Managing a project is essential for teams of all sizes. The best free project management software can help you stay organized, track progress, and enhance communication—all at no cost. In 2025, many tools offer free plans with key features tailored for small teams, startups, and freelancers.
These tools simplify task assignments, deadlines, and collaboration. While some focus on visual boards, others provide comprehensive timelines or automation. The key is to select a tool that meets your specific needs, whether you require basic to-do lists or advanced project tracking.
Why Use Free Project Management Software?
Free project management software helps teams organize their tasks without any financial burden. Small businesses, startups, and freelancers often seek straightforward yet effective tools to manage tasks and deadlines. These tools enable you to plan, organize, and allocate resources efficiently.
For teams on a tight budget, these tools are an excellent way to maintain productivity. A reliable free project management app can replace cumbersome spreadsheets and chaotic email threads, consolidating everything in one place for easier management.
Cost Savings for Small Teams
Paid project management tools can be costly. The best free alternatives offer essential features without requiring a subscription. These tools allow teams to start small and evaluate their options before committing to a paid plan.
Easy Collaboration
Clear communication is crucial for remote or hybrid teams. The best free project management software facilitates task assignments, file sharing, and real-time updates, ensuring team members stay aligned and reducing confusion. This leads to fewer delays and increased efficiency.
Flexibility for Different Needs
Not every team requires advanced features. The top project management software available in paid versions can effectively handle simple projects. Some tools offer Kanban boards, while others provide Gantt charts or calendars, allowing teams to choose what best fits their workflow.
No Long-Term Commitment
Free software allows teams to explore tools without signing contracts. If a tool doesn’t meet their needs, teams can easily switch to another option. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for growing businesses assessing their project management requirements.
With the best free project management software in 2025, teams can work smarter without overspending. These tools are ideal for those who only need basic functionalities.
How We Evaluated the Best Free PM Tools
Choosing the right project management software requires careful comparison. After reviewing hundreds of tools, we identified the best free project management software available in 2025, focusing on what matters most to real users.
Core Features and Functionality
Effective project management software must include essential features for tracking tasks and coordinating teams. We prioritized platforms that support task assignments, deadlines, file sharing, and progress tracking. User-friendly interfaces also played a significant role in our evaluation.
User Limits and Scalability
Many free tools impose limits on team size or the number of projects. We favored options that accommodate a sufficient number of users and projects for smaller teams. A good project management tool should scale with your business and allow for a smooth transition to paid plans when necessary.
Collaboration Capabilities
Successful teamwork relies on strong communication features. We looked for tools that enable comments, notifications, and real-time updates. We also considered how easily external stakeholders could participate in client project management.
Integration Options
Teams often rely on external applications, such as email and calendars. The best project management software should offer integrations or an API with popular tools to prevent workflow disruptions.
Mobile and Offline Access
With many teams working remotely or on the go, we assessed whether the free tools offer mobile apps and offline functionality. The top project management software ensures teams can remain productive, no matter where they are.
By applying these criteria to each tool, we identified the best free options that deliver value. We aimed to find solutions that balance features, usability, and flexibility. The most effective project management software addresses core challenges without unnecessary complexity.
Top Free Project Management Software in 2025
Choosing the right free project management tools is crucial for teams looking to boost productivity without incurring extra costs. With countless options available, the best choice for you will depend on your team size and the complexity of your projects. Below, we review the top free project management tools of 2025, detailing their features, limitations, and ideal use cases.
Morningmate
Morningmate is a strong contender for teams seeking a free yet feature-rich project collaboration solution. It combines visual task boards, timelines (Gantt charts), file sharing, and team chat into one unified workspace—reducing the need for switching between tools.
Morningmate offers a free plan with essential project management features, making it a suitable starting point for small teams, student projects, or startups. Users can create projects, assign tasks, and collaborate through threaded comments and real-time notifications. Its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it especially accessible for non-technical users.
While the free version includes core functionality, advanced features like automation, unlimited storage, or analytics are reserved for paid plans. Teams needing scalable project control and integration with tools like Google Workspace can explore Morningmate’s upgrade options as they grow.
Best for: Small teams, creative collaborators, and beginners looking for a visually intuitive platform to manage tasks and communicate effectively.
Trello
Trello is one of the most popular free project management tools, using Kanban-style boards to visualize workflows. Each project is represented on a board with columns and cards, making it easy to move tasks through stages like “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.”
The free plan includes unlimited cards and up to 10 boards per workspace, with basic automation features (limited to one command per board). It integrates with Slack, Google Drive, and Dropbox, and offers a mobile app for on-the-go access. However, attachments are limited to 10MB per file.
Best for: Freelancers or small teams managing simple workflows.
Asana
Asana’s free plan supports up to 15 users and offers multiple task views (list, board, calendar). Users can assign tasks, set deadlines, and organize work effectively. While subtasks and basic search are included, features like timeline views, custom fields, task dependencies, and reporting are reserved for paid tiers.
Asana integrates with over 100 tools, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and GitHub. Its clean interface suits marketing teams, remote workers, and mid-sized projects, although some users report excessive notifications.
Best for: Marketing teams and growing teams that need flexible task views.
ClickUp
ClickUp offers one of the most comprehensive free plans on the market. It includes unlimited tasks and members, multiple views (list, board, calendar, Gantt), time tracking, and document collaboration—all under one platform. Teams can customize workflows and dashboards extensively.
The free version includes 100MB of storage and essential automation tools. However, the dense interface and learning curve may challenge non-technical users. Teams that enjoy deep customization and feature-rich environments will appreciate ClickUp’s capabilities.
Best for: Agile teams and startups that need all-in-one project and productivity features.
Paymo
Paymo bridges the gap between project management and time tracking, offering a free plan for solo freelancers. It includes task lists, Kanban boards, and time tracking. Users can also generate invoices and track billable hours directly from the platform.
The free plan supports one user and two active projects. While ideal for individual consultants, teams looking to scale will need to upgrade for features like client access and advanced reporting.
Best for: Freelancers managing both tasks and billable time.
Airtable
Airtable combines spreadsheet functionality with project tracking. The free plan allows unlimited bases (projects) but limits each to 1,200 records. Teams can use grid, calendar, Kanban, and gallery views for flexible content management.
Airtable is ideal for managing content calendars, events, or datasets. However, its automation is limited to 100 runs per month, and advanced customization may feel overwhelming to non-technical users.
Best for: Creative and operational teams working with structured data.
Jira
Jira’s free plan supports up to 10 users and includes essential Agile tools such as Scrum and Kanban boards, sprints, backlog grooming, and basic reporting. It also integrates with GitHub and Bitbucket, making it a strong choice for dev teams.
The platform has a steeper learning curve, especially for those unfamiliar with Agile workflows. Advanced permissions, automation, and audit logs require a paid upgrade.
Best for: Software and IT teams using Agile or Scrum methodologies.
Hive
Hive offers a collaborative workspace with multiple project views—Kanban, Gantt, calendar, and table—and includes built-in chat. Its free plan supports up to 10 users with unlimited projects.
While time tracking and advanced analytics are not included, Hive’s intuitive UI and use of templates make it easy to adopt for remote and creative teams.
Best for: Creative teams and small businesses looking for structured collaboration.
Comparison Table: Best Free PM Tools at a Glance
To help you quickly compare the top free project management software options, we’ve created an overview highlighting key features, limitations, and ideal use cases for each tool.
| Tool | Free User Limit | Views Available | Time Tracking | Automation | Storage Limit | Best For |
| Morningmate | Limited (core features only) | Board, Timeline | Not included in free plan | Paid only | Not specified | Small teams needing secure collaboration |
| Trello | Unlimited | Board | Not included | Very limited (1 command) | 10MB/file | Simple workflows and freelancers |
| Asana | 15 users | List, Board, Calendar | Not included | Paid only | Not specified | Marketing and mid-sized teams |
| ClickUp | Unlimited | List, Board, Gantt, Calendar | Included | Basic included | 100MB | Agile and feature-heavy teams |
| Paymo | 1 user | List, Board | Included | Not included | Not specified | Freelancers and consultants |
| Airtable | Unlimited | Grid, Calendar, Board, Gallery | Not included | 100 runs/month | 1,200 records/base | Data-driven creative teams |
| Jira | 10 users | Scrum, Kanban | Included | Limited | Not specified | Dev teams using Agile |
| Hive | 10 users | Board, Gantt, Table, Calendar | Not included | Not included | Not specified | Remote and creative teams |
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Needs
How to Pick the Best Project Management Tool for You? (13 words)That depends on who uses them and why. Every kind of user needs a different sort of features from project management tools. Collaboration for teams, time tracking for freelancers, simplicity for students and flexibility for personal users. Here are the best types of online project management for each group and their breakdown.
For Teams
Teams require program management tools for task assignments, setting due dates, and communicating. The best options are those that allow many people to work together without confusion.
ClickUp is great for teams because it has tasks, docs, and goals together in one. It supports different views like lists and Gantt charts. Teams can track progress and share files easily.
Asana is another good choice for teams. Users can comment on the work, assign it to other team members and set a due date. You can use a calendar view to schedule your availability and integrate other apps.
Wrike is best for teams that handle many projects at once. The dashboard offers you a project management tool that gives you a high-level overview of all tasks. Team members can review which fellow team members is doing what and when (also when not).
For Freelancers
Freelancers require personal project management tools that log time, invoices and client jobs. The tools should be simple but able to handle several jobs.
Paymo is built for freelancers. It combines task lists with time tracking and invoicing. Users are able to record hours and bill clients without having to switch apps.
Freelancers who like to work visually will like using Trello. You can easily monitor your various projects with its boards and cards. Freelancers can shift tasks from “To Do” to “Done” and attach files if needed.
Notion can be a great freemium option for a freelancer who wants to keep notes, tasks, & databases in one place. The application is designed as a digital workspace where users can plan projects, save ideas, and track them throughout the project.
For Students
Free, user friendly personal project planning software is required by student community. Group projects, assignments, and study plans should be easy to handle.
Thanks to boards, timelines and chat in just one app, Morningmate is great for students. Group members can view tasks, deadlines and updates without confusion.
Trello is another student-friendly tool. Its simple drag-and-drop system helps organize schoolwork. Students can create boards for subject or group projects.
Asana works for students managing multiple deadlines. Through calendar view see when your assignments are due. Also task lists keep tasks organized. Students can share projects with classmates for group work.
For Personal Use
People need commercial project management tools that provide a high-level overview of their personal goals, home projects, or daily tasks. The best tools are simple and customizable.
Trello is perfect for personal use. Any kind of planning you want to do, it will help. Users can add checklists, due dates and attachments to keep on track.
Notion works well for personal projects. It serves as a digital notebook that lets users create to-do lists, store links, monitor habits, and more. Most personal needs are fulfilled by the free version.
Users can use ClickUp for personal projects if they prefer more detailed setup. The goals and docs features are great for planning long-term projects like learning a skill or planning a trip. The free version has plenty of tools for one person.
What Features to Look for in a Project Management Tool.
Choosing best free project management software means understanding which features are most important. A good tool should help manage work, improve collaboration and track progress. The best options balance ease of use and powerful features. When you are evaluating a PM software for your business, below are the key considerations.
Task & Resource Management.
The best management software handles the tasks and resources effectively to achieve its main goal. Search for tools that enable an easy way to create, assign, and prioritize tasks. Setting deadlines and reminders help to keep everything in line.
Effective task management suggests breaking down big projects into small steps. The top project management app must have subtasks and checklists. This helps teams track progress without missing details. Some tools have dependencies, where a task must finish before another starts.
Resource management is equally important. The best pmo software should show who is doing what and when. Overloaded team members create delays and work openness balancing function to prevent burn outs. Time tracking tools allow you to see how long things take to better plan in the future.
Collaboration & Communication
For smooth teamwork, collaboration features are extremely important. The best free project management software allows comments, file sharing and real-time updates. Therefore, everyone is on the same page without needing to switch from the app.
Built-in chat or discussion threads reduce email clutter. Certain tools feature @mentions to keep particular team members in the loop. Having a version history for files avoids confusion when multiple people edit documents.
For remote teams, video call integrations can be helpful. The best project management software integrates with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and others. That makes meetings and quick check-ins easier without leaving the project workspace.
Integration & Customization
No tool works alone, so integration options matter. Software that connects with other apps your nonprofit is already using is best. Email, calendar, cloud storage, slack, and other similar tools are common integrations.
It is essential to make the tool fit your workflow. The best PMO software allows you to create custom fields, tags, or statuses. Some tools feature customizable dashboards displaying the data most relevant to each user.
Automation saves time on repetitive tasks. Seek software that automatically assigns tasks, sends out reminders, or transfers work from stage to stage. Productivity can be improved a lot with even basic automation in a free project management app.
Reporting & Tracking
You can’t understand progress without good reporting A good project management software free must give a clear insight into the status. Someone with base permission might only see completed and overdue tasks and time spent on the project.
Tools like Gantt charts or burn-down graphs help managers visualize timelines at a glance. The best project management software allows for exporting reports for presentations to stakeholders. Some tools even guess the deal date on current pace.
Performance tracking helps improve future projects. Search for software that monitors metrics, such as task completion rates or team productivity. Those which are the best management software converts the data into diagrams.
Making the Right Choice
The best free project management app depends on the features your team needs most. Small teams might prioritize simplicity and collaboration. Greater groups often require advanced reporting and resource management.
Free tools are limited, although most of them cater to basic needs. Look for software that fits your workflow, and not the one that makes you adapt to it. Experimenting with a few different things is the best way to see what works.
This is interesting! You should try either Asana or Wrike. The best tools not only make work orderly but also simplify it and make it effortless for everyone.
Limitations of Free Tools and When to Upgrade
Although the best free project management software help teams get started with no cost, they may impose limitations. When to switch to the paid plans is made easy. Here are the common problems you might face with the free versions and what are the signs you need more features.
User and Project Caps
Many free tools restrict the number of users who can join or the number of projects you can create. Some restrict a maximum of 10 team members or 3 active projects. These frustrating caps occur when your team expands, or you run other work. If you always need to delete an old project to make room for a new one, then it’s time to upgrade.
Missing Advanced Features
Many free plans are missing key features like Gantt charts, time tracking, or advanced reporting. Each of the free versions is too simplistic for teams that need to monitor budgets, analyze productivity, or track billable hours. When the amount of time taken by the manual workaround exceeds the time saved, paid features are worth paying.
Storage and File Limits
Many free tools restrict how much you can upload. It is hard to share document design due to small file limits like 10 MB per attachment. Teams working with large files or many images quickly hit these limits. When you run out of space quite often, it is a good idea to upgrade.
Limited Support Options
Users who don’t pay usually get just basic help like forums and documentation. When urgent problems arise, slow responses delay work. Organizations that need quick solutions for technical problems can benefit from paid support such as live chat or phone assistance.
When to Upgrade
Upgrade when free limits slow your team down. Paid plans can help you if you fall behind deadlines due to tool limits, spend hours tracking manually, or struggle to collaborate. Depending on the circumstances, it’s the right time to pay for premium features. Paid tools can be an excellent investment as they help you save more money when they prevent wasting time or missing out on opportunities.
Although free tools are perfect for straightforward requirements, scalability becomes a demand for teams. By keeping an eye on these signs, you can upgrade at a perfect time with no hassle to work. Upper-tier paid plans enhance feature set for additional convenience while removing limits.
FAQs About Free Project Management Software.
What is the easiest PM software to use?
Morningmate is one of the easiest free project management platforms to get started with, thanks to its intuitive design and visual timeline-based workspace. It uses a clean, drag-and-drop interface that makes organizing tasks feel natural—even for users with no prior experience. Team communication, file sharing, and progress tracking are built into the same view, so you don’t need to switch between apps. It’s especially suitable for teams that want simplicity without sacrificing structure.
Are there free tools with Gantt charts or time tracking?
Yes—Morningmate offers free access to core timeline and task management features, making it ideal for teams that need visual planning tools without a high learning curve. While its advanced Gantt charts and time-tracking capabilities are part of the paid plans, the free version still allows you to view tasks on a timeline and manage projects efficiently. For teams just getting started with structured workflows, Morningmate’s visual approach provides a strong foundation.
