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Best Free AI Project Management Tools Shortlist

Here’s my shortlist of the best free AI project management tools:

Trying to find the right AI tool to help you run your projects on a tight budget is a juggling act. Tight deadlines, limited resources, and the need for team coordination all add to the pressure. 

Here are my picks for the best free AI project management tools that offer innovative and useful AI features for organizing tasks, boosting collaboration, and keeping projects on track, without added costs. I’ve reviewed and evaluated each tool and provided my honest opinion below.

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Best Free AI Project Management Tools Summary

Each AI project management tool on my list has free offerings as well as paid plans should you wish to upgrade. Here are the base costs for each of the tools that made it onto my shortlist:

Best Free AI Project Management Tool Reviews

Here are my in-depth summaries of each free AI project management tool that made my list. I cover features, pros and cons, integrations, and use cases to help you choose the right fit. Some tools offer a fully free version, while others provide a limited-time free trial—I’ve included a note on what’s free in each review.

Best for flexible team collaboration

  • 14-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $10/user/month (billed annually)

Notion is a collaborative workspace that combines notes, tasks, wikis, and databases into one customizable platform. It’s used by teams and individuals to manage projects, document knowledge, and organize workflows across various formats and views.

Why I picked Notion: You and your team can create shared pages, task lists, and Kanban boards to keep work organized. Notion AI helps you by summarizing notes, pulling out action items, and updating project info automatically.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include customizable project views like timelines, calendars, and Kanban boards. You can also use templates to set up workflows quickly.

Integrations include Slack, GitHub, Google Drive, Zoom, Jira, Figma, Asana, Trello, Typeform, and Zapier.

What's free?

The free plan offers basic forms and sites, Notion Calendar and Notion Mail, and a trial of Notion AI.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrates with many popular tools
  • AI features enhance productivity
  • Supports various project views

Cons:

  • Limited offline functionality
  • Learning curve for new users

Best for remote team collaboration

  • 30-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $10/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Taskade is a productivity platform designed for remote teams. It offers tools for organizing projects with checklists, kanban boards, and mind maps, and can help improve collaboration, task management, team productivity, and communication.

Why I picked Taskade: The free version includes AI-powered tools like the AI Project Studio, which lets you generate project templates, workflows, and content. You can also use the AI Chat Assistant to brainstorm ideas and convert chats into tasks, projects, and templates. These features help remote teams stay aligned and productive and make it easier to work together.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include the AI Agent Generator, which lets you build AI teams for specific tasks or industries. The AI Task Assistant provides commands to add due dates or change formats.

Integrations include Google Calendar, Slack, Zoom, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Trello, Evernote, Notion, Asana, and Outlook.

What's free?

Taskade offers a free-forever plan with no cost and unlimited sharing and collaboration.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Over 500 customizable templates
  • Supports custom productivity systems
  • Real-time collaboration tools

Cons:

  • Some features may be complex
  • May not suit large enterprises

Best for bug tracking

  • Free plan available
  • From $35/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Backlog is a project management and collaboration tool for developers and teams that need effective bug tracking and task management. It provides tools for issue tracking, project planning, and team collaboration to support software development processes.

Why I picked Backlog: Backlog's free plan includes features for task management, issue tracking, and version control. It also offers AI-powered issue summaries that help you quickly understand the context of tasks by summarizing comments and updates. Backlog supports Git and Subversion repositories, so your team can manage code alongside project tasks.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a built-in wiki to store and share project documentation, version control for managing code changes and tracking project history, and customizable workflows.

Integrations include Slack, GitHub, Jira, Redmine, Typetalk, Cacoo, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zapier, and Microsoft Teams.

What's free?

Backlog offers a free-forever plan for up to 10 users and 1 project, with 100 MB storage and limited features.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Built-in version control
  • Customizable workflows
  • Effective bug tracking tools

Cons:

  • Restrictions on project numbers
  • Limited storage capacity

Best for client collaboration

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $10.99/user/month (min 3 users, billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Teamwork.com is a project management platform for teams that need detailed project tracking and client collaboration. It offers tools for task management, time tracking, and client communication so you can deliver projects efficiently.

Why I picked Teamwork.com: You can create detailed project plans and assign tasks to team members. The platform supports client access so you can share project progress directly with them. It also provides a centralized space for client feedback, enhancing communication. You also get access to an AI assistant with all plans (including the free plan)

Standout features & integrations:

Features include reporting tools for project performance and key metrics, Gantt charts to visualize timelines and dependencies, and the ability to allocate and optimize workloads.

Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, HubSpot, Zapier, QuickBooks, Xero, Harvest, and Trello.

What's free?

Teamwork.com offers a free-forever plan with limited features, allowing up to 5 users and 2 active projects.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Advanced reporting tools
  • Client access and feedback
  • Detailed project tracking

Cons:

  • Limited automation options
  • Limited free plan features

Best for integrated CRM

  • Free plan available
  • From $61/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

Bitrix24 is a comprehensive business management platform that offers project management and CRM capabilities. It provides tools for task management, team collaboration, and customer relationship management.

Why I picked Bitrix24: The free plan offers unlimited users, so it’s accessible for teams of all sizes. Its AI assistant, CoPilot helps you improve productivity by generating task descriptions, summaries, and checklists. Features like Kanban boards and Gantt charts help with visual project planning.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include AI-powered task automation, time tracking, and workload management. The platform also offers document collaboration and communication tools.

Integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Slack, Zoom, Mailchimp, Dropbox, Xero, QuickBooks, Shopify, and Zapier.

What's free?

Bitrix24 offers a free-forever plan that includes essential CRM and project management tools, with limitations on users and storage space.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Built-in communication tools
  • Task automation capabilities
  • Integrated CRM features

Cons:

  • Restrictions on user numbers
  • Limited storage space

Best for portfolio management

  • Free demo available
  • From $3/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 3.5/5

Project Insight is a project management tool that can also help with comprehensive portfolio management. It helps you organize, track, and manage multiple projects, and provides visibility into project timelines and resources.

Why I picked Project Insight: The free plan includes AI-powered features that assist with scheduling and resource management. You can use intelligent scheduling to automatically adjust task dates and dependencies when timelines change. AI also helps balance workloads and suggests resources. 

Standout features & integrations:

Features include the ability to visualize team bandwidth across active projects and run what-if scenarios to test scheduling shifts and potential bottlenecks.

Integrations include Microsoft Project, QuickBooks, Jira, Salesforce, Slack, SharePoint, Outlook, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier.

What's free?

Project Insight offers a free-forever plan for up to 3 users that includes essential features like task management, Gantt charts, and mobile access, but limits custom fields and add-ons.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Effective resource allocation tools
  • Customizable dashboard views
  • Supports multiple project portfolios

Cons:

  • Basic customization options
  • May need learning for new users

Best for modular integration

  • Free trial available
  • From $7.25/user/month

Odoo is a business management software that offers a suite of features for project management. It's for organizations that want flexible, modular solutions that can grow with their business.

Why I picked Odoo: You can manage tasks, track timelines, and adjust work as things shift. Its modular setup lets you add tools as your team grows or your needs change. The layout’s simple, so it’s easy to find what you need and make updates fast. It works well if you want a setup you can shape around how your team works.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include AI-powered task assignment using natural language prompts, predictive lead scoring to prioritize sales efforts, and AI-generated content suggestions for emails and reports.

Integrations include Google Drive, QuickBooks, Shopify, WooCommerce, eBay, Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, FedEx, and UPS.

What's free?

Odoo offers a free forever plan with unlimited users and a single application.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Flexible project management tools
  • Custom workflow creation
  • Modular application integration

Cons:

  • Initial setup can be complex
  • May require learning for customization

Best for open-source projects

  • Free trial available
  • Free forever

Project Libre is an open-source project management software for businesses and individuals who prefer customizable solutions. It supports functions like task scheduling, resource allocation, and timeline management.

Why I picked Project Libre: The desktop version is free and provides essential project management tools without user limits. It includes Gantt charts, task dependencies, and resource management. The cloud version offers AI-powered project creation, which lets you describe your project and have the system generate tasks, durations, and dependencies automatically.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include multilingual support and intelligent scheduling that adapts to changes in scope. The cloud version offers collaboration tools, access controls, and portfolio dashboards.

Integrations include Google Calendar, Microsoft Project, Excel, and OpenOffice.

What's free?

Project Libre offers a free-forever plan with no cost, allowing unlimited users and projects without any restrictions.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Multi-project management
  • Supports Microsoft Project files
  • Open-source customization

Cons:

  • Requires technical knowledge
  • Limited advanced features

Best for task organization

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $4/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Todoist is a task management tool for individuals and teams who need to keep track of tasks and projects efficiently. It helps you organize work with task lists, priorities, and deadlines and makes it easier to manage daily responsibilities.

Why I picked Todoist: You can use labels and filters to categorize tasks and focus on what's important. The platform supports collaboration by allowing you to share projects with team members. Todoist's intuitive interface makes it easy to start organizing tasks right away. AI features are available in paid plans, but the free version provides a solid foundation.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include productivity tracking to measure and improve efficiency. Use recurring tasks to automate routine tasks, and the point system motivates you to complete tasks and reach goals.

Integrations include Google Calendar, Slack, Dropbox, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, IFTTT, Evernote, Trello, and Amazon Alexa.

What's free?

Todoist offers a free-forever plan with up to 5 active projects and 5 collaborators per project. It limits features like reminders, labels, calendar views, and file uploads over 5 MB.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports recurring tasks
  • Intuitive interface design
  • Simple task prioritization

Cons:

  • AI features locked to higher-tier plans
  • Limited project capacity

Best for agile development

  • 7-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $7.16/user/month (billed annually, min 5 seats)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.2/5

Jira is a project management tool for software development teams that offers agile project management capabilities. It helps teams plan, track, and manage software development projects using agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban.

Why I picked Jira: You get agile boards and backlog tracking to support how your team works. You can plan sprints, manage issues, and adjust workflows to match your process. Built-in reports help you see what’s working and where to improve. AI features like natural language queries, content generation, and automation rule creation are locked to higher tier plans.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include advanced roadmaps that allow you to plan long-term project goals, custom filters to sort and prioritize tasks, and reporting tools to track team performance and progress.

Integrations include Slack, GitHub, Bitbucket, Confluence, Trello, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zoom, and Outlook.

What's free?

Jira offers a free-forever plan for up to 10 users with 2 GB storage and limited customization, permissions, and notifications.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Detailed performance reports
  • Customizable workflows
  • Supports agile methodologies

Cons:

  • Some features need technical knowledge
  • It can be complex to set up

Other Free AI Project Management Tools

Here are some additional AI project management tools options that also offer free plans or trials. If you didn’t find what you were looking for above, check these out:

  1. Zoho Projects

    For small teams

  2. Hive

    For AI-driven insights

  3. Wrike

    For real-time activity updates

  4. monday.com

    For visual project tracking

  5. Trello

    For simple kanban boards

  6. Asana

    For task dependencies

  7. ClickUp

    For customizable task views

Free AI Project Management Tools Selection Criteria

When selecting the best free AI project management tools to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like budget constraints and ease of use for team adoption. I used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair: 

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Task management
  • Project tracking
  • AI-driven insights
  • Timeline visualization
  • Resource allocation

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Collaboration tools
  • Custom workflows
  • Advanced reporting
  • Integration capabilities
  • Mobile app support

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I looked at whether they offered the following:

  • Intuitive interface
  • Easy navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Customization options
  • Aesthetic design

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the availability of the following:

  • Training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Pre-made templates
  • Webinars and workshops
  • Responsive chatbots

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the availability of the following:

  • Live chat
  • Email support responsiveness
  • Comprehensive FAQs
  • Support forums
  • Multilingual support options

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Feature set for free tier
  • Upgrade options
  • Transparency of costs
  • Discounts for annual plans

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • User satisfaction ratings
  • Feedback on functionality
  • Ease of use comments
  • Support effectiveness
  • Feature requests and updates

Related Reviews

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for here, check out these other tools that we’ve tested and evaluated:

How to Choose a Free AI Project Management Tool

Complex features and pricing tiers can make it tough to see what a free AI project management tool actually offers. To help you stay on track while choosing the right software, here are a few key factors to consider:

FactorWhat to Consider
Free Offer ScopeCheck what's included in the free plan. Look for limitations on features, users, and projects to make sure it meets your team's needs without unexpected costs.
ScalabilityMake sure the tool can grow with your team. Consider whether it offers paid plans with features that support larger projects and more users as your team expands
IntegrationsVerify if the tool connects with other software you use. Integrations with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, or Trello can enhance productivity by streamlining workflows
Ease of UseEvaluate the user interface and learning curve. A tool that's easy to navigate will save your team time and reduce training requirements
CustomizationDetermine if you can tailor the tool to fit your workflow. Customizable dashboards, workflows, and reports can help align the tool with your team's processes.
Support OptionsConsider the level of support provided. Access to chat, email, or phone support can be crucial, especially when you're getting started or facing technical issues
SecurityAssess the security measures in place. For teams handling sensitive data, features like encryption and compliance with data regulations are essential.
Mobile AccessCheck if the tool has a mobile app or mobile-friendly site. This allows team members to manage projects on the go and increases flexibility and responsiveness

What Are Free AI Project Management Tools?

Free AI project management tools are software platforms that help teams plan, track, and manage work more efficiently with AI capabilities. They usually offer free plans or trials with basic features like task tracking, team collaboration, and reporting. 

These tools are useful for project managers, team leads, and freelancers who need to stay on top of tasks and deadlines. With features like task automation, real-time updates, and integration with other apps, they make it easier to manage workloads and keep everyone in sync.

Features of Free AI Project Management Tools

Here are the features commonly found in AI project management tools, and which ones are usually included in free vs. paid plans.

Typically Free AI Project Management Tools Features

  • Task management: Allows you to create and assign tasks and helps teams stay organized and on track.
  • Collaboration tools: Provides chat and file-sharing capabilities to facilitate team communication and coordination.
  • Project tracking: Helps monitor progress and deadlines to make sure projects are completed on time.
  • Basic reporting: Offers simple reports to track project metrics and team performance.
  • Integration support: Connects with popular apps like Slack and Google Drive to improve functionality and streamline workflows.
  • Kanban boards: Visualize tasks and workflows to improve project management and task prioritization.
  • Time tracking: Allows teams to log hours spent on tasks, which helps with productivity analysis.
  • Document management: Stores and shares project-related documents to keep all team members informed.

Typically Paid AI Project Management Tools Features

  • Advanced reporting: Provides detailed analytics and insights to help you make data-driven decisions.
  • Custom workflows: Allows for the creation of tailored processes to fit specific business needs.
  • Resource management: Optimizes the allocation of team resources to improve efficiency and productivity.
  • Portfolio management: Offers tools to let you manage multiple projects simultaneously and have an overview of all project activities.
  • Automation tools: Streamlines repetitive tasks and processes to save time and reduce errors.
  • Gantt charts: Provides detailed project timelines and dependencies to improve planning and execution.
  • Role-based permissions: Controls access to sensitive information and features to keep data safe and secure.
  • AI-driven insights: Uses artificial intelligence to provide recommendations and predictions for project success.

Benefits of Free AI Project Management Tools

Implementing free AI project management tools provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Cost savings: Access essential project management features without spending money, which makes it ideal for teams with tight budgets.
  • Better collaboration: Use built-in chat and file-sharing tools to improve communication and teamwork among remote or distributed teams.
  • Increased organization: Manage tasks and deadlines effectively, keep projects on track, and reduce the risk of missed deadlines.
  • Flexibility: Customize workflows and dashboards to fit your team's needs, even with free versions, to maintain alignment with your processes.
  • Integration ease: Connect with popular apps to expand functionality and create a more cohesive workflow without additional costs.
  • Time management: Track time spent on tasks to identify inefficiencies and improve productivity without needing to invest in extra tools.
  • Scalability: Start with a free plan and transition to paid features as your team grows, which lets you gradually expand without immediate financial commitment.

Costs and Pricing of Free AI Project Management Tools

I realize you came to this article looking for the best AI project management tools options that are available for free. However, since free plans only offer limited features, there's a good chance you'll need to scale your plan up in the future.

The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in AI project management tools solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for AI Project Management Tools

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Task management, basic collaboration tools, limited project tracking, and basic reporting.
Personal Plan$5 - $15/user/monthAdvanced task management, better collaboration features, more integrations, and time tracking.
Business Plan$15 - $25/user/monthCustom workflows, detailed reporting and analytics, resource management, and priority support.
Enterprise Plan$25 - $50/user/monthAdvanced security features, comprehensive portfolio management, dedicated account management, and full customization options.

Free AI Project Management Tools FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about free AI project management tools:

How can I choose the right free AI project management tool?

Start by identifying your team’s specific needs and goals. Consider the features you require, such as task management, collaboration, and reporting. Evaluate the free plan’s limitations, like user or project caps, and make sure the tool can scale with your team. Test multiple options to find the best fit.

Are free AI project management tools secure?

Most free AI project management tools provide basic security features like encryption and user authentication. However, free plans may lack advanced security options available in paid versions. Assess the security measures offered and make sure they meet your team’s requirements for data protection.

Can I integrate free AI project management tools with other software?

Yes, many free AI project management tools offer integrations with popular apps like Slack, Google Workspace, and Trello. Check the specific integrations available in the free plan to make sure the tool you choose is compatible with existing tools, as some integrations might be restricted to paid plans.

How do free AI project management tools handle data storage?

Free AI project management tools generally offer limited storage capacity. Monitor your data usage and consider upgrading if your storage needs exceed the free plan’s limits. Some tools provide options to integrate with external storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox.

What support options are available for free AI project management tools?

Support options for free AI project management tools typically include access to online resources like FAQs, community forums, and basic email support. Live chat and phone support are often reserved for paid plans. Evaluate the available support to make sure it meets your team’s needs.

Do free AI project management tools offer mobile access?

Many free AI project management tools provide mobile apps or mobile-friendly websites so you can manage projects on the go. Check if the free plan includes mobile access and if the app supports the features you need to stay productive away from your desk.

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Galen Low
By Galen Low

Galen is a digital project manager with over 10 years of experience shaping and delivering human-centered digital transformation initiatives in government, healthcare, transit, and retail. He is a digital project management nerd, a cultivator of highly collaborative teams, and an impulsive sharer of knowledge. He's also the co-founder of The Digital Project Manager and host of The DPM Podcast.