At ActiKnow, we have worked on a number of projects, organized and led many teams from different organizations and we know how challenging it is to organize and manage projects. It can get extremely difficult to track these things, although we cracked that code a long time ago (and that is a secret we will share for another time), tracking web application development can be complex. However, with the right tools, we can streamline workflows, make collaboration transparent, and deliver high-quality results. Below is a carefully curated list of the top free project management tools we have used, our clients use, and have chosen to share in this ultimate list to make sure you are effective in your web application development. We also included important info such as key features, pricing information, and cited sources for reference.
1. Trello
Tracking and managing projects doesn’t have to be complicated, and Trello proves that simplicity works. What we found interesting while using this software is their visual, card-based system, making it easier to track progress, assign tasks, and keep an eye on deadlines. It works for individual freelancers, or running a distributed global team, Trello keeps workflows intuitive and organized.
Key Features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Customizable boards, lists, and cards
- Integration with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Jira
Best For: Teams that prefer a visual way to manage projects and tasks without getting bogged down in complex features. Trello is especially useful for creative teams, marketing professionals, and software development squads who need a flexible, easy-to-use tool with seamless collaboration.
Pricing: Free for individuals and small teams; premium plans start at $5 per user/month.
Pros: Easy to use, visually appealing, and flexible. Compatible with automation API’s like Zapier. Google Calendar integration for the free tier.
Cons: Limited automation and advanced features in the free version. Kanban view only for the free tier.
Source: Zapier: Best Project Management Software
2. Asana
This one is popular, used by a few of our clients. If your team members are the geniuses that like to keep everything structured and well-documented, you can’t go wrong with Asana. It allows you to break down projects into sub-tasks, assign them to team members, and set deadlines—all while maintaining full visibility of your project timeline via Kanban or list view. If your team thrives on order and organization, Asana keeps everything moving smoothly.
Key Features:
- Task assignments with due dates
- Project tracking through Kanban boards, timelines, and calendars
- Over 100 third-party integrations
Best For: Teams that require structured project management with a clear breakdown of tasks, milestones, and responsibilities. Whether you’re managing a software development cycle, content creation, or marketing campaigns, Asana makes it easy to keep everything in check without missing deadlines.
Pricing: Free for up to 15 team members; paid plans start at $10.99 per user/month.
Pros: Excellent UI and feature-rich free version. Zapier compatibility. Popular integration with calendars such as Outlook and Google.
Cons: Some advanced automation and reporting tools are locked behind paid plans. Limited storage, some collaboration tools are disabled on free plans.
Source: PCMag: Best Project Management Software
3. ClickUp
ClickUp has gained a lot of brand name in the past 5 years. Showcased in Shark Tank as well as those catchy TikTok videos, they offer a lot of features for project management. Designed to be an all-in-one solution, it gives you many ways to visualize and organize your projects. From Kanban boards to Gantt charts and spreadsheets, ClickUp adapts to your workflow, as they tought themselves not just a project management software for web application development, but for all sorts of imaginative ways you need to organize your various friend tribes.
Key Features:
- Customizable dashboards and workflows
- Time tracking and goal setting
- Integrates with GitHub, Google Calendar, and more
Best For: Teams that need flexibility and a tool that can scale with them. ClickUp is ideal for fast-paced startups, tech teams, and businesses managing multiple projects across different departments. Its extensive customization options make it a great fit for teams that want full control over how they organize their work.
Pricing: Free for personal use and small teams; premium plans start at $5 per user/month.
Pros: Versatile and highly customizable. A lot of features for free such as the Everything View, custom fields and AI summaries.
Cons: Can be overwhelming for new users due to extensive options. Navigation of various features that you truly need can be tucked away 2 to 3 clicks down.
Source: ClickUp Blog
4. Notion
Notion, we call this tool a project management software designed by the folks from Apple. What we find fascinating with them is that outside of a project management tool—they have this feature called workspace where your team can keep everything from documents to databases in one location. It’s great for teams that need flexibility, allowing you to create dashboards, manage tasks, and store knowledge seamlessly. If you’re looking for a tool that combines project tracking with robust documentation, Notion is worth exploring.
Key Features:
- All-in-one workspace for wikis, task management, and collaboration
- Customizable templates and relational databases
- Ability to embed documents, spreadsheets, and media
Best For: Teams that rely on knowledge sharing and documentation alongside project management. Notion is particularly useful for research teams, content creators, and engineering teams that need a single source of truth to manage projects and resources.
Pricing: Free for personal use; team plans start at $8 per user/month.
Pros: Highly flexible and reduces the need for multiple tools. They have a community that produces extensions, either for free or paid, similar to WordPress plugins.
Cons: Steeper learning curve for new users. Their / commands make it difficult to adopt the product.
Source: ProProfs Blog
5. Wrike
Just when we feel like we have seen it all, then comes a client that uses Wrike! Wrike is a robust project management tool built for teams that thrive on detailed planning and structured execution, sounds like your highschool football coach. Whether you’re managing marketing campaigns or organizing your next pickleball tournament, Wrike provides a comprehensive way to keep track of every moving piece. Its reporting features make it a strong choice for large-scale projects that require precision.
Key Features:
- Real-time Gantt charts
- Task prioritization and workload management
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Best For: Mid-to-large teams that need advanced reporting and workload balancing. If you work in an industry where resource planning and team efficiency are critical, Wrike ensures that every deadline and task is accounted for with real-time updates.
Pricing: Free for small teams; premium plans start at $9.80 per user/month.
Pros: Powerful reporting and scalability. They have a huge template marketplace that helps you start on day 0 and be productive.
Cons: Free plan lacks advanced automation and customization options. No custom fields, dashboards and realtime reports on the free plan.
Source: Zoho Projects
6. Freedcamp
So our first encounter with Freedcamp is when we started working with Carlo de los Santos, our growth consultant and we have to say, this software is really impressive. It is a simple yet powerful project management tool that offers a generous free plan, more whistles and bells than the other free tiers we know so far. It’s built with freelancers and small businesses in mind, making it easy to collaborate, track tasks, and manage projects without the hassle of expensive subscriptions. If you’re looking for an affordable, flexible option, Freedcamp is worth considering.
Key Features:
- Task lists and Kanban boards
- Gantt charts and project templates
- Time tracking and file storage
Best For: Freelancers and small businesses looking for an easy-to-use project management tool without the high costs. Freedcamp works well for teams juggling multiple projects and need a centralized system for organization.
Pricing: Free for unlimited users; premium plans start at $1.49 per user/month.
Pros: Generous free plan with no user limits. They go on AppSumo from time to time and offer lifetime subscription price, wait for that!
Cons: Limited integrations compared to other platforms.
Source: Freedcamp Official Site
7. Basecamp
Basecamp is one of those project management tools that disrupted Jira in the early 2010s and disrupt they did. At the time we looked at projects the way Jira does, but when they came they took aunique approach to project management by combining collaboration and task management in one intuitive platform. It’s built for teams that want to simplify communication while keeping tasks and deadlines on track. If you want an all-in-one workspace for managing projects without unnecessary complexity, Basecamp is worth a look.
Key Features:
- Task lists, message boards, and group chat
- File sharing and document storage
- Automatic check-ins for team updates
Best For: Small to medium-sized teams that need a streamlined collaboration tool. Basecamp is particularly useful for remote teams and agencies that need to manage multiple clients without losing sight of essential details.
Pricing: Free for personal use; business plans start at $15 per user/month.
Pros: Simple interface with strong collaboration tools. They have an innovative approach to project tracking outside of Kanban or list views.
Cons: Limited customization options compared to other tools. It feels like an Evernote when on the free plan. It will take some getting used to, medium learning curve.
Source: Basecamp Official Site
8. Height.app
Rounding up our list is a project management tool our intern discovered during his breaktime. Yes, our team still likes to discover cool things around the web, it never ends. What Height.app is, is a project management tool designed for teams (we are not talking about your fantasy football crew) looking for a balance between simplicity and power. This software has real-time collaboration and automation, it offers a really cool way to track tasks and milestones. If you’re looking for a future-focused project management tool with strong automation capabilities, Height.app is a great choice.
Key Features:
- Hybrid Kanban, spreadsheet, and calendar views
- Custom workflows with AI-driven automation
- Real-time collaboration and team chat
Best For: Startups, agile teams, and businesses that need automation and flexibility. Height.app is ideal for product development teams, marketing departments, and tech startups looking to streamline workflows.
Pricing: Free for small teams; premium plans start at $6.99 per user/month.
Pros: Strong automation features and flexible task views.
Cons: Some features are still in development as the platform evolves.
Source: Height.app Official Site
Fortune 500 companies rely on ActiKnow, a top-tier web application development provider, to build custom web applications that gain industry recognition and feature in award-winning citations. Contact us today to level up your next web application.
