20 Best Free Task Management Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 20 best software from the 24 tools reviewed.
The best free task management software keeps tasks, deadlines, and assignments in one place, so nothing gets missed. Without it, managing tasks through scattered emails, disconnected spreadsheets, and chat threads causes missed deliverables, unclear priorities, and duplicated work. These tools centralize task tracking, streamline collaboration, and give everyone visibility into progress—helping teams stay focused and accountable.
As a project manager with over 10 years of experience testing and comparing task management tools, I’ve reviewed dozens of platforms to identify the most effective free solutions that eliminate confusion and keep teams aligned.
Why Trust My Free Task Management Software Reviews
I’ve been testing and reviewing free task management software since 2012. As project manager myself, I know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different project management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our software review methodology.
Best Free Task Management Software Reviews Summary
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for scalable project planning | Free plan available | From $10/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for custom task views | Free plan available | From $7/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 3 | Best for natural language task capture | Free plan available | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 4 | Best for real-time task notifications | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $29/month (for up to 30 users, billed annually) + $0.5/user/month for each additional user | Website | |
| 5 | Best for customizable project management | Free plan available | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for team performance tracking | 14-day free trial + free plan | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for unlimited tasks and team members | Free plan available | From $13/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for unlimited users/projects | 14-day free trial | From $1.49/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website | |
| 9 | Best for agile project management | Free plan available | From $35/month | Website | |
| 10 | Best for project boards and task lists | Free plan available | From $10.99/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 11 | Best for visual task boards | Free plan available | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 12 | Best for personal task tracking | 15-day free trial + free plan available | From $2.79/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 13 | Best for visual project timelines | 7-day free trial + free demo available | From $3/user/month (min 5 seats) | Website | |
| 14 | Best for visual project tracking | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $5/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 15 | Best for integrated notes & tasks | Free plan available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 16 | Best for outline-based planning | Not available | starts from $4.99/user/month (billed annually). | Website | |
| 17 | Best for workflow automation | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 18 | Best for organizing complex projects | Free plan available | From $7.65/user/month | Website | |
| 19 | Best for agile project management | Free plan available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 20 | Best for converting feature requests into tasks | Free plan available | From $29/month | Website |
-
Accelo
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4 -
monday.com
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Smartsheet
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4
Overviews Of The 10 Best Free Task Management Software Reviews
Here are my detailed thoughts on each software on this list, including what they do best and where they struggle.
Wrike is a powerful tool for managing and scaling complex projects. It's recognized as best for scalable project planning because it offers a flexible and dynamic platform that can grow with your team's needs. Mircea Dima, Founder & CEO/CTO of AlgoCademy, highlighted how this plays out in practice: “I like Wrike’s ability to define tasks and track their progress. I was able to visually track deadlines, change priorities without micromanagement, and see which team members were working on which piece of a campaign.”
Why I Picked Wrike: I selected Wrike for this list due to its comprehensive set of features that cater to teams of all sizes, making it ideal for businesses that anticipate growth. I consider Wrike best for scalable project planning because it provides the tools and flexibility necessary for teams to manage their workloads effectively, regardless of project size or complexity.
Standout features & integrations:
Wrike's standout features include customizable workflows, real-time collaboration, and detailed reporting capabilities, which are essential for managing large-scale projects.
Wrike integrates with tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Cloud, JIRA, GitHub, QuickBooks, LinkedIn, Marketo, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, and more, enhancing its functionality and allowing for a more connected work environment.
What’s free: Unlimited collaborators. Some feature limitations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide range of native integrations with other tools
- Extensive customization and workflow automation options
- Robust scalability for growing teams and projects
Cons:
- Annual billing may not be preferred by all organizations
- Higher starting price point compared to some competitors
- Can be complex for small teams or simple projects
New Product Updates from Wrike
Streamlining Workspaces with New Updates
Wrike announces custom space templates, AI Agents in Wrike Labs, and a new Guage widget to improve project management. For more information, visit Wrike's official site.
ClickUp is a comprehensive task management and productivity tool. It stands out as the best for custom task views due to its wide array of customizable options that cater to different work preferences and requirements. As Harvey Eckstein, an Integrations & Automations Expert, notes: “The customization options in ClickUp allow it to fit various project types, unlike simpler tools like Trello.”
Why I Picked ClickUp: I chose ClickUp for its ability to provide custom task views allowing users to tailor their experience to their specific needs, distinguishing it from other task management software. I believe ClickUp is best for custom task views because it offers over 15 different ways to view tasks.
Standout features & integrations:
ClickUp's standout features include task management with customizable tasks, docs for creating and connecting documents to tasks, goals for tracking work against strategy, whiteboards for visual collaboration, dashboards for real-time reporting, and chat for team collaboration.
ClickUp integrates with tools such as Slack, Google Calendar, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, Evernote, Zoom, Time Doctor, Toggl, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and more, ensuring that every team can work in the way that suits them best.
What’s free: Unlimited tasks, unlimited collaborators. Some feature limitations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive features including docs, goals, and real-time chat
- Integration with over 1,000 other tools
- Customizable task views for different work preferences
Cons:
- Some users may find the array of features overwhelming
- Advanced features require paid plans
- The free plan has limited storage capacity
Todoist is a digital task manager that helps you organize everything from daily chores to complex work projects. It gives you a clear way to plan, schedule, and keep track of tasks. Whether you're working solo or as part of a team, Todoist helps bring structure to your to-do list.
Why I Picked Todoist: I picked Todoist because it takes the hassle out of entering and managing tasks. Its natural language recognition means you can type something like “email client Friday at 3 pm” and it’ll automatically schedule the task for you. It also handles repeating tasks in a flexible way—set them to recur every week, every third Thursday, or based on when you last completed them. These kinds of smart scheduling tools make it easier to stay on top of recurring work without needing to re-enter details constantly.
Standout features & integrations:
Standout features include task prioritization, which lets you flag tasks by importance using four levels so your attention stays on what matters most. You can group related to-dos under a parent task using sub-tasks, which keeps large projects organized. There's also a label and filter system that helps you find exactly what you need—whether that's all your work-related tasks or everything due this week.
Integrations include Airmail, Evernote, Google Calendar, IFTTT, Zapier, Jira, Alfred, AI Assistant, Make, Microsoft Teams, Newton Mail, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Accessible on various devices and platforms
- Can access and manage tasks offline
- Convenient natural language processing feature
Cons:
- No built-in time tracking
- Does not have features to support complex task management
New Product Updates from Todoist
Todoist Enhances Team Management and Security Compliance
Todoist introduces customizable views, default settings for teams, and SOC 2 compliance for enhanced security. This ensures greater flexibility and enterprise-grade protection. For more information, visit Todoist's official site.
Connecteam is a comprehensive employee management tool designed to assist businesses in managing and engaging their workforce. It offers features such as scheduling, task management, forms and checklists, communication tools, and various integrations.
Why I Picked Connecteam: I like that the tool's task assignment and tracking capabilities allow managers to delegate tasks efficiently and monitor progress in real-time. The app's intuitive interface ensures that tasks can be created, assigned, and tracked with minimal effort with notifications sent to the right people, reducing the chances of miscommunication and missed deadlines. Additionally, Connecteam's customizable task templates and checklists help standardize processes, ensuring consistency and quality in task execution.
Standout features & integrations:
Connecteam standout features include the time tracking and scheduling feature that allows managers to allocate hours, track employee work time, and manage shifts, the in-app chat and communication tools that foster better collaboration among team members, and robust reporting and analytics tools that provide insights into task completion rates, employee performance, and overall productivity
Connecteam integrates with tools such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, Gusto, Zapier, Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Slack, Okta, OneLogin, Office 365, SAML, Microsoft Azure Active Directory, and PayPal.
What’s free: Up to 10 users
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Effective for timely communication with employees
- Works well on mobile devices
- Ability to create customized forms, checklists, and reports
Cons:
- Potential problems with SMS delivery, depending on location
- Could use more advanced features and integrations
Zoho Projects is an online project management platform that provides customizable solutions for businesses of all sizes, offering features such as task management, automation, time tracking, team collaboration, and issue tracking. Its ability to customize projects, automate tasks, and integrate with other Zoho apps and third-party apps makes it ideal for dynamic teams looking to increase productivity and improve collaboration.
Why I Picked Zoho Projects: I chose Zoho Projects for its customizable platform. It allows users to create personalized fields, layouts, statuses, and workflows tailored to their specific needs, making it highly adaptable for various project requirements. Users can also manage tasks through various views such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and list views, which help in visualizing project timelines and dependencies.
Standout features & integrations:
Zoho Projects standout features include task creation and assignment and drag-and-drop task automation that allows users to automate workflows by creating blueprints that define the sequence of tasks and actions. It also offers time tracking of billable and non-billable hours and communication tools like chats, feeds, and forums.
Zoho Projects integrates with tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, GitHub, Bitbucket, Zapier, Basecamp, Evernote, Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, Microsoft Project, Trello, Jira, Asana, Zendesk, Mailchimp, and other Zoho apps.
What’s free: Up to 3 users, 2 projects, and 5GB of storage space.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive customization options
- In-app time tracking features
- Good communication tools
Cons:
- Mobile app could be more robust
- Free plan is limited in features
New Product Updates from Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects Revamped Settings Panel Layout
The Settings panel layout in Zoho Projects has been revamped to ensure the last module remains visible, enhancing usability when configuring flows. For more details, visit Zoho Flow Release Notes.
Runrun.it is a tool designed to optimize team management and productivity by tracking work performance comprehensively. As a project management software, it helps organizations align their tasks, projects, and communications within a single platform.
Why I Picked Runrun.it: I chose Runrun.it for its robust set of features that prioritize transparency and efficiency in team management, distinguishing it from other project management tools. It stands out due to its specific focus on performance tracking, which is essential for teams looking to improve productivity and accountability.
Standout features & integrations:
Runrun.it’s standout features include automatic time tracking, which eliminates the need for manual timesheet entries and provides precise control over project timing and budgeting. The dashboard offers a real-time view of all tasks and projects, highlighting priorities and deadlines, which facilitates better task management.
Runrun.it integrates with tools such as Slack, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Trello, Jira, Zendesk, Salesforce, and GitHub, and more, enhancing its project management, communication, and development.
What’s free: Up to 5 users and 20 boards.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable dashboards allow for personalized setups that cater to specific project needs and user preferences
- Detailed analytics provide insights into team performance, helping identify productivity bottlenecks
- Comprehensive time tracking that automates timesheet processes and enhances accuracy in project management
Cons:
- Limited integrations compared to some competitors, which might require additional tools or manual bridging for certain functionalities
- Annual billing can be a significant upfront cost, particularly for smaller organizations
- Requires a minimum of five users, which may not be ideal for very small teams or individual users
MeisterTask is a versatile project management tool designed to enhance productivity and collaboration for teams of all sizes. It offers a user-friendly platform that caters to industries with stringent security needs, ensuring both functionality and compliance.
Why I Picked
MeisterTask stands out as a free task management software because it allows you to manage unlimited tasks and collaborate with unlimited team members. This means you can keep your projects organized without worrying about hitting a limit on tasks or team size, making it ideal for growing teams. Additionally, you can manage up to three projects simultaneously, which is ample for small teams or personal use.
Another reason I chose MeisterTask is its straightforward approach to task management with features like task comments and time tracking. These features let you and your team communicate directly within tasks and keep an eye on how much time you're spending on each project. This can help you stay on top of deadlines and ensure your projects are progressing as planned.
Standout Features - Descriptive Format
Features include the ability to import projects from other platforms like Asana and Trello, which means you can easily transition to MeisterTask without losing any of your previous work. The software also offers customizable workflows, allowing you to tailor the process to fit your team's specific needs. Additionally, MeisterTask provides robust security with ISO 27001 certification and GDPR compliance, ensuring your data remains protected.
Integrations
Integrations include Zapier, JIRA, Slack, Trello, Asana, Excel, Gmail, Outlook, Google Calendar, iCal, Paperform, and Google Workspace.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Mixed feedback on customer support and pricing transparency
- Limited views, customizations and integrations
- Strong for small to medium teams looking for simplicity
- Built-in automations and time tracking features
- Intuitive, visually appealing Kanban-based interface
Freedcamp is a versatile project management platform. It excels in accommodating an unlimited number of users and projects at no extra cost.
Why I Picked Freedcamp: I selected Freedcamp for inclusion due to its unique offering of unlimited users and projects, distinguishing it from other task management software. It's particularly well-suited for businesses that anticipate growth, as it eliminates the need to upgrade to more expensive plans or switch platforms as the number of users or projects increases.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Freedcamp’s standout features include task lists, subtasks, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, a calendar view, issue tracker, time tracking, and invoicing.
Freedcamp integrates with tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Zapier, Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, Apple, Calendar, Toggl, Clockify, Slack, and more, enhancing its utility across various workflows and teams.
What’s free: Unlimited Projects, tasks, storage, and users. Some feature limitations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible integrations with other tools
- Comprehensive set of project management features
- No limits on users or projects
Cons:
- Interface may have a learning curve for new users
- Monthly billing option is more expensive
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
Backlog is a project management tool that helps you manage tasks, track issues, and collaborate with your team all in one place. It's designed for virtual teams, offering a suite of features that make it easy to keep everyone aligned and on track.
Why I Picked
I picked Backlog because it offers a robust task management system where you can organize tasks, assign responsibilities, and track deadlines. This feature is invaluable for keeping your team aligned and ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. It also has built-in agile tools that facilitate sprints and backlog management, which are essential for teams that operate on agile methodologies. These tools help you manage your projects more effectively, making it a great option for task management.
Another reason Backlog stands out is its bug tracking capabilities. This feature is particularly beneficial for development and QA teams, as it captures and resolves bugs efficiently. The ability to integrate bug tracking with task management means you can keep development and QA teams synchronized, which is a huge plus when you're trying to maintain high-quality standards in your projects. The project visualization feature, which includes Gantt and burndown charts, allows you to monitor timelines and progress, providing a clear overview of where your project stands.
Standout Features
Features include agile tools that support sprints and backlog management, making it easier for your team to adapt to changes and manage tasks efficiently. Bug tracking is another feature that captures and resolves bugs, ensuring your development and QA teams stay in sync. Project visualization through Gantt and burndown charts provides a clear overview of timelines and progress, helping you keep your project on track.
Integrations
Integrations include Cacoo, Slack, Redmine, Jira, Jenkins, Webhook, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Chat, Google Drive, and Google Sheets.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fast onboarding and easy-to-use interface
- Strong features for software development teams
- Free (with limits) for teams under 10 people
Cons:
- Limited customization and integrations for some use cases
- Performance and speed issues have been reported by users
Asana is an online platform designed to help you manage your team's tasks, projects, and workflows. Whether you're coordinating a small project or overseeing a large team, Asana provides the tools to keep everything organized and on track.
Why I Picked
I chose Asana as a great option for free task management because it offers robust project management capabilities without a price tag. With features like project boards and task lists, you can easily organize work and prioritize tasks. This ensures that nothing falls through the cracks, even if you're managing multiple projects at once.
Another reason Asana stands out is its workflow automation feature. You can set up rules to automate routine tasks, saving you time and reducing manual errors. This allows you to focus on more critical aspects of your projects, increasing your team's overall productivity.
Standout Features - Descriptive Format
Features include workflow automation that helps you reduce repetitive tasks, goal tracking to ensure your team stays aligned with strategic objectives, and resource management to allocate work effectively. These features work together to create a comprehensive platform that supports various project needs and team dynamics. Each feature is designed to enhance your team's collaboration and productivity, making Asana a versatile tool for different industries.
Integrations
Integrations include Jira Cloud, Slack, Chrome Extension, Google Chat, Power BI, Zapier, Outlook Calendar, Outlook Email, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly scalable if planning on collaborating with a bigger team
- Advanced features for project planning and tracking
- Extensive integration options with other tools
- Intuitive interface for task prioritization
Cons:
- Some learning curve for new users to fully utilize all features
- Premium features require a paid subscription
Taskworld is a project management tool that streamlines tasks with visual boards. It's recognized for its visual task boards, which enhance project management and tracking.
Why I Picked Taskworld: I selected Taskworld for its emphasis on visual organization, which is crucial for maintaining oversight of complex projects. It is best for visual task boards as it provides a clear, visual layout that helps teams visualize workflows and stay on top of their tasks.
Standout features & integrations:
Taskworld's standout features include visual task boards, project timelines, and advanced analytics, which are essential for managing tasks efficiently.
Taskworld integrates with tools such as Google Calendar, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Outlook, Slack, Zapier, built-in chat, file management, and more, enhancing team collaboration.
What’s free: 1 user, unlimited active projects.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced analytics for monitoring project performance
- Built-in chat for streamlined team communication
- Intuitive visual task boards for easy project tracking
Cons:
- Additional cost for more advanced features
- The starting price may be higher than some competitors
- Annual billing may not be preferred by all users
TickTick is a versatile task management app that helps you stay organized and productive. It's designed to manage your tasks, schedule, and habits all in one place, making it easier for you to keep track of everything you need to do.
Why I Picked
I picked TickTick because of its unique approach to task management, like the use of the Pomodoro technique. This feature allows you to break your work into 25-minute focused intervals, which is great for maintaining concentration and productivity throughout the day. The habit tracker is another key feature, helping you develop and maintain good habits over time, which is a crucial part of effective personal management.
Another reason TickTick stands out is its comprehensive calendar views. You can switch between monthly, weekly, daily, and agenda views to see your tasks from different perspectives. This flexibility in viewing options makes it easier for you to manage your schedule and stay on top of your commitments. Plus, the app's collaboration tools and real-time sync across devices ensure that you and your team are always on the same page, no matter where you are.
Standout Features - Descriptive Format
Features include the kanban boards, which offer a visual way to manage tasks and workflows. You can also use the eisenhower matrix to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, helping you focus on what truly matters. Additionally, TickTick's reminders and filters ensure that you never miss a deadline, allowing you to customize your alerts and organize tasks according to your preferences.
Integrations
Integrations include Notion, Google Tasks, Microsoft To Do, ClickUp, Todoist, Slack, Google Calendar, Jira Software Cloud, Trello, Microsoft Outlook, Evernote, and Discord.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Works on desktop, across the web, and on mobile
- Rich feature set beyond to-do lists including calendar views, Kanban boards, habit tracking, and a pomodoro timer.
- Extremely affordable – the core app is free and the full paid version is less than $3 per month
Cons:
- Some UI/feature quirks that make the platform feel "dated"
- Limited features for team and project collaboration
nTask is a versatile project management software designed to enhance productivity and collaboration among teams. It offers a variety of tools to help you manage tasks, projects, and team interactions all in one place.
Why I Picked
I picked nTask because it offers an extensive task management system. You can create to-do lists, set schedules, and manage sub-tasks and dependencies, making it easier for your team to stay organized and on track. Another reason is the Gantt charts, which provide a clear visual representation of your project timelines, helping you monitor progress and make necessary adjustments as needed.
Additionally, nTask offers time tracking and meeting management features. You can log billable hours and manage meetings with clear agendas, making it easy to keep everyone on the same page. These functionalities are particularly useful for ensuring that your team meets deadlines and maintains productivity.
Standout Features - Descriptive Format
Features include risk management, issue tracking, and team collaboration. Risk management allows you to identify potential challenges and plan for them proactively, while issue tracking helps you monitor and resolve any problems that arise during your projects. Team collaboration is enhanced through features like team chat, allowing for real-time communication and quick decision-making.
Integrations
Integrations include Google Calendar, Google Meet, Outlook Calendar, Apple Calendar, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Trello, Google Tasks, Microsoft Office 365, Google Forms, Any.do, and Gmail.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good for time tracking and managing tasks and issues in one place
- Good amount of features without getting overwhelming for small to medium team sizes
- Strong value and feature rich at a low to no cost
Cons:
- Mobile app performance limitations
- Less advanced and scalable than enterprise-grade products
Trello is a collaborative tool that organizes projects into boards. It is best for visual project tracking because it provides a clear, visual overview of tasks with its card-based boards that are easy to manage and update.
Why I Picked Trello: I selected Trello for its distinctive visual approach to task management, which sets it apart from other tools that may not offer such a clear visual representation. Trello is best for visual project tracking as it allows teams to see the progress of tasks in a highly intuitive, visual format that simplifies complex projects into manageable boards and cards.
Standout features & integrations:
Trello’s standout features include customizable boards, lists, and cards which are perfect for organizing and prioritizing projects in a flexible way. It also offers built-in automation with Butler, which can help reduce the number of tedious tasks.
Trello integrates with tools such as Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Evernote, OneDrive, Salesforce, and more, enhancing its functionality and allowing for a more connected workflow.
What’s free: Unlimited card, up to 10 boards.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Built-in automation with Butler
- Customizable boards, lists, and cards
- Visual and intuitive interface
Cons:
- Some integrations require a separate subscription
- Can become cluttered with too many cards or boards
- Advanced features require paid plans
Notion is an all-in-one workspace for note-taking, task management, and collaboration. It excels in integrating notes and tasks, allowing users to seamlessly switch between them within a single platform. As Notion consultant Claire Bleich explains, “Task assignment in Notion is straightforward, improving accountability among team members.”
Why I Picked Notion: I selected Notion for its exceptional ability to merge note-taking and task management into one cohesive system. This dual functionality distinguishes Notion from other task management software. I determined it to be best for integrated notes & tasks because it provides a versatile environment where users can manage their tasks while simultaneously accessing their notes, creating a highly efficient workflow.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Notion’s standout features include its robust note-taking capabilities, customizable task management system, and the flexibility to create a personalized workspace. Users can leverage templates, databases, and various content blocks to tailor their experience.
Notion integrates with tools such as Google Calendar, Slack, Trello, Google Drive, GitHub, Figma, Asana, Jira, Twitter, Typeform, and more, enhancing its functionality and allowing for a more connected workflow.
What’s free: Up to 10 collaborators.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible content blocks for various types of data
- Customizable workspace with templates and databases
- Integrated environment for notes and tasks
Cons:
- Lack of a detailed list of native integrations
- Potential complexity due to extensive customization options
- Higher cost for monthly billing compared to annual
Workflowy is a tool that simplifies life's complexities through an outline-based interface. It excels in outline-based planning with its unique ability to create nested lists that can expand and collapse, allowing for detailed organization of tasks and ideas.
Why I Picked Workflowy: I selected Workflowy as it is best for its distinctive outline-based system, which offers a stark contrast to the typical board or list views found in other task management software. This feature is particularly effective for breaking down complex projects into smaller, more manageable components, making it the best choice for users who prefer structured planning and organization.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Workflowy’s standout features include its infinitely nested lists, which provide a simple yet powerful way to manage tasks and notes. The tool also supports tagging, searching, and zooming in on list items, which enhances task management.
Workflowy integrates with tools such as Slack, Google Calendar, Trello, GitHub, Evernote, Asana, Zapier, IFTTT (If This Then That), Dropbox, Google Drive, and more, enhancing its outlining and note-taking capabilities, focusing on simplicity and efficiency.
What’s free: 250 monthly bullet limit (increases if you invite friends to the platform).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cross-platform availability for access on various devices
- Simple interface that's easy to use
- Infinitely nested lists for detailed organization
Cons:
- Lack of detailed integration list on the website
- May not be suitable for visual project management preferences
- Limited functionality in the free version
Monday.com is a versatile project management tool that centralizes tasks, workflows, and communications to streamline project execution and team collaboration. It serves as an intuitive platform that adapts to varying project needs and scales, ideal for managing any project size.
Why I Picked Monday.com: I selected Monday.com for its customizable nature and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users. I believe it is best for workflow automation because it reduces the manual effort typically involved in project management through automated triggers, notifications, and actions, which enhances overall efficiency and consistency across tasks.
Standout features & integrations:
Monday.com’s standout features include a customizable workflow setup that allows users to automate repetitive tasks and configure notifications to streamline day-to-day operations.
Monday.com integrates with tools such as Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Adobe Creative Cloud, Salesforce, Jira, and more, enhancing its capability to facilitate an interconnected work environment where communication and data sharing are centralized, improving workflow efficiency.
What’s free: Up to 2 collaborators.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive integration options that support a wide array of other tools and services
- High customization allows for the adaptation of features to fit specific project requirements and user preferences
- Extensive automation capabilities that reduce the need for manual input and increase efficiency
Cons:
- Dependency on integrations might complicate setup and management without technical proficiency
- Complexity of features can be overwhelming for new users without proper training
- High starting price point, especially for small teams or startups
Quire is a free task management software that aims to boost your team's collaboration and productivity. It's designed to help you organize tasks with ease and keep everyone on track.
Why I Picked
I picked Quire because it offers an infinite nested list feature that lets you break down complex projects into manageable tasks and subtasks. This feature is perfect if you need to capture ideas and turn them into actionable steps, providing clarity and structure to your workflow. Additionally, the dynamic timeline is a great tool for visualizing project schedules and tracking progress, ensuring that your team stays on top of deadlines.
Another reason Quire stands out is its Kanban board, which provides a visual representation of your workflow, making it easy to move tasks through different stages. This feature helps your team stay focused and organized, as you can quickly see what needs attention and what is already completed. Plus, the collaborative documents allow for centralized information sharing, so your team can work together in real-time.
Standout Features - Descriptive Format
Features include interactive reports that allow for data analysis, helping you make informed decisions based on performance metrics. The sleek calendar is another handy tool for organizing your team’s agendas and deadlines, keeping everyone aligned with project timelines. Lastly, Quire's support for Agile and Scrum methodologies offers flexible workflows, which can be tailored to suit your team's specific project management style.
Integrations
Integrations include Google Calendar, Zapier, Gmail Add-On, Slack, Outlook Add-in, Box, Dropbox, Ybug, GitHub, Apple Calendar, Google Assistant, and Google Drive.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Very generous free plan with a low-cost paid plan available.
- Easy to use, clean interface with fast onboarding
- Allows you to breakdown big projects into very small nested tasks and subtasks
Cons:
- Integrations are weaker than similar software alternatives.
- Limited advanced features and reporting capabilities, making it hard to scale.
Teamhood is a dynamic project management tool designed for agile teams. It excels in agile project management due to its comprehensive features that support iterative development and continuous improvement.
Why I Picked Teamhood: I selected Teamhood for its agile-centric features, such as customizable Kanban boards and detailed reporting, catering to teams looking to implement or improve their agile practices. I believe Teamhood is best for agile project management because it provides the necessary tools for teams to adapt quickly to changes, prioritize tasks effectively, and deliver value to customers promptly.
Standout features & integrations:
Teamhood's standout features include customizable Kanban boards, Gantt charts for project planning, time tracking for productivity analysis, and detailed reporting for performance insights.
Teamhood integrates with tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zapier, and more, facilitating easy collaboration and data exchange.
What’s free: Up to 10 collaborators.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Native integrations with popular collaboration tools
- Integrated time tracking and reporting
- Customizable Kanban boards with WIP limits
Cons:
- May require a learning curve for new users unfamiliar with agile practices
- Limited storage in the basic plan
- Higher starting price point for premium features
PathPro is a product roadmap management tool that aids in collecting and organizing customer feedback. It integrates public roadmaps into websites, allowing teams to gather, validate, and prioritize ideas from their community based on user upvotes.
Why I Picked PathPro: As a task management software for product development teams, PathPro is unique because it can facilitate the collection of feature requests and votes from community members, which can enhance the project planning process. You can see which features to prioritize and directly assign them to your team as tasks. PathPro also lets you build private or public roadmaps, allowing you to share development progress with users.
Standout features & integrations:
PathPro's standout features include to-do lists, feature and idea submission tools, interactive release notes, contributor shoutouts, news and announcements, and feedback analytics.
Integrations are not listed on PathPro's website.
What’s free: One user, one project, and up to five community members.
Other Free Task Management Software To Consider
Below is a list of additional free task management software that I shortlisted, but did not make it to the top list. Definitely worth checking them out.
- Hitask
For team collaboration
- Teamwork.com
Good for streamlining project workflows
- Drag
For shared inbox collaboration
- Amazing Marvin
Good for customizable task planning
Selection Criteria For Free Task Management Software
When selecting the best free task management software to include on this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like limited budgets for small teams or individuals and the need for effective task organization without complex setup. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion on this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Creating and assigning tasks
- Setting due dates and deadlines
- Tracking task progress
- Organizing tasks into projects or lists
- Providing basic collaboration features
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Built-in time tracking
- Automated recurring tasks
- Offline access or mobile apps
- Customizable task views like Kanban or calendar
- Integration with popular productivity tools
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- A simple and intuitive interface design
- A minimal learning curve for new users
- Clear task navigation and organization
- Quick load times and responsive performance
- Mobile-friendly design for on-the-go use
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of guided product tours
- Access to video tutorials or training materials
- Prebuilt templates to get started quickly
- In-app tips or chatbots for user support
- Webinars or community forums for ongoing learning
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Access to live chat or email support
- Availability of support during key working hours
- A comprehensive help center or documentation
- Fast response times to inquiries
- Active user communities or forums
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- The range of features included in the free plan
- Transparent pricing for any upgrades
- Competitive pricing compared to alternatives
- Flexible plans for scaling as needs grow
- Absence of hidden fees or restrictions
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Positive feedback on ease of use
- Satisfaction with the free plan’s capabilities
- Reports on reliability and uptime
- Praise for customer support responsiveness
- Suggestions for improvements or missing features
How To Choose Free Task Management Software
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused during your software selection process, here’s a checklist of key factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
| Scalability | Will the tool still fit if your team grows? Look for options that let you add users or upgrade plans without switching platforms. |
| Integrations | Does the software connect easily with tools you already use, like Slack or Google Workspace? Avoid tools that require workarounds or manual updates to stay synced. |
| Customizability | Can you adjust task views, labels, or workflows to match how your team works? A rigid setup can slow you down if your processes change. |
| Ease of use | Can your team pick up the tool without training? Clunky interfaces or too many clicks for simple things can lead to low adoption. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How long will it take to get tasks and users set up? Look for templates, import tools, and guides that help you get up and running quickly. |
| Cost | Is the free plan enough for your team size and needs? Check limits on users, tasks, or storage so you don’t get stuck upgrading too soon. |
| Security safeguards | Does the software offer basics like encryption and secure logins? Make sure it won’t expose sensitive project data, even if it’s a free tool. |
| Support availability | If you get stuck, is help easy to reach? Check if they offer live chat or email for free users. |
Trends For Free Task Management Software In 2025
The landscape of free task management software is evolving rapidly. Here are the key trends shaping its future.
- Integration with AI and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning are boosting predictive analytics and task automation. Tools can now improve efficiency by learning user behavior and anticipating bottlenecks.
- Cross-Platform Accessibility: Software now syncs tasks smoothly across devices and platforms, making project management more flexible and accessible.
- Enhanced Security Features: With rising cyber threats, end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication are becoming standard features to protect sensitive project data.
- Real-Time Collaboration Tools: Live editing, chat, and instant notifications enable faster, more dynamic teamwork across locations.
- Customization and Personalization: Users can now fine-tune interfaces, workflows, and notifications, aligning the software with their work styles for greater productivity.
What Is Free Task Management Software?
Free task management software is a tool that helps individuals and teams organize, assign, track, and complete tasks without cost.
It centralizes task lists, due dates, and progress tracking in one platform. Project managers, teams, and freelancers typically use free task management software to streamline workflows, improve accountability, and keep projects on schedule.
Features of Free Task Management Software
Let’s go over the features commonly found in task management software, and which ones are usually included in free vs. paid plans.
Typically Free Task Management Software Features
- Task creation and assignment: Allows you to create tasks and assign them to team members, helping organize responsibilities clearly.
- Due dates and deadlines: Lets you set specific dates to keep work on schedule and avoid missed deliverables.
- Basic collaboration tools: Provides simple features like comments or file attachments to support team communication.
- Task organization: Enables grouping tasks into lists, projects, or categories to keep workflows structured.
- Mobile access: Offers mobile apps or responsive web access so you can manage tasks on-the-go.
- Basic notifications: Sends reminders or updates so you don’t miss important deadlines or changes.
- Limited integrations: Connects with a few popular tools like email or calendars to keep tasks in sync.
Typically Paid Task Management Software Features
- Advanced reporting and analytics: Provides detailed insights into task progress and team performance for better decision-making.
- Automated workflows: Streamlines repetitive processes by automating task assignments and updates.
- Customizable task views: Offers Kanban boards, Gantt charts, or calendar views for more flexible task visualization.
- Time tracking: Tracks how long tasks take to improve productivity and manage workloads.
- Enhanced security features: Includes tools like two-factor authentication and advanced encryption to protect sensitive data.
- Extensive integrations: Supports connections with a wide range of apps, such as CRM or cloud storage tools, for smoother workflows.
- Priority support: Provides faster response times and dedicated help channels for paying users.
Benefits of Free Task Management Software
Implementing free task management software can provides several benefits for your team and business. Here are some key advantages:
- Easy integration: Many free plans connect to calendars or email so you can keep tasks aligned with your existing tools.
- Lower costs: You can organize tasks and collaborate without paying for a tool, which is ideal for small teams or tight budgets.
- Better task visibility: Free plans let you track assignments and deadlines in one place so nothing gets overlooked.
- Faster setup: Most free tools are easy to sign up for and start using right away without a long onboarding process.
- Improved team communication: Built-in comments and notifications help everyone stay updated on progress and changes.
- Access from anywhere: Mobile apps and web access mean you can manage tasks on-the-go without extra cost.
- Simpler workflows: Basic task lists and project organization make it easier to keep work structured without added complexity.
Free Task Management Software FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about free task management software.
Are there any limitations to using free task management software?
Yes, free versions often restrict user seats, storage space, advanced views, and integrations. Project managers may find limits on project templates, automations, support response time, or security controls. Check for these factors when comparing platforms for your team.
How secure is free task management software?
Security standards vary between tools, but many reputable free platforms use encryption and basic permissions. Project managers should review each tool’s data privacy policy and consider two-factor authentication if sensitive information is stored. Paid plans sometimes offer more granular security features.
Is free task management software suitable for large teams or complex projects?
Free tools can work for small teams or less-complicated projects. For large teams or cross-functional projects, you may notice limits in user seats, project tracking features, or integrations. If your workflow grows, consider a paid upgrade for more flexibility and capacity.
What integrations do free task management tools typically support?
Most free tools offer some basic integrations, such as connecting with Google Calendar, Slack, or email. Advanced integrations like time trackers, CRMs, or automation tools often require a paid plan. Check the tool’s integration directory before committing.
Can I manage multiple projects in free task management software?
Many free task management platforms let you manage several projects at once, but might cap the total number of projects or boards. You should check for these restrictions and consider how many projects your team will need to run in parallel.
Do free task management tools have collaboration features?
Yes, most free task management platforms let your team collaborate by assigning tasks, commenting, and sharing files. However, free plans may put limits on the number of users, integrations, or shared projects. Check the specific platform’s feature list to make sure it fits your team’s needs.
What Next?
Subscribe to the DPM newsletter to get regular updates when we publish fresh how-to guides and articles on digital project management topics.
