8 best free project management software in 2025

Project management is the backbone of productivity, whether you're a solo freelancer, a startup team, or a large enterprise. But with so many tools available—each promising to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and keep projects on track—how do you choose the right one?

The truth is, not everyone needs expensive software. Many free project management tools offer robust features that rival their paid counterparts. After rigorously testing nearly 40 options, I’ve identified the top eight free project management apps that deliver real value without hidden costs.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• How we evaluated these tools (so you know our picks are unbiased).
• Detailed reviews of each app, including pros, cons, and ideal use cases.
• Key considerations to help you choose the best fit for your workflow.

Let’s dive in.

How We Tested and Selected the Best Free Project Management Tools

Selecting the right project management software isn’t just about features—it’s about usability, scalability, and real-world performance. To ensure our recommendations are reliable, we followed a strict evaluation process:

Core Criteria for Selection

We only considered tools that met these essential requirements:

• ✅ Truly free with no major limitations – Many apps claim to be "free" but restrict core features (like the number of projects or users). We prioritized tools that allow unlimited projects on their free plans.
• ✅ Hosted (cloud-based) for easy setup – Self-hosted solutions (like Taiga or Redmine) require technical know-how. We focused on ready-to-use platforms that don’t need installation.
• ✅ Strong collaboration features – Since teamwork is key, we looked for apps that make it easy to invite team members, assign tasks, and control permissions.
• ✅ Flexible project views – Different teams work differently. We favored tools that support Kanban, Gantt charts, lists, calendars, and other methodologies.
• ✅ Integration capabilities – A great tool should fit seamlessly into your existing workflow. We prioritized apps that integrate with Slack, Google Drive, email, and other essential tools.

Our Testing Methodology

To evaluate each app fairly, we:

• Signed up and completed onboarding – Testing how intuitive the setup process is.
• Created multiple projects – Trying different views (Kanban, Scrum, Gantt, etc.).
• Added detailed tasks – Including due dates, attachments, comments, and assignments.
• Invited team members – Assessing how easy it is to collaborate.
• Tested unique features – Such as time tracking, automation, and AI tools.

Now, let’s explore the best free project management tools in detail.

1. Trello – Best for Visual Project Management

(Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android)

Why Trello Stands Out

Trello’s Kanban-style boards make it one of the most intuitive project management tools available. It’s perfect for visual thinkers, small teams, and freelancers who prefer dragging and dropping tasks across columns (like "To-Do," "In Progress," and "Done").

Key Features

• ✔ Customizable boards – Add lists, labels, due dates, checklists, and attachments.
• ✔ Power-Ups (free integrations) – Connect with Slack, Google Drive, and more.
• ✔ Templates – Pre-built boards for marketing, sales, HR, and personal tasks.
• ✔ Automation (Butler) – Free plan includes basic automation rules.

Limitations

• ❌ No Gantt charts or timelines on the free plan.
• ❌ Limited advanced reporting without upgrading.

Best For

• Creative teams (designers, content creators).
• Personal task management.
• Simple project tracking without complex workflows.

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: Unlimited cards, 10 boards per workspace.
• 💵 Paid plans: From $5/user/month (unlimited boards, advanced features).

2. Asana – Best for Team Collaboration

(Web, iOS, Android)

Why Asana Stands Out

Asana strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, making it ideal for teams that need structured task management without overwhelming complexity.

Key Features

• ✔ Multiple project views – Lists, boards, calendars, and timelines.
• ✔ "My Tasks" dashboard – Personal to-do list within team projects.
• ✔ Dependencies – Mark tasks as waiting on others.
• ✔ Integrations – Works with Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace.

Limitations

• ❌ Limited custom fields in the free plan.
• ❌ No timeline view without upgrading.

Best For

• Marketing teams.
• Remote teams needing clear task ownership.
• Startups managing multiple projects.

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: Up to 15 users, basic task management.
• 💵 Paid plans: From $10.99/user/month (timelines, reporting).

3. ClickUp – Best for Customized Task Views

(Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux)

Why ClickUp Stands Out

ClickUp offers unparalleled flexibility with 14+ view types, making it ideal for teams that need to visualize work differently across departments or projects.

Key Features

• ✔ Multiple view options - Includes Gantt, mind maps, calendar, workload view, and embedded docs
• ✔ Custom statuses - Create workflow stages beyond basic "to-do/done"
• ✔ Nested subtasks - Break work into granular levels with separate assignees
• ✔ Built-in docs & chat - Collaborate without leaving the platform
• ✔ Time tracking - Native tracker with estimates vs. actuals reporting

Limitations

• ❌ Steep learning curve due to feature overload
• ❌ Mobile app performance can be sluggish
• ❌ Free plan limits some views to 60 uses/month

Best For

• Cross-functional teams needing different views
• Product managers handling complex projects
• Remote teams wanting all-in-one collaboration

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: Unlimited tasks, 100MB storage
• 💵 Unlimited plan: $7/user/month (unlimited views, dashboards)

4. Wrike – Best for Spreadsheet-Lovers

(Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)

Why Wrike Stands Out

Wrike combines spreadsheet-like organization with robust project tracking, perfect for data-driven teams accustomed to Excel but needing more collaboration features.

Key Features

• ✔ Table view with custom columns - Sort/filter like a spreadsheet
• ✔ Interactive Gantt charts - Drag-and-drop timeline adjustments
• ✔ Proofing tool - Annotate and approve designs/files directly
• ✔ Workload management - Balance team capacity visually
• ✔ 200+ integrations - Including Salesforce and Tableau

Limitations

• ❌ 200-task limit on free plan
• ❌ No time tracking in free version
• ❌ Steep pricing jumps for advanced features

Best For

• Marketing agencies managing client work
• Operations teams tracking deliverables
• Excel power users transitioning to PM tools

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: 200 tasks, 2GB storage
• 💵 Team plan: $9.80/user/month (unlimited tasks, Gantt charts)

5. Paymo – Best for Freelancers & Small Agencies

(Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux)

Why Paymo Stands Out

Paymo uniquely combines project management with invoicing, making it perfect for service businesses that bill by time.

Key Features

• ✔ Integrated time tracking - With timesheet approvals
• ✔ Expense tracking - Billable/non-billable categorization
• ✔ Client portal - Limited free client access
• ✔ Invoicing templates - Generate bills directly from tracked time
• ✔ Work scheduling - Visual team availability calendar

Limitations

• ❌ 5-client limit on free plan
• ❌ No retainer billing in free version
• ❌ Basic reporting without upgrades

Best For

• Freelancers tracking billable hours
• Creative agencies managing client projects
• Consultants needing time-to-invoice workflows

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: Unlimited tasks, 5 clients
• 💵 Starter plan: $4.95/user/month (unlimited clients)

6. Airtable – Best for Custom App Building

(Web, iOS, Android)

Why Airtable Stands Out

Airtable functions like a visual database, allowing teams to build custom solutions without coding.

Key Features

• ✔ Multiple field types - Attachments, checkboxes, dropdowns
• ✔ Linked records - Create relational databases
• ✔ Automations - Basic rules without coding
• ✔ App marketplace - 150+ pre-built extensions
• ✔ Interface designer - Custom dashboards for different roles

Limitations

• ❌ 1,000-record limit per base (free plan)
• ❌ No Gantt charts in free version
• ❌ Complex setup for non-technical users

Best For

• Product teams managing feature roadmaps
• Event planners tracking vendors/attendees
• HR teams building applicant trackers

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: 1,000 records/base
• 💵 Team plan: $20/user/month (50,000 records)

7. Jira – Best for Agile Development

(Web, iOS, Android)

Why Jira Stands Out

Built specifically for software teams, Jira offers powerful Agile tools with developer-focused integrations.

Key Features

• ✔ Scrum/Kanban boards - With sprint planning
• ✔ Bug tracking - Detailed issue logging
• ✔ DevOps integrations - GitHub, Bitbucket, Jenkins
• ✔ Velocity charts - Track team performance
• ✔ Roadmaps - High-level release planning

Limitations

• ❌ Overkill for non-tech teams
• ❌ Complex workflow setup
• ❌ No Gantt charts in free plan

Best For

• Engineering teams using Agile
• QA teams managing test cases
• Product owners tracking sprints

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: 10 users, unlimited projects
• 💵 Standard plan: $7.75/user/month (advanced permissions)

8. Hive – Best AI-Powered PM Tool

(Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android)

Why Hive Stands Out

Hive's AI project generator creates instant task lists from prompts, revolutionizing project setup.

Key Features

• ✔ AI project planning - Generate tasks from descriptions
• ✔ 6 view types - Including Gantt and portfolio
• ✔ Native messaging - Team chat within tasks
• ✔ Custom templates - Save project blueprints
• ✔ Proofing tool - Visual feedback on designs

Limitations

• ❌ 200MB storage on free plan
• ❌ Limited automation without upgrade
• ❌ Mobile app lacks some features

Best For

• Fast-moving startups
• Teams wanting AI assistance
• Creative teams reviewing assets

Pricing

• 💵 Free plan: 10 members, basic AI
• 💵 Starter plan: $5/user/month (unlimited storage).

Feature	Trello	Asana	ClickUp	Wrike	Paymo	Airtable	Jira	Hive
Free Tasks	∞	∞	∞	200	∞	1k rec.	∞	∞
Time Tracking	❌	❌	✔	❌	✔	❌	❌	❌
Gantt Charts	❌	❌	✔	✔	❌	❌	❌	✔
Integrations	100+	200+	1,000+	400+	30+	150+	3k+	1k+
Best For	Visuals	Teams	Custom	Data	Bills	Builder s	Devs	AI

Final Verdict: Which Free Project Management Tool Should You Choose?

Tool	Best For	Free Plan Limits	Upgrade Cost
Trello	Visual Tasks Management	10 Boards	$5/user/month
Asana	Team Collaboration	15 Users	$10.99/user/month
ClickUp	Custom Workflows	100MB Storage	$7/user/month
Wrike	Spreadsheet-like Tracking	200 Tasks	$10/user/month
Paymo	Freelancer& Agencies	5 clients	$3.90/user/month
Airtable	Custom Databases	10 Users	$20/user/month
Jira	Agile/Scrum Teams	1,000 records/base	$7.53/user/moth
Hive	AI-POWERED Planning	10 members	$5/user/month

Still Unsure? Try This:

• Need simplicity? → Trello or Asana.
• Want customization? → ClickUp or Airtable.
• Managing clients?→ Paymo.
• Running Agile sprints? → Jira.

Since these tools are free, test a few before committing. The best project management software is the one that fits your team’s workflow—not just the most popular option.