Top Project Management Tools for Every Project Manager in 2023

Managing projects tools are the solution for project managers for managing projects. Simple projects need nothing more than a checklist, while others require careful planning assigning tasks, establishing deadlines, ensuring that everyone sticks to them, and tracking the project’s duration.

The necessity to measure objectively and assign tasks appropriately and proportionally is paramount, which is why using advanced tools comes in.

There are many available tools for managing projects, and if you’re brand new to managing projects, it can be a challenge to know what’s necessary and the things that aren’t worthwhile to spend your time on.

15 Top Free Tools To Manage Projects 

If you’re searching for software for managing projects, here are the top management tools you should consider. The list contains both paid and free plans and the features that are included with every plan.

Kissflow Project 

This all-in-one, robust tool is among the most effective free software for managing projects out there. Kissflow Project is the ideal tool for managing projects. Alternative for functional project managers and those who are brand new to managing projects.

Kissflow Project checks all the boxes by providing various project management features. It’s a simple-to-use and attractive Graphical User Interface makes this one-stop service a perfect solution for all kinds of companies.

This tool has all the capabilities of a modern-day project tool; however, it is geared towards functional managers with an unclear responsibility for managing projects, not certified project managers.

The most important aspects of the Kissflow Project:

Kissflow Project offers a well-rounded feature set that can be used in various scenarios. The main features provided include:

• Steps for customizing projects and Active On Hold, Done states
• Ability to create sub-tasks and transform them into standalone tasks
• There are different ways to visualize your projects (list, Kanban, and matrix views)
• Advanced filters and custom fields to separate jobs
• Thorough audit logs. Activity logs for each job
• Notes in context in the course of work
• Option to integrate task monitors to give granular access
• Ability to define deadlines
• Automatically send out email notifications as deadlines approach.
• Gsuite integration and Microsoft 365 integration
• In-depth reports based on information and the ability to create custom reports
• Team members roles
• Capability to copy projects
• You can create custom project management templates and pre-defined ones. 

Pricing:

Kissflow Project offers 3 pricing on three levels: Free, Basic, and Advanced. Each can be chosen following a full-featured trial which lasts fifteen days.

• FREE: Unlimited users. It provides custom steps, three customized views, basic reports, and a primary activity log with a 50 GB storage limit.
• Standard: $5/user/month when billed annually with at least 10 users. Provides Unlimited custom-designed views, Office 365 integration, unlimited storage, advanced reports, and all features included in the Free plan.
• Advanced 12/user/month when billed annually with 10 minimum users. It includes all the features available on the Basic plan, SSO – SAML, a detailed activity history, Custom sub-domains, and IP whitelisting.

Trello

Trello is the most popular online project management application that has integrated collaboration tools that allow you to collaborate with teams. It’s simple, lightweight, and simple to use. It utilizes lists, boards, and cards to assist you in creating tasks and keep them well-organized. Users may collaborate on cards or share files and even leave comments.

There are no reports or project tracking tools such as Kissflow Project. It’s unique for individuals and small groups that handle small projects simultaneously.

Prices: The basic plan is completely free to use. There are also paid plans with automation and integrations, priority support, and much more.

Asana

Asana is a saas-based, flexible project management software that focuses on collaboration. It has workflows that may automate repetitive tasks. It’s intuitive, has different display options, and can be customized with field and form. You can also invite unlimited guests. You can also make custom rules and approve workflows.

Asana provides a special deal to improve productivity and collaboration. However, it has several core functions for managing projects that are done by integrations that may not be suitable for everyone. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes; however, there are better choices for freelancers.

Many users think that its interface is too easy and the software is rigid. However, it does have solid capabilities for collaboration and task management. If the way you work with project management software is conformable with Asana, You’ll be happy with it.

Price: There’s a free plan that permits a maximum of 15 users. You can manage your tasks by viewing them in lists, on a calendar, and even on the Kanban Board. The Premium plan is $10.99 per month/user and includes timelines, reports and custom fields, automated rules, and much more.

The Business plan comes with many features, including approvals, portfolios, rules builders, workload, and advanced integrations – that are not present in other plans. The price is $24.99 per user/month for a year-long payment.

Zoho Projects

Zoho Projects is a popular service from Zoho which helps companies keep track of their tasks, collaborate, bug-tracking, and make intuitive reports. It is an online tool to lead projects. It incorporates features such as Gantt charts and the capacity to bill hours for multiple projects simultaneously.

Zoho Projects also boasts an extremely impressive set of communication tools, such as live chat and forums.

Many users believe that the Gantt charts are difficult to operate and that reports breakdown might not be enough for large groups. It is feasible to share documents in the program.

Price: Zoho provides several options when it comes to subscription plans:

• There’s a perpetual free version with basic features and a limited number of users.
• The Standard plan costs $3. It includes features such as custom statuses, issue tracking, and customized statuses. It can support as many as 10 simultaneous users.
• The Express plan costs $4 and can support as many as 50 people. You’ll have capabilities like regular projects, Gantt charts, and timesheet approvals.
• The Premium plan starts at $5 and can support as many as 100 people. It comes with features such as task automation, resource utilization, business regulations, and budgeting.
• The Enterprise plan costs $6 and does not have a limit for the number of people who can use it. Customized roles Global Gantt charts and inter-project dependencies are a few of the available features.

All plans are based on a single month per user.

Wrike

It is a cloud-based task management tool which makes the process of planning projects and helps you track your team’s activities, keep track of deadlines and easily collaborate with all your stakeholders. It comes with various sophisticated features, including task control, Gantt Charts, a real-time news feed, and many other features.

It is possible to prioritize tasks to help move essential projects forward and ensure deadlines are followed. There are many ways to integrate it, making it an effective tool for managing projects.

The number of options can be intimidating for novice users. Additionally, the confusing interface can be a bit confusing. It’s perfect for different departments within an organization, such as the marketing department, development of software as well as professional service.

Prices: There’s a freemium version with limited features and up to 5 users. Paid plans begin at $9.80/user/month. The Business plan is that costs $24.80/user/month. It includes features such as Subtasks, a Gantt chart, time tracking, and workflows.

Monday.com

Monday.com Combines a visually attractive interface with useful visualization tools for projects to create user-friendly, accessible software for managing projects. It’s versatile and provides an easy way to manage your work.

There are templates for projects available that you can use to create the boards of your choice. There are many display options, including the map view or Calendar view.

The most common reason for dissatisfaction in customers is the absence of routine tasks. The mobile application  my be difficult to use for specific users. They also provide excellent security, powerful features, and straightforward customization.

Price: The pricing system is a bit complex. There’s no freemium option, and you’ll need to research the number of users, the automation, and the integration actions that you’ll require each month. The cost of paid plans starts at $39/month with five people.

ProofHub

ProofHub provides a central workspace that can be used for task lists, workflows, Gantt charts, discussion, calendars, and documents. It my assist you build, organize and track your team’s work. It also facilitates collaboration within teams and with clients from outside. There are a variety of reports, such as resource and workload reports.

With a focus on ease of use, ProofHub has very few integrations and very little task management. It’s great for freelancers as well as companies of all sizes.

Prices: ProofHub has no limit on the number of users and provides a fixed price regardless of the number of users. There are two plans present: the Essential plan costs with a monthly fee of $50, While it’s Ultimate Control plan costs $99 per month.

Clarizen

Clarizen is a highly-rated online project management software designed for medium-sized to large-sized companies. It is a web-based system for project management, which means the absence of a mobile-friendly app could make it less useful for specific teams.

People appreciate the extensive reporting capabilities and the ability to monitor the usage of resources, but the system isn’t able to provide a task list as well as time-tracking.

The learning curve can be pretty steep since it is a particular method of managing workflows. Clarizen is ideal for senior-level project managers in IT-related organizations and professional service teams that require robust, agile, flexible, and user-friendly web-based program management tools.

Price: Pricing is not accessible to the public but is made available on an inquiry.

Airtable

Airtable brings the best functions of databases and spreadsheets together. It is customizable and simple to use and can be used for all businesses. It doesn’t have robust reporting capabilities, which could be a problem for some users.

It is possible to store data in the database that can be used to manage tasks and planning projects. Many users appreciate the flexibility of data management achievable through Airtable’s spreadsheets. There are a variety of views available, including Kanban, Grid, list, and calendar.

Price: Airtable has a free plan that includes vital features like fields with rich kinds, multi-views, and collaboration. Paid plans start at $10/user/month and are geared towards companies that require greater storage capacity for data.

The Pro plan comes with advanced capabilities, such as custom-branded forms, custom views, and sharing that is restricted to domains.

Kanban Tool

Kanban Tool is a great starting point for agile development. It permits you to visualize your workflow and provides an easy way to track time. It assists in making collaboration and tracking tasks easy by providing notifications, reporting, and group management tools.

It offers features such as document sharing, reporting, a native mobile app, and many more that are perfect for large and medium-sized businesses. The Kanban tool also gives customers of enterprises the possibility to host the application on their own.

Prices: It’s not geared toward freelancers. However, there’s a free plan available for up to two users. It also allows two boards for projects. Payable plans start at $5 per month and include unlimited boards. The $9/user/month plan designed for enterprises includes advanced features such as time-tracking, reports, user management, and process automation.

Zenkit

Zenkit is a well-known software for managing projects that allows you to be on top of all your information, from brainstorming and research to sharing it with others. It’s specifically designed for teams that favor flexibility in their work. It also supports traditional methods of managing projects.

Zenkit is a capable project management tool with various views, reports, and resource-management features. It is always in the sights of those looking for a flexible solution to their needs in the project.

Prices: Zenkit offers a Personal plan, which is entirely free, along with three plans that are paid for:

• Plus
• Business, and
• Enterprise.

The number of features and projects supported grows when you upgrade to the Enterprise plan that offers maximum customization for large-scale organizations.

MeisterTask

MeisterTask is a web-based project management tool designed for teams working together in real time. It provides an activity dashboard with backlog management capabilities, customizable areas, sharing options, and much more.

It has a pleasing visual user interface, but its revision management capabilities can be improved.

Price: MeisterTask offers four pricing levels, including Basic, Pro, Business, and Enterprise.

• It is absolutely free and can be used to support the development of up to 3 projects.
• The Pro plan costs $4.19/user/month and $10.39/user/month.
• The Enterprise plan has a price that can be customized.

ClickUp

It’s a cloud-based application that promises to be a complete tool to manage projects.

It is distinguished by its broad set of features which includes goals, documents, along with an integrated inbox.

Modularity is one of the significant strengths of ClickUp. It offers add-ons referred to as Click Apps that permit large customisation.

Pricing

• The no cost comprise 100 MB storage space and unlimited members and tasks.

• The unlimited plan costs $5 per user when it is billed annually. It also includes unlimited storage, integrations, etc.

• The business plan is $9 per user for a year of billing and comes with Google SSO, goal folders, and custom exporting.
  
  
• The Enterprise plan is the creation of custom pricing that includes more significant API limits and a dedicated success manager, white labeling, and more.

Paymo

Paymo is advertised as a modern and efficient system for managing work for small and remote team members. It comes with advanced task management, scheduling, planning collaboration, invoicing, and time-tracking capabilities. It allows the user to monitor the entire duration of a project without the requirement to install and pay for a variety of apps.

Pricing

• The annual plans provide two months of extra usage.
• The Small Office plan costs $9.95/user per month when paid yearl
• The Business plan is $15.79/user per month when invoiced annually.

Teamwork

Teamwork is an application for managing projects that are based on Kanban. It provides more sophisticated reports than Trello with a similar drag-and-drop interface. It permits the branding of accounts with customized company names. Additionally, it allows the removal of features from particular projects.

Pricing

• The free plan is available to five users and gives 100MB of storage.
• The Pro plan costs $10 per month for each user for a year of billing.
• The Premium Plan is $18 per month when paid annually.
• Pricing for customizing your business is also possible.

What should you look for in an online tool for project management?

For your convenience with your decision-making, here are the top 6 features of project management tools that you must have to manage your project successfully.

Kanban board

Kanban boards can be used to visualize your project. They is extremely beneficial in managing and planning the project. Kanban boards are a basic deck and card system that allows all team members to see the whole picture and not just of specific tasks but also the more extensive view of the entire team’s activity. Citizen Development is an excellent illustration of the Kanban board without code.

It was first built to be used by Toyota Motors for its industrial facilities. Kanban was adapted and applied to various industries over the past couple of years. Kanban board can be used to be utilized in physical spaces like whiteboards, or digital spaces. These can be build with Kanban Board software. 

Task management

The term “an undertaking” refers to a series of tasks that have to be accomplished in order to accomplish an objective.

Specific tasks are dependent or sequential. Certain tasks can be completed concurrently. Each task must be assigned to member of the team or one person working on the project. The more complicated the project has become, the more tasks are to oversee.

Although it may not sound appealing, task management can be a key element of project management. It’s essential to have tools that aid in effectively managing tasks.

To-do lists

A good old-fashioned list of things to do. Although it’s not complicated, however, it will aid both you and the team in getting the task accomplished. Of course, it’s better to keep your list of tasks in a central and visible area that each team member can access easily.

A great project management tool includes a checklist of tasks and ensures that everyone on the team can check in and review what’s been completed and what’s yet to be accomplished.

Time tracker

Every step of your plan requires time, but when you reach the conclusion of the project, it’s often difficult to determine who put in the most time on what tasks. Are you still confused? It becomes more complicated when you’re planning an identical project in the pipeline and you think that you need to be aware of the amount of time you should allocate to each assignment and phase.

However, in the event that your team hasn’t been able to keep track of their time prior, it’s playing guessing games. A reliable time tracker can help in ensuring accurate billing, effective management teams, as well as detailed scheduling.

Collaboration

No matter if you’re working with a team consisting of two, twenty, or two hundred members, collaboration will be essential for a successful project’s completion.

A solid project management system should have robust collaboration tools so that citizens developers, and team members can communicate and work with each other, regardless of whether they are in the same room or worldwide.

Online collaboration projects tools include things such as real-time updates, communications, and automatic notifications.

Integration

Projects comprise lots of moving parts. It is vital to know the impact of one aspect over another in the event of an alteration. Also, seek out features that allow you to determine trade-offs and how resource allocation impacts the overall plan that you are working on.

Detailed Reporting

Reports are the most effective way to have a clear overview of your project’s progress. Particularly, you should know how things are going towards the end of each month or week.

Furthermore, software that combines all information related to costs, schedules,team performance, and resource usability into an organized document is something you should look for.

A reputable online project management tool lets users create projects reports which provide you and your team members insights on the progress of your project as well as budget progress inefficiencies, project completion, and so on.

Most project management software tools have standard reporting capabilities. It’s even better to have reports that can be personalized to suit your specific project.

Conclusion

In any projects,  you can visualize using Kanban to assign tasks, make lists, keep track of time, collaborate, and create reports in an easy-to-use interface. Whether you’re a management veteran or just starting an initial project, these Project can help you succeed and get the results you seek. You can use any project management tools according to your need.