Best Free Project Management Software
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Free project management software is the go-to option for small teams and startups that don't have big budgets to spend on software. However, they soon find that free project management software has its limitations. While some restrict the number of users, others limit the number of projects, file storage space, or offer less knowledge support for you to learn to use the software.
Therefore, this tool list is comprised of both free and open-source options, but also paid software that offers free versions or free trials that you can use to test with your operation.
What Is Free Project Management Software?
Free project management software is PM software that has no cost and is normally offered as an initial offering for most SaaS tools. However, truly free project management software exists in the form of open-source tools that are community supported.
Having said that, expect the open-source learning curve to be a little steeper since there's less support for community versions of the software.
The Best Free Project Management Software Overviews
You can find our project management software comparisons below. Feel free to check out the selection criteria I used to evaluate the software on this list at any time.
Smartsheet
Best free project management software with a mobile app
Smartsheet is a cloud-based project management tool that helps teams organize and track their workflow.
Why I picked Smartsheet: It consists of a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to create task lists, assign tasks to team members, and monitor progress. Gantt charts give users a visual representation of how tasks relate to one another. The software has both a web-based and mobile app, so users can access their projects from any device.
More advanced project management features like resource management, budget tracking and project expenses, and risk management are also included in the platform. Users can store files, generate reports, and collaborate with colleagues virtually in the software. Updating data sheets and sending reports can also be automated, saving users from doing this work manually.
The software's secure sharing feature keeps sensitive documents confidential and gives team members access with granular sharing control. Users can generate custom reports to see how their projects progress over time.
Smartsheet Standout Features & Integrations
Features include a mobile and web app, intelligent automated workflows, content and portfolio management, resource management, team collaboration, calendar view, and reporting tools.
Integrations include tools like Slack, Google Drive, Salesforce, and Dropbox.
Wrike
Best free project management software for customizable views
Wrike is an award-winning project management software for teams of five up to an unlimited number of users. The tool allows users to customize workflows, dashboards, reports, and request forms and get advanced insights with reporting tools, resource management, and allocation.
Why I picked Wrike: Its simple interface lets you switch between Kanban boards, drag-and-drop Gantt charts, and traditional workload views.
Wrike is easy to navigate with an interface that has distinct spaces for folders and tasks. You can switch between the home screen and timesheets, dashboards, calendars, reports, and stream (for notifications and messages). It also has a dedicated help center with interactive training, videos, a ‘Getting Started’ guide, and a community.
Wrike also offers a variety of specific solutions depending on the type of team or organization — including marketing teams and professional service teams, and the tool offers a variety of templates for common organizational processes.
Wrike Standout Features & Integrations
Features include task lists, schedules, customizable workflows, file sharing, real-time communication and collaboration, dashboards, reports, requests forms, and resource management and allocation.
Integrations include 400+ pre-built native integrations, including the most popular file management software from Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox, along with sales and marketing software from Salesforce and Marketo.
Wrike Free is the best free work management software plan on the market. Those with a free plan can have unlimited users on their account, and with real-time edits and updates, app and cloud storage integrations, and newly added subtask management.
FigJam
Best for a flexible, highly customizable solution
FigJam is a collaborative whiteboard and project management tool developed by Figma. It's designed to facilitate virtual brainstorming, ideation, workflow design, strategy and planning, and team collaboration.
Why I picked FigJam: This isn't your typical project management software with task lists and Gantt charts. Instead, the platform offers a more visual and interactive way to manage projects. It's like having a physical whiteboard, but online and with more features. The whiteboard is infinite, so you can zoom in or out as far as you need.
What makes FigJam a helpful project management tool is its pre-built templates. It has ready-made whiteboard layouts for project kickoff brainstorms, project roadmaps, project timelines, and flowcharts to design your workflows. It also has templates for things like weekly and daily status meetings, and many more.
FigJam Standout Features & Integrations
Features include pre-built project management templates, audio and live chat, stamp and emoji reacts, external collaborator access, calendar and timeline widgets, bitmoji avatars, music player, and mobile app.
Integrations include Figma, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Jira, Mixpanel, and Github.
What's Free: A free plan is available with unlimited users and up to 3 FigJam files.
Miro
Best for its vast library of templates
Miro is a cloud-based collaboration software that provides users with one central platform that allows them to conveniently access all the files, conversations, data, and resources needed for successful project management.
Why I picked Miro: Its Kanban boards help set up pipelines, speed up progress tracking, schedule sprints, and manage resources efficiently.
Miro has a free plan that includes a workspace with editable boards, and ready-made and community-made templates, and it is ideal for small businesses or individuals who want to try the software before upgrading to a paid account. Its templates come with pre-built elements like text boxes and colors so you can customize them according to your needs and preferences. Plus, it offers helpful features like comment fields and due dates, which allow teams to track the progress of their projects better.
Miro provides several collaboration options that make it easier for team members to brainstorm ideas from anywhere in the world in real time. Voting polls, video conferencing capabilities, and mind mapping allow teams to jot down their thoughts in an organized manner quickly. Additionally, users have access to chat boxes where they can communicate with each other instantly while working on projects together remotely or in person. Miro lets you set due dates, assign priority levels, and even provide detailed descriptions and comments on each task—ensuring that everyone knows what jobs must be completed and when they are due.
Miro Standout Features & Integrations
Features include video chat, an activity timer, voting polls, boards and templates for brainstorming, task libraries for list making and assigning, feedback exchange channels, and the ability to work simultaneously.
Integrations include over 100 apps you can connect to, including Slack, Zoom, Google Drive, Sketch, Figma, Jira, Confluence, and Microsoft Teams.
The software can be accessed from anywhere via desktop or mobile devices with an internet connection so that you can stay updated on your team’s workflows.
Zoho Projects
Best for scalability & flexibility
Zoho Projects is a freemium project management software solution that allows project managers to map out their work breakdown structure with relative ease, using Zoho’s free project planner with core modules such as issue tracking, tasks, subtasks, task lists, and milestones.
Why I picked Zoho Projects: The project management system lets you categorize tasks and identify the most basic work items by assigning the right tags.
When it comes to project planning, Zoho Projects provides a built-in Gantt chart tool that is included in the free version. With a Gantt chart view, you can easily map out every step of your project and determine what the project timeline will look like.
Additionally, Zoho Projects’ free project management software comes with a color-coded calendar to help keep users up to date on all upcoming tasks, work items, meetings, and events. The free version also comes with a level of customizability, as it allows small businesses and startups to customize their portal with their company logo and a unique domain name.
Zoho Projects is endlessly scalable and flexible using its marketplace of tool connectors and app add-ons. Pick between hundreds of integrations, free and paid options, for customer relationship management, asset management, marketing, design, and more. You can sort add-ons by pricing, user rating, and/or functionality. Certain add-ons are limited to paid Zoho Projects plans, but many are open to freemium users, like Hubspot, DocuSign, and SugarCRM.
Zoho Projects Standout Features & Integrations
Features include roadmapping, project management, task scheduling/tracking, customer management, prioritization, and notifications.
Integrations include Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Zendesk, and ServiceNow. Integrations via Zapier and Zoho Flow are also supported. Being part of the Zoho ecosystem allows you to connect to several of Zoho’s own services for Sales, Marketing, CRM, customer service, and others.
Zoho Projects’ free subscription applies to teams of up to three active users.
Hub Planner
Best for teams looking for a project resource scheduling tool
Hub Planner is a cloud-based resource scheduling software that offers a range of functionalities that help to streamline project planning by maximizing the use of your resources.
Why I picked Hub Planner: Although not a project management tool per se, it's an easy-to-use platform that helps project managers keep track of their resources, schedules, and timelines in real time. The platform offers a simple and intuitive user interface where you can schedule and allocate resources quickly, a real-time view of resource availability, and details on how it impacts your project phases and financial spending.
Hub Planner Standout Features & Integrations
Features include resource management, PTO planning, timesheets, reporting, skills matching, task management, templates, drag and drop scheduler, project budgets, approval flow, and a smart scheduler.
Integrations include DIY options via the Hub Planner API and webhooks. Additionally, you can access thousands of apps using a Zapier account.
Freedcamp
Best free project management software with unlimited projects
Freedcamp believes that collaboration is for everyone, so by making their core features free, startups, small businesses, and freelancers are able to take full advantage to complete almost any project.
Why I picked Freedcamp: Their software helps streamline projects, processes, workflows, as well as track time and issues. They also understand that work is done out of the office, so they provide users with iOS, Android, and desktop integrations.
Freedcamp is built for high-performance teams and freelancers. All plans include unlimited tasks, projects, and calendar features.
Freedcamp Standout Features & Integrations
Features include file editing, password sharing with your team, email notifications, smart quote that lets you reply to specific text in a comment, and the ability to duplicate projects to streamline work.
Integrations include thousands of apps available through Zapier and custom integrations that can be built using the developer API.
Redbooth
Best for team collaboration and communication
Redbooth is a well-rounded and flexible project management tool that can be adapted for use in small and mid-sized teams.
Why I picked Redbooth: They rolled out an AI component in early 2018: “Smart Redbooth.” It uses a prediction algorithm for various aspects of task assignment, such as selecting the best member for the task or predicting the amount of time needed to complete the task.
Redbooth also provides higher-level project management tools such as Gantt charts and the ability to turn work processes into templates.
Redbooth Standout Features & Integrations
Features include multiple task management views (timeline, list, and board views), dashboards, and reports, whose intuitive graphic visualizations are above average.
Integrations include dozens of apps: Box, Slack, Zapier, WebEx, Evernote, Clockify, Dropbox, Google Drive, and several others. It also integrates with Gmail and Outlook in order to quickly convert emails into tasks in Redbooth. They offer a mobile app for both iOS and Android.
Hubstaff
Best free tool for agile project management
Hubstaff Tasks is a project management tool with multiple task tracking and collaboration features. Its interface is based on the Kanban methodology, making it easy to learn.
Why I picked Hubstaff: The app lets you organize tasks in different project stages, which are represented by columns. Each task can be categorized using color-coded labels. You can create checklists within each task and track them from the project view using progress bars. Files can also be attached to task cards, but has limited storage.
Switching to the Sprints view displays all your assigned tasks, organized by sprint. You can move tasks to current or future sprints or to the backlog with a drag-and-drop mechanism similar to Kanban. Custom workflows let you automate assigning tasks to team members at different project stages and moving them forward with one click.
Hubstaff Standout Features & Integrations
Features include custom workflows, invoicing, scheduling, attendance, client budgets, payments & payroll, timesheet approvals, expense tracking, and time off management.
Integrations include over 30 different tools, including Asana, Breeze, Insightly, Pivotal Tracker, Paymo, Jira, Slack, Payoneer, Gusto, and Salesforce.
Podio
Best for task management capabilities
Podio defines team roles and how your team works best by tailoring project processes step by step. Podio shines in its ability to build low code and customizable solutions, as well as its accessible, seemingly endless features. Web and mobile capabilities, task management, apps, and workspace management are all available with the free plan that offers up to 5 users.
If you have fewer project needs, you’ll be more than fine with Podio’s free plan, but in my opinion, larger teams will be more suited to the tool’s paid plans.
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The Best Free Project Management Software Comparison Chart
Here is a table where you can compare all the tools we just covered in the overviews.
Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Smartsheet Best free project management software with a mobile app | Freemium version available | From $7/user/month | Visit Website |
2 | Wrike Best free project management software for customizable views | Free plan available | From $9.80/user/month | Visit Website |
3 | FigJam Best for a flexible, highly customizable solution | Free plan available | From $3/user/month | Visit Website |
4 | Miro Best for its vast library of templates | Free plan available | From $10/user/month | Visit Website |
5 | Zoho Projects Best for scalability & flexibility | Free trial available | From $5/user/month | Visit Website |
6 | Hub Planner Best for teams looking for a project resource scheduling tool | 30-day free trial | From $7/user/month (billed annually) | Visit Website |
7 | Freedcamp Best free project management software with unlimited projects | 14-day free trial | Free version + pro starts at $1.49/user/month | Visit Website |
8 | Redbooth Best for team collaboration and communication | 14-day free trial | From $12/user/month | Visit Website |
9 | Hubstaff Best free tool for agile project management | 14-day free trial | From $7/user/month | Visit Website |
10 | Podio Best for task management capabilities | Free plan for up to five employees | From $7.20 per user/month | Visit Website |
Other Options
Here are some additional tools that did not make the final list, but are good options for you to consider and will help you track project progress with ease.
- Bitrix24
Best for small teams
- nutcache
Best free project management software with custom workflows
- GoodDay
Best free project productivity suite
- nTask Manager
Best free project management software with unlimited users
- PivotalTracker
Best free project management software with unlimited storage
- TeamGantt
Best for creating Gantt charts
- ClickUp
Best free project management software for teams of all sizes
- Lucidspark
Best for project management collaboration, integrations, and templates
- Teamwork
Best for Kanban boards feature
- Kissflow
Best free project management software for non-project managers
Selection Criteria For The Best Free Project Management Software
I evaluated and compared the most popular project management tools on the market that offer either free versions and free trials. In addition to looking for a free plan option, these are the criteria I evaluated in my research:
Core Functionality
I wanted to make sure each platform provided the main functionality of project management software. This includes the ability to plan projects, create tasks and subtasks, set due dates, and track project progress. Above all, these are the integral capabilities I looked for.
Key Features
Beyond the basic project management features, I also looked for some more specific features. Here are some of the key features I looked for in my research:
- Task management: The ability to outline, assign, and track tasks. This might include things like task dependencies, checklists, notifications, or auto-assigning tasks to specific team members.
- Various views: Every team works differently, so I looked for tools that could present work through Gantt charts, calendar views, sprints, and other visual representations.
- Workflow management: Any way you can streamline your processes or automate tasks. This could be a drag-and-drop workflow builder or the ability to set milestones to track progress.
- Templates: Whether it’s project templates, workflow templates, or project timeline templates, I looked for both pre-built and customizable template options.
- Time tracking: Timesheets and other ways to track time help you understand how long it takes employees to complete certain tasks, and better plan your future projects.
- Roadmap planning: I looked for tools where you could zoom out from individual project planning to see the bigger picture of a complete project roadmap.
- Collaboration features: Any features that can help team collaboration like file sharing, communication tools, commenting and tagging, etc.
- Unlimited features: I kept my eye out for any unlimited features, such as unlimited tasks, unlimited projects, or unlimited users.
Usability
A clean and user-friendly interface goes a long way. When you’re managing projects across teams, departments, or even your organization, you need everyone to be able to learn the software quickly. I looked for tools that are simple and straightforward. I also kept an eye out for iOS and Android mobile apps, which can be super useful for managing projects on the go.
Integrations
How easy is it to connect with other tools? You might want a project management software that connects with Slack, your CRM, Google Drive, or other workplace tools. I looked for pre-built integrations, connections to other apps through third-party software such as Zapier, and custom integrations that your team can build using APIs and Webhooks. I noted each tool’s integrations in its overview.
Pricing
Since this is a list that includes free software along with free versions and free trials, I give details on the different pricing. I also mention other relevant information related to paid plans, like bulk discounts or special discounts for certain types of organizations. Many free plans cater specifically to small businesses, startups, and small teams.
Free Project Management Software FAQs
Find common answers to questions other people are asking about this topic.
What is project management software?
Is there a free Microsoft project management software?
Should I use free agile project management software?
What types of free tools can I find?
What are some free open source project management software options?
Are there additional free tools that I can try?

What's Next?
Once you outgrow a free tool, you will have to transition to a paid tool. Learn how to get the most out of software demos and 8 reasons why you should use PM software.
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