What Is the Best Project Management Software for Freelancers?
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There is no shortage of options when it comes to project management software for freelancers. The right piece of software can help you get more organized, boost your productivity, and make it much easier to collaborate with clients.
In this post, you’ll learn the fundamentals of project management software: what it is, why it’s a useful tool, and which tools are best suited for freelancers. By the end, you’ll be equipped to select the perfect piece of project management software for your business.
What Is Project Management Software?
Project management software helps individuals and teams plan and manage projects more efficiently. It aims to streamline workflows, improve communication, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Although features vary from product to product, typically, project management software includes tools for:
- Task management (e.g., create, assign, and set deadlines for tasks)
- Time tracking (e.g., record time spent on a particular task or project)
- Collaboration (e.g., share documents and other files)
- Resource allocation (e.g., monitor workload and availability)
- Budget management (e.g., track project expenses)
- Analytics (e.g., produce reports on project performance)
Why Use Project Management Software?
There are numerous benefits to using project management software. These tools make it easier to:
- Plan projects in detail. All aspects of a project can be clearly mapped out, from key deliverables to deadlines.
- Stay organized. All of the important project details are stored in one place.
- Collaborate with clients and other team members. Everyone involved in a project can quickly share information and updates.
- Manage time effectively. Users can track time spent on tasks as well as set and monitor deadlines.
- Allocate resources. Individuals and teams can monitor and manage their workload and prioritize certain tasks as necessary.
- Make business decisions. Analytics and reporting tools can provide insights into project performance, allowing users to refine their processes and strategies.
For freelancers, these advantages can translate into higher efficiency, more successful projects, and greater client satisfaction.
10 Project Management Software for Freelancers
Finding the right project management software can be a game-changer. Below, we explore some of today’s most popular and highly reviewed tools. We have included key features, pros, and cons for each tool.
1. Trello
Trello simplifies project management for small businesses and teams. It’s known for its Kanban board interface, which allows users to organize projects into boards, lists, and cards:
- Boards represent an overarching project or large task.
- Lists sit within boards and represent different stages of the project (e.g., “To Do,” “In Progress,” “Done”).
- Cards are individual tasks that users can move between different lists. They can contain briefs, checklists, attachments, deadlines, and more.
The platform is easy to use and offers free and paid versions. The free version is great for freelancers, with unlimited cards and up to 10 boards. Paid versions start at $5 and allow users to access additional features like unlimited boards, unlimited storage, and extra workspace options.
Pros:
- A user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface
- Highly customizable workflows
- Integrates with other tools (like Slack, Google Drive, and Dropbox)
- Offers a mobile app for on-the-go project management
- Users can cancel or change their plans at anytime
- PCI-DSS certified to ensure your data is secure
- Extensive online help resources such as tutorials and forums
Cons:
- Free version lacks some advanced features
- Priority support only available with paid versions
- Limited reporting and analytics capabilities
2. Asana
73% of the Fortune 500 are Asana customers – so this platform comes highly recommended! It allows users to organize tasks in a shared hub, so it’s clear who’s doing what and by when. Users can switch between various project views (Kanban boards, Gantt charts, lists, and timelines), so work can be visualized quickly.
Asana is free to use for individuals and teams of up to 10 people.
Pros:
- User-friendly, intuitive interface
- Powerful free plan with unlimited tasks, projects, and storage
- Automation features to streamline workflows
- Reporting and progress tracking tools
- Integrates with other tools (like Microsoft Teams, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Google Drive)
- Paid users can cancel plans at any time, no questions asked
- iOS and Android apps for mobile project management
Cons:
- Advanced features could be a learning curve for beginners
- Some features (such as Gantt and timeline views) require premium plans
- Asana charges state and local sales tax to all subscriptions based on your billing address; may not suit some users
3. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one work platform app based in San Diego, California. It brings various tools together in one place, reducing the need for freelancers (or businesses) to pay for several different apps. Its “Free Forever” tier is best for personal use, while paid plans starting at $7 are available for teams.
There is a handy compare tool on the website, so you can easily see how it stacks up against other popular tools such as Asana, Monday, and Airtable.
Pros:
- All-in-one project management (task management, goal setting, time tracking, and more)
- Highly customizable views and workflows
- Free version offers unlimited tasks and 100MB storage
- 24/7 customer support
- Integrates with over 1,000 third-party apps
Cons:
- Extensive features and customization options may be overwhelming for beginners
- User interface can feel cluttered due to the amount of features and options
- Some features (like allowing guests with permissions) require premium plans
- Mobile app doesn’t offer the full range of features available on the web version
4. Monday
Monday is aptly named for everyone’s “favorite day of the week.” Over 225,000 customers, including big-name brands like Canva, Carrefour, and Coca-Cola, trust Monday.
Its free plan is suitable for individuals looking to keep track of their work, with up to three boards, 200+ customizable templates, and unlimited docs. For small teams – or those who want to share “read only” access with clients – a paid plan may be more suitable.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use, intuitive project tracking with boards and timelines
- 200+ customizable templates covering every industry
- Collaboration tools for file sharing and team communication
- Self-serve knowledge base for users on the free plan
- iOS and Android apps for work on the go
Cons:
- Limited storage allowance of 500MB with the free version
- 24/7 customer support only available with paid plans
- Some features only available with paid plans (e.g., automations for repetitive tasks, time tracking)
- More expensive than some competitors
5. Todoist
As the name suggests, Todoist is an app known for its to-do list function. Much like the other apps on this list, Todoist allows users to organize their work into projects and subtasks. These subtasks can be assigned a priority level, color-coded, and filtered using labels.
The Beginner plan is free and allows users to start up to five personal projects. The Pro plan is $4 per month and allows users up to 300 personal projects.
Pros:
- Minimalist, intuitive interface
- Lots of customization options, allowing users to tailor the app to their needs
- Up to 5MB of file uploads for free users (and 100MB for paid users)
- Integration with appointment-scheduling tools like Google Calendar; plus, tools like Toggl Track, Slack, Gmail, and Dropbox
- Karma Points feature allows users to track and improve their productivity
- Works offline and can be used on desktop, mobile, and wearable devices
Cons:
- Some features unavailable for free users (e.g., calendar layout)
- Limited number of custom filters for free users
- Pricier than some competitors
6. Nifty
Nifty is a project management tool that simplifies project planning, tracking, and collaboration. Like ClickUp, the tool reduces the need to switch between multiple apps. It stands out for its ability to set visual timelines, add tasks, and delegate tasks to team members (if applicable) for project tracking.
Nifty offers a free plan to help users get a feel for the tool. With the free plan, you get 100MB of storage and up to two active projects. Paid plans start at $7 per month and include more advanced features.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface, making it a great option for project management newbies
- Combines multiple project management tools in one platform
- Built-in chat and document sharing
- Supports integration with tools like Google Drive, Zoom, and Slack
Cons:
- Limited customization compared to some competitors
- Cloud-based, so requires a good internet connection
- Some advanced features (such as time tracking and reporting) require higher-tier plans
7. Hive
Hive is an excellent app for those seeking a combined task management and communication tool. There are multiple ways to view projects in Hive, including Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendar view, and table view. For each project, users can create individual tasks and sub actions, making organization easy. The tool also facilitates messaging and video chat within the platform, as well as collaborative note taking.
Hive offers a free plan designed for “light project management.” Paid plans start at $5 per month.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Flexible project views and customization options
- Makes collaboration and communication easy
- Allows you to automate small repetitive tasks
- A range of analytics and reporting features
- Integrates with over 1,000 apps, such as Google Drive, QuickBooks, and Dropbox
- 24/7 customer support on all plans
Cons:
- Some features and integrations only available with paid plans
- Task cards can only hold text (frustrating for teams relying on visual content or sharing files related to tasks)
8. Teamwork
Teamwork is another all-in-one project and team management platform. It’s known for its advanced features such as time-tracking, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Users can manage the entire client lifecycle with Teamwork – making it ideal for freelancers. The platform boasts integrated chat and file sharing capabilities as well as a client onboarding template. You can even set up billing accounts and create invoices within the platform.
Teamwork doesn’t offer a free plan, but you can try it for free for 30 days.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- A wide range of project templates to save you time
- Real-time updates and alerts on the progress of tasks (no need to manually check in on team members’ progress)
- Great for client onboarding and project tracking
- Integrates with tools such as HubSpot, Slack, and QuickBooks
Cons:
- No free plan available
- Some features require users to purchase higher-tier plans (e.g., custom reports)
- Some users report performance issues, especially with larger projects
9. Airtable
Airtable is a cloud-based platform that combines the features of databases and spreadsheets. You can use templates to create “bases” that track tasks and deadlines, manage content creation processes, and more. Like many of the tools on this list, you can customize your view. Options include timeline view, list view, and Kanban view.
Airtable’s free plan is generally suitable for freelancers, offering unlimited bases and up to 1,000 records per base. Paid plans start at $20 per month.
Pros:
- Highly customizable, with various views and templates to choose from
- Integrates with popular tools like Google Workspace, Slack, and Outlook
- Strong built-in automation using triggers and actions (so no coding required)
- Can create dashboards of charts, graphs, and metrics
Cons:
- Some features are only available with paid plans (e.g., Gantt and timeline views)
- Paid versions priced higher than many platforms
- Amount of customization options may overwhelm some users
10. Wrike
Wrike is another tool that streamlines project management and collaboration by keeping it all in one place. You can structure information using folders, projects, tasks, and subtasks and customize your workspace using Kanban boards, calendars, and table views. If you like working from spreadsheets, you’ll love the table view!
Wrike offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.80 per month and offer additional features. You can try a paid plan for free for 14 days.
Pros:
- User-friendly, highly customizable interface
- AI features allow automation of repetitive tasks
- Offers real-time progress reports
- Integrates with 400+ third-party tools, including HubSpot, Slack, and Salesforce
- No credit card required for free plan
Cons:
- Missing some of the collaboration features of other platforms (e.g., no way to centralize conversations)
- Slightly cluttered interface, which can undermine user experience
- Designed with teams in mind, so may not be optimized for freelancers
Which Software Is Best for You?
Selecting the best freelance project management software depends on your specific budget, needs, and preferences. If a particular software interests you, it’s worth consulting tutorials on said software via YouTube. For example, you could search “Asana for beginners” and find many tutorials on Asana that cater to beginners. And remember, many platforms offer free trials, so you can get a feel for the tool before making any financial investment.
Becoming A Freelancer
Do you dream of escaping the 9–5 grind and becoming a freelancer? Consider our comprehensive course, Becoming A Freelancer. It’s the ultimate guide to setting up a freelancing business from scratch! You’ll learn how to set up your ideal freelance business, find prospective clients, and so much more. We even offer free lessons for you to try it out.
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