Kanban boards are quite the buzzword when it comes to free process manamagement softwares for modern teams, mostly because they offer a visual and intuitive approach to task management.
Many of the top-rated tools are flexible and easy-to-use, but they can come at a hefty cost that discourages startups and organizations on a budget from subscribing. The best free Kanban board options give you free access, but advanced functionalities may come at a hidden (and often high) cost.
In this guide we delve deep into which Kanban boards deliver on their promise, combining full free access with efficient project management.
Table of Contents
What is a Kanban Board?
A free Kanban board can be described as a visual tool that helps your team organize work efficiently, leading to improved productivity and smoother workflows. To explain it in its simplest format, a Kanban board represents the flow of tasks through different stages, typically organized in columns like ‘To Do’, ‘In Progress’, and ‘Done.
Tasks are represented by cards that can be moved from one column to the next, giving a clear, visual overview of progress. The system is very simple, but powerful, allowing you and your team to instantly understand what’s pending, who’s responsible, and what has been completed.
Having access to a free Kanban board is useful no matter what level you are in the hierarchy. Whether you’re a team lead, a C level, a head of department or even an external freelancer, the tool will help you keep on top of your workload and see where you fit in the larger picture. It keeps everyone on the same page without the need of meetings, updates or much effort.
The Best Free Kanban Boards at a Glance
| Feature | Teamplate | Pipify | Kanban Flow | Asana | ClickUp | Kanban Tool | Miro | Monday.com | Taskworld |
| Free Plan | Unlimited free plan including all functionalities | Up to 10 users | No file attachments, analytics, integrations or customizations | Up to 15 users | Up to 5 spaces | No file attachments, time tracking or automation | Up to 3 boards | Up to 2 users, basic functions only | Up to 1GB storage & 15 users |
| Visual Workflow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Task Cards | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable Columns | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| WIP Limits | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Real-Time Collaboration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics & Reporting | High | High | Low | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | High |
| Dashboard Integrations | Email, Calendar, Chat, Video Conferencing, Screen Recording, Project Management, | Chat, Email, | Google Calendar, Slack | Slack, Google Drive, | Slack, Google Drive, Calendar | Email, Slack, Zapier | Google Drive, Slack, | Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Calendar | Slack, Email, Calendar, Google Drive |
| Ease of Use | Intuitive | Intuitive | Intuitive | Difficult | Moderate | Moderate | High | Moderate | High |
| Task Prioritization | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Top Free Kanban Board Tools – Detailed Reviews
Want to learn more about the free Kanban board tools listed above, and why they made it on our list. Below, our experts have compiled more detailed reviews that are the result of practical testing on a number of mock projects.
Teamplate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A fully-integrated Kanban-style platform that is entirely free.
What you get in a nutshell:
Teamplate is an all-in-one project management tool that provides a range of features without any cost, making it an ideal solution if you’re looking for comprehensive task management and collaboration capabilities. Unlike many competitors, Teamplate is an actual free Kanban board with no hidden costs. It offers all features at no cost, making it highly accessible to teams of any size.
Pros:
- 100% free: Teamplate provides access to all its features at no cost, allowing teams to use the full range of capabilities without needing to upgrade or pay for premium versions.
- Integrated platform: The tool combines project management, task tracking, time tracking, and team communication in a single platform, reducing the need for multiple applications.
- Visual task boards: Kanban-style boards make it easy to organize, prioritize, and track the progress of tasks and projects visually.
- Built-in communication tools: Integrated chat and messaging features make it easy for the entire team to collaborate and communicate without relying on external apps.
- Customizable templates: You can set up projects quickly and tailor them to the specific needs of your team.
- Time tracking: The built-in time tracking feature helps you monitor the time spent on tasks, improving accountability and productivity.
- Real-time updates: All team members are always on the same page, fostering better coordination and productivity.
Cons:
- Limited third-party integrations: Teamplate is designed to be a standalone platform that covers all communication needs (chat, email, video-conferencing, screen recording) and project management, so the focus is not on integrating with other external tools.
Best use cases:
Teams looking for a free Kanban board without the need to pay for advanced features, especially those who prefer an integrated platform that handles task management, communication, and time tracking all in one place.
Verdict:
Teamplate is a standout digital management tool, especially for teams looking for a no-cost solution with a rich set of features. The all-in-one approach makes it highly convenient, and the intuitive dashboard doesn’t require a steep learning curve.
Pipify
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆
A free Kanban tool with powerful automation for small teams.
What you get in a nutshell
Pipefy is one of the best project management tools for startups, featuring a customizable Kanban board, making it suitable for visually organizing tasks while also incorporating automation for more efficient workflows.
Pros:
- Customizable Kanban board: You can carry out drag-and-drop customization, making it easy to adapt to specific workflow requirements without advanced setup.
- Built-in automation: Automation rules are accessible even in the free version, so you can automate routine tasks, such as moving cards or updating fields based on triggers.
- Ready-to-use templates: Pipify provides pre-designed templates for processes like recruitment, onboarding, and task management, which speeds up the setup process.
Cons:
- Limited field customization in free plan: The free version restricts customization of fields and card properties, which you’ll probably find too
- limiting for more complex processes requiring specific data.
- Basic Analytics: The reporting features do not allow for deep analysis or customized data views, so you won’t be able to extract actionable insights from workflow performance.
Best use cases:
Small teams or startups looking for a straightforward, free Kanban board with added automation features.
Shortcomings:
Pipefy’s free plan lacks advanced integration options with other major productivity tools, which can hinder your workflow if you’re using a range of platforms. Additionally, the limited custom field options make it difficult to adapt to workflows that require highly specific data tracking.
Verdict:
Pipefy is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a simple, but efficient, free Kanban board with built-in automation. But if you need in-depth analytics or advanced customization it comes at a cost.
Kanban Flow
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆
A simple yet effective Kanban tool with integrated time tracking.
What you get in a nutshell:
Kanban Flow is a lightweight Kanban project management tool that integrates time-tracking features, perfect if you need to enhance personal productivity or manage small team projects efficiently.
Pros:
- Time tracking integration: Built-in Pomodoro timer and time-tracking capabilities help you monitor how long tasks are taking.
- Swimlanes for enhanced organization: You can organize tasks into categories, making complex workflows more manageable.
- Task dependencies: This ensures that tasks are completed in the proper order, which reduces workflow bottlenecks.
Cons:
- Limited integration options: KanbanFlow has very few integrations with other productivity or communication tools, making it challenging to use within a broader software ecosystem.
- No mobile app: Lacks a dedicated mobile app, so if you often need to manage tasks on-the-go it may not be the right solution for you.
Best use cases:
Individuals or small teams that need a straightforward Kanban board with effective time-tracking features.
Shortcomings:
KanbanFlow lacks more sophisticated reporting and analytics features, so it’s less suitable if you’re running a larger team that needs data-driven insights. Functionalities aren’t integrated in one hub, so you’ll need to deal with different platforms.
Verdict:
KanbanFlow lives up to its description as a free Kanban board and is a great tool for personal productivity, but the lack of advanced features, including integration and analytics, means it’s not ideal for largescale or complex projects.
Asana
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A robust task management tool for teams of all sizes with powerful project tracking features.
What you get in a nutshell:
Asana’s versatility makes it one of the best online collaboration platforms, offering a mix of task management, project planning, and team collaboration tools. Its combination of customizable workflows and easy-to-use interface makes it well-suited for teams ranging from small startups to large enterprises.
Pros:
- Customizable workflows: You can tailor these to fit a wide range of project needs, from simple task lists to complex project timelines.
- Multiple project views: Choose from list, board, calendar, and timeline, so as to visualize projects in a way that best suits your workflow.
- Integration with popular tools: You can combine it with a vast number of third-party tools, such as Slack, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Teams.
Cons:
- Limited free plan features: This is far from being a 100% free Kanban board, and many advanced features – like timeline view and task dependencies – need to be paid for. This will limit its use for larger teams.
- Difficult to master: The number of features can be overwhelming for new users, leading to a longer onboarding process.
Best use cases:
Teams needing to track complex projects with multiple tasks and wanting the flexibility of a free Kanban board with different visualization tools to manage work effectively.
Shortcomings:
The notification system can be overwhelming, especially for larger teams, leading to potential missed updates or alert fatigue. The absence of built-in time tracking means users may need third-party integrations to manage task durations effectively.
Verdict:
Asana is an excellent project management tool for teams looking for a robust solution to track tasks, projects, and team communication. If you’re looking for the best free online collaboration tools you also need to be very aware that most functionalities require payment.
ClickUp
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Offering extensive customization options.
What you get in a nutshell:
This is a comprehensive management and productivity platform designed to meet the needs of teams of all sizes. It comes with a vast range of features and customization options, to help you manage tasks, workflows, goals, and projects in one space.
Pros:
- Highly customizable: There are extensive options for views, fields, and workflows, allowing you to tailor your platform to your unique needs.
- Multiple task views: You can switch between list, board, Gantt, and more, so you decide how you want to organize your projects.
- Native time tracking: You can monitor your team’s progress without needing third-party tools.
Cons:
- Complex interface: The extensive features and customization options can make ClickUp’s interface feel cluttered, leading to a steeper learning curve.
- Limited mobile functionality: Some functionalities that are present in the desktop version are absent on mobile.
Best use cases:
Teams that need a highly customizable project management tool.
Shortcomings:
This free Kanban board has a vast number of features, but these can lead to overcomplication, making it challenging for smaller teams or those looking for a straightforward tool.
Verdict:
Aversatile and powerful project management tool, particularly suitable if you like having a wide range of features in one platform. However, smaller teams may prefer a simpler, more streamlined interface.
Kanban Tool
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆
A simple and effective visual management tool with real-time collaboration.
What you get in a nutshell:
The OG, the Kanban Tool is a straightforward project management platform that focuses on visual task management through Kanban boards. This free Kanban board is simple and intuitive and was created specifically for teams seeking real-time collaboration without the clutter of excessive features.
Pros:
- Real-time collaboration: Your team can view changes as they happen, which improves transparency and coordination.
- Swimlanes for organization: Users can create swimlanes to categorize tasks, which is very helpful in manageing different workflows and prioritizing projects visually.
- Time tracking add-on: You can choose to add a time tracking add-on to gain insight into how long tasks take and help your productivity analysis.
Cons:
- Limited integration options: This places it at a disadvantage for interconnected workflows.
- Very basic analytics: Reporting features are quite simple, which may not be sufficient for teams needing in-depth insights.
Best use cases:
Small teams or individuals who would like a visual way to manage tasks and projects, with minimal setup and straightforward features.
Shortcomings:
The lack of realintegration options will be a weakness if your team relies on multiple software tools. Additionally, the platform’s simplicity, while viewed as an advantage by some, may not provide enough advanced features if you’re part of a larger team with more complex project needs.
Verdict:
This free Kanban board offers an effective a simple solution for visual task management, but its limited integrations and basic analytics make it less suitable for larger or more feature-demanding teams.
Miro
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A versatile online collaborative whiteboard for brainstorming and visual project planning.
What you get in a nutshell:
Miro is a flexible online collaborative whiteboard platform that will help you brainstorm, plan projects, and visualize workflows via its free Kanbard board functionalities. Its intuitive interface and wide range of features make it ideal for creative teams and those who need a collaborative visual space to ideate and plan.
Pros:
- Versatile templates: You’ll find a wide selection of pre-built templates for brainstorming, mind mapping, retrospectives, and more, to get you started off quickly.
- Real-time collaboration: Multiple members of your team can work on the board simultaneously.
- Integration with popular tools: There’s a variety of tools like Slack, Google Workspace, Jira, and Microsoft Teams that can be incorporated into existing workflows.
Cons:
- Difficult to get used to: Due to its extensive features and flexibility, it can be overwhelming to learn and navigate at first.
- Performance issues with large boards: Some users have reported performance slowdowns when working with very large or complex boards/
Best use cases:
Teams that need a collaborative space for visual brainstorming, mind mapping, and planning, especially in the context of remote team collaboration tools.
Shortcomings:
Its very flexibility can lead to overcomplication, especially if you only need a simple, structured workflow without too many options. Additionally, setting up the many integrations, setting them up can be time-consuming, especially for less tech-savvy users.
Verdict:
Miro is a powerful collaborative tool if you need a visual, flexible space to brainstorm, plan, and innovate. Its versatility and real-time collaboration capabilities are its main strengths, but the learning curve and potential performance issues may be a drawback for some users.
Microsoft Planner
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆
A simple task management tool integrated with Microsoft 365.
What you get in a nutshell:
Microsoft Planner is a task management tool that integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, providing a simple way for you to create, assign, and track tasks. Its intuitive Kanban-style interface makes it easy to visualize project progress and to collaborate within the Microsoft environment.
Pros:
- Integration with Microsoft 365: Microsoft Planner is tightly integrated with Microsoft 365, allowing you to link tasks with tools like Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint.
- Easy task assignment and tracking: It’s ideal for basic project management and keeping your team organized at a basic level.
- Simple, visual interface: This free Kanban board provides an easy-to-use visual overview of tasks, which is particularly useful if you’re looking for a basic way to manage workload.
Cons:
- No advanced project management features: This limits its use for more complex project needs.
- Limited customization options for workflows and task details: This may reduce its effectiveness for teams that require more tailored solutions.
Best use cases:
Small to medium-sized teams that are already using Microsoft 365 and need a straightforward way to manage tasks and collaborate without the complexity of advanced project management tools.
Shortcomings:
The lack of advanced features means it struggles to handle complex projects, which makes it less viable if you’re part of a larger team or you work on intricate project timelines. Moreover, its limited reporting capabilities can make it challenging for managers to gather detailed insights into project performance.
Verdict:
Useful in terms of simple task management solutions within the Microsoft ecosystem, but unsuitable for managing complex projects.
Taskworld
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A feature-rich project management tool with built-in performance tracking and visual task boards.
What you get in a nutshell:
Taskworld combines task organization with performance tracking, providing a comprehensive tool for managing tasks, collaborating, and gaining insights into productivity. It comes with a colorful and intuitive interface designed to help teams you stay organized no matter the size of your team.
Pros:
- Built-in performance tracking: You can easily track task completion rates and productivity without a third-party tool.
- Visual task boards: These make it easy to visualize progress, organize tasks, and track individual responsibilities.
- Chat and collaboration: Integrated chat and messaging allows you to communicate directly within the platform.
Cons:
- Limited field customization: The free version restricts customization of fields and card properties, which can be limiting for more complex processes requiring specific data.
- Basic Analytics: The reporting features do not allow for deep analysis or customized data views, so there’s no ability to extract actionable insights.
Best use cases:
Teams that need a free Kanban board with visual task boards and advanced communication tools.
Shortcomings:
Limited third-party integrations can be a drawback, while the platform’s pricing structure might not be the best fit for small businesses or startups that are looking for a budget-friendly option with advanced features.
Verdict:
A well-rounded project management tool with visual task boards that’s ideal for mid-sized to larger teams. However, if you’re after an actual free Kanban board, higher pricing for advanced features may be challenging for smaller teams or those with complex software needs.
How We Evaluate and Test Apps
To ensure we recommend only the best free Kanban tools, we use a data-driven process where we evaluate each app based on a number of key criteria.
These are the main features that will determine whether the tool provides a positive experience for members of the team while being a worthwhile addition to your organization as a whole.
- Affordability: We have only included a tool if it offers a free Kanban board functionality beyond a free trial. The majority don’t give you access to all features for free, but you will at least have a basic level accessible without the need to pay a subscription.
- Customization: The best free Kanban board should be flexible, allowing you and each member to tailor workflows, boards and views to match your unique needs.
- Integration: Seamless integration with other essential tools like email, calendars, chat and video conferencing is crucial to avoid wasting time with multiple tools and to keep everyone aligned.
- Ease of Use: An intuitive interface is essential when picking a free Kanban board.Your team shouldn’t need to use up time and energy on onboarding tools as this impacts productivity.
- AI Automation: Features like AI-driven task assignment or priority setting can significantly boost both morale and productivity, letting your team focus more on meaningful work rather than repetitive tasks. Brownie points if these are easy to use and don’t require knowledge of coding.
What Makes the Best Free Kanban Tool?
Given all the above, the best free Kanban tool is one that adapts seamlessly to the specific needs of your team while remaining simple and efficient to use.
We view real-time collaboration, flexible visual customizations, insightful analytics, and smooth integrations as being essential features. So is the ability to maintain clear communication through easy tagging, comments, and automated updates.
How does a Free Kanban Board Improve Your Productivity & Team Workflows?
The right free Kanban board can provide a very powerful tool for boosting productivity and streamlining teamwork. By visualizing work as a series of manageable tasks, Kanban makes it easy for your team to see priorities and deadlines at a glance. This visual clarity reduces miscommunication and prevents tasks from falling through the cracks.
Additionally, the visual flow of tasks highlights where bottlenecks occur, allowing you to address issues before they become major obstacles. Your team is empowered to take responsibility, regularly moving tasks across the board according to each task owner’s progress. This encourages accountability and helps establish a rhythm of steady progress, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
In short, an excellent, free Kanban board has the potential to transform your task management process into a visual, efficient, and collaborative experience, making complex projects feel more under control.
Is it worth doing the groundwork to find the best free Kanban tool? Undoubtedly. While figuring all this out may sound like a lot of effort, the comparison table we’ve provided above will give you answers to the most common questions at a glance. Once you have a basic understanding of the capacities of each app, you can use our detailed reviews to find out more information about specific functionalities.
Why Teamplate is the Best Free Kanban Board Creator
Starting with the obvious, Teamplate is 100% free. It comes at no cost at all and will allow you to access advanced capabilities without putting a strain on your budget. But it’s not just about costings – if you’re managing multiple projects you will undoubtedly find the visual task boards and customizable templates a huge help. The boards also make it easy to keep track of productivity and accountability thanks to the built-in time tracking feature, so it’s easy to monitor the way time is allocated across various projects and tasks.
Finally, the real-time collaboration and integrated communication tools are invaluable for keeping the workflow smooth without needing to switch between multiple applications.
How to Create a Free Kanban Board with Teamplate
- Start off by creating Spaces by topic – eg Tasks, Events etc
- Choose the Space where you want to create a project – let’s assume you’re picking Tasks
- Click on the 3 dots next to ‘Tasks’ and choose ‘Add project’
- Name your new project and create a prefix for easier filing
- Customize the project as you wish, with deadlines, tags, assignees etc
- Invite team mates to your project
And that’s it, your free kanban board is done! Ready to start using Teamplate for your team for free? Click here to hit the ground running.
