & permissions
  • Enterprise
  • $0/user/month
  • Unlimited users
  • Includes all in the Business plan, plus:
  • 1 TB storage space
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Password policies
  • Admin permissions
  • Custom access roles
  • Audit reports
  • User provisioning
  • Pinnacle
  • $0/user/month
  • Unlimited users
  • Includes all in the Enterprise plan, plus:
  • 10 TB storage space
  • Advanced analytics with BI tools
  • Locked spaces
  • Job role-based budgeting
  • Bookings (advanced resource planning)
  • Performance management
Looking for free open-source project management tools?
Check out our in-depth guide on the best open-source project management software to explore top platforms, compare features, and find the right solution for your team.
Notion logo.

6. Notion – Best combined notetaking and task tracking

Overview

Notion’s free plan provides unlimited pages and blocks for notes, databases, and tasks, with collaboration for up to 10 guests. It syncs across all devices and integrates various apps by embedding links. Premium permissions, larger team collaboration features, and advanced analytics are only accessible on paid plans.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Notion database showing marketing tasks with statuses, assignees, and integrations.
  • thumbnail Notion company home dashboard with team sections and help menu open.
  • thumbnail Notion wiki for engineering with guides, processes, and teamspace settings.

Standout features

  • Dynamic link previews: Displays live previews of content from external tools like Jira or GitHub directly within Notion pages
  • Collaborative workspace: Facilitates real-time collaboration with team members on shared documents and databases
  • Site customizations: Allows customization of your Notion sites with branded domains, favicons, and navigation bars

Pros

  • Rich customization options for pages
  • Provides templates for various use cases
  • Extensive self-help resources

Cons

  • Inability to create new pages in offline mode
  • Complex to use when dealing with large data sets
  • Lacks native time tracking features

Why I picked Notion

Notion uniquely combines note-taking and task tracking in one platform, making it the ideal software solution if you frequently switch between documentation and task management. Instead of juggling multiple apps, you can seamlessly integrate task lists with meeting notes, research, and personal knowledge bases. This unified approach significantly reduces friction while enhancing productivity.

Its built-in wiki functionality lets you create a knowledge base for your team, combining pages, subpages, and databases in the same organized workspace. This makes it easy to document processes, store onboarding resources, and maintain reference materials in a way that’s easy to navigate.

Notion’s key differences

Notion shines by offering a highly customizable interface that lets you structure notes, tasks, and databases precisely to your workflow. Its ability to embed external content directly differentiates it significantly from other project tools. Additionally, Notion’s flexibility appeals to creative professionals looking for a fully personalized notetaking platform.

Pricing

  • Free Forever
  • $0/user/month
  • Unlimited storage, 5 MB per upload
  • Included with this plan:
  • Unlimited storage, 5 MB per upload
  • Up to 10 guests
  • Basic page analytics
  • 7-day page history
  • Teamspaces (open and closed)
  • Notion Mail and Calendar
  • Timeline, boards, and Calendar views
  • Subtasks and dependencies
  • Custom properties
  • Formulas
  • Unlimited forms
  • Unlimited published pages
  • One notion.site domain
  • Basic search engine indexing
  • Slack and Zapier integrations
  • Public API and webhooks
  • Plus
  • $12/user/month
  • Includes all in the Free Forever plan, plus:
  • Unlimited file size uploads
  • 30-day page history
  • Up to 100 guests
  • Custom automations
  • Unlimited forms
  • Five notion.site domains
  • Advanced search engine indexing
  • Synced databases with third-party apps
  • Business
  • $18/user/month
  • Includes all in the Plus plan, plus:
  • 90-day page history
  • Advanced page analytics
  • Up toamspaces
  • Conditional logic in forms
  • SSO (security login)
  • Private teamspaces
  • Bulk PDF export
  • Enterprise
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes all in the Business plan, plus:
  • User provisioning
  • Advanced security and controls
  • Audit log
  • Customer success manager
  • Workspace analytics
  • Unlimited page history
  • Security and compliance integrations
teamwork logo.

7. Teamwork.com – Best for client-facing work

Overview

Teamwork.com’s free plan supports up to five users and allows you to manage five projects while accessing essential project management tools within a limited credit allowance. It unlocks all project views, including list, table, board, and Gantt charts, along with core task management features like subtasks, tags, and dependencies. Teamwork.com also gives you instant access to AI-powered features, such as content generation, without requiring a paid upgrade.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Teamwork project dashboard displaying profit, budget breakdown, billable hours, project health, activity summaries, and task counts for efficient project tracking.
    Track profitability, budgets, project health, and task progress in real time with Teamwork.com’s intuitive project dashboard.
  • thumbnail Teamwork client management dashboard showing a client list with owners, projects, tags, and email details, featuring customizable columns and integrated workflows.
    Manage all your clients, projects, and communications in one organized view with Teamwork.com’s client management dashboard.
  • thumbnail Teamwork task management dashboard showing tasks by due date, priority levels, estimated time, and logged hours, helping teams track progress and manage workloads efficiently.
    Stay on top of priorities and deadlines with Teamwork.com’s task management view, designed to simplify planning and collaboration.

Standout features

  • Workload management: Manage your team’s project capacity with real-time visibility into workloads, quickly spot resourcing issues, and reassign tasks to keep projects on track. 
  • Budget creation: Set up custom project budgets, monitor hours and expenses in real time, and get notified when spending approaches your defined limits. 
  • Native time tracking: Track and log time directly, create timesheets, set billable hours, and gain insights into where your team’s time is spent for better productivity.

Pros

  • Advanced tools for project budgeting
  • Extensive workload management tools
  • Access AI features on the free plan

Cons

  • Team chat has a separate app
  • Customization tools can be overwhelming to navigate
  • No templates and cloud storage on the free plan

Why I picked Teamwork.com

I picked Teamwork.com because it’s highly efficient for freelancers or companies managing multiple client projects, offering everything they need compared to project management platforms that mainly cater to large teams. Its free plan works well for budget-conscious users who need access to essential client-focused features like proofing, project budgets, and invoicing, capabilities that competitors often reserve for higher-tier plans.

Teamwork.com’s key differences

Teamwork.com doubles as a client management solution, giving you complete visibility into all client projects from a single centralized hub. You can empower clients to participate by allowing them to leave comments, create tasks, and log time, making them active contributors to your projects. Plus, its built-in proofing tools help streamline the feedback process, which makes client collaboration faster and more efficient.

Pricing

  • Deliver
  • $10.99 per user/month, billed annually
  • Minimum of 3 users allowed
  • 100 GB storage
  • 12 key integrations, including Zapier
  • 5,000 automations (actions) per month
  • Included with this plan:
  • Unlimited client users
  • Time tracking and timesheets
  • Unlimited task list templates
  • Grow
  • $19.99 per user/month, billed annually
  • Minimum of 5 users allowed
  • 250 GB storage
  • 17 key integrations, including Zapier
  • 20,000 automations (actions) per month
  • Included with this plan:
  • Unlimited custom fields
  • Company timesheets and time reminders
  • Resource scheduling
  • Track change history
  • Scale
  • $54.99 per user/month, billed annually
  • 500+ GB storage per user
  • 17 key integrations, including Zapier
  • 50,000 automations (actions) per month
  • Included with this plan:
  • Advanced resource scheduling
  • Unlimited project templates
  • Unlimited custom reports
  • Unlimited shared dashboards
  • Financial and utilization insights
  • Enterprise
  • Custom price
  • 500+ GB storage per user
  • 17 key integrations, including Zapier
  • 50,000 automations (actions) per month
  • Included with this plan:
  • Advanced security
  • 500 API requests per minute
  • SSO
  • Dedicated infrastructure
Miro logo.

8. Miro – Best for collaborative brainstorming

Overview

Miro’s free plan allows unlimited users and provides access to three editable public boards. You can choose from over 5,000 community-created templates and connect workflows with more than 160 third-party apps. On shared boards, users can organize content using layers to show, hide, or group objects and record up to five video walkthroughs.

Screenshot

  • thumbnail Miro board showing sticky notes, flowcharts, charts, and a timeline where team members are collaborating in real time on brainstorming and project planning.
    Visualize ideas, manage workflows, and organize project plans on a single Miro board.
  • thumbnail Miro board with app wireframes connected by arrows, sticky notes, and team comments, illustrating collaborative UI and UX design planning.
    Collaborate on app wireframes and user flows with Miro’s visual workspace.
  • thumbnail Miro board displaying a project brief, brainstorming area, action items, and a project plan with integrated charts and links, showcasing collaborative planning and organization.
    Manage project briefs, action items, and timelines in one organized Miro workspace.

Standout features

Miro Assist: With this AI-powered tool, you can speed up the creation of diagrams, organize topics, and map out ideas visually.

Spaces: Spaces revamps the dashboard and sidebar to improve contextual and hierarchical content management, making it easier to organize and navigate through large amounts of information.

Slides: Create and present interactive, engaging decks directly in Miro, with real-time co-creation, annotation, and brainstorming.

Pros

  • Flexible project workspaces
  • Drag-and-drop tool makes it engaging to use
  • Rich template library

Cons

  • Lags when working on larger boards
  • Not ideal for record keeping
  • Can be difficult to use when working with numbers

Why I picked Miro

Miro is one of my top picks because it offers a unique experience compared to typical project management platforms. Its Create with AI feature lets you use your board content as prompts to generate structured outputs. You can import reference materials, sketch rough ideas, and leverage AI to turn those ideas into diagrams. This makes project management more accessible, enabling anyone to contribute to and understand system diagrams, database schemas, and process flows, ultimately fostering inclusive collaboration.

Miro’s key differences

What makes Miro stand out is its visual workspace, which allows teams to collaboratively brainstorm and plan projects on a drag-and-drop canvas. With thousands of pre-built templates, teams can jump right into generating ideas, and whether working in real time or asynchronously, everyone can easily collaborate using tools like shapes, sticky notes, and more.

Pricing

  • Free
  • $0/user/month
  • Unlimited team members
  • 100+ core integrations
  • Included with this plan:
  • 3 editable boards
  • 5 Talktracks for interactive video board walkthroughs
  • 3000+ Miro and community-made templates
  • 10 Miro AI credits/month/team
  • Starter
  • $8 per member/month
  • 100+ core integrations, plus Jira
  • Includes everything in Free, plus:
  • Single workspace with unlimited boards
  • Unlimited Talktracks for interactive video board walkthroughs
  • Dedicated Spaces for organizing boards
  • Board version history
  • 25 Miro AI credits/month/member
  • Business
  • $16 per member/month
  • Core integrations, plus Jira
  • Includes everything in Enterprise, plus:
  • Unlimited private and secure workspaces with unlimited boards for every team and client
  • Unlimited guests on private and team boards
  • 2500+ advanced diagramming shapes
  • Single sign-on (SSO)
  • 50 Miro AI credits/month/member
  • Enterprise
  • Custom price (from 30 members)
  • Core integrations, plus Jira, Azure DevOps, and CA Rally
  • Includes everything in Business, plus:
  • SCIM, request management, admin role delegation, Billing groups, and more
  • Enterprise-grade security with SSO, domain control, data classification, 2FA, and more
  • Advanced user management and intergration/app management
  • 100 Miro AI credits/month/member
  • Flexible licensing plan
Trello logo.

9. Trello – Best for visual project planning

Overview

Trello’s free tier offers intuitive Kanban boards with unlimited task cards, 10 boards per workspace, and unlimited integrations via Power-Ups. It features basic customization options such as backgrounds and card labels. Comprehensive reporting tools and timeline views are available only through paid upgrades.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Trello board view displaying team updates, project status, and company goals.
  • thumbnail Trello calendar view displaying logged work hours and time tracking entries.
  • thumbnail Trello board for product design projects with active, on hold, and shipped tasks.

Standout features

  • Card mirroring: Syncs Kanban cards across multiple boards while providing real-time updates
  • Advanced checklists: Assigns due dates and members to individual checklist items within a Kanban card
  • Quick capture: Enables the rapid addition of tasks or notes from various sources, such as emails or Slack, to your Trello inbox

Pros

  • Includes Power-Ups that expand platform functionality
  • Unlimited activity log on the free plan
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop Kanban interface

Cons

  • Lacks a native task dependency tool
  • Limited reporting capabilities
  • Not ideal for complex, large-scale projects

Trello’s key differences

What sets Trello apart from other free project management tools is its simplicity. It features a clean, uncluttered interface that makes task management feel more intuitive even for entry-level users. Unlike competitors that pack in layers of features and complex navigation, Trello focuses on accessibility through its drag-and-drop Kanban boards, customizable cards, and straightforward workflow setup.

Pricing 

  • Free Forever
  • $0/user/month
  • Up to 10 collaborators
  • Unlimited tasks and projects
  • Included with this plan:
  • Unlimited storage (10 MB/file)
  • Unlimited cards, activity log, and Power-Ups per board
  • Up to 10 boards per workspace
  • 250 workspace command runs per month
  • Custom backgrounds and stickers
  • Assignee and due dates
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Standard
  • $6/user/month
  • Includes all in the Free Forever plan, plus
  • Unlimited storage (250 MB/file)
  • Unlimited boards
  • Advanced checklists
  • 1,000 workspace command runs per month
  • Card mirroring
  • Single board guests
  • Custom fields
  • Premium
  • $12.50/user/month
  • Includes all in the Standard plan, plus
  • Views: calendar, timeline, table, dashboard, and map
  • Workspace views: table and calendar
  • Unlimited workspace command runs
  • Atlassian Intelligence (AI)
  • Admin and security features
  • Workspace-level templates
  • Collections
  • Observers
  • Simple data export
  • Enterprise
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes all in the Premium plan, plus
  • Unlimited workspaces
  • Organization-wide permissions
  • Organization-visible boards
  • Public board management
  • Multi-board guests
  • Attachment permissions
  • Power-Up administration
  • SSO and user provisioning with Atlassian Access
asana logo.

10. Asana – Best for basic task tracking

Overview

Asana’s free plan supports teams of up to 10 members, providing unlimited tasks, projects, and activity logs. It includes basic project views such as list, board, and calendar. However, timeline views, workload balancing, and advanced reporting are reserved for paid plans.

Screenshots

  • thumbnail Asana product roadmap displayed in a task list format, showing project names, timelines, priorities, and task sizes.
  • thumbnail Asana AI project setup interface for ‘Grant tracking’, showing project views and a detailed table.
  • thumbnail Asana board view for with columns for drafting, pending approval, approved, and created

Standout features

  • Advanced search: Allows you to include detailed criteria when searching for items to instantly find tasks, projects, or messages
  • Global custom fields: Facilitates consistent data tracking by applying the same custom fields across related projects
  • Private teams and projects: Restricts project access to specific teams, ensuring only invited members can view or edit them

Pros

  • Provides a generous free plan for small teams
  • Robust security and privacy measures
  • Unlimited file storage included in the free plan

Cons

  • Offline access is limited to its mobile app
  • Lacks automation credits on the free plan
  • Native time tracking is available only in high-tier plans

Why I picked Asana

Asana stands out as a project management software tool, as it excels in simplifying task management. The platform lets you create tasks easily, set due dates, and maintain transparent communication within each task. Compared to more feature-heavy options like Wrike and ClickUp, Asana provides a straightforward project management solution for beginners who prefer a more direct and intuitive approach. 

The platform’s simple, intuitive layout is especially helpful if you’re new to digital project management. You can quickly start organizing tasks without significant training or onboarding. This makes Asana ideal for teams transitioning from spreadsheets or emails to a full-fledged project software.

Asana’s key differences

Asana offers more extensive integration options, allowing smooth connections with popular productivity tools like Google Workspace, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. Its free plan includes unlimited projects, which is not commonly offered among competitors. Additionally, its intuitive interface significantly reduces the learning curve for new users.

Pricing

  • Free Forever
  • $0/user/month
  • Up to 10 teammates
  • Free plan includes:
  • Unlimited tasks and projects
  • Calendar, list, and board view
  • Unlimited storage (100 MB per file)
  • Unlimited messages
  • Unlimited activity log
  • Status updates
  • Starter
  • $13.99
  • Up to 500 teammates
  • Includes all in the free plan, plus:
  • Timeline and Gantt view
  • Workflow builder
  • Custom fields and forms
  • Custom project templates
  • Unlimited guests
  • 250 automation actions/month
  • Project dashboards
  • Advanced
  • $30.49
  • Up to 500 teammates
  • Includes all in the Starter plan, plus:
  • 100 portfolios
  • 25,000 automation actions/month
  • Forms branching
  • Approval and proofing
  • Advanced reporting
  • Time tracking
  • Workload
  • Enterprise
  • Custom pricing
  • Unlimited seats
  • Includes all in the Advanced plan, plus:
  • Workflow bundles
  • Custom branding
  • Resource management
  • Advanced integrations with Salesforce and Tableau
  • Project admin controls
  • Enterprise+
  • Custom pricing
  • Unlimited seats
  • Includes all in the Enterprise plan, plus:
  • Audit log
  • Data loss prevention integration
  • Security information and event management integration
  • Archiving integration

How I chose the top free project management software

This guide highlights the leading project management tools that provide a free plan, designed specifically to help small to midsize business teams manage projects efficiently without needing a developer or additional budget. We selected these tools based on a careful assessment, using five weighted criteria to reflect the features most valuable to typical business users.

  • Feature availability in free plan (30%): My top priority in selecting the free tools for project management was ensuring you receive robust functionality at no cost, including essentials like unlimited task creation, sufficient storage, collaboration tools, and custom fields.
  • Ease of use (25%): Since smaller teams rarely have dedicated tech support, I favored tools that are intuitive, accessible via mobile devices, and equipped with ready-to-use templates or built-in automations.
  • Scalability (20%): Tools received higher marks if they provided clear upgrade paths, allowing you to scale as your business grows, with flexible user limits, guest access, and additional features available as you expand.
  • Integration capabilities (15%): Since most teams rely on multiple software platforms, I prioritized tools offering extensive integrations with popular apps and compatibility with automation services like Zapier and Make.
  • Support and resources (10%): I considered the availability of onboarding support, knowledge bases, and responsive customer service, which are essential for helping non-technical teams achieve productivity quickly.

Each software option underwent rigorous evaluation against these criteria, supported by factors such as user limits, project capacity, and integration counts. Platforms requiring upgrades for essential functionality or restricting usage to only a single user were ranked lower to prioritize genuinely accessible, forever-free options.

Free vs paid project management apps: What you need to know

Choosing between free and paid project management apps comes down to your team’s size, goals, and the complexity of your workflows. While free tools are great for getting started, paid plans often unlock the power and flexibility that growing teams need.

FeatureFree plansPaid plans
User limitsOften capped for 5 to 15 usersTypically unlimited or much higher limits
Projects and storageLimited number of projects and storageUnlimited or generous storage and project caps
Task managementBasic boards and listsAdvanced views like Gantt, timelines, dependencies
Collaboration featuresCore features like comments and mentionsEnhanced tools like proofing, guest access, roles, and chat
Automations and integrationsNot available or limitedFull automation access and third-party integrations
Reporting and dashboardsView-only or basic reportsCustom reports, dashboards, and analytics
Support and securitySelf-serve support via help centerPriority support, SSO, and admin controls

While free online project management tools offer a budget-friendly starting point for individuals and small teams, they can quickly fall short as your size and workload grow. Paid tools provide the advanced features, customization, and scalability to manage projects efficiently, making them a cost-effective investment for most businesses.

FAQs

Trello, ClickUp, and Asana are among the top software for project management due to their user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive feature sets, fit for any team size and project needs. However, note that your ideal pick depends on whether you prioritize visual planning, customization, or built-in collaboration tools.

No, Google doesn’t offer a dedicated project management app, but you can build a basic system through Google Sheets, Calendar, and Tasks. It works well for lightweight tasking, especially if your team already uses Google Workspace.

No, Microsoft Project is a paid solution with plans designed for professional and enterprise use. However, Microsoft 365 users can explore more accessible tools like Planner or To Do for simple task tracking.

Yes, Microsoft 365 includes tools like Planner, To Do, and Lists that support project tracking and team collaboration. For advanced features like timelines and resource management, upgrade to Microsoft Project.

Bottom line: How to choose the right free project management tool

When picking free tools for project management, start by considering your team size, project complexity, and workflow needs. Many free plans offer core task management features suitable for small teams, but the ideal tool depends on how you plan, collaborate, and manage your work. 

To ensure a good fit, assess each software based on ease of use, integration support, and growth potential so you don’t have to switch tools as your needs evolve. As you pick the right free PM software, focus on the features that match how your team works and can guide you throughout the phases of project management. In the end, it’s all about prioritizing tools that offer flexibility and room to grow without the hefty price tag.

thumbnail Marianne De Guzman

Marianne De Guzman is a technology analyst with over four years of experience in evaluating cloud-based communication solutions, with a focus on VoIP and unified communications. Her analytical approach and strategic insights empower businesses to optimize their communication infrastructure.

Recommended for you...

10 Best Marketing Project Management Software to Plan Campaigns Faster
10 Best Project Management Software for 2025 by Experts
8 Best Business Process Management (BPM) Software
3 Best Tools for Waterfall Project Management
Matt Klein
Oct 8, 2024
project-management.com Logo

project-management.com is dedicated to providing modern tools, latest news, and best practice references for every project professional and business organization. The discipline of project management has continued to receive growing interest and attention over the past decades. Especially today, the importance and relevance of the project manager for any kind of undertaking is unquestionable. However, the challenges of modern society, business relationships and latest technology are also testing their competency and ability to deliver successful projects. Since its launch in 2001, PMcom has been featuring pertinent articles, management software and productivity tool reviews, books, interviews, training sites and other e-learning resources to help people be more productive and successful in their chosen path.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.