Best free project management software (2026)
By Will
You do not have to pay to run projects well. The best free project management tools give small teams real, usable plans without a subscription. We tested the leading options on how generous the free plan actually is, how easy they are to use, and how far they stretch before you need to upgrade.
Plaky is our best pick on value, with a free plan that keeps boards, items and views unlimited. Trello is the simplest, ClickUp packs the most into its free tier, and Notion is the most flexible if you want docs and projects together.
| # | Tool | Best for | Rating | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PlakyBest free overall | Small teams, Budget-conscious teams | Free plan (unlimited boards, items & views); paid from $3.99/user/mo billed annually | Visit | |
| 2 | TrelloBest for simplicity Generous free plan, save with annual billing | Individuals, Small teams | Free plan; paid from ~$5/user/mo | Visit | |
| 3 | ClickUpBest feature-rich free plan Lower per-user pricing with annual billing, plus a generous free plan | Growing teams, Power users | Free plan; paid from ~$7/user/mo | Visit | |
| 4 | NotionBest for docs + projects Up to 6 months free via Notion for Startups, plus around 17% off annual billing | Solo founders, Small teams | Free for individuals; paid from ~$10/user/mo | Visit |
#1 · Best free overall
Plaky
Monday-style boards with unlimited spaces, boards, items and views on the free plan, and a paid tier from just $3.99 if you grow. The best value for small teams that want colourful, simple project tracking.
#2 · Best for simplicity
Trello
The easiest to pick up, built around simple Kanban boards. A great free choice if your needs are light and you value getting started in minutes.
#3 · Best feature-rich free plan
ClickUp
Packs the most into its free tier, with many views and features. Powerful, but with a steeper learning curve than Plaky or Trello.
#4 · Best for docs + projects
Notion
The most flexible, combining notes, docs and project boards in one workspace. Ideal if you want your knowledge base and your projects living together.
How we picked
We judged these on the free plan alone: how much you can actually do without paying, how easy it is to start, and how soon you hit a wall that forces an upgrade.
Plaky: best free overall
Plaky gives small teams the most usable free plan for board-style project management: unlimited boards, items and views, in a colourful, Monday-like interface. When you do need more, its paid tier is among the cheapest, so it stays good value as you grow.
Trello, ClickUp and Notion
Trello wins if you want the simplest possible start. ClickUp offers the most features free if you are willing to climb the learning curve. Notion is the pick if you want documents and projects in one flexible workspace. Each has a genuinely useful free tier.
Our verdict
For most small teams, Plaky is the best free project management tool: generous, simple and cheap to upgrade. Choose Trello for simplicity, ClickUp for features, or Notion for flexibility. All are free to start, so try the one that matches how your team works.