Giving your team access to a free Kanban board is crucial in today’s working environments, where efficient communication and streamlined workflows are a priority. 

This awesome tool has single handedly transformed how teams visualize and manage workflows, firmly establishing itself as one of the preferred project management tools among many leading organizations thanks to the simplicity and efficiency it adds to workflows. 

Using the right free Kanban software for your team offers a cost-effective way to organize tasks and improve productivity, making it one of the most efficient online collaboration tools. However, with so many options now available, zoning in to the best option can be tricky. In this blog post we will roundup the best free Kanban tools available, their standout features, and how to make sure you pick the right one for your needs.

Our List of Highest-Performing Free Kanban Board Options

1. Teamplate: All-in-one productivity for detail-driven professionals who need to track everything in one place.
2. ClickUp: Simplify and scale project workflows for teams that crave efficiency and collaboration. 
3. Trello: Visual project management made simple for creative teams and task-oriented individuals.
4. Kanban Flow: Lean and fast task tracking for multitaskers who value time management and simplicity.
5. Miro: Collaborative whiteboarding for teams who innovate through visuals and brainstorming.
6. Jira: Powerful issue tracking and agile solutions for software development and tech-focused teams.
7. Kanboard: Minimalist Kanban for self-starters and teams seeking a lightweight, open-source solution.
8. Pipefy: Streamlined process automation for operations professionals seeking better workflows.
9. Kanban Tool: Smart task boards for teams that value insight-driven planning and productivity.

How We Evaluate & Test Free Kanban Software Apps

Why should you trust our advice about the best free Kanban board? Our experts have tested the top options currently present on the market first-hand, so as to be able to make genuine, personal recommendations. 

• Each of our reviews is the personal opinion of our team of experts:
• We only include free Kanban software that offers all features we deem essential
• We shortlist according to the most popular brands on user-review sites
• We do not accept payments for any of the reviews
• We follow a transparent review process that is applied to each free Kanban board
• We base our reviews on fact, rather than the subjective opinion of one person

Moreover, each of our reviewers signed up for all the free Kanban board software reviewed, and created projects for each one of them to see how they compare across a span of time. We did this over a three-week period, where we tested functionalities like workspaces, deadlines, communication tools, task dependencies, and more.

What Makes the Best Free Kanban Tool?

We’ve tested each free Kanban software for a range of features that we consider essential for any team, whether looking for excellent startup tools or software that’s appropriate for larger, longer-established teams. These features include:

• Ease of use: The best free Kanban board is the one that’s extremely intuitive and allows your team to hit the ground running, without extensive training necessary.
• Affordability: While these are all free Kanban boards, not all of them include the entire suite of features for free. The more features available for free, the higher our scores.
• Comprehensive functionalities: Ideally, the best free Kanban software will allow you to carry out all your daily project management and communication needs from one, single dashboard. Apps that require multiple integrations of third-party apps will score lower.
• Customization options: Each team has different workflow and management styles, so you need to be able to adapt your chosen free Kanban board as best suits your style. Our highest-scoring apps are those that offer you the flexibility to do so.

Following our comprehensive testing process based on the above four criteria, here is a summary of the highlights we discovered.

The Best Free Kanban Software Compared

Tool	Best For	Standout Feature	Pricing
Teamplate	Teams seeking an all-in-one collaboration platform.	Fully integrated communication tools, including chat, video calls, and screen recording, within a Kanban-style interface.	Free with all functionalities included.
ClickUp	Teams requiring a highly customizable and comprehensive project management solution.	Multiple views (list, board, Gantt, calendar) and extensive customization options.	Free plan is limited to 100MB storage; paid plans start at $7 per user/month.
Trello	Individuals and small teams preferring a simple, visual task management tool.	Intuitive card and board system with Power-Ups for added functionality.	Free plan is limited to 10 boards per workspace and basic automation; paid plans start at $5 per user/month.
KanbanFlow	Individuals and small teams focusing on personal productivity and time management.	Built-in Pomodoro timer and time-tracking capabilities.	Free version includes very basic task management and time tracking; premium version at $5 per user/month.
Miro	Teams emphasizing visual collaboration and brainstorming.	Infinite canvas for whiteboarding with real-time collaboration.	Free plan limited to three editable boards, pre-made templates, and core integrations; paid plans start at $8 per user/month.
Jira	Software development teams practicing agile methodologies.	Advanced issue and bug tracking with Scrum and Kanban boards.	Free plan limited to 10 users & includes Scrum and Kanban boards, backlog, and agile reporting; paid plans start at $7.50 per user/month.
Kanboard	Users seeking a free, open-source, and self-hosted Kanban solution.	Lightweight and minimalistic design with basic Kanban features.	Free and open-source.
Pipefy	Operations teams aiming to automate and streamline business processes.	Customizable process templates with automation capabilities.	Free plan limited to basic process management and email templates; paid plans start at $18 per user/month.
Kanban Tool	Teams needing visual project management with time-tracking features.	Real-time collaboration with time-tracking and performance analytics.	Free plan limited to two boards and two users with basic features; paid plans start at $5 per user/month.

Top Free Kanban Software Options

Now that you can see what each of the best free Kanban board options offers, it’s time to delve into more detail by taking a look at the pros and cons for each tool, and the key features to look out for. We have also given consideration to what other users say by checking out reviews on the popular user-review site Capterra. All the below user comments and images for each free Kanban board are lifted directly from the site.

Teamplate

CEO Melanie H has this to say about Teamplate: “I appreciate the efficiency of the collaboration tool, particularly in facilitating seamless communication for globally dispersed teams. Additionally, I find the practicality of having file transfer within the same software to be a standout feature, enhancing overall workflow efficiency. It’s very easy to use, powerful and efficient”.

Other users on Capterra all praise this free Kanban board software for offering all its features entirely for free. While they note that there is limited lack of integrations with third-party tools, they also appreciate the fact that these are not needed as all functionalities like email, chat, video conferencing, and more, are all included directly within the dashboard.

Feature	Details
Overview	A fully free , all-in-one Kanban board with collaboration and time-tracking features.
Key Features	Real-time collaboration, integrated chat, email, calendar and project templates, document sharing and storage.
Pros	Offers all features at no cost from one single dashboard, removing the need for multiple integrations.
Cons	Limited external integrations.

ClickUp

Capterra user Orla P had this to say: “Allowed me to project manage and keep track of where things were and what is being worked on and completed”. However, she also added that she “didn’t like this tool as it was quite clunky and inefficient way for me to keep track of them”.

Other users describe this free Kanban board as being more versatile than Asana, but considerably more expensive than truly free options like Teamplate.

Feature	Details
Overview	A comprehensive project management suite offering an intuitive Kanban board view.
Key Features	Custom statuses, drag-and-drop functionality, time tracking, and integrations.
Pros	Highly customisable; suitable for teams of all sizes.
Cons	Some advanced features can overwhelm new users.

Trello

Capterra user Marco B had this to say through Linkedin: “Trello has great views and is easy to set up and use, especially if you are working on an event or workshop and want the people to cooperate before, during and after the event. The fact that it is very popular means that in these cases your participants will be more likely to have an open Trello account than any other similar software so it really speeds things up.”

However, the ‘free’ aspect of this free Kanban software tool didn’t rate as highly with him, as he stated: “You will go through the limit of boards in the free account very fast.”

Feature	Details
Overview	A visually appealing tool focused on task organization using boards, lists, and cards.
Key Features	Drag-and-drop interface, customizable labels, Power-Ups for added features.
Pros	Intuitive design; quick setup.
Cons	Most of the essential features require paid add-ons.

KanbanFlow

General manager David O. describes this free Kanban board as “great for starters”, adding that it is “free and easy to use. We decided to use KanbanFlow instead of tracking projects in Excel and it was a great decision”. On the cons side, he adds: “The program is not feature rich so there are likely more robust tools on the market. However, for people starting with tools like this, simplicity can be a good thing.” Other users like Sam P were disappointed that “the swimlanes are a paid feature, which are a nice to have,,, you also can’t move completed tasks any past date you wish”, indicating that the free features may not be comprehensive enough for serious teams.

Feature	Details
Overview	A lightweight Kanban tool tailored for personal productivity and small teams.
Key Features	Built-in time tracking, task management, analytics.
Pros	Extremely simple to use.
Cons	Minimal integration options.

Miro

User Barbara C praises this free Kanban board for having “greatly simplified our ability to efficiently prepare for and address issues with current initiatives. It has reduced the need for back-and-forth emails by providing a more engaging medium for sharing information”. 

However, other users like Ben E disagree, stating that they “consider Miro to be more of a hindrance than a help to my work, mostly because of the obstructive, slow, and clicky user interface. And Sascha M notes that “it is tough to stay up to date with all the recent feature additions and capabilities”.

Feature	Details
Overview	A versatile tool offering Kanban boards alongside visual collaboration features.
Key Features	Templates, infinite canvas, real-time collaboration.
Pros	Great for team brainstorming.
Cons	May feel complex for beginners.

Jira

While many users appreciate the host of Jira functionalities, most of them also find the interface too difficult to use. Colleen M, for instance, states: “Jira is often evolving and changing its user interface which causes confusion in larger teams and it’s often difficult to establish best practices”. And Oni J agrees, claiming that ““sometimes the interface can feel a bit clunky and overwhelming especially when you have to manage complex projects“.

User Abu R appears to reflect what most of the reviews are saying, summarizing it as: “The initial learning curve can be steep, making it overwhelming for new users. Configuring advanced workflows might also be complex.”

Feature	Details
Overview	Designed for agile teams, Jira provides excellent Kanban and Scrum support.
Key Features	Advanced workflows, integrations, developer tools.
Pros	Ideal for large teams and technical projects.
Cons	Challenging setup for new users.

Kanboard

This free Kanban board is highly popular with teams that are familiar with open-source software. CEO Eric M states on Capterra: “It has all the features I need but not the bloat. I like that because it’s self hosted, my data is my own. Because it’s open source and free, I don’t worry about the cost of additional seats when I add new users.”

However, most users also acknowledge that it offers very basic functionalities that can sometimes be a bit too clunky. An anonymous, but verified, reviewer also stated: “It is sometimes difficult to get an overview when there are many tasks. Difficult to see priorities and progress. Reporting is perhaps not that good.”

Feature	Details
Overview	An open-source Kanban tool designed for simplicity and ease of use.
Key Features	Drag-and-drop tasks, customizable workflows.
Pros	Lightweight and straightforward.
Cons	Requires self-hosting; fewer features compared to competitors.

Pipefy

This free Kanban board is well-loved because it’s very intuitive and takes no time to get used to. User Laura H writes how “those who use a wide variety of software for their jobs will appreciate how intuitive and easy to learn Pipefy is to use (like me). My processes are readily and effectively automated. It’s easy to use and has been invaluable in helping me run my business.”

On the flipside, consider that it may not serve all your teams’ needs. In Krishna L’s words, “the technology does not appear to be powerful enough to manage intricate tasks. While the layout is nice, it lacks information about their community. Despite reading and experimenting with the product, complex questions remain.”

Feature	Details
Overview	A process management tool offering a structured Kanban experience.
Key Features	Custom workflows, automation, templates.
Pros	Excellent for process automation.
Cons	Limited integrations in the free plan.

Kanban Tool

While the free features available for this free Kanban board are quite basic, they are also efficient. User Merline B describes how: “I had the basic features available for free. The application was seamlessly accessible via browser and the mobile app. Must-have features worked with no issue at all.”

However, a verified reviewer disagreed, writing through LinkedIn: “I’m not particularly impressed with this one despite its affordability”, with the due date functionality being particularly criticized.

Feature	Details
Overview	A visual collaboration tool with Kanban boards and time tracking.
Key Features	Real-time updates, analytics, customizable workflows.
Pros	Easy to use; offers insightful analytics.
Cons	Advanced features locked behind paywalls.

How to Choose the Right Kanban Software

If you prefer to carry out your own testing using different free Kanban board apps, we’re still here to help. Here’s how to choose the right Kanban software for you by following our tried-and-tested process.

Priority	Elements to Consider
Lock down your specific needs	Identify what you need most from a free Kanban board: task tracking, collaboration, integrations, or reporting. Define your must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Check which features are actually free	Review the platform’s free plan. Ensure essential features like unlimited boards or users are available without hidden costs.
Consider scalability	Evaluate if the free Kanban board can grow with your team. Look for upgrade options and potential limitations that could impact long-term use.

What is Kanban board software?

Are you here looking for a free Kanban board because you heard it’s the best thing in remote collaboration tools since instant chat, but you’re not quite sure what makes it so great? Worry not – here’s a simplified explanation of what to expect from this type of software. 

All free Kanban board apps revolve around three cornerstone features: boards, lists, and cards. You can switch, add, and change between these using a drag-and-drop feature to make things easy. 

• Kanban boards: think of these as a virtual workspace that give you a bird’s eye view of your entire project. 
• Kanban lists: these are the workflows contained within your Kanban board, and can be as basic as To Do, In Process, and Completed – or as complicated as you require, with additions like For Review, Scheduled, Rejected, and so forth.
• Kanban cards: these are the individual tasks within your Kanban lists that you drag from one list to another along the pipeline until they’re completed.

Why Teamplate is our Highest-Rated Kanban software

We’re not gonna lie, all the free Kanban boards we reviewed above will make an excellent choice. They all offer excellent features that will help you and your team streamline your work process, whether you’re fully remote or not, and whether you’re a small start-up or a larger organization. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t have included them in our list of best free Kanban software.

That said, we believe that Teamplate goes the extra mile for two, hugely-important reasons:

1. It is genuinely, 100% free. The vast majority of other Kanban board options reviewed above will at some point require you to pay something. The only two that don’t are Teamplate and Kanboard. However, the latter is limited in functionalities and doesn’t offer a comprehensive, all-in-one solution. It is an excellent option for solo freelancers, but can’t match Teamplate if you’re working as part of a team of whatever size.
2. It is extremely intuitive and won’t require any learning curve. While free Kanban boards like Trello also possess this feature, they don’t have all the capabilities of Teamplate. Other apps that have all the capabilities, such as Jira, are more complicated to use.

The verdict is in: we 100% recommend Teamplate as our highest-rated free Kanban board. If you would like your team to start benefitting from this free, all-in-one solution now, get in touch here.

Launching a new project can be daunting, especially in terms of picking the best project management tools for start ups. Choosing the right start up tools for your team will have a tangible impact on your workflows and productivity, which in turn can spell the success – or otherwise – of your new venture.

Nowadays, you’ll find a plethora of options all designed to make remote team collaboration easy and efficient. At least, that’s what they claim – but which of the highest-rated start up tools will benefit your team the most, with the least expense and hassle? 

Our experts have taken a deep dive into the different daily needs that a startup requires to see which are the star performers in each category.

Best Start Up Tools – A Comparative Overview

Tool	Real-time Messaging	Email	Calendar Synchronization	Task Management	Kanban Board Workflows	Document Sharing	Document Storage	Video Conferencing
Teamplate	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Slack	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅	Basic Huddles
Microsoft Teams	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Skype	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Google Chat	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
Trello	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Asana	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Monday.com	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Jira	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Google Meet	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Google Drive	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
Dropbox	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
Microsoft OneDrive	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Sharepoint	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

Why Does Your Business Need Start Up Tools?

First things first – what team needs are we addressing here? Are specific start up tools really needed? And why? There are no two ways about it, your team will need access to remote team collaboration tools that are streamlined and integrated in the following manner: 

• Real-Time communication tools to keep your teams aligned and agile
• Collaboration platforms to enable the syncing of workflows and pipelines
• Task management tools for efficient workflow
• Mobile accessibility to stay connected on the go

Our experts have shortlisted the most popular options in the all the above essential start up tools categories so you can zoom right in to the specific needs of your team.

5 Best Start Up Tools For Real-Time Communication

Effective collaboration platforms and start up tools enable your team to be agile, to stay in touch with fellow team members instantly, responding to urgent and high-priority requests in real time. Our experts tested which apps perform best in these situations, shortlisting the below.

Tool	Messaging Latency	Presence Indicators	Threaded Conversations	Group Messaging
Teamplate	Low	Yes	Yes	Yes
Slack	Low	Yes	Yes	Yes
Microsoft Teams	Low	Yes	Yes	Yes
Skype	Moderate	Limited	No	Limited
Google Chat	Low	Yes	Yes	Yes

Teamplate

Strengths: Teamplate offers instant messaging with minimal latency, and real-time notifications and presence indicators to ensure that team members are always connected and informed during active discussions. It supports quick and efficient communication for teams needing immediate responses.
Weaknesses: The app offers limited integration with external tools as everything is provided within its own dashboard, unlike with most other start up tools.

Slack

Strengths: Renowned for its highly-responsive messaging system, Slack supports real-time communication with features like channels, direct messages, and in-app notifications. Its integrations allow instant updates from external start up tools in real time.
Weaknesses: Overwhelming notifications and message volume can make it challenging to focus on critical discussions.

Microsoft Teams

Strengths: Offers reliable instant messaging and video calling capabilities, particularly well-suited for larger organizations using the Microsoft ecosystem start up tools. Real-time presence indicators and seamless switching between chats and calls enhance communication.
Weaknesses: Can experience delays during high-volume usage. Compared to simpler tools, its interface may feel cluttered for real-time messaging.

Skype

Strengths: Established as a pioneer in real-time communication, Skype provides consistent call quality and a straightforward chat system. It’s ideal for one-on-one or small group conversations.
Weaknesses: Its messaging feature is less efficient for handling rapid exchanges in larger group scenarios compared to newer platforms, and its functionalities are less comprehensive than those offered by other start up tools.

Google Chat

Strengths: Integrates effortlessly with other Google Workspace start up tools, making real-time chats particularly efficient for users within that ecosystem. Threaded conversations in rooms help maintain focus in active discussions.
Weaknesses: There are limited advanced features for larger-scale real-time collaboration, which may make rapid multitasking during high-pressure communications somewhat difficult.

5 Best Start Up Tools For Task Management

From boosting productivity to reducing stress, process management tools can transform the way you and your team organise the work day. Here, we’ll dive into the five best tools for task management, each tailored to help any department stay efficient, focused, and ahead of the game.

Tool	Kanban Boards	Timeline/Gantt Charts	Collaboration Features	Automation Options
Trello	Yes	No	Basic	Limited
Teamplate	Yes	Yes	Real-time updates	Yes
Asana	Yes	Yes	Not real-time	Yes
Monday.com	Yes	Yes	Not real-time	Advanced
Jira	Yes	Yes	Not real-time	Yes

Trello

Strengths: Trello’s visual Kanban boards make it easy to organize and track tasks in real-time. Its drag-and-drop functionality is intuitive, and team members can quickly update task statuses. Ideal for smaller teams or projects with straightforward workflows.
Weaknesses: Limited scalability and reporting features make it less suitable for complex or large-scale task management.

Teamplate

Strengths: Teamplate provides a streamlined task management system with real-time updates on task statuses and deadlines, ensuring immediate visibility for all team members. Its ability to assign tasks with clear ownership and priority levels helps prevent bottlenecks. The system’s built-in notifications and reminders make it particularly effective for fast-paced environments where immediate responses are required.
Weaknesses: The task management features may become more complex as the size of your project grows.

Asana

Strengths: Asana excels in task prioritization and deadline management, offering a clear overview of responsibilities through its timeline and list views. Real-time updates ensure team members stay informed about project progress.
Weaknesses: The interface is overwhelming if your team is managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Monday.com

Strengths: Monday.com’s customizable dashboards allow your team to view real-time task progress and dependencies clearly. The platform’s automation options save time on repetitive updates and notifications.
Weaknesses: Customization options may require a learning curve for new users, especially those unfamiliar with advanced task management tools.

Jira

Strengths: Jira is ideal for agile teams, providing real-time sprint tracking and backlog prioritization. Its robust reporting tools and integrations support complex project workflows and detailed task breakdowns.
Weaknesses: The interface is not intuitive for non-technical users, making it less suitable if your team is unfamiliar with agile methodologies.

5 Best Start Up Tools For Video Conferencing

Video conferencing is often integral, whether for a quick one-to-one catchups or for leading larger team meetings, standups, and even large-scale webinars. The below five tools combine reliability with functionality and ease of use, significantly enhancing meetings.

Tool	Video Quality	Screen Sharing	Participant Limit	Screen Recording
Teamplate	High-definition	Integrated	Up to 50	Yes
Zoom	Excellent	Seamless	Up to 1,000	Yes
Google Meet	Reliable	Integrated	Up to 250	Limited
Microsoft Teams	Reliable	Seamless	Up to 300	Yes
Skype	Consistent	Basic	Up to 100	No

Teamplate

Strengths: Teamplate’s video conferencing features include high-definition video quality and integrated screen sharing, allowing participants to collaborate visually and effectively. Its low latency ensures a smooth experience even during large calls, while features such as adaptive bandwidth optimization improve reliability in varied network conditions.

Weaknesses: No disadvantages reported, even with large-scale meetings.

Zoom

Strengths: Zoom is widely recognized for excellent video and audio quality, along with features like breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds. It’s ideal for both small team meetings and large webinars.
Weaknesses: The free version has time limits on group meetings.

Google Meet

Strengths: Google Meet integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, offering reliable video conferencing with features like live captions and screen sharing. It’s easy to use and perfect for teams already using Google tools.
Weaknesses: Compared to other platforms, it has limited advanced features for managing larger conferences.

Microsoft Teams

Strengths: Microsoft Teams provides integrated video conferencing with robust collaboration tools, making it a strong choice for organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem. Features like background blur and meeting recording enhance virtual meeting experiences.
Weaknesses: Can be resource-intensive, occasionally suffering from lag during video calls.

Skype

Strengths: Skype offers straightforward video conferencing with consistent call quality, making it a great option for small teams or one-on-one meetings. Its ability to handle international calls reliably is a plus.
Weaknesses: Lacks some advanced features offered by newer video conferencing platforms, such as breakout rooms and collaborative whiteboards.

5 Best Start Up Tools For Document Sharing/Storage

Efficient document sharing is needed for startups to drive collaboration and manage growth effectively. Here, you need to think in terms of scalability so you can optimise workflows and share files seamlessly. The below five start up tools achieve this while maintaining a very high level of security.

Tool	Real-Time Collaboration	Storage Capacity	File Security	Version Control
Teamplate	Yes	Good capacity, no payment necessary	Granular permissions	Yes
Google Drive	Yes	Generous against subscription	Secure sharing options	Yes
Dropbox	Limited	Generous against subscription	Password-protected links	Basic
Microsoft OneDrive	Yes	Generous against subscription	Enterprise-grade security	Comprehensive
SharePoint	Yes	Enterprise-level against subscription	Advanced	Enterprise-grade with audit trails

Teamplate

Strengths: Teamplate offers robust document sharing capabilities, enabling simultaneous multi-user editing with real-time updates reflected across all devices. Its granular version control system maintains a complete audit trail of changes, ensuring transparency and recoverability of previous file versions. Features like advanced permission settings allow precise control over access, making it ideal for sensitive document collaboration.
Weaknesses: There is limited integration with external storage solutions as the all-in-one dashboard covers all functionalities.

Google Drive

Strengths: Google Drive has excellent cloud storage facilities with real-time collaboration tools, making it easy for teams to co-edit documents. Its extensive integrations with Google Workspace enhance productivity.
Weaknesses: Can become disorganized without proper folder management, especially for larger teams handling many files.

Dropbox

Strengths: Dropbox excels in secure file sharing, with features like password-protected links and expiration dates. Its intuitive interface makes uploading and sharing documents straightforward.
Weaknesses: Lacks robust built-in collaboration tools compared to other platforms like Google Drive.

Microsoft OneDrive

Strengths: OneDrive integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office, allowing you and your team to work on documents directly from the cloud. Its real-time syncing ensures that all changes are updated across devices.
Weaknesses: Limited offline access options can cause challenges in areas with unreliable internet connections.

SharePoint

Strengths: SharePoint is designed for enterprise-level document management, offering advanced features like workflow automation and permissions control. Its centralized storage ensures secure and organized file access.
Weaknesses: The interface can be complex for first-time users, requiring training for effective use.

Features Of The Best Start Up Tools

The best start up tools are highly-functional and strategically designed to address the unique challenges often faced by newly-formed teams. Here are the key features to look for:

• Scalability: Ask yourself if the tool will be capable of growing alongside your business, accommodating increasing team sizes and file storage needs.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Some start up tools offer a free version with a basic amount of functions, but these are rarely enough for a high-functioning team. Ask yourself if you’ll be able to afford the add-on subscription. Alternatively, look for 100% free solutions like Teamplate. 

• Collaboration Features: Look for real-time communication features as well as task management in Kanban board style.

• Security measures: No-one wants their organization’s data to be at risk. The best start up tools offer robust encryption, user access controls, and full compliance with data protection regulations.

• Ease of use: Ideally, your chosen start up tools are reasonably intuitive and will not create stress for your team to master.

Overall Best Start Up Tools Winner: Teamplate

All the startup tools that made it to the top five in each category offer excellent functionalities that will undoubtedly help any team to excel. However, only one app emerges as an overall winner, shining in every category and offering a comprehensive suite of functionalities – this is Teamplate.

Teamplate is one of those rare start up tools that nails every single category from instant comms to calendar scheduling, task management, document storage, video conferencing and more – and all for free, to boot. Thus, where Slack may be excellent for instant chat, it doesn’t offer task management options. Likewise, Trello is a cool Kanban style board, but it doesn’t all for real-time communication. Dropbox is limited to filesharing, while Asana is all about task management.

Teamplate, however, offers all these functionalities from one dashboard that’s extremely simple to use. This rules out the necessity of clunky, third-party integrations, simplifying your team’s workflow and maximizing efficiency. Here’s what your team will gain when using this all-in-one solution:

• Instant chat
• Email
• Calendar synchronization
• Video conferencing
• Screen recording
• Document sharing
• Team spaces
• Personal spaces
• Data room

Ready for your team to start shining?  Get in touch here and we’ll have you set up in no time.

Office team culture has changed drastically in the past five years, with remote collaboration tools nowadays being regarded as more efficient and practical even for organizations that have retained an office-based presence.

We’ve rounded up the most well-known names on the market in terms of process management software, and asked a group of experts to give us their brutal feedback. Based on this, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best remote collaboration tools for modern teams.

The Trend for WFH & Remote Collaboration Tools

Why are remote collaboration tools so important? New businesses and start-ups are increasingly favoring remote work from day one, according to a 2023 survey conducted by Gusto, with 35% of new organisations preferring to hire fully-remote teams. This figure increased from 22% in 2022, so the trend is clearly going in one direction.

And, while longer-established companies and corporations keep pushing for a return to the office, employee feedback does not quite support this. Just for some perspective, in the US, 35% of workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all of the time, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted earlier this year.  And, according to the Home Office Life, 84% of workers surveyed said that they got more work done working remotely or within a hybrid model. 

The writing’s on the wall. Project management tools for start-ups are essential – but this also applies to larger or more established organizations. It’s simply impossible for a company nowadays to function at an optimal level without the right remote collaboration tools. 

How do Remote Collaboration Tools Help?

Does your team really need remote collaboration tools, you might wonder? Isn’t email and video conferencing enough? The best team collaboration software goes beyond a collection of disparate, unconnected office tools. 

For the best remote collaborations we’re looking at preferably using one central interface that’s integrated with all the tools and apps that your team uses. In this way you’re guaranteed seamless work and alignment. Put simply the best remote collaboration tools can:

• Enhance team communication and reduce misunderstandings/stress
• Enable real-time file sharing and collaboration
• Improve project tracking and accountability
• Increase productivity with task management features
• Facilitate remote meetings and discussions
• Support flexible work across different time zones
• Centralize work resources and documentation

Our Experts’ Top 7 Best Remote Collaboration Tools

1. Teamplate – Comprehensive, full integration of collaboration tools, 100% free
2. Monday.com – Project-centric, visually-intuitive, highly-organizable
3. ClickUp – Versatile, productivity-enhancing, goal-trackable
4. Jira – Agile, software-centric, developer-oriented
5. Wrike – Full customization, collaborative approach, multi-layered interface
6. Microsoft Teams – Kanban-style, tracks tasks, visually-organized
7. Trello – Visual, simple, drag & drop functions

How We Reviewed these Collaboration Tools

To help us reach an accurate, and honest opinion of which are the best online collaboration platforms, we brought in three experts who currently lead fully remote teams. We asked them to evaluate these softwares based on the following features:

• Usability 
• Features
• How comprehensive they are or whether they require a lot of third party integrations
• Pricing

Below, we go into detail about the experts’ findings for each specific tool so you can compare pros and cons for each one and apply them to your particular team needs. All user reviews have been taken from leading reviews site TrustPilot.

Teamplate – ‘Completely Satisfied’

Product Description: One platform to unlock full remote collaboration without the need of using any other apps or tools. Includes functionalities like email, instant message, video conferencing, free Kanban–style software, task automation, screen recording, real-time document sharing and editing. 

User Sentiment: 

• Streamlined Workflow is its main benefit, and Switching between chat, file sharing, and project boards within the same platform can boost efficiency. – Christian Teuma

• Teamplate is easy to use and helped me eliminate the need to use multiple apps.
• Now everything is in one tool and it’s made me more productive and efficient – Brmfiveseven

• I’ve been looking for a long time for software where I can do everything in one and don’t have to switch between different programs for video calls, tickets or calendar entries. So far completely satisfied! – Mello

Types of Teams	Best Uses	Challenges	Pricing
Flexible & intuitive, suitable for all sizes & industries	Task management, remote communication, realtime collaboration	None identified on TrustPilot	Free for all features

Monday.com – Good Idea, But Complicated

Product Description: A highly-customizable work operating system that allows you to create your ideal workflow. Functionalities are visually-driven, and include built-in automation to reduce repetitive tasks and improve productivity. It also integrates seamlessly with other remote collaboration tools like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams to provide a cohesive work experience.

User Sentiment:

• Monday.com has all the bells and whistles, but using it feels like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. – Maria M Platt

• Due to its high price, I might move to something else as I can not afford another 300 pounds annual cost for my start up. – Shukurulloxon Olimov
• Overall it’s a solid product and has been a critical portion of our operations. A few months ago, they pushed an update that broke our system without any notice. – M. Roy

Types of Teams	Best Uses	Challenges	Pricing
Medium to large teams	Project management	Customization overwhelm	$36 per month for 3 users on the standard plan

ClickUp – Monitor Your Billing Closely

Product Description: ClickUp is a feature-rich productivity platform that aims to consolidate multiple project management tools. It offers a wide range of capabilities including task management, document collaboration, time tracking, and goal-setting, but the interface can overwhelm new users who need a simpler approach. Third party integrations are needed to achieve all functionalities offered by other remote collaboration tools. 

User Sentiment:

• I recommend staying vigilant with billing dates, removing inactive users, and reviewing the payment information saved on your account to avoid unexpected charges. – Troy Teeples

• We can really recommend ClickUp for large task lists, documents, and planning. – Tamino

• In task list mode, after I create a new task, and I start to normally see my list, the interface glitches and auto-refreshes. – Niklas

Types of Teams	Best Uses	Challenges	Pricing
Medium-sized organizations	Task management, Gantt charts, timelines	Slow load times for large projects	$12 per user per month for midsized teams

Jira – Fully Customizable, Yet Complex

Product Description: This is one of the most powerful collaboration tools, designed primarily for software development teams to help them implement Agile methodologies. Nowadays it has expanded for use across all industries. However, the sheer vastness of its functionalities is also its downfall, with many teams complaining that it is too complicated. It offers features like customizable workflows, Scrum and Kanban boards, and advanced reporting, and can be integrated with other Atlassian tools like Confluence and Bitbucket.

User Sentiment: 

• I have to say, the product is overall good and the pricing is fair. There are of course still things that could be better. – SysAdminFromGermay

• Unfortunately, my experience has gone from positive to frustrating due to their poor customer service – BuddIt’s 

• Awfully slow and complicated to add a new task/subtask. – Fred

Types of Teams	Best Uses	Challenges	Pricing
Advanced features make it best for large teams	Agile-focused features like Scrum and Kanban boards	Configuring it to your specific needs is complex	$7.75 per user per month on the Standard Plan

Wrike – Resource Optimization Takes Time

Product Description: Wrike takes a unique approach to project management by emphasizing customization for different industries and team types. It features more dynamic request forms, advanced automation, and workload management functions than many other remote collaboration tools. These can help teams optimize resources and simplify complex workflows. One of its notable drawbacks, however, is its complicated interface as users may find it difficult to navigate through multiple layers of settings, and can end up initially bogged down. 

User Sentiment:

• Software was overly complicated/involved. After using for several months, we decided to jettison it. – Daniel Schlanger

• This inflated system will have your employees glued to their screens in a very non productive manner – Maureen

• The software is overall well built but with much more features then we actually require and was hard to get the team engaged with it. – Rui Abreu

Types of Teams	Best Uses	Challenges	Pricing
Medium to large	Workflow customization	Mastering the interface	$9.80 per user per month on the Team Plan

Microsoft Teams – Classic Layout Worked Better

Product Description: One of the most well-known remote collaboration tools, integrating deeply with Microsoft 365. This is perfect if you’re already using other tools in the Microsoft ecosystem as you’ll get seamless access to chat, video conferencing, and shared document editing. However, it can easily become cluttered with too many channels and conversations, which may reduce efficiency if not well-organized.

User Sentiment: 

• Super slow, buggy and forces bluetooth headset to use hands free mode instead of stereo – Kristoffer Halkjaer

• Overengineered, non-intuitive, and adds some extremely extremely annoying features – Boris Zhmud

• Bring back classic teams layout! – Clipping Point

Types of Teams	Best Uses	Challenges	Pricing
Medium to large	Integration with other Microsoft tools	Cluttered channels	$4 per user per month on the Essentials lan

Trello – Cumbersome for Large Projects

Product Description: This board-based task management tool excels at simplifying project workflows through a drag-and-drop interface. It uses cards, lists, and boards, making organizing tasks intuitive and easy to adapt for different types of projects. Trello’s power-ups allow you to integrate third-party apps such as Google Drive, Slack, and Evernote. However, it has very limited scalability for complex project management, and can become cumbersome when managing large projects with multiple dependencies.

User Sentiment:

• Trello has been a game-changer in my journey from artist and media producer to structured content creation – Bjorn Callius

• The issue expressed by others – No Card Description Visible – has apparently been ignored by Trello. For me it’s a deal killer. – Robert Anderson

• It’s been more than 4 months we started use Trello with my team, and collaboration became much easier. I especially recommend for small to medium size teams – Busra Gezen

Types of Teams	Best Uses	Challenges	Pricing
Small to mid-sized teams	Basic task management	Structured collaboration	$5 per user per month on the Standard Plan

Are there any Free Remote Collaboration Tools?

No cost collaboration tools for teams are difficult to find as you’ll see from our reviews above – the only one that truly fits the bill is Teamplate. All the other tools reviewed have low-cost and higher-cost plans to achieve full functionality. Below, you can see exactly which remote collaboration tools offer a free plan, what this includes, and what you get if you power up to a subscription.

Tool	Free Plan Availability	Free Plan Features	Paid Plan Features
Teamplate	Yes	N/A	N/A
Monday.com	Yes	Up to 2 users, unlimited boards, over 200 templates.	Additional features including advanced reporting, integrations, and increased automation capabilities.
ClickUp	Yes	Unlimited tasks, 100MB storage, real-time collaboration, integrations with over 1,000 tools.	Unlimited storage, integrations, dashboards, Gantt charts, and custom fields.
Jira	Yes	Up to 10 users, Scrum and Kanban boards, backlog and agile reporting.	Advanced permissions, audit logs, and 250GB storage.
Wrike	Yes	Unlimited pages and blocks, sharing with 5 guests, sync across devices.	Unlimited file uploads, collaborative workspace, version history.
Microsoft Teams	No	Unlimited messages, video calls, 10GB of shared storage	Deep integration with Microsoft 365, video conferencing, screen sharing, and extensive third-party app integration.
Trello	Yes	Unlimited cards, up to 10 boards per workspace, unlimited Power-Ups per board, 10MB file attachment limit.	Unlimited boards, advanced checklists, custom fields, 250MB file attachment limit.

How to Make Remote Collaboration Tools Work for you

• Set Clear Goals and Expectations: This ensures that everyone is aligned and knows how to contribute effectively.
• Use Any Integration Features: Alternatively, choose remote collaboration tools that have everything included within the dashboard, like Teamplate. 
• Create Dedicated Channels or Spaces: Keep all information organized by creating channels (Microsoft Teams) or Space (Teamplate).
• Use Task Management to Break Down Work: Features like boards, lists, and cards can help break down complex projects into manageable tasks. 
• Customize Workflows to Fit Your Team: Create a system that matches your team’s specific working style and requirements.
• Encourage Real-Time Collaboration: Use shared documents, live editing, and collaborative boards to minimize back-and-forth communication and speed up decision-making.
• Establish Guidelines for Communication: Set guidelines for when to use chat, email, or calls. This helps prevent over-communication or missed messages and keeps interactions efficient.
• Onboard Your Team: Set up a session so your team can learn how to use online collaboration tools effectively. 

Teamplate: Why it Should be at the Top of your Remote Collaboration Tools

We’ve taken a deep look at the most popular remote collaboration tools available on the market. Teamplate is right at the top of the best collaboration platforms for a number of reasons. Let’s recap our experts’ findings:

✔️ Access to all features is 100% free for all members of your team.

✔️ You won’t need any third-party integrations as it’s an all-in-one tool.

✔️ You gain access to email, instant messaging, calendar, and video-conferencing from a central dashboard.

✔️ You can manage tasks and projects using a Kanban-board software system.

✔️ You can share documents and collaborate on them in real-time.

✔️ You have dedicated Spaces for different departments or teams.

Teamplate has received unwaveringly positive reviews from users, praised not only for being so comprehensive but also for being highly-intuitive. The onboarding process is extremely easy, and you won’t need to set aside long sessions for the team to become familiar with it. The minimalist visuals are optimized to enable your team to identify tools and actions at a glass, without having to dig deep or use up time trying to figure out where everything is. This not only results in higher productivity, but also in a happier, less stressful environment for all concerned.

Ready to start using one of the most powerful remote collaboration tools? Get in touch with the Teamplate team now.

FAQs

What is the best remote collaboration tool?

There are plenty of remote collaboration tools available, but user reviews point towards Teamplate as being one of the best. This is due to its all-in-one, comprehensive suite of functionalities that you can use from one central dashboard.

Is Teamplate a remote collaboration tool?

Yes, Teamplate is an award-winning, comprehensive remote collaboration tool, offering a fully-integrated suite of functions such as email, calendar, chat, video conferencing, task management, and more. 

Does Google have a team collaboration tool? 

Yes, Google offers Google Workspace. However, you will need to integrate other tools from within the Google ecosystem, such as Google Meet, Google Chat, and Google Docs. If you’re after one centralized dashboard, a tool like Teamplate may meet your requirements better.

Does Microsoft Teams have a collaboration tool? 

Yes, Microsoft Teams can be a powerful collaboration tool as it provides chat, video conferencing, and document sharing. However, it doesn’t support project management, so you’ll need a third party app to oversee workflow.

So you’re all set to take the world by storm with your new project, keen on dotting the i’s, crossing the t’s and getting market-ready. But wait – every new team needs some solid backing, and we’re not talking finances here. We’re talking essential startup tools that will help you shine brighter than all the competition.

With so many softwares, apps, and platforms hogging the cyberwaves, where do you draw the line? Welcome to our tried, tested, and scored list of must-have startup tools to streamline your team’s workflow and maximize productivity in any sector. 

We’ll start out by highlighting some of the top startup tools for specific categories, before moving on to dissect which ones serve you well, and which fall short in some aspects.

Essential Tools for Startups by Category

Category	Best Startup Tools
Project Management	Teamplate, Asana, Monday.com
Collaboration and Communication	Slack, Loom, Teamplate
Automation and Workflow Optimization	Teamplate, Trello, Slack
Time Management and Productivity	Teamplate, Notion, Hubspot
Team and Resource Management	Hubspot, Teamplate, ClickUp
File Storage and Document Management	Teamplate, Google Drive, Dropbox
Scaling and Growth Tools	Teamplate, HubSpot, Asana
Performance Monitoring and Alerts	Hubspot, Teamplate, Asana
User Access and Role Management	Teamplate, Hubspot, Asana
Mobile Accessibility	Notion, Grammarly, Teamplate

Benefits of Startup Tools

What do the right startup tools add to your team’s workflow, productivity, and motivation? A lot, it turns out. Here’s why making an informed choice is important:

✅ Increased Efficiency: Automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for creative and strategic activities.

✅ Cost Savings: Affordable pricing and scalable plans that help startups keep costs low while accessing powerful features. Some startup tools like Teamplate are even 100% free.

✅ Better Collaboration: Streamline team communication to improve collaboration across remote or hybrid teams.

✅ Scalability: Choose startup tools that grow with the startup, accommodating new team members, customers, and operational demands.

✅ Data-Driven Decision Making: Gain access to analytics and insights that help you make informed decisions.

✅ Enhanced Productivity: Time tracking, to-do lists, and other productivity features help your team stay on schedule and hit deadlines.

✅ Resource Optimization: Distribute workloads efficiently, reducing bottlenecks and preventing burnout.

✅ Centralized Information: Store files, documents, and important information in one place for easy access and retrieval by the team.

✅ Rapid Onboarding: The best startup tools offer intuitive user interfaces and support resources that help new employees get up to speed quickly.

✅ Better Security: Secure data storage, compliance management, and role-based access help startups protect sensitive information.

✅ Flexibility: Use customization to suit your specific needs.

✅ Remote Work Support: Cloud-based startup tools enable remote work, ensuring your team can contribute from anywhere with internet access.

✅ Increased Accountability: Task tracking and team management features improve accountability, making it clear who is responsible for what and by when.

Best Startup Tools Ranked

The best tools for startups are the ones that offer the most functionalities, allowing you to streamline operations by using the least number of tools or softwares possible. Here are the current top performing startup tools on the market.

Teamplate – Best in Class

Teamplate is one of those very rare breed of startup tools – it’s 100% free for all your team members. You can access the most advanced features for free, and you can even invite external collaborators. 

Let’s start with the very basics. As a startup, you’ll want your team to have access to the full host of essential office applications – we’re talking email, instant messaging, calendar scheduling, video conferencing and screen recording. To these you’re going to want to add workflow aides like project management, task tracking, and automation. Finally, you’re going to need a secure and reliable file sharing system, that also allows you to store directly on the platform. And, of course, a brainstorming space for those team sessions.

Teamplate offers them all. The best thing is that you won’t even need third party integrations, which is what most startup tools try to sell you. It does all of this from one interface, with one highly intuitive dashboard that gives you and your team access to everything.  Looking for more? You don’t need a paid subscription to access any of the features, so it’s literally one of the best free online collaboration tools.

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Chat Integration	Real-time communication tool that allows you to convert messages into tasks, events, or notes, streamlining workflow without switching between multiple apps.	Enables quick task creation directly from conversations.
Kanban Board	Visual task management system with free Kanban board, including features like tickets, checklists, epics, and sprints to organize and track project progress.	Helps teams manage tasks efficiently, monitor progress, and maintain an organized workflow.
Calendar Integration	Space-based calendars that provide an overview of all project-related meetings and events, with options to create events directly or convert chat messages into meetings.	Ensures all team members are informed about schedules, reducing the risk of missed meetings.
Video Calls & Screen Sharing	Integrated video conferencing and screen sharing capabilities, allowing teams to connect and collaborate without the need for third-party applications.	Allows your team to conduct meetings and presentations seamlessly within the platform.
Personal Space	A dedicated area for individual users to manage their own personal tasks, events, and files, with customizable boards and data rooms.	Team members can organize their work and resources privately, enhancing personal productivity.
Data Room	Secure storage space for project-related files and documents, accessible to all team members within a project.	Centralizes important documents, ensuring easy access and collaboration among team members.

Asana – Feature-Rich, But Learning Curve

Asana a robust project management tool designed to help teams organize, track, and manage their work efficiently. It offers versatile features that help teams break down large projects into manageable tasks, assigning responsibilities, and setting deadlines. 

Asana offers startup tools that are well-suited for teams of all sizes, and caters to a wide range of industries. The platform offers a free basic plan for individuals and small teams with limited needs, while premium startup tools features such as advanced reporting, automation, and timeline views are available at $10.99 per user/month when billed annually. For larger organizations, the Business plan at $24.99 per user/month includes additional tools like workload management and portfolio tracking. Custom pricing is available for enterprises needing more tailored solutions, including advanced security and support features.

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Task Dependencies	Allows team leads to define relationships between tasks, indicating which tasks are waiting on others, ensuring a clear sequence of work.	Helps teams manage complex projects by clarifying task order and preventing bottlenecks.
Custom Fields	Enables the addition of specific data fields to tasks and projects, so your team can  track information like priority, status, or cost.	Provides flexibility to tailor Asana to your unique workflow needs, enhancing data organization.
Timeline View	Offers a Gantt-style visual representation of project tasks and deadlines, facilitating better planning and scheduling.	Helps you visualiza project progress, identifying potential delays, and adjusting plans accordingly.
Automation Rules	Allows users to automate routine tasks by setting up triggers and actions, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.	No more wasting your time assigning tasks or updating fields.

Hubspot – Built for Marketing, Not All-Purpose

This all-in-one customer relationship management (CRM) platform offers a range of startup tools that help you scale your marketing, sales, and customer service efforts. Features range from email marketing and content management to customer support and advanced analytics.

HubSpot is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses as well as larger enterprises that need startup tools with a centralized CRM solution for a variety of task types, from managing leads to running automated marketing campaigns. The pricing structure is quite flexible, with a free CRM version that covers basic features also available. More advanced require the premium ‘Hubs’ – Marketing, Sales, Service, CMS, and Operations – which can be purchased individually or as a bundled package. Prices start from $50 per month for the Starter plans.

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Lead Scoring	Automatically ranks your leads based on their engagement and behavior, helping sales teams prioritize outreach efforts.	Enables sales teams to focus on high-potential prospects, increasing conversion rates.
Email Tracking	Notifies your team when emails are opened or links are clicked, providing insights into recipient engagement.	Allows you to gauge interest levels and tailor follow-up communications effectively.
Social Media Management	Integrates social media accounts for scheduling posts, monitoring interactions, and analyzing performance from a single dashboard.	Streamlines your social media marketing efforts, ensuring consistent brand presence and efficient engagement.
Content Management System (CMS)	Provides tools to create, edit, and optimize website content, with built-in SEO recommendations and analytics.	Empowers your marketing team to manage website content effectively, enhancing user experience and search engine visibility.

Slack – Master of Communication, Task Management Lite

Slack is one of those suite of startup tools that focus on enhancing team collaboration and communication through real-time chat features, integrations, and customizable channels. Unlike traditional email, Slack it allow you to organize conversations by topic, project, or team by setting up dedicated channels.

The tool is well-suited for teams that work in fast-paced environments where immediate and fluid communication is crucial, and is particularly popular among tech companies and remote teams that need an efficient way to stay aligned on daily tasks and projects. 

You can access a free version with limited startup tools and features, while the Standard, Plus, and Enterprise plans provide enhanced capabilities, such as greater message retention, increased integrations, and advanced security, making it adaptable to different team sizes and requirements.

The Pro plan is priced at $7.25 per user per month, while the Business+ plan costs $12.50 per user per month.

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Channels	Dedicated spaces for team conversations, organized by topics, projects, or departments, facilitating focused and organized communication.	Allows your teams to collaborate efficiently by keeping discussions relevant and accessible to appropriate members.
Slack Connect	Enables secure communication and collaboration with external organizations directly within Slack, replacing traditional email exchanges.	Facilitates seamless partnerships and client interactions by bringing all communications into a single platform.
Workflow Builder	A visual tool that allows users to automate routine tasks and processes without coding, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity.	Automates repetitive tasks such as onboarding new team members or gathering daily stand-up updates, saving time and reducing errors.
App Integrations	Supports integration with over 2,400 third-party applications, allowing you to bring your preferred tools and services into Slack for a unified workflow.	Notifications, data, and actions from various apps are centralized, reducing the need to switch between multiple platforms.

Monday.com – Visually Appealing, Prone to Clutter

Monday.com is a versatile work operating system (Work OS) with a range of startup tools designed to manage projects, processes, and everyday tasks. It has an intuitive interface that makes use of various column types to capture essential data. 

This project management software supports multiple views, including Kanban, Gantt, and calendar, and has the potential to scale up with you as you grow. It’s particularly suited to those seeking a flexible solution to coordinate complex projects and workflows, especially within the marketing, software development, and human resources sectors. 

This is one of the top startup tools that allow for a free plan up to two users but free features are very basic. Paid plans start at $8 per seat per month, the Standard plan at $10 per seat per month, and the Pro plan at $16 per seat per month, all billed annually. 

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Customizable Dashboards	Create personalized dashboards to visualize project data, track progress, and gain insights tailored to your team’s needs.	Enables your team to focus on key metrics and visualize project health at a glance.
Automations	Set up custom automation rules to streamline repetitive tasks, such as status updates and notifications.	Simplifies workflows by reducing manual effort, saving time on repetitive processes.
Integrations	Connect with third-party apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams to centralize work processes.	Allows seamless collaboration by integrating tools your team already uses.
Time Tracking	Monitor the time spent on tasks directly within the platform for better resource management.	Helps you track team productivity and accurately estimate project timelines.

Grammarly – Writing Savior, Project Management Novice

As startup tools go, this one is best suited for content-related roles. Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps your team improve the quality, clarity, and tone of their writing across various contexts, including emails, documents, and social media posts. 

Its user-friendly interface offers real-time grammar, spelling, and style suggestions, along with more advanced features like tone detection and readability scoring. Grammarly integrates smoothly with numerous platforms, such as web browsers, Microsoft Office, and Google Docs, allowing for consistent writing enhancement wherever it’s needed. The platform is ideal for professionals, students, and content creators aiming to produce polished, effective communication. 

You can get a Free plan with essential grammar and spelling corrections, while the Premium plan, priced at $12 per month, includes advanced suggestions for tone, word choice, and engagement. 

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Tone Detector	Analyzes your writing to identify the tone, helping ensure your message is conveyed as intended.	Helps you match the desired level of formality or friendliness.
Plagiarism Detection	Checks your text against billions of web pages and academic papers to identify potential plagiarism.	Ensures the originality of academic papers, articles, or any content requiring unique material.
Style Guide	Allows teams to create a customized set of writing guidelines to maintain consistent communication.	Helps your team ensure all written content aligns with the brand voice and standards.
Snippets	You can save and reuse commonly used phrases or responses to streamline communication.	Saves time for customer support teams by providing quick access to standard replies.

Notion – Powerful Yet Pricey, Can Be Overwhelming

Notion combines note-taking, project management, databases, and collaboration tools into a single platform. You can create pages that include a mix of content types, such as text, tables, lists, and embedded media, making it easy to organize information in a way that suits individual or team needs. 

It includes a solid range of startup tools designed to serve various industries and workers, from solo entrepreneurs needing a central place to track tasks and notes, to larger teams looking for a unified space to coordinate projects and share knowledge. 

Notion, and other Notion alternatives, are well-suited to teams looking for startup tools related to content creation, product development, and education as the collaborative features make it easy to share documents, leave comments, and assign tasks. There’s a Free plan for individuals with limited block storage, while the Plus plan is priced at $8 per user per month. The Business plan, which includes more advanced features like admin tools, is available at $15 per user per month.

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Templates	Provides a vast library of pre-built templates for various purposes, including project management, note-taking, and personal planning.	Allows you to quickly set up structured pages tailored to specific needs, enhancing productivity.
Databases	Offers customizable databases that can be viewed as tables, boards, calendars, or lists, enabling efficient data organization and retrieval.	Makes complex data management tasks easy.
Integration with Other Tools	Supports integration with over 70 other SaaS tools, such as Slack, GitHub, GitLab, Zoom, Jira, Cisco Webex, Zapier, and Typeform.	Allows you to centralize their workflows by connecting Notion with other essential applications.
Notion AI	Uses artificial intelligence to help you with tasks like content generation, summarization, and translation.	Helps your team draft documents, generate ideas, or translate text directly within the platform.

ClickUp – Feature Overload, Potential for Confusion

If you’re looking for startup tools that centralize task management, document collaboration, goal tracking, and time management, ClickUp offers precisely this. Its modular design allows users to tailor their workspace with features like custom fields, statuses, and views, accommodating diverse workflows and project requirements. 

This software is very adaptable, so it’s suitable for sectors such as marketing, software development, and operations management. The pricing structure includes a Free Forever plan with essential features for personal use. However, teams would need to upgrade to a $7 subscription per user per month. 

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Custom Task Types	Allows you to create and define unique task types to represent various work items, such as accounts, cases, or backlog items, tailored to specific workflows.	You can customize the task management system to align with your unique processes and project requirements.
Universal Search	Provides a comprehensive search functionality that enables you to find any file, whether it’s within ClickUp, a connected app, or a local drive, all from one place.	You gain quick access to necessary documents and information, reducing time spent searching across platforms.
Whiteboards	Offers a collaborative space where teams can brainstorm, plan, and visualize ideas in real-time, integrating tasks and content directly into the whiteboard.	Allows your team to engage in creative collaboration and strategic planning by providing a dynamic and interactive visual workspace.
Mind Maps	Enables you to create visual representations of ideas, tasks, and projects, facilitating better organization and understanding of complex information.	You can plan projects with a clear visual structure, using brainstorming sessions and a clear visual structure.

Trello – Simple, Limited for Complex Projects

One of the most visual startup tools you can get is Trello, which uses a card and board system to help you organize tasks, collaborate, and track progress effortlessly. Its simplicity makes it accessible for a wide range of users who want to create and customize boards to categorize tasks. Moreover, its drag-and-drop functionality and checklist features enable easy updating and progress tracking/

Trello is usually preferred by teams that prefer startup tools with a straightforward approach to managing tasks and projects, and that don’t require complex dependencies. There’s a Free plan with essential features, a Standard plan at $5 per user per month, and a Premium plan at $10 per user per month billed annually. 

Star Features:

Feature	Description	Use Case
Butler Automation	A built-in automation tool that allows you to create custom rules, buttons, and commands to automate repetitive tasks and workflows without coding.	You can streamline processes such as moving cards between lists, setting due dates, and assigning members.
Power-Ups	Integrations that extend Trello’s functionality by connecting with external applications.	Allows you to add features like calendars, time tracking, and reporting through third party apps.
Advanced Checklists	Allows you to create checklists within cards, assign due dates and team members to individual checklist items, and track progress.	Helps you break down complex tasks into manageable steps, ensuring accountability and timely completion.
Card Covers and Colors	Allows you to add images or colors to card fronts, making it easier to identify and differentiate tasks at a glance.	You can navigate quickly between tasks without wasting time sourcing what you need.

Why Do You Need Tools for Startups?

Having the right startup tools is something that you should start thinking about even before launch. The best way for a team to hit the ground is running – and we’d also add stress-free, and motivated. 

If you haven’t planned ahead for the essential tools for startups, it’s going to be a case of limping, rather than running. And as for that stress-free environment, a bursting inbox and dozens of uncategorized chat threads never help. 

How Startup Tools Like Teamplate Help You Stay Ahead of the Competition

Offering the full range of comprehensive startup tools, Teamplate provides the infrastructure to support your team’s growth and adaptability, allowing you to pivot as needed while maintaining efficiency. 

The dashboard includes everything from project management to realtime communication, document sharing and storage, as well as calendar functions integrated into one cohesive platform. The only thing you need to do is enjoy the streamlined processes and watch productivity improve without stressing about it. 

This centralized approach to startup tools not only simplifies operations but also reduces overhead costs, as multiple needs are all addressed by Teamplate, eliminating the need for piecemeal solutions.

The cherry on the cake? By leveraging automation and collaboration features, your team can gain an edge over competitors who are still relying on manual or disconnected processes. The startup tools included within Teamplate empower your teams to make informed decisions in real-time, ensuring rapid response to market changes, and fostering seamless communication across the organization. 

Ultimately, using Teamplate can help you create a more agile business environment, providing a foundation for sustainable growth and competitive advantage. 

Ready to start using the king of startup tools? Get in touch here.

If you love Notion’s versatility but find it lacking in certain areas, you’re not alone.

Notion is very much beloved as an effective tool for note-taking, project management, and knowledge sharing. But perfect, it is not. And it’s right when you need it to deliver most – such as when you’re closing or scaling up a project – that its limitations really become glaring. Happily, nowadays there are plenty of alternatives designed to address its gaps. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the best Notion alternatives, comparing key features, ease of use, and unique capabilities to help you find the right tool for your productivity and collaboration goals.

What is Notion?

Notion is a powerful productivity tool designed to help individuals, teams, and entire organizations keep on top of their workflow and enhance collaboration from one space. It was originally launched as a note-taking app, but today has grown into a comprehensive platform that combines features of task management, database organization, and knowledge sharing. Notion alternatives seek to offer all these functions, and a bit extra.

Imagine you’re managing multiple projects and constantly jumping between different apps to store notes, track tasks, and access shared documents. Notion simplifies this process by letting you keep everything in one place. 

Rather than being structured around cards, like Trello or Jira, it’s structured around ‘blocks’. These are units of content that can be arranged and customized as needed, so you can turn a page into a simple to-do list or a complex project management system with custom databases, reminders, and even embedded content from other platforms.

Let’s say you’re a freelance writer; you would use Notion to track your assignments, set deadlines, and organize research all in one workspace. Each article could have its own page with sections for sources, outlines, and task lists. 

But Notion’s collaborative features also makes it ideal for teams. A marketing department might use it to outline campaign plans, set milestones, and track progress. Developers could organize sprints, assign tasks, and centralize documentation. Its flexibility is its biggest pull, because users can build highly specific databases, but this is not to say that good Notion alternatives won’t deliver more.

The Best Notion Alternatives at a Glance 

Tool	Best Feature	Best Used For	Limitation
Teamplate	The most versatile, 100% free  project management tool	Extensive collaboration from one central platform	Third party integration – however these aren’t needed, making this one of our favorite Notion alternatives
ClickUp	Highly customizable and feature-rich	Team collaboration and task tracking	Complexity may overwhelm new users
Microsoft OneNote	User-friendly, good for note-taking	Personal notes and simple collaboration	Limited project management capabilities
Evernote	Powerful for personal organization and notes	Individual organization	Not ideal for large-scale project collaboration
Confluence	Great for team knowledge sharing	Documenting and sharing team knowledge	Can be challenging to navigate for new users
Microsoft Loop	Seamless Microsoft ecosystem integration	Collaborative work within Microsoft apps	Limited customization compared to other tools
Mem	AI-powered for smarter note organization	Personal note-taking and organization	Not as strong for collaboration-heavy tasks
Zoho	All-in-one suite with CRM capabilities	Managing business operations	Interface can feel cluttered
Monday.com	Visual project tracking	Project management and progress tracking	Limited document editing compared to Notion
Wrike	Efficient for task and project management	Project and task coordination	Steeper learning curve due to complex features

What Should a Great Notion Alternative Do?

If you’re after Notion alternatives that actually work, you’ll need a remote team communication tool that combines flexibility, collaboration, and all-in-one functionality. Here are the features to look for:

1. Document and Note-Taking Features:
   These should be easy to create, format, and share, while also allowing embedded content. 
2. Project Management and Collaboration Tools:
   Look for to-do lists, free Kanban boards, and task timelines, as well as options to tag colleagues, comment on tasks, and assign responsibilities. 
3. Data Organization Options:
   Your preferred Notion alternatives should offer systems for categorizing and viewing information, like folders, tags, and custom views. Unique organization methods—such as automated tagging or smart folders – will help your team further simplify workflows.
4. Smooth Performance and User Experience:
   An intuitive interface so your team can hit the ground running is key. You should also look for tried-and-tested free process management software that offers a smooth experience both on desktop and mobile.
5. All-in-One Capabilities:
   Finally, effective Notion alternatives should centralize all your tasks, documents, and data, reducing the need for multiple apps. The best options can handle everything from notes to chats, emails, and complex projects in a single platform.

Why Look For Notion Alternatives?

You might wonder what’s the point of looking for Notion alternatives, if the OG is readily available. While true that Notion is a very valid tool, it is far from perfect and it may not be the best, or most cost-effective solution for your particular team or organization. Let’s take a look at its shortcomings.

What are Some of the Limitations of Notion?

Its popularity confirms that Notion is a powerful tool, but it does have some limitations that may impact your team, especially if you have complex project management needs. 

1. Limited Offline Access
   Notion relies 100% on internet connectivity. It does offer a basic offline mode, but it’s limited and not always reliable. When choosing your Notion alternatives it’s important to ensure byou’re connected at all times.
2. It Slows Down with Large Databases
   When you scale up your workspace, Notion can get noticeably slower, which can be very disruptive to your workflow. 
3. Project Management Tools are Very Basic
   Notion includes to-do lists and Kanban boards but lacks advanced project management features like Gantt charts or automated dependencies. If you have complex workflows may need to look elsewhere or add other tools – or, look for Notion alternatives.
4. Learning Curve for New Users
   Notion’s flexibility means there’s a lot to learn, which can be overwhelming for beginners. It takes time to get comfortable with its pages, databases, and customization options.
5. Limited Data Analysis Options
   While Notion’s databases are handy, they’re not ideal for advanced data analysis. If you need features like pivot tables or detailed calculations, you may find Notion lacking.

In short, Notion will only serve your team up to a certain level. As soon as you introduce more complex setups you’ll suddenly realise this falls somewhat short while googling the best online collaboration tools.

When to Choose a Competitor over Notion

Still unsure? Our checklist helps make it easier to pinpoint whether it’s time to make the move to other Notion alternatives. 

✅ Do you need real time collaboration on the same platform?

✅ Do you use complex project management systems?

✅  Would you like to use communication tools like chat from one project management dashboard?

✅  Do you require integrated email, video conferencing and calendar schedule functions?

✅ Would you prefer to use custom permissions for data sharing among your team members?

✅ Are you looking for 100% free collaboration platforms that won’t ask you for payment for advanced features?

If you replied ‘yes’ to most of the above questions, then it’s probably time for you and your team to start looking at Notion alternatives.

The Best Notion Alternatives – Detailed Reviews

How do our top-rated Notion alternatives fare when compared to the original? Below, we’re going to look at the specific functions and features of each so you’ll know exactly where and how they perform better than Notion.

Teamplate – The Best Overall

Better than Notion for: Teamplate excels in streamlining workflows, connecting your team, and unlocking new collaborative possibilities thanks to one unified platform. The tool includes pre-built templates specifically designed for various team workflows, offering you a simplified solution if you need to quickly establish structured processes without customization from scratch. Functionalities include project timelines, task boards, and workflow automation, so it’s pretty much an out-of-the-box solution that effortlessly enhances productivity. 

You will be gaining access to all of Notion’s content creation capabilities, while adding considerably more sophisticated project management features, alongside integrated communication tools like email, chat, video conferencing, and more. 

These are all very easy to use, with a fast and straightforward onboarding process that makes it one of the best Notion alternatives for teams that need a practical solution for managing projects and processes efficiently, with minimal setup time.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Notion is built around two main pillars – note-taking and project management. Teamplate tackles both head-on, delivering note-taking features that are equal to Notion, and project management and collaboration tools that are much more advanced. 

Essentially, this means that most organizations will find that Teamplate satisfies all the functions that Notion does, and then goes some extra way to facilitate team collaboration using one, single platform. This makes it unrivalled in the realm of Notion alternatives, earning it a spot on many lists featuring the best free process management software.

ClickUp

Better than Notion for: If it’s on-point project management you’re looking for in Notion alternatives, ClickUp comes with Gantt charts, timelines, Kanban boards, and custom task statuses that streamline workflow visualization. You can also use advanced automation to reduce manual tasks. The app excels in enhancing remote team communication with role-based permissions, task assignments, and integrated progress tracking, making it better suited for complex team projects.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: The interface can be overwhelming with a steep learning curve. Notion is much simpler and easier to navigate making note-taking faster.

Microsoft OneNote

Better than Notion for: This is one of the best Notion alternatives for flexible note-taking, ideal if you prefer a traditional, freeform canvas. You can sketch, write handwritten notes, and integrate multimedia like you would with a physical notebook.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: There are no advanced database and project management tools available. Notion is more ideal for teams and larger projects thanks to functionalities like relational databases, free Kanban board software, and a user-friendly interface with customizable templates. 

Evernote

Better than Notion for: If it’s a simple, organized way to clip and save web content you’re looking for in your Notion alternatives, this is the one. The app also features an intuitive tagging system, making it easy to categorize and find notes. The layout is straightforward, so if you need a quick, no-fuss way to organize information and synchronize it across multiple devices you’ve got a winner.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Notion’s advanced project management features, relational databases, and flexible workspace customization make it more suitable for collaborative projects and complex workflows. Evernote doesn’t really have any project management tools, so it’s less effective overall. 

Confluence

Better than Notion for: If you’re part of a large team, Confluence offers a more structured,  centralized knowledge-sharing platform. It excels in document management and collaborative editing, making it ideal if you need to maintain internal wikis, meeting notes, and technical documentation. Plus it can integrate with Jira, so if you’re already using that ecosystem Confluence makes perfect sense. 

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Notion’s versatile block-based system remains unmatched if you’re after more creative note-taking and content structuring – Confluence is much more restrictive in its formatting capabilities. Notion also offers superior task management tools, making it more suitable for projects that require detailed task tracking and workflow organization. 

Microsoft Loop

Better than Notion for: If you often need to co-create content seamlessly with your team, Microsoft Loop is designed precisely for this. Loop’s components can be embedded across Microsoft Teams, Word, and other Office apps, so if that’s your chosen ecosystem, you need look no further for Notion alternatives.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Microsoft Loop lacks the more comprehensive project management and database capabilities that Notion provides. Moreover, Notion offers a lot more flexibility in creating templates thanks to its block-based approach, which can support more structured content beyond basic note-taking and collaboration.

Mem

Better than Notion for: Mem’s stand-out features is its powerful, AI-driven organization features. It’s hailed as one of the best project management tools for startups because it automatically organizes notes and surfaces relevant content when needed. Mem also excels in speed and simplicity, another two qualities often prioritized by startups. 

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Mem lacks the structured databases, templates, and collaborative workspace tools that make Notion so effective for project management and complex workflows. While it is excellent for rapid note-taking and recall, it falls short when it comes to detailed task management and organizing information in a more hierarchical, interlinked way. 

Zoho

Better than Notion for: Zoho is amazing for Notion alternatives that deliver an integrated suite of business applications, thanks to a suite of tools that include CRM, project management, and productivity, all seamlessly integrated under one platform. Its native integrations across a wide range of applications make it great if your team is looking for one app to handle everything, from finance to sales.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Customization and flexibility in note-taking suffer when compared to Notion, as does content structuring. It’s also more complicated to master than Notion, mostly because Zoho’s focus on being a full-suite solution can make it feel bloated for those who primarily need an easy-to-use tool for note-taking and project management.

Monday.com

Better than Notion for: Monday.com specifically targets project management, particularly for teams that need highly visual, customizable workflows. You’ll have access to a wide range of templates, intuitive Gantt charts, and reliable automation options, so if your team needs advanced task tracking and resource management this is an ideal option. The drag-and-drop interface means that you can manage complex projects without any hassle, with clear visualization and progress tracking at different stages.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Notion’s versatility with databases, document creation, and content linking makes it better than Monday.com for teams looking for a workspace that supports both project management and creative content development. Monday.com’s focus on project management means it lacks the sophisticated note-taking, wiki capabilities, and customization features that make Notion so excellent for a wide variety of uses that go beyond task tracking.

Wrike

Better than Notion for: If you’re looking for Notional alternatives offering detailed tracking, reporting, and workload management, Wrike could offer a great solution. You’ll be able to use Gantt charts, time tracking, and resource management features that make it easier to cope with complex projects requiring tight deadlines. Its also has built-in analytics and real-time reporting features, so if you’re looking for in-depth oversight it performs very well.

Shortcomings compared to Notion: Wrike lacks the rich content creation, note-taking, and database capabilities that Notion provides. Notion’s flexible workspace, which allows for the seamless integration of documents, notes, and databases, makes it a superior choice for users needing a balance between project management and creative content development. 

How We Evaluate & Test Apps

Our reviewing process combines real-life testing with data-driven analysis to provide reliable insights. Here’s our approach:

1. Real-Life Scenarios
   We test apps in everyday remote office situations like team collaboration, offline use, and project management, so as to be able to gauge usability and performance under normal and peak loads.
2. Data-Based Metrics
   We measure key metrics—speed, resource usage, feature depth, and cross-device compatibility—ensuring clear, objective comparisons.
3. User-Focused Criteria
   We prioritize what matters most to users, such as ease of onboarding, integration options, and support, incorporating real feedback to ensure relevance.

This ensures that our reviews of Notion alternatives are curated for regular users, spanning the most important and common criteria that can make the difference between an excellent and a sub-par experience.

How to Choose the Best Notion Alternative For You

Notion includes a lot of different features, so the best alternatives depend on your specific needs. For starters, are you looking for Notion alternatives for your individual use, or for a whole team? Are you comfortable with the level of knowledge Notion onboarding requires, or would you like something simpler? Are you planning on launching a variety of complex projects, or is a free Kanban board software tool enough for your needs?

Depending on how you answer, you can use our table of top 10 Notion alternatives to find the best solution for you. However, this is one specific collaboration tool that fits all requirements, and that is Teamplate. Below, we’ll be going into why this tool is our top-rated when it comes to finding a good Notion alternative – no matter what’s the size of your team, or how your priorities are distributed. 

Boost Your Team’s Productivity with Teamplate

While Notion offers a versatile platform for note-taking and basic project management, Teamplate provides a more integrated and comprehensive solution – all for free. The software acts as one centralized platform that eliminates the need for you and your team to use other third party apps.

With Teamplate you get:

• Built-in communication tools
• Advanced project management features
• Secure data management
• A user-friendly interface
• The ability to scale up as fast and as extensively as needed
• Integrated email, chat, calendar scheduling, video conferencing, brainstorming Spaces
• A 100% free tool that won’t slap you with unexpected costs

The features offered by Teamplate are exhaustive enough that you won’t need to switch from one software to another, or even integrate third party apps. Your team is totally aligned at all times, with all the information needed for a smooth workflow kept centralized. All the other Notion alternatives that we reviewed further up offer some of the above features, but none of them hits all the requirements for a totally comprehensive dashboard. 

If you’re ready to be introduced to one of the best Notion alternatives on the market, get in touch with the Teamplate team now.

FAQs

What’s better than Notion?

Collaboration tools like Teamplate, which offer a centralized project management dashboard for complex workflows at no cost, may be better suited for all-in-one-collaboration that Notion.

Is there a free alternative to Notion?

Yes, Teamplate is a 100% free collaboration software that fulfils all the functionalities of Notion and adds extra features like email, chat, and video conferencing. Many teams prefer it not only because it’s free, but also because it’s an all-in-one platform.

What are the best Notion alternatives?

The best Notion alternatives are those that offer the same functionalities at no cost. Teamplate exceeds this threshold by including additional features for complex project management and real time collaboration.

What are sites similar to Notion called?

If you’re looking for Notion alternatives you will need to look for remote collaboration tools like Teamplate. The description includes softwares that fulfil complex management functions, giving your team an upgrade from the basic functionalities of Notion.

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.

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

1. Start off by creating Spaces by topic – eg Tasks, Events etc
2. Choose the Space where you want to create a project – let’s assume you’re picking Tasks
3. Click on the 3 dots next to ‘Tasks’ and choose ‘Add project’
4. Name your new project and create a prefix for easier filing
5. Customize the project as you wish, with deadlines, tags, assignees etc
6. 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.

By opting for process management software free of charge, companies can improve efficiency considerably, while staying within budget. This applies especially to startups, where it’s vital to set up efficient workflow processes that allow your team to perform at its best efficiency without burdening you with a steep monthly subscription.

Finding the right free task management software may sound like a big ask, but it’s not. Granted, there are many confusing options out there, with many business process management tools (BPMs) claiming to be free when in reality you’ll be asked to pay as soon as you access crucial features apart from the very basic.

Here, we’ve ranked all the  best tools for remote teams that also come with a free version. Our team has tested each app in depth to discover which of these offer process management software free of charge, 100%. We’ll start off with a comparative overview, before taking a deep dive into the pros and cons for each.

The Best Free Process Management Softwares at a Glance

Tools	Best For	Standout Features	Free Plan
Teamplate	All-in-one, streamlined workflow	Flexible template-based workflow management that includes chat, email, video calls, file sharing, calendar & more	100% free plan with unlimited users and features
Trello	Visual task management	Simple board-based project tracking	Up to 10 boards per Workspace
Asana	Teams needing comprehensive task and project management	Task assignment, timelines, project tracking,	Up to 15 users with basic task and project management features
ClickUp	Customized task views	Project management with time tracking	Free up to 5 spaces, 100MB storage limit
Jira	Software development teams and agile methodologies	Issue tracking, sprint planning	Free up to 10 users with basicfeatures
Monday.com	Visual project tracking	Customizable dashboards, automation	Free up to 2 users with access to basic boards
Confluence	Detailed documentation management and knowledge sharing	Version control, permission management	Free plan for up to 10 users with basic documentation features
Wrike	Complex project management needs	Advanced Gantt charts, real-time reporting	Free up to 1 shared space, basic project management only
Notion	Notes and databases	Collaboration in a flexible digital workspace	Free up to 10 users
Hive	Project management with communication features	Integrated project management with communication tools	Free up to 10 users with limited project and task management features

What Makes the Best Free Process Management Software?

What makes the above the best free process management softwares? All of them possess certain basic features that are an essential requirement for the top online communication platforms. Let’s take a look in more detail below.

Top Features to Look For in Free Process Management Softwares

• A free version: You can use any of the above process management software free of charge at least in their basic format.

• Strong collaboration features: Every software allows your team to collaborate seamlessly across various functionalities.

• Flexibility: Features like permission controls, addition of members, and even customized views are available.

• Hosted: You don’t need specialized knowledge to set up any of these free process management softwares as they’re hosted by the company that created them.

• Advanced Integrations: The above process management software free options can all be integrated with other popular tools and apps for a fully seamless workflow. 

How We Evaluated & Tested the Apps

While testing process management software free of charge we followed a specific process to decide which of these deliver the full suite of functionalities that are needed for efficient remote team collaboration.

First of all we went through the actual signup process for each of them, and completed any onboarding provided. This gave us a good indication of exactly how intuitive or time consuming these tools are.

For the purpose of reviewing, we created a test project and applied the same methodology while using each process management software free of charge. We also set up a handful of fake tasks, complete with details like deadlines, attachments, users, adding links and so forth to determine whether all functionalities are supported.

Our experts then had free reign to customize each project as they saw fit, toggling between view options, adding new users, automating some processes and so forth.

By carrying out these process management software free trials we gained a 360-degree view of the capabilities of each tool, allowing us to reach a final verdict as to which ones are truly the best.

How to Choose the Best Free Process Management Softwares

So maybe you’d like to carry out your process management software free trials? In this case, it helps to have a structured plan so that you know what to look for and to help you pick the best solution for your team. The below checklist will help you reach an informed decision.

Feature	What to Consider
Budget	Is the process management software free to use? Or does it come  with hidden costs?
Value	Does the free version provide enough features to meet your core requirements before upgrading?
Ease of Use	Is the software intuitive enough for your team to start using it without a steep learning curve?
Scalability	Can the software adapt as your team’s needs expand and projects become more complex?
Customizability	Are the workflows flexible enough to adjust to your team’s specific processes and preferences?
Collaboration Features	Does it facilitate efficient teamwork, with tools for communication and real-time collaboration?
Security Safeguards	Does the platform ensure robust data security and comply with industry standards?
Integrations	Does it seamlessly connect with your team’s existing tools and platforms?
Mobile Access	Is the software optimized for managing tasks and workflows remotely from mobile devices?

A Detailed Look at the Best Free Process Management Softwares

Several platforms offer process management software free trials, allowing you to test the features before committing. But what we’re looking for here are remote tools that you can use for free in the longterm. Below, we go into more detail about which apps allow you to do this and to which extent, delving into pros, cons, user reviews, and pricing details.

Teamplate – Best Streamlined Workflows & Comprehensive Functionalities

Pros

✔ All communication needs are centralized in one hub: You won’t need to use any third party applications such as email or Kanban boards. Instead, you can do everything from one comprehensive dashboard.

✔ Instant Messaging: Your chats will be stored and you can convert them straight to tickets automatically.

✔Integrated Email: There is no need to switch applications, and full automation is also available here to turn emails into tasks.

✔ Integrated Calendar: Schedule your daily meetings and stay on track right through the dashboard.

✔ Board and Tickets: Plan, track, and oversee all your team’s tasks from a Kanban-style dashboard

✔ Video Calls & Screen Recordings: Unlimited remote meetings which can be recorded for improved reporting.

✔ Data Room: A secure place where to keep all your company’s files and documents, with flexible permission controls.

✔ Spaces & Personal Space: A secure place where to collaborate with other team members. Each team member also has access to their own personal space where to keep track of personal notes and ideas. 

✔ 100% Free: This is the only process management software free of charge that gives you access to the full suite of functionalities.

Cons

To date, Teamplate is the only product on this list to have received consistent five stars on verified user review platforms like TrustPilot and Capterra.

Customer Stories

Using process management software free has never been easier with Teamplate, and user reviews confirm this. Users on G2.com all agree that Teamplate is easy to use, facilitates collaboration and has no real ‘cons’ to speak of. The five star ratings reflect these views, such as the one pictured above by Arash T.

Price Options

• 100% Free, Every Time: Includes all features like chat, email, video conferencing, screen recording, project management and more without limitations.

Trello – For Visual Project Management

Pros

✔ Attachments and Due Date Management: Trello allows you to attach files directly to cards and set due dates, making it easy to keep track of important documents and deadlines.
✔ Visual Task Tracking with Boards and Cards: The board and card layout provides a clear, visual way to manage tasks and projects, perfect for teams that prefer visual organization.
✔ Butler Automation for Repetitive Tasks: Trello’s Butler feature automates repetitive tasks such as moving cards, sending reminders, and updating fields, saving time for teams.

Cons

✘ Limited Free Plan Features: The free plan limits users to only 10 boards per workspace, which can be restrictive for larger teams or more complex projects.
✘ No Built-in Gantt Charts: Trello lacks native Gantt charts, a key feature for project timelines, forcing you to rely on third-party integrations or Power-Ups.
✘ Basic Reporting and Analytics: It doesn’t offer advanced reporting or analytics features, so it’s difficult to track project progress at a high level.
✘ Limited Dependency Management: The process isn’t straightforward, so handling complex workflows with interdependent tasks is an issue.
✘ Storage Limit on Free Plan: There is a 10MB attachment limit per file, which can be limiting when working with larger documents or media files.
✘ Power-Ups Can Be Costly: Although you can enhance functionalities by adding Power-Ups for added functionality, many of these come with additional costs after a certain number on the free plan.

Customer Stories

Not everyone is as fond of Trello’s visual boards as you might imagine. Some users like David D have reported problems when dealing with larger project where you “have to scroll back and forth”.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Unlimited cards and members, 10 boards per Workspace, and 1 Power-Ups per board.
• Standard Plan: $5 per user/month, adds unlimited boards, custom fields, and advanced checklists.
• Premium Plan: $10 per user/month, includes dashboard and calendar views, timeline, and unlimited automation.
• Enterprise Plan: Starting at $17.50 per user/month, designed for larger organizations with enhanced security, permissions, and admin controls.

Asana – For Large Teams

Pros

✔ Task Assignment with Due Dates: You’ll find it very easy to assign tasks to team members with specific due dates, ensuring accountability and clarity on project timelines.
✔ Custom Project Views: You can switch between list, board, calendar, and timeline views to manage tasks in a way that fits your team’s preferences.
✔ Integration with Over 100 Tools: Asana integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams.

Cons

✘ No Built-in Time Tracking: There are no native time-tracking capabilities, so if you’re after detailed time management you’re going to need third-party apps.
✘ Limited Free Plan for Large Teams: The free plan is best suited for small teams, as it lacks advanced features like project milestones and dependencies.
✘ Learning Curve for New Users: You can use a very wide range of features and views, but these are often overwhelming for new users and require training or time to get used to.
✘ Advanced Features are Not Included: Features like workload management and detailed project reporting are only available in the paid tiers.
✘ Dependency Management is a Paid Add-On: You can only access task dependencies like ‘waiting on’ or ‘blocked by’ in the paid versions, so there is very limited flexibility for complex projects in the free plan.
✘ Limited Mobile App: Although you can carry out basic task management via the mobile app, it lacks full functionality compared to the desktop version.

Customer Stories

While many users appreciate its myriad functionalities, most users complain that Asana is less flexible than its competitors, while the visual dashboard is not intuitive when it comes to data integrations.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Includes unlimited projects, tasks, and basic collaboration for up to 15 users, but lacks advanced features.
• Premium Plan: $10.99 per user/month (billed annually), includes advanced project tracking features such as timelines, reporting, and task dependencies.
• Business Plan: $24.99 per user/month (billed annually), adds portfolio management, goals tracking, and workload management.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing with advanced security, admin controls, and priority support for large organizations.

ClickUp – For Customized Task Views

Pros

✔ Built-In Time Tracking: ClickUp includes a native time-tracking feature, so you and your team can monitor how much time is spent on each task without needing third-party integrations.
✔ Highly Customizable Dashboards: You can create custom dashboards with widgets for tracking key metrics, tasks, and goals, giving you full visibility over team productivity.
✔ Unlimited Task Hierarchy: The software supports subtasks, checklists, and nested folders, making it easy to organize even the most complex projects with multiple levels of tasks.

Cons

✘ Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features: ClickUp’s vast customization options can be overwhelming for new users, requiring more time to master.
✘ Limited Offline Functionality: The platform requires an internet connection for most of its features, which can be a drawback for teams working in areas with unreliable connectivity.
✘ Mobile App Can Be Buggy: The ClickUp mobile app, while feature-rich, can occasionally suffer from slow loading times and bugs, making it less reliable for mobile task management.
✘ Complex Setup for Automations: Setting these up  can be tricky, especially for users unfamiliar with automation logic, requiring more effort to configure correctly.
✘ Limited Free Plan Features for Larger Teams: While the free plan is generous, it lacks some advanced features like goal tracking and detailed reporting, which larger teams might need.
✘ Overly Complex for Simple Projects: ClickUp can feel bloated due to its wide array of features, leading to unnecessary complexity.

Customer Stories

ClickUp’s functionalities and integration options come in for criticism for users, with some pointing out that competitors do a much better job where these are concerned.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Offers unlimited tasks and users, with limited storage (100MB), up to 5 spaces, and basic project management features.
• Unlimited Plan: $5 per user/month (billed annually), includes unlimited storage, integrations, and dashboards.
• Business Plan: $12 per user/month (billed annually), adds advanced features like goal tracking, timelines, and custom fields.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, offering advanced security, white labeling, and dedicated support for large organizations.

Jira – For Developers

Pros

✔ Solid Agile Tools: Jira is tailored for agile teams, offering features like sprint planning, backlogs, and real-time agile boards, making it ideal for software development projects.
✔ Comprehensive Issue Tracking: It excels in tracking bugs, issues, and tasks with detailed workflows and custom statuses, making it easier to manage complex development cycles.
✔ Advanced Reporting and Dashboards: The platform provides highly customizable reports and dashboards, offering insights into team performance, progress, and workload distribution.

Cons

✘ Steep Learning Curve for Non-Technical Teams: Jira’s technical nature and focus on software development can make it difficult for non-technical teams to adopt and fully utilize its features.
✘ Limited Free Plan for Large Teams: The free plan only supports up to 10 users, which is insufficient for larger teams that need strong project management tools.
✘ Overly Complex for Simple Projects: For teams not using agile methodologies or working on simple tasks, Jira’s extensive features can feel unnecessarily complex and overwhelming.
✘ Expensive for Smaller Teams Needing Advanced Features: If you want to use Jira’s more advanced features, like advanced roadmaps and reporting, you will need to fork out for higher-tier plans.
✘ Heavy Reliance on Add-Ons: Functions like time tracking or invoicing require add-ons, which can quickly increase costs.

Customer Stories

While Jira is one of the most recognisable process management software free-to-use, this does not remove the fact that many find it too complicated, requiring a steep learning curve that can put off some team members.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Supports up to 10 users with limited features, including agile boards and backlog management.
• Standard Plan: $7.75 per user/month (billed annually), includes up to 35,000 users with additional storage (250GB) and permissions management.
• Premium Plan: $15.25 per user/month (billed annually), includes unlimited storage, advanced roadmaps, and 24/7 support.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, includes enterprise-level security, administration controls, and dedicated support.

Monday.com – For Visual Project Tracking

Pros

✔ Highly Visual Interface: Monday.com offers a visually appealing interface with customizable columns, colour-coded tasks, and drag-and-drop functionality, making project tracking simple and intuitive.
✔ Automations for Repetitive Tasks: The platform allows you to set up automations to handle repetitive tasks, such as status updates and notifications, reducing manual work without requiring any coding.
✔ Multiple Project Views: Your team can switch between multiple views like Kanban, Gantt, timeline, and calendar to suit their specific project management needs.

Cons

✘ Limited Free Plan for Small Teams: The free plan is restricted to 2 users and lacks access to advanced features such as automations, integrations, and Gantt charts, which limits its usefulness for growing teams.
✘ Complexity Increases with Advanced Features: While the platform is easy to start with, more advanced features like automations and detailed reporting require a steeper learning curve to configure properly.
✘ No Native Time Tracking: Team that need this feature must rely on third-party integrations or external tools.
✘ Price Increases Quickly with Larger Teams: As the number of users grows, the pricing can escalate rapidly, especially when adding premium features and integrations.
✘ Limited Customization in Basic Plans: While there are customization options in the basic tier, full flexibility (such as creating advanced dashboards or using complex automations) is reserved for higher-tier plans.
✘ Mobile App Missing Key Features: The mobile app is functional but lacks some key features available in the desktop version, such as certain integrations and advanced project views.

Customer Stories

Once again, simplicity is key when using process management software free. As the above user April L points out, project management functionalities on their own aren’t enough to make it a winner if the overall UX is “confusing”.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Allows for up to 2 users with basic task tracking features and limited project boards.
• Basic Plan: $8 per user/month (billed annually), includes unlimited boards, 5GB of storage, and a few integrations.
• Standard Plan: $10 per user/month (billed annually), adds timeline views, automations (250 actions/month), and guest access.
• Pro Plan: $16 per user/month (billed annually), includes advanced integrations, unlimited automations, and time tracking.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, offering enhanced security, advanced reporting, and premium support for larger organizations.

Confluence – For Centralized Knowledge Sharing

Pros

✔ Centralized Knowledge Sharing: Confluence excels as a documentation and knowledge-sharing tool, allowing you to store, share, and collaborate on company knowledge in a central location.
✔ Page Versioning and History: It offers version control, enabling users to track changes, view past versions of documents, and easily revert to earlier drafts when necessary.
✔ Integration with Jira: If your team is already using Jira, this is a great companion for project management and issue tracking.

Cons

✘ Steep Learning Curve for Non-Technical Users: Confluence’s feature set and layout can be intimidating for non-technical teams, requiring some initial training to use effectively.
✘ Limited Collaboration on Free Plan: Only basic collaboration features are free, so advanced features like team calendars and real-time collaborative editing need to be paid for.
✘ Search Functionality Can Be Weak: Despite its strength in storing documentation, Confluence’s search feature sometimes struggles to retrieve relevant information from large databases.
✘ Limited Customization on Basic Plans: Customizing pages and workflows requires premium features.
✘ Requires External Apps for Full Functionality: To unlock additional features like diagrams or reporting, Confluence often relies on third-party apps from the Atlassian Marketplace, which can increase costs.

Customer Stories

When the main complaint is that “there are better out there”, you’ve got to take notice and look at other process management software free trials before committing. In the words of Brandon S, Confluence is “just okay”, and your organization needs more than just okay.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Available for up to 10 users, offering basic document creation and collaboration with limited storage (2GB).
• Standard Plan: $5.75 per user/month (billed annually), includes up to 35,000 users, more storage (250GB), and enhanced collaboration tools.
• Premium Plan: $11 per user/month (billed annually), adds advanced features like analytics, admin insights, and team calendars.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, offering unlimited storage, advanced security features, and enterprise-level admin controls.

Wrike – For Spreadsheet-like Features

Pros

✔ Advanced Task and Project Dependencies: Wrike allows you to set multiple task dependencies, making it easy to manage complex projects with interrelated tasks and milestones.
✔ Customizable Workflows: Your team can create and modify workflows to fit their specific processes, allowing for a more tailored approach to project management.
✔ In-Depth Reporting and Analytics: Wrike offers detailed reporting capabilities with customizable dashboards, providing insights into project progress, team performance, and workload.

Cons

✘ Overwhelming for Small Teams: Wrike’s feature set can be too extensive for small teams or simple projects, leading to unnecessary complexity for those who only need basic task management.
✘ Limited Features on Free Plan: The free plan restricts access to advanced features such as Gantt charts, time tracking, and custom workflows, making it less suitable for growing teams.
✘ Difficult to Navigate at First: Wrike’s interface can feel cluttered, and new users often complain about the steep learning curve when trying to navigate the platform efficiently.
✘ Expensive for Full Feature Access: Unlocking features such as advanced reporting, resource management, and integrations can drive up costs.
✘ Customization is Limited on Lower Plans: Only higher-tier plans offer full customization options, such as custom fields and advanced workflows, which can be limiting on the lower-cost plans.

Customer Stories

User-friendliness comes under fire again with this free process management software. The main complain here appears to be that Wrike requires a specialist project manager to oversee admin, which is far from ideal.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Limited to basic task management for up to 5 users with simple boards and task lists.
• Professional Plan: $9.80 per user/month (billed annually), includes Gantt charts, dashboards, and up to 200 tasks.
• Business Plan: $24.80 per user/month (billed annually), adds custom workflows, time tracking, and reporting for more advanced project management.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, includes advanced security, user permissions, and enhanced integrations for large-scale projects.

Notion – A Hub for Notes, Tasks & Databases

Pros

✔ All-in-One Workspace: Notion combines note-taking, databases, task management, and wikis into a single platform, removing the need for multiple tools to manage projects and documents.
✔ Highly Customizable Databases: You can create custom databases with different views, filters, and properties, allowing for a flexible way to manage information and tasks.
✔ Collaborative Editing in Real-Time: Teams can collaborate on documents and projects in real-time, with changes instantly reflected across the workspace.

Cons

✘ Limited Features on Free Plan for Teams: While the free plan is great for personal use, it lacks advanced collaboration features and restricts file uploads, which can hinder team productivity.
✘ No Native Time Tracking: There is no built-in time-tracking functionality, requiring integrations or workarounds for users who need to track time spent on tasks.
✘ Complexity with Large Databases: As Notion databases grow larger, they can become slow and difficult to navigate, especially when using complex filters or views.
✘ Steep Learning Curve for New Users: The flexibility and customization options in Notion can overwhelm new users, who may need significant time to learn how to structure their workspace effectively.
✘ Mobile App is Less Intuitive: The mobile version of Notion is not as user-friendly as the desktop version, making it harder to manage complex projects and databases on smaller screens.

Customer Stories

This is a recurring complaint with Notion, where users are under the impression they’re using a process management software free and then they are slapped with unexpected charges. Using 100% subscription-free collaboration tools like Teamplate eliminates such surprises.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Available for individual use with basic note-taking and task management features, up to 5MB file uploads, and limited sharing options.
• Plus Plan: $8 per user/month (billed annually), adds unlimited file uploads, advanced permission settings, and team collaboration.
• Business Plan: $15 per user/month (billed annually), includes advanced collaboration features, API access, and team permissions for large teams.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, offering enhanced security, compliance, and dedicated support for larger organizations.

Hive – For Seamless Project Management

Pros

✔ Built-In Email Integration: You and your team will be able to send and receive emails directly within the platform.
✔ Native Time Tracking: Hive comes with built-in time tracking, allowing teams to monitor how much time is spent on individual tasks without needing additional integrations.
✔ Flexible Project Views: The software offers a variety of views—such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendar views—giving teams the flexibility to manage projects in the way that works best for them.

Cons

✘ Steep Pricing for Full Features: Access to advanced features such as resourcing analytics, advanced reporting, and time tracking requires higher-tier plans, which can be costly for small teams.
✘ Limited Free Plan for Teams: The free plan only allows access to basic task management features, limiting collaboration tools and advanced analytics.
✘ Occasional Performance Issues: Hive can experience performance lags when dealing with large projects or extensive data, which may disrupt workflows for teams working on complex projects.
✘ Learning Curve for New Users: While Hive offers powerful tools, new users often face a learning curve when navigating the platform and setting up workflows.
✘ No Native Offline Mode: Hive requires an internet connection to function, which can be a drawback for teams needing to manage tasks offline.

Customer Stories

Using process management software free is still expensive if your team is using valuable time just to figure out how it works. Judging by user reviews, Hive has fallen into this trap that makes it appear too overwhelming for it to be efficient.

Price Options

• Free Plan: Allows access for unlimited users but limits features to basic task management and chat functionality.
• Teams Plan: $12 per user/month, includes project views, action templates, unlimited storage, and external integrations.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, offering advanced security, dedicated support, and customized solutions for larger organizations.

Benefits of Free Process Management Softwares Like Teamplate

Using process management software free of charge remains the best way to optimize operations, but only one software actually delivers the full range of features and gains consistently positive user reviews – Teamplate. This remote collaboration tool offers end-to-end project management in one powerful platform, with all features available for free.

The award-winning product includes all the communication and project management tools that your team needs on a daily basis – all without charging a cent. Here are some of the benefits that have been reported by over 1,000 customers who are using Teamplate’s process management software free.

• Centralized information: All documents and digital communication like email and chats are stored in one hub, reducing the risk of miscommunication, lost data, or simple time wasting.
• Reduced resources: Your team will need less time to complete the same amount of work, thanks to the automation of repetitive tasks.
• Increased transparency and accountability: All project deliverables and deadlines are clearly visualized alongside task goals.
• Increased collaboration: Your team will find it easier to brainstorm, collaborate, and share ideas thanks to the dedicated spaces and tools.
• Improved resource allocation: Visualization of projects ensures that tasks are assigned to the right people, correctly distributing workload and reducing delays.

Best of all, all the above are available to your team for free. If you’d like to start enjoying these benefits for a smoother, more efficient workflow, get in touch with the Teamplate team here and we’ll guide you through the process.

Securing the right project management tools for startups is a very important step in your journey. After all, starting out your own business is complicated enough without also having to hassle about the organization of workflow. 

Here we’re going to present detailed, expert reviews for affordable project management tools. These have all been personally tested by our team and include details about essential features, pricing and performance. 

The Benefits of Using the Right Project Management Tools for Startups

In the excitement of starting a new business, some new organizations forget to set up structured processes, remote team collaboration tools and workflows to optimize productivity. This inevitably leads to repercussions down the line. Let’s take a look at exactly why it’s essential to source the top project management software for small businesses.

Why does your startup need the right project management tools?

• Increased Productivity: The best project management tools for startups allow you to automate repetitive tasks, oversee workflow, refine processes and manage your team’s time better so the focus is placed on important tasks. 
• Better Team Collaboration: Remote teams may be located in different countries and timezones. This is a potential block for effective communication, but the right project management tools for startups resolve it. Instant messaging, video conferencing, real-time updates and other features enable both synchronous and asynchronous communication.
• Improved Project Tracking: You and your team can easily visualiza projects and dependencies, keeping an overview on tasks and subtasks for effective prioritization, assignment and management.
• Hassle-Free Reporting: Most project management tools for startups offer reporting features so you can automatically collect information and make data-driven decisions.
• Take Time & Resource Management to the Next Level: Features like deadlines, calendars, task lists and reminders help you track progress. It’s also easier to visualize the team’s workload for better resource management. 

Best Project Management Tools for Startups: Our Experts’ Choices

Time to see which top 10 project management tools for startups made it on our experts’ list. The team carried out meticulous testing of each of these online collaboration platforms over a long period of time to gain better insite into their performance with realistic conditions.

Teamplate – Best Free All-Rounder

Photo: Teamplate

Pros & Cons

✔️ Kanban style project management with easy setup

✔️ Drag-and-drop editor

✔️ Real-time collaboration with email & video conferencing

✔️ Screen recording

✔️ Secure Data Room

✔️Spaces for team collaboration

✔️Personal spaces for individuals 

✔️Integrated calendar

✔️ 100% free

Photo: Teamplate

Teamplate is regularly voted one of the best free online collaboration tools, offering comprehensive features at no cost. This makes it one of the most sought-after project management tools for startups, allowing entire teams to carry out daily communications, project management and more from one central hub. 

There’s nothing listed under our ‘cons’ column for the simple reason that many user reviews have struggled to find any disadvantages for this remote team software app. In fact, it has a 100% five-star rating on TrustPilot. 

Teamplate is easy to set up and won’t require a lengthy onboarding process for yourself or your team. It provides a central hub for all collaboration and project management needs, with pre-set templates so you can hit the ground running. 

Whether you want to communicate instantly via chat, send an email, access a file or schedule a meeting – it’s all there, on one, easy-to-use dashboard.Seriously, what’s not to like?

Photo: Teamplate

Teamplate User Reviews

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“Its unique selling proposition lies in consolidating essential features like chat, project boards, file sharing, video calls, and calendaring into a single, unified interface.Streamlined Workflow is its main benefit, and Switching between chat, file sharing, and project boards within the same platform can boost efficiency.” – Cristian Teuma	None! 100% 5 star rating on TrustPilot	“Teamplate is easy to use and helped me eliminate the need to use multiple apps.Now everything is in one tool and it’s made me more productive and efficient. While it’s simple to use, it’s also very powerful. It really depends on the users. But I’ve found it makes myself and my team more collaborative whether I’m in the office or remote.” – BRMFiveSeven

Trello – Simplified Task Management

Pros & Cons

✔️ Customizable boards for task organization
✔️ Integrates with apps like Slack, Drive
✔️ User-friendly for quick setup

❌ No instant messaging or email integration
❌ Lacks robust reporting and analytics tools
❌ No built-in time tracking features
❌ Limited handling of complex workflows
❌ Automation features are less advanced

Trello excels in remote collaboration by offering customizable boards, lists, and cards that visually organize tasks. Its integration with apps like Slack and Google Drive allows seamless file sharing and communication directly within the platform. 

However, compared to tools like Teamplate, it lacks built-in email and instant messaging, which limits remote team communication. Moreover, its simplicity doesn’t cater well to highly complex workflows, so start-ups may find it difficult to scale up. While it’s great for straightforward task management, teams needing in-depth analytics or automation may find Trello’s features insufficient.

Trello User Reviews

Trello has only gathered an average 3.3 star rating on TrustPilot. Here’s why.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“I just started using Trello again this year. I love it tbh. Use it for my own personal task management, as well as for a few of my clients.” – David	“It was an amazing app, till atlassian came to the game changing it from a easy going app to a freaking complicated way to connect“ – Zeca Veloso	“The software was a game-changer when it was first released in 2011. However since then it’s continued to get more expensive for features that aren’t really that useful.“ – Point101.com

Asana – Detailed Task Management

Pros & Cons

✔️ Advanced reporting and analytics features
✔️ Built-in time tracking with integrations
✔️ Handles complex project workflows seamlessly

❌ Lacks native document editing facilities
❌ Overwhelming for small, simple projects
❌ Free version has limited features
❌ No built-in instant messaging feature
❌ Limited offline functionality

Asana stands out for its ability to handle complex workflows with advanced features like task dependencies, project timelines, and custom fields. Unlike Trello, the reporting capabilities provide in-depth analytics, so it’s very suitable for teams needing detailed project tracking. 

However, it falls short in instant messaging, a feature that platforms like Teamplate provide, which may be frustrating for teams seeking an all-in-one workspace. While powerful, the interface can overwhelm users managing smaller projects, where simpler tools like Monday.com  might be more efficient. 

Asana User Reviews

Asana reviews 2024 on TrustPilot aren’t looking too rosy, with a 2 star average from users. 44% of reviewers actually gave it 1 star.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“It’s cost effective and my team love using it. They communicate daily. We can track progress of all jobs easily“ – Hayleigh Barrett	“I tried using Asana, but it automatically started a paid plan. I contacted support to request a downgrade because I couldn’t do it myself, but the support team required too much verification and ultimately, it was not downgraded. I continued using it, and now I’ve lost access to my tasks because it requires payment“ – Shota Teliashvili	“I’ve used every level of Asana’s products. The free product is fantastic. But with the rise of other free softwares like Notion and Trello I would say their pricing for the paid versions is way more expensive than it should be. And it lacks a lot of customization that Notion has right off the bat.“ – Mark Taylor

Clickup – Customizable Project Views

Pros & Cons

✔️ Highly customizable workspace and views
✔️ Comprehensive task and project management features
✔️ Built-in time tracking and reporting

❌ Steep learning curve for new users
❌ Overwhelming interface with too many features
❌ Mobile app can be glitchy
❌ Limited offline functionality
❌ Free version lacks advanced automation
❌ Occasional slow performance with large projects

ClickUp offers a highly flexible project management platform, with customizable task views, advanced reporting, and time tracking built directly into the system. It excels in providing detailed insights, similar to Teamplate, but with a lot less flexibility for teams looking to adjust their workflows. 

It also falls behind competitors like Monday.com and Teamplate in terms of built-in instant messaging and video conferencing, which limits real-time communication. ClickUp does offer screen recording, a feature that is rare among project management tools, but it lacks seamless email integration. 

The platform’s vast array of features can be overwhelming, especially for smaller teams or simpler projects, requiring your team to use up time on familiarization.

ClickUp User Reviews

Once again, ClickUp fails to impress TrustPilot, with users giving it a 2.7 star average. While its efficiency isn’t in dispute, its prices and steep learning curve have led to multiple complaints.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“Really good platform with amazing customer support. ClickUp is so versatile and has so many great features with constant updates“ – Tamino	“I am unable to recommend ClickUp. On the positive side, they have many features. Unfortunately, those features tend to make the service far too complicated. It becomes a full-time job just trying to stay on top of the software“ – Patrick Cooper	“Been a user for 4+ years with 30+ accounts and noticed the platform getting slower each year!! We’ve recently been left with no option but to look elsewhere for a new platform“ – Nameless

Zoho Projects – Strong Milestone Tracking Capacities

Pros & Cons

✔️ Strong project planning and milestone tracking
✔️ Built-in time tracking and invoicing tools
✔️ Excellent integration with other Zoho apps

❌ Difficult to master the different functionalities
❌ Limited customization of workflows
❌ Mobile app lacks full functionality
❌ No built-in instant messaging feature
❌ Automation features are not as advanced
❌ Free version has limited features and users

Zoho Projects is typically used by startups that need detailed project planning, with integrated milestone and time tracking to facilitate billing. It’s best suited for users who are already integrated within the Zoho suite ecosystem, as it depends on extensive integrations for full functionality.

It doesn’t offer built-in instant messaging, so it lags behind platforms like Teamplate and Monday.com, where team communication is more seamless. Moreover,  automation capabilities are not as advanced as competitors like ClickUp, limiting how much repetitive work can be streamlined. 

The mobile app requires fine-tuning, making on-the-go management harder compared to more mobile-friendly tools like Teamplate.

Zoho Projects User Reviews

Zoho is one of those project management tools for startups that truly has a lot going for it, attracting a solid 4.2 star rating on TrustPilot and making many users happy. Nevertheless, the customer experience has come in for some serious flak, while some users have found the interface too complicated.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“So far, Zoho Social has helped to streamline our digital marketing processes, making it easy to schedule, respond to messages, and view data“ – Maria DB	“It is completely unintuitive to use, everything is so complicated. I contacted support, got the bare minimum reply – so was completely unhelpful.“ – Mickey	“A great tool… especially for businesses already using other Zoho products“ – Bryn Elise

Jira – Intensive Workflow Management

Pros & Cons

✔️ Excellent for software development and agile teams
✔️ Advanced issue tracking and workflow management
✔️ Strong integration with development tools like Git

❌ Limited reporting features in lower plans
❌ Requires plugins for basic project management needs
❌ Complex setup for non-software teams
❌ Search functionality can be unintuitive
❌ Permissions system is overly complicated
❌ No built-in resource management tools

Jira is one of the most powerful project management tools for startups, but it’s designed primarily for software development. It offers robust features for agile teams such as issue tracking, sprint planning and backlog management, but may be a bit too bloated for typical startup processes. 

Unlikes user-friendly dashboards like Teamplate and Notion, its setup can be daunting for non-technical users or teams that aren’t focused on software, Moreover, its reporting capabilities in lower-tier plans are limited, requiring upgrades or plugins to unlock more detailed analytics. 

Finally, compared to tools like Asana and Teamplate, Jira lacks native resource management features, which can make workload balancing more difficult when you scale up with larger teams.

Jira User Reviews

With a 1.6 average star rating on TrustPilot, many startups may be wary of investing in a tool that has great functionalities but also many shortcomings. 

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“After using Atlassian for the last 5 years, I have to say, the product is overall good and the pricing is fair.There are of course still things that could be better” – SysAdminFromGermany	“It’s awfully slow and complicated to add a new task/subtask. The task goes to the backlog after being created and you need then to put it in your board. Doesn’t compare to the intuitiveness of others” – Fred	“My experience has gone from positive to frustrating due to their poor customer service and questionable billing practices.” – Budd

Teamwork – Great for Client Collaborations

Pros & Cons

✔️ Strong time tracking and billing tools
✔️ Excellent for client-focused project management
✔️ Easy task delegation and collaboration features

❌ Limited customization options for workflows
❌ Steep pricing compared to competitors
❌ Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
❌ Lacks built-in video conferencing tools
❌ Automation features are basic and limited
❌ Free version is restricted to small teams

Teamwork is well-suited for client-focused projects, offering excellent time tracking, billing and client collaboration functionalities. It excels in managing tasks, allowing for easy delegation and tracking across different team members, something that smaller tools like Trello don’t emphasize as much. 

However, its customization options for workflows are more limited compared to Teamplate and ClickUp, which might be a drawback for teams with unique processes. Additionally, while it supports task management well, it doesn’t include built-in video conferencing, unlike platforms such as Monday.com and Teamplate. 

Teamwork User Reviews

Teamwork gathers a highly respectable 4.3 star rating on TrustPilot, with users praising the intuitive interface. However, recent changes don’t appear to have gone down so well.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“I have always found it to have a manageable learning curve, and it provides ample options for people without being overwhelming“ – Doyle Martin	“Extremely slow and clunky user interface. Hover-pop-ups take some time to show, tagging people, dragging tasks or opening/closing/toggling UI is all very laggy and slow“ – Stef Van Wiychen	“For a long time Teamwork worked smooth. But last (say) 2 years ‘nice features’ were implemented that aren’t so nice at all. Support questions about those nice features, working less nice working in a live area and not in a test area, is disappointing.“ – Petra

Slack – Excellent Real Time Communication

Pros & Cons

✔️ Real-time communication with instant messaging
✔️ Integrates with a wide range of apps
✔️ Easy file sharing and collaboration

❌ Limited functionality for detailed project management
❌ Search history is restricted in free plan
❌ Notification system can become overwhelming
❌ No built-in time tracking or task management
❌ Requires third-party integrations for advanced features
❌ Lack of threaded conversation support in group DMs

Slack is a top choice for real-time communication, offering seamless messaging and quick file sharing, making it one of the go-to project management tools for startups that usually need immediate responses. 

There is a wide range of integrations allowing teams to connect with tools like Google Drive and Trello for smoother workflows. However, unlike project management platforms such as Teamplate or Asana, Slack lacks built-in task management and time tracking. This means you’ll need to bring in external tools for this purpose. 

The search functionality is very limited in the free version, restricting access to older messages, which can be a drawback for teams needing comprehensive history. 

Slack User Reviews

Despite being an efficient messaging platform, Slack is one of those project management tools for startups that are plagued by low ratings. The reason is possible the fact that it’s not as comprehensive as many organizations would wish it to be.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“For communication and simple team management tools, I find it quite useful. It’s easy to use, beginner or not“ – Dave Seagraves	“The notification system is a constant source of frustration. Despite considering myself pretty tech-savvy, I can’t seem to get my phone to alert me properly when new messages come in” – Tim K	“Slack used to be amazing, now it’s a complete mess. No idea why they took something that worked and made it almost unworkable“ – Alex

Notion – Seamless Note Taking

Pros & Cons

✔️ Highly flexible and customizable workspace
✔️ Combines note-taking, task management, and databases
✔️ Supports collaborative editing in real-time

❌ Overly complex navigation with nested pages
❌ No built-in time tracking or billing tools
❌ Limited offline functionality, especially for mobile
❌ Lacks robust project management features like Gantt charts
❌ Performance can slow down with large databases
❌ Permissions and user roles can be confusing to manage

Notion blends note-taking, task management and databases into one cohesive platform. Its real-time collaboration feature allows you to work on shared documents or projects simultaneously. 

However, unlike dedicated project management tools like Teamplate or ClickUp, Notion lacks advanced features such as Gantt charts or time-tracking. Its limited offline functionality, particularly on mobile devices, can be a significant drawback for users who need constant access. 

Another downside is that navigating through complex nested pages can make it harder to keep track of information compared to more streamlined apps like Trello.

Notion User Reviews

With a 2.6 star average on TrustPilot, customer support has really failed to impress users, as has the ease with which you’ll find yourself paying for unexpected upgrades. The latter appears to be a commonality to many other project management tools for startups which would otherwise be great.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“I use it for basic tracking of projects and organising each of these projects. It has been thoroughly useful to have all this is one place“ – Andy	“They make it very easy to accidently upgrade to expensive business plan with single misclick which charges your card immediately. “ – Peagamr	“The product is amazing, but if you have a problem, customer service is one of the worst I’ve seen“ – Felipe Urzua

Hive – Versatile Project Management

Pros & Cons

✔️ Built-in email integration for seamless communication
✔️ Strong project management tools with Gantt and Kanban views
✔️ Advanced automation features for recurring tasks

❌ Limited reporting options in lower-tier plans
❌ Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
❌ Complex setup required for custom workflows
❌ Task dependencies can sometimes be glitchy
❌ No native time tracking without integrations
❌ Slow performance when handling large projects or teams

Hive offers a robust platform for project management with features like Gantt and Kanban views, making it versatile for different workflows. You can manage communications and tasks in one place thanks to built-in email integration, which is something not all competitors like Trello offer. 

However, Hive’s reporting capabilities are limited in lower-tier plans, unlike tools such as Teamplate, which offers both inbuilt communications and excellent reporting. 

Additionally, while Hive offers powerful automation, setting up custom workflows can be very time-consuming compared to simpler platforms like ClickUp and Teamplate.

Hive User Reviews

Hive comes in at a respectable 4.1 star rating, but if you or your team often need to use it on the go you will likely run into some issues.

Positive User Reviews	Negative User Reviews	Overall User Review
“Chatting inside tasks or letting task owners turn sub tasks into their own projects is great. Everyone can keep up with who is working on what“ – Robert	“The mobile app has significantly reduced functionality compared to desktop”  – Robert	“Fundamental functions lacking included: cut, copy, paste,undo (if software does not have these features working, run don’t walk from it“ – Anonymous

The Top Project Management Tools for Startups Compared

Don’t have time to sift through all the above? This table makes it easier to identify at a glance which project management tools for startups offer all the features you’re after.

Feature	Teamplate	Trello	Asana	ClickUp	Slack	Zoho Projects	Jira	Teamwork	Slack	Notion	Hive
Instant Messaging	✔️	❌	❌	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️
Screen Recording	✔️	❌	❌	✔️	❌	❌	❌	✔️	❌	❌	✔️
Built-in Email Integration	✔️	❌	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	❌	✔️
Video Conferencing	✔️	❌	❌	✔️	✔️	❌	❌	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️
Time Tracking	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	❌	✔️
Integrated Calendars	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌	❌	✔️
Pre-built Templates	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️
Team Spaces	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Private Spaces	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️
File Sharing	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Free Access to all Features	✔️	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌

How to Choose the Right Project Management Tools for Your Startup

The features of project management tools for startups can be as comprehensive or as basic as you need, but our experts give the highest scores to tools that perform strongly across all important features. Here are our selection criteria for the best startup management software: 

• Comprehensive Features: We prefer software that offers the entire suite of project management functions like task management, team collaboration, file sharing, and reporting. Integrated email and chat are a big plus, as is meeting scheduling.
• User-friendliness: The best project management tools for startups are those that take minutes to set up and have a very low (or non-existent) learning curve. There are better things your team should spending time on! 
• Pricing: Startups typically have tight budgets, so the best apps are undoubtedly free, or at least offer free access to the majority of features. 
• One centralized hub: If you need to bring in third party integrations, you’re already using more time and resources than you should. Hence our reference to integrated email earlier on. 
• On Point Customer Support: Reliable and fast customer service is a huge priority, because you don’t want to find your operations blocked simply because your software is having a day. We like to see live chat options, email, FAQs and community resources – the whole range of options for faster resolution.

How Much do Project Management Tools for Startups Cost?

This is the million dollar question, if you’ll pardon us for being too on the nose. Many project management tools for startups do offer free versions, but invariably you will not have access to all the features that you need. The only one that offers a 100% free service currently is Teamplate – you’ll be able to access everything without paying anything.

Pricing for other project management tools for startups  typically depends on the following elements:

• Number of users
• Features
• Customization
• Add-Ons
• Support

Tool	Basic/Entry Paid Plan	Pro/Business Plan
Teamplate	100% Free	Not applicable
Trello	$5 per user/month	$10 per user/month
Asana	$10.99 per user/month	$24.99 per user/month
ClickUp	$5 per user/month	$12 per user/month
Slack	$7.25 per user/month	$12.50 per user/month (Business+)
Zoho Projects	$5 per user/month	$10 per user/month
Jira	$7.75 per user/month	$15.25 per user/month
Teamwork	$5.99 per user/month	$10.99 per user/month
Notion	$8 per user/month	$15 per user/month
Hive	$12 per user/month	Custom pricing

Why Teamplate is the Best Solution for Startups

Teamplate stands out as the best project management tool for startups because it’s completely free, allowing small businesses to scale without worrying about software costs. Startups often have limited resources and, with Teamplate, your entire team can access essential features like task management, customizable templates, and team spaces without the burden of expensive subscriptions. 

But it’s not just about being free. It also needs to be effective and comprehensive. Teamplate delivers on all counts. Its built-in automation capabilities help streamline repetitive tasks, which is critical for startups trying to maximize efficiency with smaller teams.

Moreover, the intuitive user interface reduces the time spent onboarding new members, meaning startups can quickly adapt and hit the ground running. The platform includes a host of integrated features you’ll use on the daily, such as email, instant messaging, video conferencing, file sharing and more. This removes the need to switch between different tools and keeps all collaboration in one place. This level of efficiency is key for startups that need to stay agile, meet deadlines and manage evolving project needs effectively.

Start your start-up on the road to success and join Teamplate here.

FAQs

Why do startups need project management software?

Project management software helps startups streamline task management, improve team collaboration, and track progress. It ensures an efficient workflow from one centralized hub.

Are all project management software options suitable for startups?

No, not all options suit startups. Many tools like Jira cater to large enterprises with features that may overwhelm smaller teams. Startups should prioritize software like Teamplate, with affordability, scalability, ease of use, and essential features.

What are some common mistakes startups make when choosing project management software?

Startups often choose tools with too many unnecessary features, leading to confusion and inefficiency. Teamplate offers functionalities that are streamlined and easy to use, so you don’t get bogged down in the architecture.

Can startups use free project management software?

Yes, Teamplate is one of very few project management tools for startups that offers its entire suite of features for free. You won’t be asked to pay a subscription. 

Looking for the best tools for remote teams that are 100% free? Setting up an efficient communication system for your organization is crucial in an age where workers are likely to be scattered across different countries and timezones, especially given the increasing need to facilitate asynchronous communication.

But sourcing the best collaboration software that offers comprehensive features without putting your budget in the red is not easy. Many team tools promise the world, but deliver very little unless you provide your credit card. 

Which is why we’ve collected our personal list of tried and tested free online collaboration tools. In this guide you’ll find details about our top choices and how these can work for you, alongside any shortcomings they may have.

What are Free Online Collaboration Tools?

To put it simply, the best online collaboration platforms allow you to communicate effectively with your team by offering a very wide range of services in digital format – all without spending anything. It’s a tall order we know, mostly because the vast majority of such software applications claim to be free, but this will only be true at the most basic tier. This means that you’d need to pay in order to benefit from the full features, with the monthly cost sometimes making the tool unviable.

And yet, such tools for remote teams do exist – you just need to dig deep within the T&Cs to ensure that your chosen software does what it promises to do for free. We’ve carried out this research, digging deep so you don’t need to use up your own time, and we’ll be pointing you in the right direction soon. 

But first, it helps to understand exactly what you should look for in free online collaboration tools.

What Should You Look For In Free Online Collaboration Tools?

The whole point of free online collaboration tools is that they cover all your team and office needs without a subscription fee, thus removing the need to spend money and time on a multitude of tools. Here are the main elements you should look for:

Comprehensive Features: It’s useless having free document sharing if you need to go elsewhere for project management. The best free online collaboration tools offer the whole spectrum of functionalities.

Intuitive Interface: No one wants to use up their time trying to learn a new software instead of improving productivity. This is why an intuitive, easy-to-use interface is a must.

Security: Free features shouldn’t come at the expense of your organization’s security. This one’s non-negotiable for obvious reasons.

Below, you’ll find a list of the nine most well-known free online collaboration tools:

1. Teamplate
2. Trello 
3.  Asana
4. Monday.com
5. Microsoft Teams
6. Google Space
7. Miro
8. Notion
9. Slack

Question is: do they actually satisfy all requirements? We went for a tried-and-tested approach to find out more.

A Detailed Look at Our Tried & Tested Best Picks

Our experts have tested each one of the above recommendations to understand whether they live up to the hype. Here’s what we discovered.

Teamplate: All-In-One 100% Free Online Collaboration Tool

Think of Teamplate as an entire army of office tools, all rolled in one, easy-to-use package. The best thing? It’s totally free and you won’t be asked for payment to access specific features. 

It’s been described as a state-of-the-art project management tool, and with good reason as it covers areas of remote communication that other apps fail to include. Its forte lies in the fact that it allows entire organizations to create and manage customized templates for workflows, increasing operational efficiency. 

Sounds like a complicated setup? It really isn’t. Template achieves all this via a dynamic dashboard where you can track task progress, set deadlines and assign responsibilities. It can fully integrate with third-party apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Jira for seamless communication and document sharing within teams. But it’s unlikely you’ll need to, as Teamplate fulfills all the functionalities of such other apps so you won’t need to use other free online collaboration tools. 

Additionally, it features real-time editing, notifications, and automation, making task management and collaborative efforts both within and across departments a lot more efficient.

Pros

• 100% free
• Integrates all aspects of office communication
• Easy-to-use
• Scalable without hassle

Why It Stands Out

• Dashboard with Kanban and Gantt Views: You will be able to visualize tasks using Kanban boards or Gantt charts to get a clear picture of task progress, timelines, and dependencies.
• In-app Messaging: Team members can communicate directly within the platform using built-in messaging features, allowing for quick discussions and feedback without switching tools.
• Email Integration: Automatically send email notifications for task updates, deadline reminders, or new assignments, ensuring everyone stays informed even if they’re not in the app.
• Comment Threads on Tasks: Leave comments on specific tasks or projects, enabling focused discussions and keeping all communication tied to the relevant work.
• Direct Mentions: You can use ‘@mentions’ to tag team members in comments or discussions to send out instant notifications.
• Spaces for Organized Collaboration: Each project or team can have its own dedicated Space,”where all relevant tasks, files, and discussions are grouped, so that everything is organized and easily accessible.
• File Storage & Sharing: You can upload and store files directly in spaces or tasks, with the ability to link files from other free online collaboration tools like Google Drive or Dropbox, ensuring all project assets are in one place.
• Progress Tracking: You can keep tabs on how projects are advancing with visual progress bars and status updates.
• Custom Notifications: Set personalized alerts for important deadlines or task changes, so as to ensure you don’t miss out on critical updates.

What Teamplate Users Say

It’s not just us waxing lyrical on Teamplate as being one of the top free online collaboration tools. Online reviews are consistently excellent, with the below user hitting all the important points and not even finding any real cons to the app, despite trying very hard.

Arash T. on Capterra: “Overall, my experience with Teamplate has been positive. With continued updates and enhancements to the user interface, I believe Teamplate has the potential to become an indispensable tool for businesses seeking to optimize their collaboration efforts.

“What I liked most about Teamplate is its comprehensive approach to communication and collaboration. Having all the essential tools like chat, board, data room, calendar, and video calls integrated into one application makes it incredibly convenient and efficient. It eliminates the need to switch between multiple platforms, saving time and streamlining workflows.”

Trello 

Trello uses flexible and highly visual Kanban boards that allow you to easily manage tasks. This is done by dragging and dropping cards between lists, offering simplicity that tools like Jira may lack for basic project management. 

Its automation features help you move cards, set due dates or set up other repetitive tasks in a more user-friendly way compared to other tools like Asana. 

It excels in its straightforward task management approach, but the reporting and analytics features are more limited compared to competitors like Teamplate or Monday.com, both of which offer more advanced tracking and visualization tools.

Pros	Cons
Simple, visual interface	Limited advanced reporting tools
Easy-to-use automation	No built-in instant messaging
Customizable boards and lists	No integrated email
Free tier available	Minimal built-in analytics features
Mobile-friendly interface	Limited scalability for large teams
	Less robust for complex projects
	No native time tracking tools
	Full functionalities require a paid plan

What Trello Users Say

Many users have a lot of good things to say about Trello, but they also mention a number of disadvantages. The fact that you need to pay for full functionalities is one of them. A relaxed approach to project permissions is another. Here’s what user ‘balfordev’ had to say on Reddit:

“I wanted to bring up a discussion about a pain point many of us might have encountered while using Trello – the absence of robust user roles functionality. One glaring issue with Trello is that it lacks proper user roles, allowing any user to delete tasks or columns. While Trello excels in simplicity and flexibility, this freedom can sometimes lead to accidental deletions or modifications by team members who shouldn’t have such permissions.”

Asana

One of the more well-known free online collaboration tools, Asana is praised for a timeline feature that allows users to map out project dependencies. This means that you can visually track how tasks relate to one another. It is similar to Gantt charts in tools like Monday.com, but with more flexibility in re-arranging tasks. 

The dashboard provides real-time insights into each team member’s capacity, easily surpassing the over-simplicity of Trello’s basic task assignments. Asana does not include built-in email or instant messaging features like Teamplate, so if you’re looking for the best free online collaboration tools this isn’t it. 

Moreover, the free version only offers access to very basic functionalities, with very limited project views and a cap on 15 users.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Advanced timeline view for project dependencies	No built-in email or instant messaging features
Custom rules for complex task automation	No instant messaging
Workload management dashboard for team capacity	Access to full features starts at $10.99/user/month
Goal-tracking system for aligning team objectives	Not very intuitive
	Limited customization of task views

What Asana Users Say

Sadly, Asana’s free model has come in for a lot of criticism on sites like Reddit and Trustpilot. The main issue appears to be that it’s not quite clear what you’ll be getting for free and when you start getting charged for it, not without diving deep into a sheaf of terms and conditions before clicking ‘Accept’. Which, let’s be honest, none of us do.

Here’s what one particular reviewer had to say on Trustpilot: “Once the trial ended I was not able to access the simple task list I had created and I kept getting an error message saying I was using paid features and custom fields. Working with their support team is like banking your head against the wall.”

Monday.com

Monday.com is one of the free online collaboration tools that offers the most customizable workflows. You can build tailored dashboards by choosing from over 30 column types, enjoying Trello-like flexibility. 

It also supports file sharing and collaborative editing directly within the platform, making it a better option than Asana (which requires third-party integrations for this).

However, its automation setup requires extensive configuration, unlike free online collaboration tools like Teamplate where you can implement custom rules a couple of clicks. Another downside is that it requires external apps for data collection – even here, Template emerges as the winner as these functionalities are inbuilt. 

Pros	Cons
Highly customizable workflows with over 30 column types	Limited functionality in the free version
Robust timeline and Gantt chart for project tracking	New users will find some functions complicated
Advanced automation tools for tasks and notifications	Complex setup for smaller teams or simpler projects
Built-in file sharing and collaborative editing	Requires third-party integrations for more advanced reporting
	Automations are very limited even in paid-up, lower-tier plans
	Lacks built-in time tracking in basic plans
	Can become expensive, starting at $10/user/month.

What Monday.com Users Say

The steep learning curve is a recurring complaint for Monday.com users, with reviews mentioning the lack of intuitive interface for certain functionalities such as automation. Its mobile responsiveness also leaves a lot to be desired, so if you often work on the go you’re probably going to want to look at one of the other free online collaboration tools.

This is what user SpecialistTale7438 had to say:

“Monday’s mobile app isn’t great. It’s improved since the first time I used it but it lacks flexibility. The desktop experience is much better. One example of an area they can improve is the my tasks section. It’s supposed to provide us with a simple view of the tasks we need to complete but it doesn’t allow us to easily add filters to see what we want.

“Depending on the work we have to do, there are some tasks that repeat peat weekly and even daily. In other tools like Asana or Trello you can set up recurring tasks in literally like three clicks but on Monday it requires you to use automations. These processes use a system similar to that of IFTTT (if this then that) so it’s complicated and it takes too long to set up. I wish they made it simpler to set up these tasks.”

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams combines chat, video conferencing and document sharing in one platform that is very tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel and OneDrive.

It also offers robust video conferencing with features like breakout rooms, meeting recordings, and transcription services, making it a more comprehensive alternative to Zoom’s free tier, which lacks some advanced collaboration features. 

Moreover, it lacks flexibility in task management and workflow automation compared to tools like Teamplate. It does not offer customizable workflows or built-in task automations, requiring users to rely on third-party tools like Microsoft Power Automate for similar functionality, adding complexity to the process

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps	Free tier has a time cap for conference calls and doesn’t give access to integration and compliance tools.
Real-time document collaboration within the app	Microsoft 365 subscription starts at $4/user/month
Robust video conferencing with advanced features	Lacks built-in task management and workflow automation
Built-in security and compliance features	Requires Power Automate for advanced automations
	Limited customization for workflows compared to Teamplate
	External integrations needed for detailed project management
	Performance issues with large-scale video meetings
	Steep learning curve for non-Microsoft users

What Microsoft Teams Users Say

While Microsoft Teams is praised for its effortless integration with the Microsoft suite of apps, the user journey has come in for some serious flak, as have its pricing models. Here’s what user ‘janekslv’ had to say on TrustPilot:

“Horrible experience every time. Installs updates on start, not in background, so I’m late for the meeting. Sometimes it just shows white screen, then hangs and doesn’t connect. Common Excel files sent in chat are opened in-web for some reason, then it asks to register, sends an authorization code, asks me to register on Sharepoint. Endless problems which will make a stressful meeting worse. Avoid if you can.”

Google Workspaces

Google Workspace integrates Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Meet into a one platform, allowing all users to collaborate on documents in real-time without leaving the workspace. 

Unlike Microsoft 365, where apps function as standalone entities, it offers seamless interconnectivity, such as directly editing a Google Doc from within a Gmail thread. 

Google Workspace does not offer a completely free version, but there is a free tier for individuals called Google Workspace Essentials Starter, which provides limited access to some functionalities. However, it doesn’t offer 360 degree free services like other free online collaboration tools such as Teamplate.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Seamless integration across Google apps (Gmail, Drive, Docs)	Lacks advanced project management features
Real-time collaboration within documents	Limited offline functionality for apps like Docs and Sheets
Built-in Google Meet for video conferencing	Custom email domains are only available with paid plans
User-friendly interface for easy adoption	Limited administrative controls in lower-tier plans
	Only 15 GB is offered in free storage
	Paid subscriptions start at $6/user/month
	Advanced security features require higher-tier plans

What Google Workspaces Users Say

We found a number of complaints on reviewing site Gartner.com, detailing issues with unexpected charges and slow customer support. Here’s what some anonymous, but verified, users placed under the ‘Dislikes’ column:

• Offline functionality limitations, Integration with non-Google products, performance issues with large files

• Very divided environment with many functions that could be working in a more synchronized way and still in the same environment

Miro

This collaborative online whiteboard platform that allows your teams to create, share and edit visual content in real-time. It uses features like sticky notes, diagrams and flowcharts to facilitate brainstorming sessions. 

Miro excels in visual collaboration, especially for remote teams, compared to Trello or Asana, which focus more on task management rather than free-form idea generation. However, it lacks the more structured project tracking and timeline features of Teamplate or Monday.com.

Another significant limitation is that its free tier only allows for three editable boards, making it less suited for larger teams unless upgraded to the paid version.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Excellent for visual brainstorming and collaboration	Free plan limited to 3 boards
Real-time editing for remote teams	Paid plans start at $8/user/month
Integration with apps like Slack, Jira, and Google Workspace	Lacks structured project management tools
Wide variety of templates for different use cases	Advanced features, such as user permissions, are behind paywalls
	Difficult to manage large-scale projects with multiple dependencies
	Steeper learning curve for non-design-oriented teams

What Miro Users Say

While most Miro users enjoy the features of the app, the tool has attracted criticism for the UX-journey in terms of using the controls and the practicality of the way these are used. Here’s what user Hamid G had to say on GetApp.

“The usability of the software is a little difficult. While it’s a feature-rich program, it tried to emulate physical tools such as a white-board, but fails on several facets.”

Notion

Notion combines note-taking, task management and databases. It allows you to build custom pages with linked databases, making it more versatile than some other free online collaboration tools like Trello. 

While Notion’s real-time collaboration and commenting features allow teams to work together, it falls short compared to the deeper integration with email and in-app messaging offered by other software like Teamplate.

Additionally, Notion’s customization options can be overwhelming for new users, making it less user-friendly compared to the more streamlined setup of other free online collaboration tools.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Combines note-taking, databases, and task management	No built-in email or messaging features (requires integrations)
Highly customizable with relational databases	Steep learning curve for new users
Real-time collaboration and commenting	Free plan limits file uploads to 5MB per file
Templates available for a wide variety of use cases	Limited automation tools compared to alternatives like Teamplate
	Paid plans start at $8/user/month
	Overly complex for simple tasks

What Notion Users Say

While the platform is well-loved for its wiki-like functionalities, the free vs paid up membership options has given rise to more arguments than we can paste here. Suffice it to say that not only don’t you get many of the features that are necessary for good free online collaboration tools, but it’s also complicated to stop your subscription.

Here’s what user ‘toferr’ had to say on TrustPilot:

“I’m unable to remove my card, and they’ve charged me through an authomatic deduction. When I reached out via email to request a refund, they claimed they couldn’t process it because it’s been more than three days since the invoice.”

Slack

Slack offers real-time messaging, file sharing and integration with over 2,000 apps, allowing you to centralize workflows and discussions. Unlike Microsoft Teams, it offers customizable channels so you can organize conversations by projects or topics.

It also supports built-in automation through Workflow Builder, but it is less robust compared to the advanced automations available in Teamplate. One limitation of Slack is its relatively high pricing for advanced features, such as unlimited message history and larger file sharing, which are restricted to paid plans starting at $7.25 per user per month.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Highly customizable channels for organized conversations	Advanced features like message history not available for free
Integration with over 2,000 apps for workflow centralization	Lacks deep integration with office tools
Real-time messaging and file sharing	No built-in video recording feature
Workflow Builder for custom automations	Free plan limits message storage to 90 days
	Search functionality can become cumbersome in large workspaces
	Video conferencing limited to 15 participants in free version
	Paid plans start from $7.25/user/month

What Slack Users Say

The main issues users encountered with Slack are strongly related to the claim that it’s free. In reality, many functionalities are not available and the paid plans are quite expensive. What’s worse, if you attempt to use the paid features on a free plan you may find yourself unknowingly upgraded and facing a bill.

Here’s what user Eliam Puente wrote on TrustPilot:

“I signed up recently to test it out and a few days later they upgraded my account to a pro trial without my consent. The issue with this is if your team members start using pro services without knowing then you are basically force to pay for pro to keep any work that was done. I find this wrong. One thing is offering the customer a free pro trial and another thing is changing your account status without your permission.”

How We Chose The Best Free Collaboration Tools

The above list features the most popular brands in remote collaboration software. Our reviewers took into consideration several key elements that we look for in free online collaboration tools, mainly the following:

• Features – What range of features does the tool provide? Is it an all-in-one hub or will you need to use third party apps?
• Reviews – What do other users think about it? Are they satisfied with the tool’s performance?
• Scalability – How easy is it to grow with your organization? When your team grows, will you need to migrate to other free online collaboration tools?
• Free Features – Does the free version give you access to everything you need, or will you suddenly be faced with a bill, after all.

The Best Free Collaboration Tools at a Glance

Tool	Project Management	Document Editing	Team Communication	Video Conferencing	Task Management	File Storage	File Sharing	100% Free
Teamplate	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Trello	✓	x	x	x	✓	x	✓	x
Asana	✓	x	x	x	✓	x	✓	x
Monday.com	✓	x	x	x	✓	x	✓	x
Microsoft Teams	✓	✓	✓	✓	x	✓	✓	x
Google Space	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	x	✓	x
Miro	✓	x	✓	x	✓	x	✓	x
Notion	✓	✓	x	x	✓	x	x	x
Slack	✓	x	✓	✓	x	x	✓	x

Teamplate: The Best Online Collaboration Tool With All Free Features Included

The jury’s in. Template wins hands down – it provides by far a much more comprehensive suite of free online collaboration tools than any of its competitors. All features are included for free, which means that your entire team will enjoy access to functionalities that are viewed as ‘advanced’ and requiring a paid plan by other competitors. Here’s a list of features you will be able to access for free when you migratei your remote team to Teamplate:

• Integrated email
• Instant Messaging
• Project management
• File sharing
• A secure Data Room
• Gantt and Kanban like functionalities
• Integrated calendar
• Team and personal spaces

Want to start using the best free remote team collaboration software. You’ll help your organization’s productivity soar through the sky. Click here to join Teamplate.

Selecting the right project management tool is crucial for teams that want to enhance their workflow, collaborate efficiently, and deliver projects on time. Among the top contenders are Trello, Jira, and Asana—each with its own set of features and benefits. However, not all tools are built the same, and understanding their limitations is key to making an informed choice. Before we dive into the specifics of each tool, we’ll introduce the challenges teams often face when using multiple, disjointed platforms and how an all-in-one solution like Teamplate can solve these issues.

Why Choosing the Right Project Management Tool Matters

In today’s work environment, efficiency and collaboration are paramount. The wrong project management tool can cause communication breakdowns, inefficient task handling, and missed deadlines. Many teams find themselves juggling multiple apps to cover project tracking, communication, and file management. This fragmented approach not only increases costs but also leads to context switching, where time is wasted moving between tools. By consolidating these functions, teams can simplify their workflows, enhance productivity, and reduce unnecessary expenses.

That’s where Teamplate stands out as a holistic solution—combining task management, collaboration, and communication features in one platform. Now, let’s compare Trello, Jira, and Asana before discussing how Teamplate offers a superior alternative.

Trello: Simple Kanban, But Limited

Strengths:

• Intuitive Kanban Boards: Trello’s visual interface is its biggest strength. The platform allows teams to manage tasks through its highly visual Kanban boards, where users can drag and drop tasks across customizable columns.
• Ease of Use: Trello’s simplicity makes it an excellent choice for individuals or small teams who need a lightweight task management solution. Setting up a project is quick, and the learning curve is minimal.
• Custom Power-Ups: Trello offers integrations known as Power-Ups, which let users add functionalities like calendars, automation, and reporting. This allows users to tailor Trello to their specific needs.

Weaknesses:

• Limited Native Features: Trello’s simplicity comes at the cost of functionality. Many essential features like task dependencies, reporting, and detailed project views are not built into the core product. Teams often need to rely on Power-Ups, which can increase complexity and costs.
• Scaling Issues: While Trello is great for small teams and projects, it struggles to handle more complex workflows. Larger teams or projects with many interdependencies often find Trello too basic for managing detailed processes.

Where Trello Falls Short:

Trello’s Kanban boards are effective for simple, small-scale projects, but they fall short when more complex management needs arise. As projects grow, the lack of advanced task tracking, workload management, and native collaboration features becomes a significant hurdle. Relying on Power-Ups to fill these gaps increases costs and forces teams to deal with multiple third-party solutions, which diminishes the simplicity Trello originally promises.

How Teamplate Wins:

Teamplate offers the same clean, easy-to-use Kanban boards that Trello users love, but with built-in advanced features—like task dependencies, project milestones, and collaborative tools—eliminating the need for additional Power-Ups. With Teamplate, you get comprehensive project management right out of the box, including real-time chat, video calls, and document sharing, so your team stays connected and efficient. Whether you’re managing a small project or a large, complex initiative, Teamplate provides the scalability and functionality needed to handle it all in one place.

Jira: Built for Technical Teams and Complex Projects

Strengths:

• Ideal for Software Development: Jira is designed with developers in mind. It provides powerful tools for managing backlogs, sprints, and issues, making it a great fit for teams following Agile or Scrum methodologies.
• Customizable Workflows: Jira offers extensive customization options, allowing teams to create specific workflows tailored to their development needs. This level of control is one of Jira’s standout features.
• Detailed Reporting: Jira excels in offering a wide range of reports and dashboards, helping teams track progress, identify bottlenecks, and manage workload distribution effectively.

Weaknesses:

• Steep Learning Curve: Jira’s complexity can be intimidating, especially for non-technical teams. Its extensive feature set means that setup and maintenance require significant time and effort, which can be a drawback for smaller teams or projects.
• Too Specialized: While Jira is excellent for development teams, it can feel overly complex or even irrelevant for teams outside of the tech space. Non-development teams may find Jira’s features overkill for general project management.

Where Jira Falls Short:

Jira’s advanced features make it a powerful tool for software development teams, but its complexity limits its appeal to non-technical users. Teams without a background in Agile methodologies often struggle to navigate the tool’s many features, and the learning curve is steep. Additionally, for smaller, non-technical teams, Jira offers more than what’s necessary, leading to unnecessary complexity.

How Teamplate Wins:

Teamplate offers the project management strength of Jira, but without the intimidating complexity. It’s a versatile platform that supports a wide range of project management needs—whether you’re a technical team managing sprints or a marketing team planning campaigns. Teamplate’s advanced features, like epics, sprints, and workload management, provide the same depth as Jira, but in an intuitive interface that can be adopted by any team, regardless of technical expertise. With Teamplate, you won’t be overwhelmed by unnecessary features, but you’ll still have everything you need for both simple and complex projects.

Asana: Task Management for Teams of All Sizes

Strengths:

• Comprehensive Task Management: Asana excels at breaking down large projects into tasks and subtasks, making it easy for teams to assign, track, and complete work. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to teams of any size.
• Workload Balancing: Asana’s workload feature helps teams distribute tasks evenly, preventing team members from being overloaded. This makes it easier for managers to keep track of who is working on what.
• Multiple Project Views: Asana provides list views, calendar views, and timeline views, giving users flexibility in how they visualize their projects. This variety of views helps teams stay organized and focused on deadlines.

Weaknesses:

• Limited Free Plan: Asana’s free version offers only basic features. To access more advanced tools, such as automations and project timelines, teams need to upgrade to a premium plan, which can be costly for smaller teams.
• Integration Dependency: While Asana is feature-rich, many teams find themselves needing to integrate third-party tools to achieve full functionality. This can make the platform more complicated to manage over time.

Where Asana Falls Short:

Asana’s strength in task management makes it a popular choice, but its reliance on third-party integrations and its limited free plan can restrict its usefulness for smaller teams. Many essential features are locked behind a paywall, and scaling your team with Asana can quickly become costly. Additionally, the need for external integrations can lead to a fragmented experience.

How Teamplate Wins:

Teamplate offers the same task management power as Asana, but without the limitations of a tiered pricing structure. Teamplate’s freemium model grants access to all features right from the start, meaning you get everything—task assignments, multiple project views, workload balancing, and more—at no extra cost. Additionally, Teamplate’s built-in collaboration tools, such as video calls, group chat, and file sharing, reduce the need for third-party apps, allowing your team to stay focused and productive within a single platform.

How Teamplate Wins: A Comprehensive All-in-One Solution

While Trello, Jira, and Asana each have their strengths, Teamplate rises above as a powerful, integrated platform that solves many of the problems these tools cannot. Here’s a detailed look at why Teamplate is the ultimate project management solution for teams seeking simplicity, flexibility, and robust functionality without the high cost or complexity.

All-in-One Platform: No Need for Multiple Tools

One of the biggest frustrations teams face with Trello, Jira, and Asana is the need to juggle multiple tools to get a complete project management experience. You might use Trello for task management but need to integrate a communication tool for team discussions or use external apps for file storage and sharing. With Teamplate, you don’t need to rely on third-party integrations to get the job done—everything is built into one cohesive platform.

Key Features Include:

• Task Management & Kanban Boards: Just like Trello, Teamplate offers intuitive, drag-and-drop Kanban boards that allow you to visualize your workflow. But unlike Trello, you also get access to advanced project management features—such as task dependencies, project timelines, and backlog views—without needing any extra plugins.
• Collaboration Tools: Teamplate is equipped with built-in chat, video calling, and file sharing, making collaboration seamless. Your team can work together on tasks, discuss projects in real time, and share documents or meeting recordings—all without needing external apps like Slack or Zoom.
• Project Views: Much like Asana, Teamplate offers multiple ways to view your project, including calendar, list, and Kanban views. These versatile options allow you to track your tasks and deadlines in whatever way works best for your team.
• Workload Management: Managing team workloads is crucial for productivity, and Teamplate includes built-in tools that allow you to balance workloads across your team. This feature ensures that no team member is overloaded with tasks, helping you meet deadlines more effectively.

Simplified User Experience: Easy to Adopt, No Learning Curve

Jira’s complexity and steep learning curve can be a serious drawback for teams that don’t have a technical background. Teamplate offers powerful functionality without sacrificing simplicity. Its intuitive interface allows teams to start using the platform immediately without lengthy onboarding or extensive training. Whether you’re managing a development sprint, marketing campaign, or internal business process, Teamplate makes it easy to get started.

Advanced Features Without the Complexity or Cost

While Jira excels at managing technical development projects, its extensive customization options can overwhelm smaller teams or non-developers. Similarly, Asana and Trello often require costly upgrades to access their best features. Teamplate’s freemium model solves this problem by providing access to all features from day one—no hidden costs, no need for third-party integrations, and no complicated pricing tiers.

With Teamplate, you get:

• Comprehensive Project Management: Manage your projects with epics, sprints, and milestones for larger initiatives, all within a single platform.
• Secure File Storage: The data room allows teams to store and share files securely, with permission settings that let you control who has access to sensitive documents.
• Real-Time Communication: Instantly communicate with your team using the built-in chat and video call features. Collaborate on tasks or projects, and keep everything centralized in the same platform where your tasks are being managed.
• Calendar Integration: Keep track of deadlines, set meetings, and plan projects with Teamplate’s built-in calendar. This feature integrates directly with your task management system, so you never lose sight of important dates.

Scalable for Teams of All Sizes

Unlike Trello, which struggles with scalability, and Jira, which may feel like overkill for non-technical teams, Teamplate is designed to grow with your team. Whether you’re a small team of five or a large organization, Teamplate offers features and functionality that scale with your needs. From simple task management to complex multi-team projects, Teamplate’s adaptability makes it the right choice for businesses of all sizes and industries.

Cost-Effective and Accessible

With Teamplate’s freemium model, you don’t have to worry about expensive upgrades to access essential features. Unlike Asana, which limits its free users, Teamplate gives you full access to its suite of tools—whether you’re a freelancer, a small business, or a large enterprise. This affordability ensures that even small teams can benefit from top-tier project management features without breaking the bank.

How Teamplate Stands Out:

1. All-in-One Solution: Task management, collaboration, file storage, and communication all in one place—no third-party integrations needed.
2. Freemium Model: Full access to all features without hidden costs or premium plans, making it ideal for teams of all sizes.
3. User-Friendly Interface: Easy to adopt, with an intuitive design that minimizes training and onboarding time.
4. Scalable: Whether managing a small project or a large initiative, Teamplate scales seamlessly to fit your team’s needs.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Tool for Your Team

Each of these project management tools—Trello, Jira, and Asana—has its strengths, but they also have limitations that can make them challenging for certain teams. Trello is easy to use but lacks depth, Jira is powerful but overly complex for non-technical teams, and Asana is a solid task management tool but can quickly become expensive as your team grows.

Teamplate stands out by offering an all-in-one solution that brings together the strengths of all three platforms, without the drawbacks. Whether your team needs advanced project tracking, seamless collaboration, or powerful task management, Teamplate delivers it all in a simple, intuitive platform. With Teamplate’s freemium model, you get access to every feature from day one, making it the best choice for teams of all sizes.Sign up for Teamplate today and experience the difference for yourself. Start managing your projects more effectively and see why teams of all sizes are making the switch.