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Best Free Project Management Software

Published by Nora on March 27, 2025

 

Project management software has become essential for modern teams. As remote work and digital collaboration increase, companies rely on tools to plan, assign, and track tasks in real time. Free project management tools have matured rapidly, offering Kanban boards, time tracking, and automation that rival those of paid options.

But not every free plan holds up. Some limit users. Others restrict views, storage, or integrations. This guide compares the best free project management tools based on what matters most: usability, features, and scalability.

What to Look for in a Free Project Management Tool

Management needs have grown more complex, and so have expectations from free tools for project management. To ensure the software supports real productivity and collaboration, here’s what to evaluate:

Core Functionality: Every viable free tool must include task tracking, milestones, sub-tasks, and standard views like List, Kanban, and Calendar. Gantt or Timeline views elevate planning precision.

Usage Limits: Free plans may cap user seats, number of boards, automations, or integrations. Some restrict storage per file or total capacity.

Collaboration Features: Built-in team chat, shared docs, and comment threads help avoid tool sprawl and boost team velocity.

Automation and AI: Time-saving workflows matter more in lean teams. Check for triggers, rules, or AI features like task suggestions or summaries.

Interface and View Flexibility: Look for tools that allow switching between views easily, adapting to different workflows (scrum, marketing, ops).

Scalability: Teams change. A good tool should offer fair upgrade paths with no disruptive migration.

Update Cadence: Active development signals product health. Frequent updates usually mean better security, support, and relevance.

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Key Insight: A 2025 study by Atlassian revealed that knowledge workers globally spend approximately 25% of their workweek locating necessary information, equating to about 9 hours per week for UK employees. Similarly, research by Pryon and Unisphere Research found that 70% of professionals spend an hour or more searching for a single piece of information, with nearly a quarter spending over five hours.

If you’re ready to reclaim those lost hours, explore the following top free project management tools.

ProProfs Project — Best for Freelancers & Small Teams (4.7/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
ProProfs Project Up to 5 users Unlimited Unlimited List, Calendar, Kanban, Gantt AI Assistant + Automations Web, Mobile Google Calendar, Zapier, Outlook, Help Desk All premium features unlocked on free plan, including invoicing

ProProfs Project offers a robust suite of tools rarely found in free plans. It includes advanced task views, full-featured automation, and even client invoicing, which are typically reserved for paid platforms.

Key Strengths:
  • All premium features are available to free users (up to 5 users)
  • Gantt charts, milestones, percent-complete tracking
  • Built-in time tracking, budgeting, and invoicing
  • Automation, reporting, and prebuilt templates
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • Hard user limit of 5, even with paid upgrade prompts
  • Limited external integrations compared to enterprise tools
  • UI design may feel outdated for teams used to modern SaaS

Best For: Freelancers and small service-based teams that need billing, planning, and reporting in one place.

ProProfs stands out by offering serious operational features without paywalls. However, its strict 5-user ceiling and dated interface limit its use to smaller operations.

Plaky — Best for Unlimited Users (4.6/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
Plaky Unlimited Unlimited 10MB per file Table, Kanban Basic automation only Web, iOS, Android Built-in only Unlimited users and projects on free plan with 24/7 support

Plaky is a collaboration-first project tool that removes user caps entirely. It supports unlimited boards and tasks, making it ideal for teams prioritizing growth and access over advanced planning features.

Key Strengths:
  • Unlimited seats and projects
  • 24/7 live support on the free plan
  • Custom fields (up to 6 per board), color-coded tags, summary rows
  • Industry templates, mobile-responsive design
  • Simple learning curve, good for onboarding distributed teams
  • Works well for remote collaboration and low-tech adoption
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • No Timeline or Gantt views are available on the free plan
  • File upload limit of 10MB per file
  • Activity history limited to 7 days
  • Lacks advanced dependencies and automation flexibility

Best For: Teams that need simple task management across many users without storage-intensive collaboration.

Plaky provides an open and generous foundation for task and team management. It scales wide but not deep. While it won’t support complex workflows, it excels in getting large teams aligned without cost barriers.

Nifty — Best for AI-Driven Planning and Collaboration (4.5/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
Nifty Unlimited 2 active projects 100MB total Kanban, List, Timeline, Calendar Orbit AI + Automation Web, iOS, Android Google Calendar, Zoom, Slack, Teams, Zapier, Webex Strong built-in planning tools with AI-powered task automation

Nifty combines project management and team communication with built-in AI, offering a well-rounded solution for small teams testing structured workflows.

Key Strengths:
  • Timeline, Kanban, Calendar, and List views included
  • Built-in chat, file sharing, document collaboration
  • Orbit AI assists with backlog planning, task generation, and smart updates
  • Recurring tasks, dependencies, and milestone tracking
  • Portfolio views and workload management
  • Dark mode and real-time collaboration included
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • Free plan limits usage to 2 active projects
  • Total storage capped at 100MB
  • Some features like custom roles and advanced reporting require upgrades

Best For: Agile or marketing teams piloting multi-view workflows and needing strong planning tools without a paid commitment.

Nifty stands out by blending high-utility planning features with native team collaboration and AI support. While the 2-project limit restricts long-term adoption, it’s a smart pick for small teams exploring a project management online tool free of cost for focused campaigns or pilot workflows.

Slack — Best for Team Communication with Light Project Structuring (4.3/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
Slack Unlimited Not applicable 90-day message/file history Not applicable Workflow Builder Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android Google Calendar, Asana, Trello, Zoom, GitHub, Outlook, more Real-time team communication with rich integration ecosystem

Slack is not a traditional project management tool, but it excels in internal communication, making it a strong pairing for structured project management tools. Its free version supports real-time messaging and file sharing, with rich integrations that can extend its functionality.

Key Strengths:
  • Unlimited users and channels
  • Real-time chat, threads, mentions, and file sharing
  • Workflow Builder for basic automation
  • Channel-based organization with custom emojis and integrations
  • Third-party PM app integrations (Asana, Trello, Notion, Google Drive)
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • No built-in task management or timeline views
  • File history is limited to 90 days
  • Only 10 active integrations on the free plan
  • Can get noisy without strict channel discipline

Best For: Teams already using a separate PM platform but needing central communication with minimal overhead.

Slack won’t replace a dedicated project management tool, but it shines as a communication hub. Use it to consolidate updates, trigger automations, and foster faster decisions across tools.

Bitrix24 — Best All-in-One Platform for Small Teams (4.3/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
Bitrix24 Up to 5 users Unlimited (5 Gantt) 5GB total List, Gantt, Kanban AI Copilot + Rules Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android Google Workspace, Zoom, Zapier, Trello, Microsoft 365, Mailchimp Combines project management, CRM, and communication into a single free-tier platform

Bitrix24 combines project management with CRM, internal communication, and light HR tools. It’s free plan packs more breadth than depth, offering a unified environment for teams managing clients, tasks, and internal processes.

Key Strengths:
  • Task management with checklists, dependencies, deadlines, and reminders
  • Built-in Gantt chart support (up to 5 projects)
  • CRM tools included: contact records, leads, deals
  • Built-in chat, video calls, calendar, and drive storage
  • AI Copilot offers smart assistance within tasks and workflows
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • Storage is capped at 5GB total across features
  • Free Gantt support is limited to only 5 projects
  • Interface is dense, with a learning curve
  • Mobile app has mixed reviews on performance

Best For: Small businesses that need a single tool to handle internal communication, client tracking, and project execution.

Bitrix24 suits small teams that want one platform for operations, client work, and collaboration. It may overwhelm those who just want simple task management, but for teams juggling many functions, it delivers unmatched free-plan range.

Asana — Best for Simple, Structured Workflows (4.5/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
Asana Up to 10 users Unlimited 100MB per file List, Board, Calendar Basic rules only Web, iOS, Android Google Drive, Slack, Teams, Zoom, Dropbox, Zapier, GitHub, and more Intuitive interface with structured task views and clean cross-platform sync

Asana remains a staple in the project management space for teams that prioritize clarity, ease of use, and structured task views. Its free plan supports multiple project types and seamless collaboration.

Key Strengths:
  • Unlimited projects, tasks, and messages
  • Board, List, and Calendar views included
  • Task dependencies, priorities, and due dates
  • Color-coded tags and templates
  • Mobile-optimized with strong UX
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • Capped at 10 team members on free plan
  • No Timeline (Gantt view) or task automation
  • File storage is limited to 100MB per file
  • Custom fields and reporting require a paid upgrade

Best For: Teams seeking clarity and a lightweight structure without complex automation or scaling requirements.

Asana’s free version is ideal for small, disciplined teams who want streamlined workflows. It offers essential features with minimal learning curve, though more advanced tracking and automation are gated behind paid tiers.

monday.com — Best for Visual Planning and Ease of Use (4.4/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
monday.com Up to 2 users 3 boards 500MB total Kanban, Table, Calendar None on free plan Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android Google Calendar, Slack, Zoom, Excel, Dropbox (paid plans only) Highly visual, beginner-friendly interface ideal for early planning exploration

monday.com emphasizes a visual-first approach, making it a strong entry-level platform for teams exploring structured task management. Its free plan limits scope but offers a clean interface and multiple view options for straightforward tracking.

Key Strengths:
  • Color-coded interface with intuitive UI
  • Includes Kanban, Table, and Calendar views
  • 200+ templates for marketing, sales, and dev teams
  • File attachments, updates section, and status columns
  • Board filtering and simple permission settings
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • Free plan limited to 2 users and 3 boards
  • No Gantt view or Timeline support
  • Automations and integrations locked behind a paywall
  • Storage capped at 500MB total

Best For: Individuals or pairs evaluating monday.com’s interface before upgrading to paid tiers.

monday.com serves as an attractive entry point for visual planners but restricts scale under its free plan. Best used as a trial environment for those considering long-term adoption of its paid ecosystem.

Trello — Best for Visual Task Management (4.4/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
Trello Unlimited Up to 10 boards 10MB per file Kanban (Board view) Power-Ups for extensions Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android Google Drive, Slack, Dropbox, Jira, Teams (via Power-Ups) Simple visual task boards with unlimited members and cards

Trello continues to lead as a lightweight, Kanban-style task manager. It’s especially popular among creative teams, educators, and individuals who prefer visual workflows.

Key Strengths:
  • Unlimited cards, activity log, and members per workspace
  • Up to 10 boards per workspace on the free plan
  • Drag-and-drop interface with lists, labels, and checklists
  • Custom backgrounds and color coding for boards
  • Power-Ups enable calendar, map, and voting features
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • File uploads are limited to 10MB per file
  • Custom fields and advanced Power-Ups require a paid plan
  • Lacks built-in timeline or Gantt views
  • No native support for recurring tasks or dependencies

Best For: Individuals or small teams who prioritize simplicity and visual organization over complex planning features.

Trello suits teams that value simplicity and prefer visual clarity without added complexity. Its simplicity is both a strength and a limitation. It works well for content planning, onboarding workflows, or personal productivity but is less suited to technical or multi-layered project management.

Jira — Best for Agile and Dev Teams (4.6/5)

Tool Users Projects Storage Views Automation / AI Device Compatibility Integrations Top Features
Jira Up to 10 users Unlimited 2GB total (shared) Scrum, Kanban 100+ automation rules Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android GitHub, Confluence, Bitbucket, Slack, Teams, Figma, Zoom, and more Purpose-built for Agile teams with robust issue tracking and sprint planning

Jira offers a purpose-built system for Agile project tracking, with robust features for sprints, backlogs, and issue management. It’s best suited for development teams and tech-driven workflows.

Key Strengths:
  • Scrum and Kanban boards included
  • Sprint planning, story points, epics, and burndown charts
  • Backlog grooming, release management, and velocity reports
  • 100+ prebuilt automation rules on the free tier
  • Custom workflows, permission schemes, and team roles
Trade-Offs to Consider:
  • Learning curve for non-technical users
  • Limited to 10 users on the free plan
  • Complex UI may require onboarding for new teams
  • Lacks native chat or document collaboration tools

Best For: Product and engineering teams using Agile or DevOps methodologies.

Jira dominates in software development contexts. Its power lies in Agile structuring, custom workflows, and deep reporting. While it’s not built for general use, dev teams will find few free tools as robust or purpose-fit.

Choosing the Right Free Tools for Project Management

Comparison Table

Tool Best For Users Projects Views Storage AI / Automation Notable Limitation
ProProfs Project Freelancers and service teams Up to 5 users Unlimited List, Calendar, Kanban, Gantt Unlimited AI Assistant + Automations User cap at 5, limited integrations
Plaky Growing teams needing simple tools Unlimited Unlimited Table, Kanban 10MB per file Basic automation only No Gantt, limited file size
Nifty AI-supported multi-view teams Unlimited 2 active projects Kanban, Timeline, Calendar, List 100MB total Orbit AI + Automation Project and storage limits
Slack Teams needing strong communication Unlimited Not applicable Not applicable 90-day history Workflow Builder No task tracking, limited integrations
Bitrix24 All-in-one operations platform Up to 5 users Unlimited (5 Gantt) List, Gantt, Kanban 5GB total AI Copilot + Rules Learning curve, capped Gantt access
Asana Simple structured workflows Up to 10 users Unlimited List, Board, Calendar 100MB per file Basic rules only No timeline, storage/file caps
monday.com Visual task planning Up to 2 users 3 boards Kanban, Table, Calendar 500MB total None (free plan) Low user cap, no integrations
Trello Visual Kanban-style tasking Unlimited Up to 10 boards Kanban (Board view) 10MB per file Power-Ups Limited views, basic structure
Jira Agile software development teams Up to 10 users Unlimited Scrum, Kanban 2GB total (shared) 100+ automation rules Steep learning curve, no built-in chat

With so many project manager free tools available today, picking the right one depends on your team’s needs, structure, and goals. These are among the best free project management tools available today, tested across real-world team needs and use cases.

Test a few. Most of these platforms allow fast onboarding and easy migration. The best tool is not always the one with the most features. It is the one your team will actually use.

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Nora Consultant
Nora Grace is a tech writer and social engineering consultant who specializes in cybersecurity and IT content. She creates practical, easy-to-digest blog articles on topics like cloud computing, Linux, and security awareness. Nora lives and travels across Europe with her two dogs, blending freelance writing with hands-on consulting work that helps organizations strengthen their human-layer defenses. Known for her clear voice and deep curiosity, she brings both technical know-how and real-world insight to everything she writes.
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