Best Project Management Software for Freelancers

As a freelancer, managing work efficiently is key. Meeting client expectations, handling deadlines, and staying organized can quickly become overwhelming without the right tools. Freelancers contribute $1.3 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. Yet, balancing multiple tasks or even projects while maintaining quality work often requires a structured approach. Effective project management helps you stay on track, meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and avoid letting important details slip through the cracks. Understanding why we need project management is important when choosing tools that support your workflow and help you stay organized.

How to Choose a Project Management Software for Freelancers

Freelancers need tools that are simple to use and help them manage tasks, track time, and collaborate with clients. Here are several key features to look for:

• Ease of Use: Intuitive tools that don’t require extensive training, so you can focus on your work.
• Time Tracking: Built-in tracking to monitor hours and ensure accurate billing.
• Task Management: Tools that make organizing tasks simple while helping you meet deadlines.
• Client Collaboration: Features that allow you to share updates and communicate with clients easily.
• Budget-Friendly: Affordable software that fits a freelancer’s budget without sacrificing key features.
• Integration: Tools that work with your existing apps, like calendars, email, and file storage.

List of Project Management Tools for Freelancers

Here are the top project management tools for freelancers in 2024 to simplify task management, improve organization, and help you deliver your work:

• Breeze
• Asana
• ClickUp
• Notion
• Trello
• Monday.com
• nTask
• Zoho Projects
• Wrike
• Basecamp
• Airtable

1. Breeze

• Pricing: Simple pricing at $10 per user per month, with all features included. You can save 10% with a yearly plan
• Rating: 4.4/5 on Capterra

Breeze is the best tool for freelancers looking for an effective project management solution. Its design and features help you organize tasks, track time, and invite clients to view tasks in progress, making their experience better. Breeze keeps things simple, allowing you to focus on your work. The clear interface makes it easy for both you and your clients to manage projects.

Why Breeze is the Best Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Simple Interface: Breeze has a clean, easy-to-use interface that helps you stay organized without unnecessary features.
• Time Tracking: Integrated time tracking lets you manage your hours without the need for an extra tool.
• Visual Task Management: With Breeze's Kanban boards, you can easily see all your tasks and progress.
• Productivity Insights: Breeze’s reporting tools help you understand your productivity patterns and improve your workflow.
• Client Collaboration: Breeze makes it easy to share project updates with clients, allowing them to see progress and provide feedback directly within the tool.

What People Think About Breeze:

“Breeze has made project management very easy. The support team is pretty active and responsive, and the tool itself is quite easy to use. This means that the team coordination has improved by quite a bit."

Source: Capterra

2. Asana

• Pricing: Free for basic use, with premium features starting at $10.99 per user per month
• Rating: 4.5/5 on Capterra

Asana has an interface that helps you organize projects, set deadlines, and track progress. Freelancers can manage their workload with visual timelines to make sure deadlines are met without overloading themselves. Collaboration features make it easy to share updates and keep clients informed.

Why Asana is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Easy to Use: Asana is user-friendly, allowing you to get started without a difficult learning curve.
• Visual Timelines: The visual project timelines help you stay on track and manage deadlines effectively.
• Multiple Projects: Create separate workspaces for each client, ensuring all tasks are well-organized.
• Collaboration Features: Share boards and assign tasks, reducing the need for email chains.

If you're interested in tools similar to Asana then we have made a list of Asana alternatives.

What People Think About Asana:

"I've started using Asana a couple of years ago as I was searching for a tool that would help me manage all my tasks in a list view. Up to that point, I was using a note-taking app for that but was lacking structure in it, and when I discovered Asana, it gave me just that - structure for managing my multiple projects more efficiently and effectively by having an overview of all the projects and even better an overview of most important (daily) tasks. Later we also implemented Asana within our organization which gives us an overview of all the work, tasks that we need to execute on in order to successfully complete our projects."

Source: Capterra

3. ClickUp

• Pricing: Free for basic use, with premium plans starting at $9 per user per month
• Rating: 4.6/5 on Capterra

ClickUp helps freelancers manage their projects with precision and flexibility. With customizable workflows and built-in time tracking, the platform adapts to various work styles. Automation features reduce repetitive tasks. Its broad functionality makes ClickUp an excellent choice for freelancers in a range of fields.

Why ClickUp is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• All-in-One Platform: Manage tasks, documents, and communication in one place, reducing the need for multiple tools.
• Customizable Workspace: Adapt workflow to fit your needs with flexible features and automation.
• Time Tracking: Log hours directly within tasks and generate reports for accurate billing.
• Templates and Automation: Use pre-built templates to save time and set up recurring tasks easily.

If you're interested in tools similar to ClickUp then we have made a list of ClickUp alternatives..

What People Think About ClickUp:

"I've been using ClickUp as a project management tool to help oversee subcontractors and give clients insights into how a project is moving along. There are a ton of cool features to dive into even at the free level. I like the ease of switching between a Kanban-like structure to Gantt or Timeline. And more importantly, I like the hierarchy of organization within a workspace. I can organize by Spaces and within each of them have a folder and within each folder have a project. And I can click on any level of the hierarchy to see any projects and tasks to are included."

Source: Capterra

4. Notion

• Pricing: Free for personal use, with team plans starting at $10 per user per month
• Rating: 4.7/5 on Capterra

Notion combines project management with note-taking and client organization. This makes it a good option for freelancers working with several clients. The flexible dashboards and customizable layouts allow you to organize your work exactly how you need, keeping everything from task lists to client files in one place.

Why Notion is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Task Management: Create to-do lists, set deadlines, and track progress.
• Note-taking and Documentation: Store client information and project notes within the platform.
• Collaboration: Share workspaces with clients for updates and feedback.
• Customizable Layouts: Build dashboards that reflect your project priorities.

If you're interested in tools similar to Notion then we have made a list of Notion alternatives.

What People Say About Notion:

"Like many others: I am a migrant-from-evernote-to-notion user. So I really feel a difference. Evernote become with time a boring routine. You ended up konwing all what the software capacities without a horizon you can looking for. Evernote blog is a good resource but it is not enough for me. The comparison with Evernote is critical for me. So I can tell you that Notion provide you all what Evernote offer plus a not-so-boring journey during using the product."

Source: Capterra

5. Trello

• Pricing: Free for basic use, with paid plans starting at $5 per user per month
• Rating: 4.5/5 on Capterra

Trello Kanban boards make it simple to track tasks, prioritize work, and share updates with clients. The integrations add extra functionality, so you can adapt it to your specific needs as your projects grow.

Why Trello is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Visual Boards: Organize tasks in a simple, visual way with drag-and-drop cards.
• Easy Collaboration: Invite clients to boards to share updates and gather feedback.
• Free Plan: Access unlimited boards, lists, and cards at no cost.
• Power-Ups for Functionality: Add integrations like time tracking or calendar syncing.

If you're interested in tools similar to Trello then we have made a list of Trello alternatives.

What People Think About Trello:

"Trello is an easy to use to-do list/project management app. After being introduced to it 3 years ago, its the one todo list app that I keep coming back to. 1) The intuitive design of Trello makes it easy to get started. Its functions just work, whether its drag and drop, moving cards across lists, or setting up boards, you can easily get started using Trello in minutes. Trello's simplicity aids in its overall feel and use. 2) Trello's cards & lists allow you to really go in depth with project planning. While other platforms may have to do lists of sorts, with Trello's you get a checklist for each card, which can be a task with sub tasks. The use of the boards and lists also helps for those that need deep project management features 3) Trello has some hidden gems such as free downloadable boards, a Calendar view for lists vs using the standard board view, Power Ups and easy integration with email, shortcuts and more. You can use Trello to manage projects in many different ways. I like to think of it as a Swiss Army knife for Project Management. 4) Its mostly free. Its hard to really beat free stuff and Trello is right up there. Most features can be used without paying so thats really great."

Source: Capterra

6. Monday.com

• Pricing: Starting at $9 per user per month
• Rating: 4.6/5 on Capterra

Monday.com has a highly customizable platform for managing workflows and deadlines. Visual dashboards provide a clear snapshot of progress, while automation features reduce repetitive tasks like updating statuses. For freelancers handling multiple clients, Monday.com makes it easy to centralize project details and share updates, giving clients real-time visibility into their work.

Why Monday.com is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Customizable Dashboards: View tasks, deadlines, and progress in one centralized location.
• Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like status updates or reminders.
• Collaboration Tools: Share updates and feedback with clients easily.
• Time Tracking: Log hours to ensure accurate billing and time management.

If you're interested in tools similar to Monday.com then we have made a list of Monday.com alternatives.

What People Think About Monday.com:

"We initially selected Monday to plan and manage a large project that we were starting. As we became familiar with it, we found that is was a much better way to manage, track and plan nearly everything we do. The ability to allow guest access to specific boards, to automate notifications, and to collect information via web form has greatly improved our day to day processes and our capacity to responsively interact with customers. Using a combination of the web, mobile and windows 10 apps, we use monday throughout the day, in the office, while traveling, and during onsite projects. Monday has also helped us eliminate siloing of information. Like many companies we used to have a combination of spreadsheets, text documents, emails and texts to store and communicate project information. With monday we have nearly everything in one place that we can access from anywhere. This has made us much more efficient and helped us do a better job of keeping up with the many small tasks and deadlines that go into a successful project. After you use monday for a while, every problem and job begins to look like a monday board to be created."

Source: Capterra

7. nTask

• Pricing: Free, advanced features starting at $3 per user per month
• Rating: 4.2/5 on Capterra

nTask stands out with its integrated risk management tools, making it ideal for freelancers working on detailed or long-term projects. Alongside time tracking and meeting planning features, it has a way to identify potential risks, assign ownership, and monitor progress. This focus on proactive project oversight makes nTask a strong choice for freelancers handling high-stakes or multi-phase work.

Why nTask is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Task Management: Create, prioritize, and organize tasks with deadlines and tracking.
• Time Tracking: Monitor task durations for accurate billing and productivity analysis.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential project risks.
• Meeting Management: Schedule meetings, set agendas, and store notes in one place.

If you're interested in tools similar to nTask then we have made a list of nTask alternatives.

What People Think About nTask:

"Overall my experience was delightful and positive. Ntask had just enough to meet our needs and expectations. It's suitable for beginners or smaller businesses as well. It is affordable and still up to par on quality. Ntask helped us improve our overall business and particularly helped our office run smoother and stay organized. It is an effective task management software (note there is a difference between task management and project management)."

Source: Capterra

8. Zoho Projects

• Pricing: Free for freelancers, with paid plans starting at $4 per user per month
• Rating: 4.4/5 on Capterra

Zoho Projects is another good option to consider. It has built-in time tracking, client collaboration tools, and task automation. Its integrations with the Zoho ecosystem make it particularly useful for freelancers already using Zoho apps.

Why Zoho Projects is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Task Automation: Automate repetitive processes like reminders or status updates.
• Time Tracking and Billing: Log hours and generate invoices directly in the platform.
• Client Portal: Share updates and gather client feedback efficiently.
• Customizable Workspaces: Adapt the platform to fit your workflow needs.

What People Think About Zoho Projects:

"Our team's efficiency in managing, executing, and collaborating on projects has improved due to utilizing Zoho Projects' features and tools. We may add clients towards the client platform to have them on the project on which we are cooperating, and we can control and filter the data we provide with them."

Source: Capterra

9. Wrike

• Pricing: Free for up to 5 users, with paid plans starting at $9.80 per user per month
• Rating: 4.3/5 on Capterra

Wrike helps freelancers organize projects, track deadlines, and collaborate with clients. Its robust features like dashboards and time tracking ensure freelancers have full visibility into their work and deliverables.

Why Wrike is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Task Management: Break projects into manageable tasks with priorities and deadlines.
• Time Tracking: Log hours worked on tasks for accurate billing.
• Custom Dashboards: Get an overview of project timelines and milestones.
• Collaboration Tools: Share updates and gather client feedback in real time.

If you're interested in tools similar to Wrike then we have made a list of Wrike alternatives.

What People Think About Wrike:

"Working with Wrike has been incredible at all levels from planning our projects to monitoring how our tasks are progressing. It has given us a collaboration space that help us to join our efforts as a team and work together on our projects. Wrike has been allowing us to get our projects complete in the right time which saves us from the extra budget of time and resources."

Source:Capterra

10. Basecamp

• Pricing: Flat rate of $299 per month for unlimited users, otherwise $15/user per month
• Rating: 4.3/5 on Capterra

With Basecamp freelancers can manage tasks, share files, and keep clients updated in a single platform. Its automated check-ins make it easy to provide clients with regular progress updates without the need for constant emails.

Why Basecamp is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• All-in-One Platform: Manage tasks, messaging, and file sharing in one place.
• Client Collaboration: Invite clients to view progress and provide feedback.
• Simple Interface: Get started quickly without a steep learning curve.
• Automatic Check-ins: Gather client or team updates without lengthy meetings.

If you're interested in tools similar to Basecamp then we have made a list of Basecamp alternatives.

What People Think About Basecamp:

"I've used Basecamp to manage development projects, marketing programs, product management, company calendars, and basic HR/company policy documentation for several years. I've always found it to be reliable and easy to use. I will continue to use it going forward."

Source: Capterra

11. Airtable

• Pricing: Free for basic use, with advanced features starting at $10 per user per month
• Rating: 4.7/5 on Capterra

Airtable combines the functionality of a spreadsheet with the features of a project management tool, making it ideal for freelancers managing diverse projects. Its highly customizable interface lets users organize tasks, track progress, and collaborate with clients in a way that works best for their workflow. Freelancers can use templates to simplify setup and integrations to connect with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and more.

Why Airtable is a Good Project Management Tool for Freelancers:

• Customizable Views: Organize tasks in grid, Kanban, or calendar formats to fit your preferences.
• Templates: Pre-made templates save time and help set up projects quickly.
• Collaboration: Share projects with clients and gather feedback in real time.
• Integrations: Connect with apps you already use, including Zapier and Dropbox.

If you're interested in tools similar to Airtable then we have made a list of Airtable alternatives.

What People Think About Airtable:

"I love Airtable and have been a user for about seven years. I use it daily for my business and my personal life. It keeps everything organized just the way I like it. The visual customization of the tables is crucial for someone like me who is a visual learner. Now with the introduction of ChatGPT I can expand my Airtable functionality by providing scripts and formulas that I otherwise would not be able to create."

Source: Capterra

Takeaway

Freelancers face unique challenges. From managing client expectations to staying on top of deadlines. The right project management software can help you stay organized. Breeze is a practical choice, with with essential features like task management, time tracking, and client collaboration. Choosing a tool that aligns with your workflow can improve your focus and you can deliver the results without feeling overwhelmed.