Whether you’re looking for the best free project management software 2021, open source project management software, or free project management software download, Dashboard can help. Using our project management software, you’ll be able to effectively manage your team and projects much more efficiently. You can create Gantt charts, track time spent on projects, and communicate with your team members through our activity stream.
There is nothing more satisfying than making your own project management software. If you like to take charge of things and make your own functional program, or just play around with software and functions, you can. This is a program that any user will appreciate because it is easy to navigate and very useful when put into play.
Airtable
Airtable is a cloud-based, collaborative work management solution. Teams can view tasks on a grid (similar to a spreadsheet), calendar, Kanban board, or gallery. Key features include task management, collaboration, reporting/project tracking, and time tracking.
The central component of Airtable is bases, which contain all the data you need for a project. Bases are made up of a collection of tables, and each table covers a particular aspect of the project. Tables contain fields (file attachments, checkboxes, etc.) and records (relevant data points you’re tracking).
- Free plan: Includes unlimited bases, 1,200 records per base, 2GB of attachment space per base, and two weeks of revision and snapshot history, as well as real-time collaboration and commenting.
- Paid plans: Includes additional records per base, more attachment space, and longer revision history, as well as priority support and access to “blocks,” modular apps that extend the functionality of bases. The paid plans are per user, per month, and the next tier up from the free version is $10 per user, per month.
Access Airtable via multiple devices (Source)
Airtable
Airtable is a cloud-based, collaborative work management solution. Teams can view tasks on a grid (similar to a spreadsheet), calendar, Kanban board, or gallery. Key features include task management, collaboration, reporting/project tracking, and time tracking.
The central component of Airtable is bases, which contain all the data you need for a project. Bases are made up of a collection of tables, and each table covers a particular aspect of the project. Tables contain fields (file attachments, checkboxes, etc.) and records (relevant data points you’re tracking).
- Free plan: Includes unlimited bases, 1,200 records per base, 2GB of attachment space per base, and two weeks of revision and snapshot history, as well as real-time collaboration and commenting.
- Paid plans: Includes additional records per base, more attachment space, and longer revision history, as well as priority support and access to “blocks,” modular apps that extend the functionality of bases. The paid plans are per user, per month, and the next tier up from the free version is $10 per user, per month.
Access Airtable via multiple devices (Source)
Basecamp
Basecamp is a real-time communication tool. It includes to-do lists, calendars, due dates, and file sharing, which provides a way for teams to keep track of priorities and actionable items.
With Basecamp, users can create projects, document progress, and manage tasks. It’s web-based software, allowing users to sign in either through a web browser or through a mobile app.
Basecamp can be used by any organization that needs to manage a group, including nonprofits, startups, and client service firms—and even freelancers. Subscriptions are scalable, with tiers for varying amounts of storage and numbers of users.
- Free plan: Intended for freelancers, personal use, families, and light use and includes 1GB of storage, three projects, and 20 users.
- Paid plans: $99 per month flat fee and includes unlimited projects, users, and 500GB of storage space.
Assign due dates to tasks in Basecamp (Source)
Basecamp
Basecamp is a real-time communication tool. It includes to-do lists, calendars, due dates, and file sharing, which provides a way for teams to keep track of priorities and actionable items.
With Basecamp, users can create projects, document progress, and manage tasks. It’s web-based software, allowing users to sign in either through a web browser or through a mobile app.
Basecamp can be used by any organization that needs to manage a group, including nonprofits, startups, and client service firms—and even freelancers. Subscriptions are scalable, with tiers for varying amounts of storage and numbers of users.
- Free plan: Intended for freelancers, personal use, families, and light use and includes 1GB of storage, three projects, and 20 users.
- Paid plans: $99 per month flat fee and includes unlimited projects, users, and 500GB of storage space.
Assign due dates to tasks in Basecamp (Source)
Jira
Jira software is a workflow management tool that Agile teams use to plan, track, and release software. Jira works for teams that use Scrum, Kanban, a hybrid model, or other unique workflows.
With Jira, users can create project roadmaps to map out all in-progress projects. The project board includes a drag-and-drop interface that allows teams to manage every project detail. Users can create user stories and issues, plan sprints, and distribute tasks across the team. Users also have access to information from thousands of business apps, from design and monitoring tools to source code and productivity apps.
Jira offers a mobile app for Android and iOS devices. Support is available through an online support portal, online documentation, and tutorial videos.
- Free plan: Includes Scrum and Kanban boards, Agile reporting, customizable workflows, 2GB of storage, and community support.
- Paid plans: Pricing is per user, per month, and depends on the number of users. For 10 users, pricing starts at $7 per user, per month, on average, or about $70 per month. The paid plan includes 250GB of storage (this increases as the pricing tier increases) and additional features like an audit log.
Board view in Jira (Source)
Jira
Jira software is a workflow management tool that Agile teams use to plan, track, and release software. Jira works for teams that use Scrum, Kanban, a hybrid model, or other unique workflows.
With Jira, users can create project roadmaps to map out all in-progress projects. The project board includes a drag-and-drop interface that allows teams to manage every project detail. Users can create user stories and issues, plan sprints, and distribute tasks across the team. Users also have access to information from thousands of business apps, from design and monitoring tools to source code and productivity apps.
Jira offers a mobile app for Android and iOS devices. Support is available through an online support portal, online documentation, and tutorial videos.
- Free plan: Includes Scrum and Kanban boards, Agile reporting, customizable workflows, 2GB of storage, and community support.
- Paid plans: Pricing is per user, per month, and depends on the number of users. For 10 users, pricing starts at $7 per user, per month, on average, or about $70 per month. The paid plan includes 250GB of storage (this increases as the pricing tier increases) and additional features like an audit log.
Board view in Jira (Source)
Podio
Citrix Podio is a project management and social collaboration tool. It allows businesses to create custom applications to meet unique business requirements and preferred workflows. Users don’t need technical skills to use the software, and it helps save development resources.
Users can access hundreds of free apps through the Podio App Market, such as task management, project portfolio management, and issue management. There are also apps for functions such as customer relationship management (CRM) and applicant tracking.
Across all apps, Podio offers a range of social collaboration features, including Facebook-esque “likes” and file-sharing anywhere within the system, as well as internal instant messaging and video chat.
Podio’s app-building capabilities make it a good fit for smaller organizations that require a high degree of customization—particularly those looking to manage multiple business processes within a single system.
- Free plan: Up to five employees allowed, and includes apps and workspaces and task management features.
- Paid plans: Start at $9 per user, per month and include unlimited items, user management, and unlimited external users. There is a discount on the per user pricing if paying annually.
Home screen in Podio (Source)
Teamwork
Teamwork is a cloud-based work management solution that helps teams collaborate, organize tasks, and deliver on time. Key features include Gantt charts, Kanban boards, task management, collaboration, reporting/project tracking, time tracking, and resource management.
- Free plan: Includes access for five users, two active projects and 100MB storage, and multiple support options (email, live chat, phone, online knowledge base, and training guides).
- Paid plans: Include additional projects, greater storage, priority support, and more robust tracking, such as the portfolio view and risk register. To upgrade to a paid plan, the cost is $12.50 per user, per month. There is a slight discount if paying annually.
Dashboard mockup in Teamwork (Source)
Conclusion
Looking for powerful free project management software?
There’s no doubt that project management software helps you become more productive in managing your workflow.
How do we know?
Because you can track tasks completed, the time spent, and compare that to your performance over the long run.
And when you use project management software correctly, most of the challenges of managing virtual teams go poof.
The good news is that you can improve your productivity…for free!
Nearly every team I’ve been on has used some type of project management software, and the other teams should’ve used project management software.
If your team has never used any project management software or tools before, this list will give you a great headstart regarding the different options to try out.