# 10 Best Free Project Management Software 2026 | Capterra > Learn about and compare the 10 best free Project Management software in 2026. Understand the pros and cons and cost of each tool to narrow your choices. Source: https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/s/free --- # Best Free Project Management Software in 2025 Last updated on September 15, 2025 Written by [Olivia Montgomery, PMP](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/omontgomery/) Writer Edited by [Mehar Luthra](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mehar-luthra/) Editor Small teams or businesses working with a tight budget and few resources often struggle to keep track of project tasks and deadlines. Free project management software helps project managers (PMs) digitize and streamline project planning without added costs. Available as either forever free or with free trial versions, these solutions offer basic tools to manage and execute projects effectively.  To help you find the right free project management software with either a free plan or free trial, we analyzed 35,372 verified user reviews and over 1,200 products to identify the most important features, benefits, and limitations of free solutions.[\[1\]](#footnotes) ## 10 best free or free trial project management software [ monday.com ](#c7f00a1b-c5c0-4be8-8c9b-a6d200b37696) Highly rated for Project Planning/Scheduling 4.6 (5720) [ Jira ](#21baee7f-1996-4d76-9942-a6d200b4bc5b) Highly rated for Commenting/Notes 4.4 (15309) [ Zoho Projects ](#40b7a6c0-fbfb-4243-bb5c-a6d200b7a22f) Highly rated for Prioritization 4.5 (855) [ Asana ](#e3d6d43b-3d5e-4498-9672-a6d200b2bfa3) Highly rated for Task Management 4.5 (13544) [ Wrike ](#dd850fc3-3264-45b5-bd6e-a6d200b7915e) Highly rated for Functionality 4.4 (2883) [ Nifty ](#6f5bf50a-7c74-459f-b631-a881007237c4) Highly rated for Value for Money 4.6 (440) [ Miro ](#3c3fe58b-8e41-4462-81ee-aa62006b5e07) Highly rated for Multiple Projects 4.7 (1680) [ ClickUp ](#caf33a5b-ccd6-4653-9900-a705005458b7) Highly rated for Customer Support 4.6 (4558) [ Notion ](#e7b8f7ee-43d5-409a-90e8-a6d200b7e1c5) Highest rated 4.7 (2702) [ Trello ](#5a30a122-8a98-4b5d-89bc-a6d200b72eb5) Highly rated for Ease of Use 4.5 (23483) [Explore our full Project Management solutions](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) ## How we picked the software on this list All the tools listed below are featured in the 2024 [Capterra Shortlist for Project Management](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/shortlist/). To qualify, each tool offers either a forever free plan or free trial, has at least 20 user reviews in the past two years as of December 2024, and an overall rating of 4/5 and above. Preference is given to products that are always free over those simply offering a free trial. Our analysis of thousands of user reviews highlights key insights about user experiences with these platforms, offering valuable feedback on functionality, ease of use, customer support, and value for money. * * * [### Notion](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/) [4.7 (2702)](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/reviews/) Highest rated Highest rated [View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/) Starting Price: $12.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 446 reviews User rating: SC 76% of reviewers rated it 5 stars Based on our analysis of the most popular free project management tools, Notion is overall the highest-rated. Notion lets you connect your tasks, notes, and wikis within one unified portal. Users appreciate its customizable interface and real-time collaboration capabilities, organizational tools, and page creation features. Features Features reviewers most value **To-do list** Reviewers value Notion's to-do list capabilities, giving the feature a 4.8 out of 5 rating. They find adding, checking off, and rearranging tasks easy. In addition, users highlight the ability to convert lists into calendar views and value the customizable templates. They also commend the drag-and-drop functionality and the option to link to-dos to larger projects. However, some users mention that while it is versatile, simpler to-do list apps might be preferable for basic needs. **Knowledge base management** Reviewers give this feature a 4.7 out of 5 rating and highlight Notion's knowledge base management capabilities as valuable for organizing and storing information. They like the ability to create hierarchical databases, integrate various media types, and link related content. Users also find it useful for company handbooks, project documentation, and making personal notes. They mention the ease of collaboration, powerful search functionality and note the integration with Google Drive and the availability of templates as additional benefits. **Task editing** Users say that Notion's task editing capabilities enhance productivity and give the feature a rating of 4.5 out of 5. They value the real-time updates, easy adjustments to due dates, and the ability to add notes and comments. Users appreciate the drag-and-drop functionality for rearranging tasks and the improved collaboration it enables. They find the customization options particularly useful for categorizing and tagging tasks. However, some users mention occasional issues with saving edits and the spellcheck functionality. Pros & Cons Marco C. Legal Services, 51-200 employees Used the software for: Less than 6 months "It is an excellent application for achieving optimal collaborative work in large teams on complete cases, as it allows you to customize notes for a better visual and informational flow." Jiahao H. Information Technology and Services, 201-500 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "Creating and formatting documents is intuitive and efficient, and features like tables, databases, and strong search capabilities help keep information well organized and accessible." SP Stephanie P. E-Learning, Self-employed Used the software for: 2+ years "I have found the addition of AI to the app to be kind of annoying, especially when a note-taking banner would automatically pop up every time I started a Zoom call or even made a call via Google Voice in my browser." RV Rakhi V. Information Technology and Services, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "Finally, maintaining a clean system requires discipline: without consistent templates and naming, it’s easy for information to become scattered across pages and databases, making things harder to find over time." Pricing The Free plan is recommended for individuals, offering a collaborative workspace for up to ten guests, basic analytics, and easy-to-implement integrations. The Plus plan starts at $10 per seat, per month, billed annually, meeting the needs of small teams, while the Business plan starts at $15 per seat, per month, which is best for growing teams; these plans allow for 100 and 250 guests, respectively. [Learn more about Notion pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Google Drive** is a file-hosting service that, when integrated with Notion, facilitates collaboration while allowing users to access all their documents in one place. - **Slack** is a team communication platform that integrates with Notion so that users can send messages, receive Notion notifications in Slack, and more easily share links.  - **Trello** is a project management tool that, when integrated, allows users to easily sync Trello cards in Notion by sharing links. [Learn more about Notion](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/) * * * [4.6 (440)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172519/Nifty/reviews/) Highly rated for Value for Money Highly rated for Value for Money Starting Price: $7.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 137 reviews User rating: RS 73% of reviewers rated it 5 stars Among the most popular free project management tools on Capterra, Nifty is the highest-rated for value for money. This complete project management app allows users to align projects, people, and functions. Users report that Nifty offers excellent project management features, and is user-friendly as well as comprehensive. The platform’s project design capabilities and excellent customer support are also appreciated. Features Features reviewers most value **Multiple projects** Users value Nifty's multiple projects capability, giving the feature a 4.8 out of 5 rating. They report that Nifty allows them to manage numerous projects, providing a centralized hub for organization. Users say that the platform’s customizability and ability to move tasks between projects enhances efficiency. They find tracking various projects and client timelines helpful and value the clear separation and easy navigation between projects. In addition, they say Nifty's system for handling portfolios and tasks within projects is particularly useful for organization purposes. **Task management** Reviewers highlight Nifty's task management capabilities, rating this feature 4.6 out of 5. They appreciate the ability to create, assign, and prioritize tasks. Users also report that the intuitive interface and customizable options make tracking progress and collaborating with team members straightforward. They find the Kanban boards, task dependencies, and various views (like lists and swimlanes) particularly valuable. They also mention integrations with tools like Asana and Trello and highlight features like time tracking and Gantt charts to streamline workflows. **Planning/scheduling** Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.6 out of 5 and say Nifty's project planning/scheduling tools are intuitive and user-friendly. They find creating project timelines, setting deadlines, and allocating resources efficient and easy. Users also report that the Gantt chart feature provides a clear visual representation of project timelines, aiding in better planning and coordination. In addition, they find the integration with Google Calendar and the ability to set milestones and deadlines helpful. Overall, users feel that the platform's interface and planning tools enhance their ability to manage and track project progress. Pros & Cons RC Robert C. Real Estate, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "We still use other tools, but Nifty is where we organize tasks, track progress, share files around specific projects, and keep team communication focused. Once we got past the initial setup and learning curve, it actually reduced confusion and made it easier for everyone to know what they should be working on." SW Stacey W. Public Relations and Communications, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "The best thing about the software is that I can create complex project management projects with it and share the projects with clients." RC Robert C. Real Estate, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "My biggest early frustration was with Nifty Docs, which felt basic compared to the rest of the platform and lacked version control and document locking, so I chose not to use them much." RS Rachel S. Non-Profit Organization Management, 201-500 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "The learning curve, particularly for less tech savvy employees, has been quite high, and at times prohibitive for adoption." Pricing The Free plan is intended for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) to get started but is limited in the number of projects (two maximum) and storage (100MB), and does not offer any advanced features like workflow automations and budget tracking tools. SMBs that outgrow the Free plan can upgrade to the Starter plan at $39 per month (billed annually) for access to time-tracking and reporting, workflow automations, and support for up to 10 team members. The higher-tier Pro plan costs $79 per month and adds up to 20 team members, up to 500GB of storage space, and cross-project overviews. [Learn more about Nifty pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/172519/Nifty/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Google Drive** is a file-hosting service that, when integrated with Nifty, allows users to create Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations directly in Nifty.  - **Slack** is a team communication platform that integrates with Nifty to mirror messages and link Slack and Nifty workflows. - **Trello** is a project management tool that, when integrated with Nifty, allows users to create Nifty projects based on Trello boards’ project data. [Learn more about Nifty](https://www.capterra.com/p/172519/Nifty/) * * * [### Trello](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/) [4.5 (23483)](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/reviews/) Highly rated for Ease of Use Highly rated for Ease of Use [View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/) Starting Price: $5.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 815 reviews User rating: 62% of reviewers rated it 5 stars Based on our analysis of the most popular free project management tools, Trello has the highest rating for ease of use. It’s a task management software that allows for cross-team collaboration, making this process more efficient and transparent. SMBs also benefit from Trello’s team collaboration, project management, and task card management features. In addition, users report how easy Trello is to use while being intuitive. Features Features reviewers most value **Real-time updates** Reviewers value Trello's real-time updates capability and rate this feature 4.7 out of 5. They say it keeps everyone on the same page and reduces miscommunication. Users also report that updates sync across all devices, which is helpful for those switching between devices. They find it valuable for tracking project progress and to quickly pass on info about changes. Some users mention occasional delays with new users or mobile connections, but, overall, they feel it’s a timesaver and essential for team synchronization. **Idea management** Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.7 out of 5 and highlight Trello's idea management capability as an effective way to collaborate on ideas. They appreciate the ability to stack cards, comment, and track conversation history. Users report that it helps organize brain dumps, prioritize thoughts, and add due dates. In addition, they find it valuable for sharing and deliberating on ideas in a central location and say it supports innovation and is perfect for jotting down and sharing ideas for discussions. **Drag-and-drop** Users find Trello's drag-and-drop capability convenient and user-friendly, giving it a rating of 4.7 out of 5. They report that it simplifies task management by allowing easy movement of tasks between boards. Reviewers also say it makes the app more intuitive and improves the user experience. They say the drag-and-drop feature saves time, enhances navigation, and makes for an intuitive experience. Pros & Cons Tom L. Information Technology and Services, 11-50 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "Useful collaboration tool for the marketing team to manage our content and comms calendar - the calendar power up in particular is easy to manage within the team, and share across the wider business to give visibility on our activity" Willy H. Insurance, 1,001-5,000 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "It's my go-to tool for things like personal to-do lists, planning a quick social media calendar, or handling small projects with a defined beginning and end." LA Lalitha A. Hospital & Health Care, 51-200 employees Used the software for: Less than 6 months "Also, the free version has some frustrating limitations around attachment sizes and automation features. If you want calendar views or more advanced automations, you have to jump to a paid plan pretty quickly." RV Ravi V. Construction, 1,001-5,000 employees Used the software for: 6-12 months "Trello has its limits and not a good fit for the big projects. when you generate performance reports for the project , it doesnt go much in details also automations are not advanced if you're not paying for premium." Pricing For SMBs with up to ten collaborators, the Free plan offers unlimited cards, unlimited storage, and up to 10 boards per workspace. As teams scale, the Standard plan is $5 per user, per month (when billed annually). This plan adds custom fields, advanced checklists, unlimited boards, and more. The Premium plan (for $10 per user, per month) comes with table and calendar views, Atlassian Intelligence (Trello’s proprietary AI tool), and admin and security features. [Learn more about Trello pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Slack** is a team communication platform that, when linked to Trello, enhances productivity and improves communication.  - **Dropbox Business** is a storage service that allows users to share files, and, when used with Trello, enables users to add Dropbox file links in Trello cards or attach files directly to cards.  - **Salesforce** **Sales** **Cloud** is a customer relationship management (CRM) platform that users can use with Trello to add information on leads, contacts, cases, and opportunities to cards. [Learn more about Trello](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/) * * * [### ClickUp](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/) [4.6 (4558)](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/reviews/) Highly rated for Customer Support Highly rated for Customer Support [View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/) Starting Price: $10.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 629 reviews User rating: JF 69% of reviewers rated it 5 stars Based on our analysis of the most popular free project management software, ClickUp is the highest rated for customer support. This productivity platform helps eliminate work silos, as it brings teams together. Moreover, users appreciate how responsive the customer service team is; ClickUp support is available 24/7 to all users, free of charge. Features Features reviewers most value **Project management** Reviewers value ClickUp's versatile and customizable project management capabilities and rate this feature 4.6 out of 5. They highlight the ability to create tasks and assign them to team members with due dates. Users report the usefulness of various views like dashboards, Gantt charts, and calendars for tracking progress. In addition, they find the integrations with tools like Discord, Jira, and GitHub beneficial. Reviewers also value the detailed reports and notifications that keep everyone on the same page, making it easier to manage resources and assignments. **File sharing** Users find ClickUp's file-sharing capabilities very useful for team collaboration; they give this feature a rating of 4.6 out of 5. They say that sharing large files is simple, including third-party files like Excel. Moreover, reviewers say that file sharing via links and the ability to upload files directly to tasks streamline their workflow. They also mention that keeping files and assets in one place enhances accessibility and productivity. Some users, however, feel that the feature could be simpler and more intuitive for new users. **Project tracking** Reviewers give this feature a 4.5 out of 5 rating. They highlight ClickUp's project tracking capabilities as valuable for meeting deadlines and increasing transparency. They value tracking time spent on tasks, viewing detailed progress reports, and using intuitive dashboards. They also mention that documenting project status and roadblocks is easy, which improves team communication. However, some users note that the Gantt chart functionality requires a paid sign-up, which can be frustrating. Pros & Cons AH Arielle H. Accounting, Self-employed Used the software for: 6-12 months "Having separate workspaces for different departments aka "hats" (even as a solopreneur) is instrumental in keeping things running smoothly- such as an area for Marketing Planning (as well as tracking campaigns and promotions), Operations planning, Networking tracking, Referral partners, memberships, and even a lead tracking pipeline." EJ Emily J. Leisure, Travel & Tourism, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "The calendar is an essential tool in planning the schedule of our booking with the maintenance issues, which makes sure that we do not book the same property twice when they are under repairs, which is very important to us." MH MaryHelen H. Education Management, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 6-12 months "I dislike the chrome extension which was a big feature of getting us into the app,the "send to clickup" chrom extensoin that works with gmail doesnt really work well on my computer." KM Katsia M. Information Technology and Services, 11-50 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "I also wish that the proofing add on would allow me to do frame by frame review, as right now, it’s not detailed enough for the video team." Pricing The Free Forever plan supports unlimited tasks and members, comes with 24/7 customer support, and features in-app video recording and whiteboards, among others. The Unlimited plan, which costs $7 per user, per month (billed annually), is best for small teams that want additional features like email in ClickUp, time tracking, agile reporting, and more. The higher-tier Business plan (at $12 per user, per month), adds Google single sign-on (SSO), unlimited teams and whiteboards, workload management, advanced time estimates, and more. [Learn more about ClickUp pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Google Drive** is a file-hosting service that integrates with ClickUp so users can link files to tasks in ClickUp quickly and efficiently. - **Slack** is a team communication platform that pairs with ClickUp to allow users to manage projects and tasks in Slack for more effective project management.  - **Trello** is a project management tool that, when integrated with ClickUp, helps streamline task creation, workflows, and team communication. [Learn more about ClickUp](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/) * * * [4.4 (2883)](https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/reviews/) Highly rated for Functionality Highly rated for Functionality Starting Price: $10.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 440 reviews User rating: LS 52% of reviewers rated it 5 stars In our analysis of the most popular free project management software, Wrike is the highest rated for functionality. Wrike is a workflow management tool that helps users prioritize tasks and enhance collaboration. This product’s start-to-finish project management capabilities allow users to create, assign, and track tasks efficiently on one centralized platform. Features Features reviewers most value **Task management** Users value Wrike's task management capabilities, rating the feature 4.5 out of 5. They highlight the ability to create, assign, edit, and monitor tasks, including subtasks, which enhances collaboration and tracking. Users report that the customizable views and dashboards help manage workload and deadlines. In addition, they find the integration with other tools and the ability to share tasks with external collaborators valuable. Reviewers also mention the ease of tracking task progress and setting priorities and dependencies, which helps manage multiple projects efficiently. **Online time tracking** Reviewers give this feature a 4.5 out of 5 rating and report that Wrike's online time-tracking feature is valuable for monitoring project progress and accurately billing clients. They say it helps track time spent on tasks and projects, providing detailed insights into resource allocation. Reviewers find it helpful in planning and estimating workloads, and say it aids in keeping track of billable hours and improving team efficiency. They also mention some glitches and interface size issues but appreciate the overall functionality.  **Task scheduling** Reviewers say that Wrike's task scheduling capabilities help them plan and organize tasks effectively; they rate this feature 4.4 out of 5. They value the Gantt chart view for tracking milestones and deadlines. In addition, users report the ease of scheduling tasks, including setting recurring tasks and dependencies. They find the ability to set reminders and notifications helpful for meeting deadlines. Reviewers also highlight the flexibility and automation options, though some desire additional features for further automation. Pros & Cons Victoria S. Market Research, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "It has all the necessary tools to successfully manage our projects by gathering all the communication in one place and logging the time spent on a project." RR Rafia R. Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "Wrike provides a more structured way to manage projects, which helps when coordinating multiple tasks and deadlines across the team." SS Suzanne S. Computer Software, 1,001-5,000 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "There's no sort of filter option on the automations (besides date and owner), making it difficult to find a specific one - no name filter and I have to open the automation to see the entire title." SH Suhail H. Apparel & Fashion, 5,001-10,000 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "A stream of notifications can clutter the interface, making it more difficult to concentrate on an urgent QA at peak activity production cycles." Pricing Wrike offers plans for every team, beginning with the Free plan, which is best for teams just starting. This plan focuses on intelligent task management and comes with board views, project and task management, and more. For businesses with up to 15 team members, the Team plan is better-suited. This plan adds unlimited projects, tasks and sub-tasks, one dashboard per account, generative AI, and up to 50 automation actions per user, per month. The Business plan, for $24.80 per user, per month, supports up to 200 users and adds unlimited dashboards, real-time reports, use case templates, and more. [Learn more about Wrike pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Slack** is a communication platform that integrates with Wrike to boost productivity, as users can receive notifications and create project tasks in Slack. - **Basecamp** is project management software that, when paired with Wrike, allows users to sync tasks between the two software products.  - **Gmail** is a web-based email service that, when integrated with Wrike, enables users to turn an email into a Wrike task, add emails as comments, etc. [Learn more about Wrike](https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/) * * * [4.5 (13544)](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/reviews/) Highly rated for Task Management Highly rated for Task Management Starting Price: $10.99 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 1050 reviews User rating: km 59% of reviewers rated it 5 stars Based on our analysis of the top free project management solutions for SMBs, Asana is most requested by users looking for task management. Users can leverage Asana to organize tasks in a shared hub to boost productivity and collaboration, organize and view work progress through calendar, timeline, Kanban, and Gantt views, and track time spent on various activities. Features Features reviewers most value **Real-time updates** Reviewers appreciate Asana's real-time updates capability, giving this feature a rating of 4.6 out of 5. They find it valuable to inform all team members about project progress quickly and report that updates are visible, supporting agile project management and transparency. They say notifications can be set up for task assignments, comments, and edits, which helps teams stay up-to-date. Reviewers also say this aspect is essential for collaboration, as it allows everyone to see completed tasks and changes without needing to ask for updates. **Activity tracking** Users give this feature a rating of 4.6 out of 5 and highlight Asana's activity tracking as useful for monitoring task progress and team productivity. They report that it helps keep projects on track by providing detailed information on task completion rates and deadlines. Users value the ability to generate reports and visualize work through various views like list, board, and timeline. They find it helpful for maintaining accountability and transparency, especially for remote teams. However, some users mention that it could be improved by alerting team members about others' task completions. **Task tagging** Reviewers find Asana's task tagging helpful for organizing and managing tasks within projects, and rate this feature 4.6 out of 5. They report that it aids in assigning tasks, notifying team members, and helping everyone stay on the same page. Users appreciate the ability to tag important people and categorize tasks by function, which improves delegation and reduces confusion. They share that this aspect is essential for effective communication and responsibility assignment. However, some users wish to be able to assign more than one person to a task. Pros & Cons RG Reyes G. Wholesale, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "It has an intuitive dashboard with great reporting capabilities so we are able to track workloads and spot bottlenecks in real-time." Veronika T. Commercial Real Estate, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "It helped me bring structure and clarity to managing my beauty coworking space, especially with part-time staff. Once everything was set up, it became a reliable system for keeping tasks organized and the team aligned." TB Tracie B. Non-Profit Organization Management, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 6-12 months "it is next to impossible to set up your projects and tasks on your dashboard in order of priority so many tasks from different projects show up and not in a specific priority order." TK Tatsiana K. Computer Software, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "It tracks the time so that the billing at the end of each month will not become an absolute nightmare when I am tired." Pricing Asana’s free plan is intended for individuals or small teams (up to 10 members) who want to manage tasks and projects more effectively. Once your team grows to more than 10 members, the Starter plan is a viable option at $10.99 per user, per month when billed annually. This plan allows SMBs to collaborate with up to 500 people and comes with a workflow builder, up to 250 automations per month, an admin console, and custom project templates. The higher-tier Advanced plan costs $24.99 per user, per month, and adds 25,000 automations per month, advanced reporting, and up to 100 portfolios. [Learn more about Asana pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Google Sheets** allows users to create online spreadsheets, and, when combined with Asana, allows users to create custom reports to make data-driven decisions about ongoing projects.  - **Canva** is a graphic design tool that allows users to embed designs in Asana projects.  - **Tableau** is a business intelligence and analytics software that, when integrated with Asana, allows users to pull data from all tasks in a portfolio or team to enhance project management. [Learn more about Asana](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/) * * * [4.6 (5720)](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/reviews/) Highly rated for Project Planning/Scheduling Highly rated for Project Planning/Scheduling Starting Price: $9.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 1047 reviews User rating: MH 65% of reviewers rated it 5 stars monday.com streamlines workflows to enhance visibility across teams and is the most requested by users looking for project planning/scheduling out of the most popular tools. Verified users commend the platform’s exceptional task management features, including task assignment, scheduling, and prioritization. Features Features reviewers most value **Project tracking** Reviewers value monday.com's project tracking capabilities and give the feature a rating of 4.7 out of 5. They find regular email updates and home page reminders helpful for staying on top of projects. Users also report that the interface is clear and allows for easy monitoring of multiple projects. In addition, they say it helps them understand the status of tasks and identify where team members might need assistance. However, some reviewers mention that tracking can become complicated if not set up correctly. **Task management** Reviewers highlight monday.com's task management capabilities, rating the feature 4.5 out of 5. They say it allows for comprehensive visibility of tasks, deadlines, and progress. Users report that the integration with Gmail and Slack also enhances team collaboration. They appreciate the ability to set priorities, create notifications, and use color-coded labels for organization. Moreover, they find it adaptable to various industries and team needs, although some note that it might be more than necessary for simple task lists. **Project planning/scheduling** Users value monday.com's project planning/scheduling capabilities and give the feature a 4.5 out of 5 rating. They say it helps structure projects, set goals, and track progress. Users report that breaking down projects into smaller tasks and using templates is beneficial. They value the real-time collaboration features and the ability to visualize project timelines. However, some users feel that the dependency tracking could be improved for better efficiency. Pros & Cons JC Jack C. Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 6-12 months "Monday.com is excellent for teams that need flexible workflows, visual project management, and strong collaboration within larger organizations willing to invest in scalable tools with automation and integration capabilities, has such much of my experience comes from working with it with our clients." JC Jack C. Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 6-12 months "It offers highly customizable boards, workflows, and multiple viewing options (Kanban, Timeline, Gantt or Calendar) with built-in automation that lets you reduce repetitive tasks and streamline workflows." AM Aqiral M. Civil Engineering, 51-200 employees Used the software for: Less than 6 months "Also, the pricing structure becomes expensive if you need many seats or advanced features, and some important functions (like time tracking or certain automation) are only available in higher-paid plans — which may limit value for small teams or solo users." MH Michael H. Information Technology and Services, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "Honestly, I dislike very little. But the two things would be notifications (tend to be overwhelming in quantity and hard to curate properly) and search (I'm not always able to search as targetted as I'd like to be able to)." Pricing The Forever Free plan is available for two seats and up to three boards. When an SMB’s requirements grow beyond the limitations of the Free plan, the Basic plan costs $9 per seat, per month (billed annually) and comes with unlimited free viewers, priority custom support, and up to 5GB of file storage. The higher-tier Standard plan costs $12 per seat, per month, and adds calendar, timeline, and Gantt views, up to 250 automations per month, and a dashboard that combines up to five boards. [Learn more about monday.com pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Slack** is a communication platform that, when synced with monday.com, allows teams to enhance project communication and collaboration.  - **Trello** is a project management tool that helps teams enhance project management when paired with monday.com. When a task card is added to Trello, it automatically gets added to monday.com tasks.  - **Microsoft Exce**l is a spreadsheet software that, when integrated with monday.com, allows users to import and export data to and from monday.com, enhancing project management capabilities. [Learn more about monday.com](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/) * * * [### Miro](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/) [4.7 (1680)](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/reviews/) Highly rated for Multiple Projects Highly rated for Multiple Projects [View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/) Starting Price: $10.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Collaboration Tools Based on 128 reviews User rating: OR 73% of reviewers rated it 5 stars Based on our analysis of the most popular free project management tools, Miro is most requested by users looking to handle multiple projects. Users report that this software is beneficial when working on several projects, even across multiple teams. In addition, users appreciate Miro’s team collaboration, idea brainstorming, and board management options. Features Features reviewers most value **Ideation** Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.6 out of 5 and value Miro's ideation capabilities, ease of use, and extensive template options. They find the digital whiteboard and sticky notes helpful for brainstorming and organizing thoughts. Users also report that the real-time collaboration enhances productivity and creativity. They say Miro's flexibility allows for dynamic idea management and visualization, and highlight the ability to capture and share ideas, making ideation sessions more efficient and engaging. They also mention the endless digital canvas as a valuable aspect of continuous idea development. **Collaboration tools** Users give this feature a 4.6 out of 5 rating and report that Miro's collaboration tools are excellent for real-time teamwork, enabling multiple users to contribute simultaneously. Reviewers say that the shared workspace and notifications improve communication and project management. They find that integrating tools like Google Drive and Jira enhances the collaboration experience. Moreover, they say Miro's interface is user-friendly, making it easy for teams to adapt and work together. They highlight the ability to comment, share, and edit in real time as particularly valuable for remote teams. **Diagramming** Reviewers highlight Miro's diagramming capabilities for their wide range of icons, templates, and ease of use, and rate this feature 4.6 out of 5. They find the tool intuitive for creating flowcharts, process diagrams, and user journeys. Users report that the diagramming tools are flexible and allow for customization, and say the ability to collaborate on diagrams in real time is beneficial. They appreciate the integration capabilities with other tools and the infinite canvas for extensive diagramming needs. Finally, they also mention the quality-of-life features that simplify the diagramming process. Pros & Cons OR Orest R. Chemicals, 11-50 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "It does have it’s disadvantages, such as the limit on dashboards and the small number of free templates, but it also has many advantages that make virtual teamwork easier and faster. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes a very useful and even fun tool!" SB Sakshi B. Oil & Energy, 10,001+ employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "Miro supports collaboration with colleagues easily as it allows multiple users to work on the same board at the same time as all the changes are synced in real time in the cloud" MB Matt B. Non-Profit Organization Management, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "The main downsides are that structured diagrams don’t export in a useful hierarchy, overlapping items can be painful to work with because of the layers, and it would be better if you could add more detail to items without cluttering the board." Nicole G. Insurance, Self-employed Used the software for: Less than 6 months "It could get laggy with lots of users on the file, sometimes we would have trouble locating specific parts of the project because there were too many details in one screen." Pricing The Free plan allows teams to discover Miro's core features and supports unlimited team members. It comes with up to three editable boards and features that enhance project management. To unlock unlimited and private boards and essential features, like custom templates and Miro AI capabilities, users can upgrade to the Starter plan for $10 per user, per month when billed monthly or $8 per user, per month when billed annually. [Learn more about Miro pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Google Drive** is a file-hosting service that, when integrated with Miro, allows users to organize, upload, and edit Google Docs in Miro, eliminating the need to switch between the two platforms.  - **Slack** is a communication platform that pairs with Miro to turn conversations and ideas from Slack into Miro boards.  - **Trello** is a teamwork project management tool that can enhance productivity, as Miro boards can be attached to Trello cards, enhancing visual collaboration. [Learn more about Miro](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/) * * * [4.4 (15309)](https://www.capterra.com/p/19319/JIRA/reviews/) Highly rated for Commenting/Notes Highly rated for Commenting/Notes Starting Price: $7.91 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 1196 reviews User rating: RW 55% of reviewers rated it 5 stars In our analysis of the best free project management software options, Jira was most requested by users looking for commenting/notes features. Jira is considered a top project management tool that is easy to use, functional, and customizable. Users can create issues, project, release notes, capture ideas, attach files, and collaborate easily. Features Features reviewers most value **Agile methodologies** Reviewers value Jira's support for Agile methodologies and give this feature a 4.7 out of 5 rating. They highlight capabilities like Scrum and Kanban boards, sprint planning, backlog management, and burndown charts. Users report that these tools promote transparency, collaboration, and effective task prioritization. In addition, they find Jira valuable for managing iterative work, continuous feedback, and dynamic prioritization. They also mention that Jira's Agile boards and visualization options help teams stay organized and on track with their sprints and overall project progress. **Issue tracking** Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.7 out of 5, saying that Jira's issue-tracking capabilities are robust and clear. They value the ability to create, assign, and prioritize issues easily, making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Users also report that Jira helps track issues from creation to closure, attach files, and manage communications in one place. They find it helpful in maintaining records, tracking issue progress, and integrating with tools like QTest Manager. They also highlight the visibility it provides into issue status and handling. **Team management** Reviewers rate this feature 4.7 out of 5 and feel that Jira enhances team management by allowing them to track the status of tasks and hours spent on work items. They find it helpful to plan sprints based on team members' bandwidth and avoid duplicate work. Users report that Jira helps coordinate work between team members, manage individual progress, and automate team management processes. They also  appreciate the ease of setting up user roles, creating user groups, and organizing projects and teams efficiently. Pros & Cons Kevin P. Information Technology and Services, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "big capabilities provided for my team to receive and manage all requests, tasks and minimize efforts on ordering all, has a lot of connections and integrations, confluence is the best tool i found to be sure everyone knows what to do in fact." KG Kregg G. Hospital & Health Care, 1,001-5,000 employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "Its strength is on allowing dispersed teams to collaborate on requirements, development, testing, and release of software and product stories (items that define a specific need or function within a product or system)." Suresh K. Staffing and Recruiting, 10,001+ employees Used the software for: 1-2 years "Setting up complex permissions and automation rules often requires a dedicated administrator, and the software can feel quite slow to load when you have a large number of active tickets on a single board." CH Carl H. Maritime, 51-200 employees Used the software for: 6-12 months "not the simplest layout when first accessing the system and setting up tasks etc is extremely clunky until you get used to the system logic- even slight changes can cause notification emails to be sent to all involved" Pricing The Free plan offers unlimited goals, projects, and forms for businesses with ten users or less. These users can benefit from reports and dashboards, up to 100 automation rule runs each month and customer support. As teams grow, they can select the Standard plan ($7.53 per user, per month) or the Premium plan ($13.35 per user, per month). The latter is best when aiming to align multiple teams. [Learn more about Jira pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/19319/JIRA/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Confluence** is a workspace that allows teams to collaborate on content, and, when combined with Jira, users can add comments and notes, enhancing project management.  - **Slack** allows SMBs to communicate online, and, when integrated with Jira, users can connect Jira projects with Slack and receive message notifications.  - **Bitbucket** is a code hosting and collaboration tool that connects with Jira to automate workflows and unite team members. [Learn more about Jira](https://www.capterra.com/p/19319/JIRA/) * * * [4.5 (855)](https://www.capterra.com/p/169455/Zoho-Projects/reviews/) Highly rated for Prioritization Highly rated for Prioritization Starting Price: $4.00 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Top rated feature: Task Management Based on 239 reviews User rating: 59% of reviewers rated it 5 stars Based on an analysis of the most popular free project management tools, Zoho Projects is most requested by users looking for prioritization. Users report that Zoho Projects offers comprehensive project management tools, including time tracking, task management, and Gantt charts. SMBs also appreciate the ability to set priorities concerning pending tasks, improve visibility, and streamline workflows. Features Features reviewers most value **Project planning and scheduling** Reviewers appreciate Zoho Projects' project planning and scheduling capabilities, giving the feature a rating of 4 out of 5. They value being able to use Gantt charts for visualizing project timelines, setting milestones, and managing task dependencies. Users report that these aspects help track project progress in real time and adjust schedules as needed. They find adding tasks, allocating resources, and setting budgets easy. Reviewers also mention the convenience of integrating other tools and the mobile app's flexibility, which enhances efficiency and collaboration. **Task scheduling** Users rate this feature a 4.4 out of 5. They report that Zoho Projects' task scheduling is efficient and organized. They value the ability to create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. Reviewers highlight the feature of setting task dependencies and using Gantt charts for visual representation. They also find the critical path analysis valuable for keeping projects on track and mention the ease of scheduling multiple tasks and the reliability of the reminders and sub-task additions. **Task management** Reviewers say that Zoho Projects' task management capabilities are essential for organizing workflows and setting priorities, and give the feature a 4 out of 5 rating. They appreciate the ability to create task lists, set dependencies, and assign tasks to team members. Users find integrating with other Zoho apps helpful for effective communication and collaboration. Reviewers also value the real-time tracking and customization options. Additionally, they report that the platform's user-friendly interface makes it easy to manage tasks, monitor progress, and ensure timely completion. Pros & Cons MEENACHISUNDARAM M. Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 6-12 months "The integration of features such as timesheets, reporting, and task tracking facilitate effective project management, making Zoho Projects an ideal solution for teams seeking a comprehensive project management system." VA Vicky A. Insurance, 1-10 employees Used the software for: 2+ years "Zoho Projects enabled Equatorial Insurance Brokers to project tracking plus team coordination, resulting in better client service plus more organized case management." Jay B. Animation, 1-10 employees Used the software for: I used a free trial "I disliked the UI creativity, there are lot of options but still it lacks that user friendliness of making task, sub task, task decscription and its confusing as compared to Asana as per UI is the concern, It should have a project briefing and atatchments module like Asana has at the start of the project." EZ Eman Z. Management Consulting, 11-50 employees Used the software for: I used a free trial "Zoho Projects' drawbacks include a learning curve for advanced features, limited customization in lower plans, complex permission settings, mobile app limitations, occasional performance issues, minimal offline access, and integration challenges with non-Zoho apps" Pricing For up to five users, Zoho Projects is free. This plan gives you support to manage up to three projects, subtasks, and a whiteboard, and comes with 5GB of storage.  Those looking for AI-enabled support, unlimited projects, time tracking, and project blueprints can opt for the Premium plan at $4 per user, per month (billed annually). The higher-tier Enterprise plan costs $9 per user, per month, and adds AI-enabled translation, custom fields and statuses, and superior security features like SSO and two-factor authentication. [Learn more about Zoho Projects pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/169455/Zoho-Projects/pricing/) Integrations **Popular Integrations** - **Google Drive** is a file-hosting service that can be used with Zoho Projects to create a more seamless experience when using both products, thanks to single sign-on authentication.  - **Trello** is a teamwork project management tool, that when combined with Zoho Projects, enables users to keep track of every detail while enhancing automation.  - **Dropbox Business** is a storage service that integrates with Zoho Projects to allow users to turn Dropbox folders into a shared project workspace in Zoho Projects. [Learn more about Zoho Projects](https://www.capterra.com/p/169455/Zoho-Projects/) * * * ## Top free project management software at a glance Vendor Highly rated Starting Price [monday.com](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/)[4.6 (5720)](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/reviews/) Project Planning/Scheduling $9.00 Per Month [Jira](https://www.capterra.com/p/19319/JIRA/)[4.4 (15309)](https://www.capterra.com/p/19319/JIRA/reviews/) Commenting/Notes $7.91 Per Month [Zoho Projects](https://www.capterra.com/p/169455/Zoho-Projects/)[4.5 (855)](https://www.capterra.com/p/169455/Zoho-Projects/reviews/) Prioritization $4.00 Per Month [Asana](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/)[4.5 (13544)](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/reviews/) Task Management $10.99 Per Month [Wrike](https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/)[4.4 (2883)](https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/reviews/) Functionality $10.00 Per Month [Nifty](https://www.capterra.com/p/172519/Nifty/)[4.6 (440)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172519/Nifty/reviews/) Value for Money $7.00 Per Month [Miro](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/)[4.7 (1680)](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/reviews/) Multiple Projects $10.00 Per Month [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/) [ClickUp](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/)[4.6 (4558)](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/reviews/) Customer Support $10.00 Per Month [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/158833/ClickUp/) [Notion](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/)[4.7 (2702)](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/reviews/) Highest rated $12.00 Per Month [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/) [Trello](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/)[4.5 (23483)](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/reviews/) Ease of Use $5.00 Per Month [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/) Explore our 1,109 Project Management solutions[Browse Directory](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) ## Our methodology Our independent and objective research is based on market demand signals along with analysis of our proprietary data, including product information and verified user ratings and reviews as of December 2024. To be considered for this list, products had to: - Appear in the Capterra Shortlist for [2024 Capterra Shortlist for Project Management](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/shortlist/) - Show evidence of offering required functionality for a given software category as demonstrated by publicly available sources, such as the vendor’s website. - Offer either a forever free version or a free trial period. - In certain cases, depending on the market, we may expand the criteria for selection of products based on our market insights to ensure we’re providing the best options for buyers.  We took the highest-rated products in each of the listed parameters a product is “best for” unless that product already appeared on our list. In these cases, we feature the next highest-rated product.  In our descriptions of each featured product, we include the following details:  **Most valued features:** Our research team analyzed verified project management software reviews on Capterra to identify each product’s highest-rated features (among features with at least five reviews). We then summarized user sentiment using real reviews for each feature. Please note: Some of the highest-rated features for a given product may not be included in its free version.  **Review excerpts selection**: Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, sentiment, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. **Popular integrations:** We identified integrations from our internal database and selected products considered as “most popular” based on how often they were cited by users as integrating with products in the category. ## What is project management software? [Project management software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) helps teams with task management, project planning and scheduling, tracking progress, and managing deadlines. Many systems also provide automated workflows, resource management, budget management, and document management.  These systems often integrate with [email management](https://www.capterra.com/email-management-software/), [time clock](https://www.capterra.com/time-clock-software/), [customer relationship management (CRM)](https://www.capterra.com/customer-relationship-management-software/), and [task management](https://www.capterra.com/task-management-software/) software, helping users manage projects from a single platform. ## What is free project management software? Project management software typically offers two free options: forever-free and free-trial versions. Some vendors offer both options—a basic, free version for getting started, and a free trial of the entire system. ### Forever-free options (free versions with limited features) Forever-free options of project management software give you access to essential tools for managing tasks, schedules, and team collaboration without any time limit or cost. However, these plans often have limitations, such as restricting the number of users, projects, and lack advanced features. For example, while you can create task lists and set deadlines, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan to unlock features like Gantt charts or team reporting. Forever-free options are ideal for small teams, freelancers, or individuals managing a few projects who want to stay organized without the expense of premium tools. With over 500 [free project management software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/?pricing_options=FREE_VERSION) products offering forever-free versions, you'll have plenty of options to find a solution that fits your needs. ### Free trial options (time-limited free access) Free trial versions offer full access to all project management software features for a limited period, typically 14 to 30 days. Users can access the complete suite of tools, often including advanced task automation, collaboration features, and custom reporting—capabilities commonly restricted in free versions. However, after the trial period expires, users must either upgrade to a paid plan or lose access to the software. These options are ideal for PMs who want to test the full range of features before committing to a paid plan. Free trials allow for evaluation of the software's capabilities without upfront costs, which is ideal for those who intend to purchase a subscription after testing. With over [1,100 project management software vendors](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/?pricing_options=FREE_TRIAL) on our site offering free trial versions, you can thoroughly test and compare multiple options to find the best match for your needs.  ## Features included with free project management software All dedicated project management software offers task management, project planning, and collaboration tools as core features. However, when it comes to free project management tools, you must look out for what features and capabilities you’ll actually get for free. Here are some features that are usually standard (core and common) and those that are not usually included in free software packages, along with our analysis of user feedback on which functionalities matter most: ### Core features available in free project management software - **Task assignment:** Assign tasks to team members and track progress. 92% of users find this feature highly important or critical. - **Project planning:** Create the project scope, deliverables, schedules, resources, budget, critical path, dependencies, and constraints. 92% find it highly important or critical. - **Commenting/notes:** Leave comments and notes on documents for others to view. 91% find it highly important or critical. - **Reporting and tracking:** Track task progress, milestones, delays, and other information and generate reports on them for evaluation. 87% find it highly important or critical. ### Common features of free project management software - **Multiple projects**: Ability to manage several projects simultaneously. 91% of users find this feature highly important or critical. - **Activity dashboard:** View statuses and updates on project progress, team performance, and key metrics in one spot. 88% find it highly important or critical. - **Prioritization**: Arrange tasks based on the level of priority or urgency. 87% find it highly important or critical. - **Gantt charts:** Gain a visual representation of the project's schedule, sequence, and duration of tasks, benchmarks, and dependencies. 86% find it highly important or critical. - **Team collaboration:** Provide a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together. 84% find it highly important or critical. - **Workflow management:** Organize, automate, and track the sequence of tasks across the project team. 84% find it highly important or critical. - **Customizable templates and fields:** Pre-designed layouts and data fields that can be customized to meet preferences and requirements. A combined average of 84% of users find these features highly important and critical. ### Features not typically included in free project management software - **Billing and invoicing:** Create, manage, and send invoices or bills to customers. - **Advanced reporting and analytics:** Generate detailed, customizable reports on team performance, project budgets, and resource allocation.  - **Time and expense tracking:** Log and record hours worked and costs to assist in billing and invoicing. ## Key benefits of using free project management software Our software advisors speak with thousands of project managers each year, and one trend is clear: project management becomes inefficient as businesses grow. Over half (54%) of buyers who contact us currently use spreadsheets or manual methods to manage projects, and another 16% aren’t tracking them. It follows then that inefficiency is the top pain point for nearly half (45%) of PM software buyers who contacted us in the last year.[\[2\]](#footnotes) Project management solutions improve project planning and execution by centralizing all project work and providing better oversight. Meghan DuBose, a project manager at the Project Management Institute (PMI), says in [our interview on project management software](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-project-management-software/), "The moment we integrated project management software, it was as if a fog had lifted. Not only could we see the immediate status of all projects at a glance, but we could also forecast potential delays and adjust resources dynamically." Our analysis of user feedback reveals some benefits you can expect from the free versions:  - **Team collaboration:** Improve team collaboration with a centralized platform for communication, file sharing, and updates. This helps team members stay aligned on tasks, deadlines, and project goals, improving efficiency and avoiding miscommunication. - **Workflow automation:** Streamline repetitive tasks by setting up predefined actions that trigger automatically, saving time and reducing the chance of manual errors. This allows teams to focus on higher-priority work while promoting consistency and clearer handoff processes. - **Project tracking:** Provides visibility into the progress of tasks, milestones, and deadlines, allowing teams to stay on top of project developments. With dashboards and reports, PMs can identify potential bottlenecks ahead of time and adjust as needed. - **Project management:** Integrate all aspects of a project, from planning and resource allocation to execution and delivery, in a single platform. This helps businesses oversee the entire project lifecycle, enabling teams meet deadlines and use resources effectively. ## What to look for in free project management software When evaluating free project management software, it’s important to consider more than just the ‘free’ price tag. Keep an eye on these essential factors: ### Upgrade pathway Look for tools that clearly outline how to scale features as your business grows. Tools that allow you to upgrade specific features without forcing a full switch to a premium plan offer greater flexibility as your project management needs evolve. ### Hidden costs and fees Some software may have not-so-obvious costs such as document storage fees or charges for adding more users. Be sure to get a clear breakdown of what features you’re getting and perform the [total cost of ownership](https://www.capterra.com/glossary/total-cost-of-ownership-tco/) (TOC) calculation.  ### User reviews Even if a tool is free, knowing how other customers like the product is important. Be sure to check user reviews to see if the software meets PM needs and offers effective customer support. Capterra has over 30,000 verified user reviews from over 1,700 [project management tools](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) to help you make an informed choice. ## How to choose free project management software for your business Selecting the right free project management software requires evaluating both your immediate needs and future growth. Here’s how you can approach this decision: ### 1\. Assess your basic needs Start by reviewing your current project scope and team size, as these will often limit the functionality in free versions. Take inventory of the core tasks and features you'll use regularly—like task tracking, team collaboration, or project timelines—to make sure the software provides everything you need without unnecessary extras. ### 2\. Consider your growth plans Think about your future needs, such as expanding your team, managing more projects, or requiring advanced reporting features. Many PMs find that free software plans may not scale well beyond a few projects or users, so assess whether you'll need to upgrade within the next six to twelve months. This can help you choose between a forever-free version or a free trial of a more scalable solution. ### 3\. Consider your PM methodology and work styles Determine how your team will use the software daily and [the methodology](https://www.capterra.com/resources/project-management/#what-are-project-management-methodologies) you follow, such as Agile or waterfall. Will they collaborate with remote workers or require advanced integration with other tools? Understanding how your team works—whether they need mobile access, time-tracking features, or cross-platform collaboration—will help you eliminate options not aligned with your workflow and support smoother adoption. ### 4\. Create a focused shortlist Rather than trying every free tool available, the [Capterra Tech Trends research](https://www.capterra.com/resources/us-tech-trends/) has shown that buyers who have three vendors on their shortlist tend to have the lowest amount of purchase regret.[\[3\]](#footnotes) In addition, you should use [comparison tools](https://www.capterra.com/resources/capterra-software-comparison-tool/), explore our [Capterra Shortlist for project management software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/shortlist/) to find highest-rated vendors, read verified reviews, and look for software where users specifically comment on the free plans. By keeping your shortlist tight, you can make a more informed decision and avoid overwhelming yourself with too many choices. ## Common limitations of using free project management software Typically, free project management software comes with one or all of these three limitations:  - A limit on the number of projects you can manage (often one to three projects at a time) - Restrictions on adding users or team members - Limited or no access to advanced features like billing and invoicing You might also face storage limits for documents and files, basic-only reporting capabilities, and minimal integration options with your email or accounting systems. ## When to consider free vs paid project management software Free project management software is a great starting point for new project managers and team leads upgrading from spreadsheets to dedicated project management software on a tight budget.  But, getting more features comes with an increase in costs. Our project management software advisor, Richard Ramsey[\[4\]](#footnotes), says additional costs, such as training and data migration, must also be considered. “If you have, say, 10 users who are unfamiliar with the software, you’re likely going to need to pay for training them,” advises Ramsey. Weighing your needs with your budget can help you decide the best time to upgrade your tool. Overall, consider upgrading to paid solutions when you need: - **Advanced features**, such as custom reporting and automations, to improve visibility into complex projects - **Increased team capacity** to expand the number of users or projects you can manage without hitting free version limits - **Better integrations** to connect with other business tools (CRM, accounting software) for smoother workflows - **Enhanced customer support** to gain priority support and access to dedicated resources for troubleshooting - **Scalability**, to support your business as it grows, with features designed for larger teams and more complex needs The size and complexity of your business could also be a driver for an upgrade to a paid project management software plan, as other teams and systems might need insights into your projects, too. “Data migration could be costly if you need a bunch of APIs, if you're pulling in a lot of information or importing a lot of information from [Dropbox](https://www.capterra.com/p/143068/Dropbox-Business/) or [Microsoft OneDrive,](https://www.capterra.com/p/161304/OneDrive/) or a bunch of spreadsheets, expect to pay at least a modest amount to get that in there,” shares Ramsey. ## What is the cost to upgrade from free project management software to a paid package? The number of users, required features, and volume of projects you manage will be key factors in how much you’ll pay for project management software. Most PM products on the market are priced on a per-month basis, and entry-level pricing plans average $231 per month for up to 50 users. Premium and advanced system subscriptions with more than 101 users can cost north of $1,500 per month. Here’s a more detailed breakdown[\[5\]](#footnotes): - **Entry-level** plans commonly start from $7 - $1,500 per month and offer standard features like basic project and task management and project planning.  - **Mid-tier** plans range from $59 to $4,000 monthly, adding features like billing and invoicing, client portals, and advanced reporting.  - **Higher-end** enterprise-level plans are priced at an average of $249 - $4,040 monthly for advanced capabilities and priority support. Our analysis of the 3,684 PM software buyers who’ve contacted us in the past year shows that the vast majority (87%) are budgeting $60 or less; more specifically, 58% are budgeting $20 - $40 per user, per month for their new system.[\[2\]](#footnotes) ## FAQs What is the best project management software for free? According to our analysis of products with high market demand and reviews, [Hive](https://www.capterra.com/p/150991/Hive/) is the best free [PM software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) based on ratings from verified reviewers on Capterra. Our analysis of the 135 reviews for Hive in the past two years finds that users most value Hive’s team collaboration features, while [Notion](https://www.capterra.com/p/186596/Notion/) had the highest overall rating for PM software, according to reviews. What makes the best free project management tool? The best free [project management tool](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) offers effective team collaboration, task management features, and flexibility, without being a steep financial investment. According to our analysis of products with high market demand and reviews, [Hive](https://www.capterra.com/p/150991/Hive/) is the highest-rated free PM tool by users. Users specifically highlight the team collaboration features in the free version of Hive. How can I track a project for free? To track a project for free, use a [free project management tool](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/?pricing_options=FREE_VERSION) to create tasks, assign deadlines, and monitor project progress. Most free PM software allows you to create milestones and checklists and improve team collaboration. According to our analysis of products with high market demand and reviews, [Hive](https://www.capterra.com/p/150991/Hive/) is the best free [PM software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) based on verified reviewers on Capterra. Do I need project management software? The odds are that your business will benefit from [project management software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/) for managing complex projects and multiple teams or following strict regulations. Capterra’s 2024 Software Buying Behavior Survey finds that 54% of respondents bought PM software in the past 12 months, and 36% already had it. Investing in software can increase efficiency, communication, and project success if your projects are difficult to manage using spreadsheets.[\[6\]](#footnotes) Is free project management software really free? [Many project management software](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/?pricing_options=FREE_VERSION) tools offer free versions for basic use, and 33% of the PM software on Capterra have a free version, offering key features like task tracking and team collaboration. However, many tools have limitations, such as restricted user numbers or limited storage. To access advanced features or add more users, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan. How do you evaluate a project management tool? To evaluate a [project management tool](https://www.capterra.com/project-management-software/), consider key factors like ease of use, collaboration features, task management capabilities, and customization options. Read user reviews on Capterra, ask about customer support, and make sure the tool fits your team’s size, budget, and workflow needs. Always test with a free trial if possible. **Sources** 1. **Capterra reviews data:** Reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from the past two years as of January 10, 2023. [Read the complete methodology.](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology) 2. **Capterra advisor call notes:** Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Capterra’s advisor team had with businesses seeking project management software. For this report, we analyzed reviews from the past year as research. [Read the complete methodology.](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology) 3. **Capterra’s 2025 Tech Trends Survey** was conducted to understand the timeline, organizational challenges, adoption & budget, vendor research behaviors, ROI expectations, and satisfaction levels for software buyers. Respondents were screened to ensure their involvement in business software purchasing decisions. [Read the complete methodology.](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology) 4. [Richard Ramsey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-ramsey-a19983125/), LinkedIn 5. **Capterra software pricing data:** Only products with publicly available pricing information and qualified software products within the category are included in our pricing analyses. [Read the complete methodology.](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology) 6. **Capterra’s 2024 Software Buying Behavior Survey** was conducted to understand the composition, triggers, budgets, and challenges of software buying teams at global businesses across industries and sizes. We sought to uncover the software types these buyers are adopting, their evaluation methods, and what factors convince them to make a purchase, from vendor reputation and sales team interactions to content materials and user reviews. [Read the complete methodology.](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology) [Olivia Montgomery, PMP](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/omontgomery/) Olivia Montgomery is an associate principal analyst at Capterra, covering program and project management with a focus on the strategic alignment of IT and operations to optimize digital transformation. Drawing from her experience as a former IT PMO leader and her background in humanities studies, Olivia delivers data-driven insights that empower business leaders to drive business growth through projects. Olivia’s research and analysis is informed by nearly 200,000 authentic user reviews on... [Mehar Luthra](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mehar-luthra/) Mehar Luthra is a team lead at Capterra and specializes in editing reports that cover the latest trends affecting small businesses. With nearly a decade of experience, she has edited a multitude of research articles, top-rated software reports, and thought leadership articles for diverse markets such as Brazil, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, and India. She finds it particularly rewarding to produce content that provides small-business owners with practical tips and helpful advice on topics... 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