Free Project Management Software

A lot of software is available on the internet to help you run your projects. On this page we will provide some pointers on where to get applications for free. And let me start by saying: free is as good as any kind available.

There are three types in existence:

  • desktop applications,
  • webbased services
  • webbased systems.

Free desktop software for project management

This type of applications are installed on your PC. Think in the line of MS Office and MSProject. A nice free software package in this category is GanttProject. This actually looks like an MS Project knock off.

Webbased services

By this I mean websites that offer an on-line internet application that supports project management. You don't have to install anything, you just signup for a service that is running on someone else's server.

An example is iTeamWork, which is kind of a collaboration tool, where you can define projects and tasks, assign people to them, track and trace them, view to-do lists, etc.

Webbased systems

The difference between webbased services and systems is that with the latter you do have to install software on your own hardware. As open source development is taking more and more ground, some of these applications are quite powerful.

The are all more collaboration tools the just plain project management tools. So, if you just need something to create a nice Gantt chart, don't use this category, as it would be overkill.

Examples in this category are:

dotProject

dotProject is a PHP web-based project management framework that includes modules for companies, projects, tasks (with Gantt charts), forums, files, calendar, contacts, tickets/helpdesk, multi-language support, user/module permissions and themes.

php-collab
phpCollab is an open-source internet-enabled collaboration workspace for project teams.

phProjekt
PHProjekt is a modular application for the coordination of group activities and to share informations and document via intranet and internet. Components of PHProjekt: Group calendar, project management, time card system, file management, contact manager, mail client and 9 other modules …

Consultant Communicator
Consultant Communicator is focused upon the time keeping aspect of project management. Unlike the majority of other tools, it does not use a graphical task time line, it instead uses a hierarchal system.

f2w Helpdesk
f2w Helpdesk isn't actually a pure project management tool; it was actually developed to be a help desk solution. However, it can also be used to manage people.

Taskjuggler
Taskjuggler calls itself a "Project Managers Delight" and to be fair, they're not far from the truth.

TeamSCOPE
TeamSCOPE is developed by a team at the Michigan State University. It is designed to run on Linux. It was designed and developed with communication in mind and as such it focuses on giving every member of the team access to all the files, deadlines and information.

Relevant links

Agile Or Plan-Driven Project Management: One Size Doesn't Fit All

Web Timesheet Software Directory. Web-based software for time tracking, payroll, billing, expense, cost and invoicing.
Standard Time – Timesheet and Project Management Software

  • chetankumar
    hi
    Any one plz suggest me free online projects for final sem software engineering in JAVA networks in IEEE projects very urjent
  • Gr8 list, Really helps me in finding the List of Project Management Software. I think few of them are missing like ProofHub . You can sign up for free trail of one month. ProofHub Web Project Management Software has many time saving tools like Real Time Chat, Proofing, Milestones and many more. You can manage multiple projects with team as well as cilents from remote location also
    For more info visit : http://www.proofhub.com
  • planningforce
    We've just launched a free scheduling software! Avaiable for Mac and Windows, no limitations.
    Import your current MS-project and schedule it :) >> with no over-allocation of course ;)
    http://www.planningforce-express.com/free-scheduling-software.html
  • project_management_software
    Great Job..Thanks for posting. If you will get best source on visit http://www.project-drive.net/ including 30 days trial
  • sutiyono
    Gent, I am facing to do a project which is a big, long period, lot of members and various of team, that why I need MSProject, of cause to minimise the cost I chose the free one, tq
  • In any organization, project management software is used for different purposes like communication, collaboration and overall management and tracking of projects. If you need to schedule multiple tasks and events at work then project management software can be very valuable.
  • luiswang
    please consider: netOffice Dwins

    netOffice Dwins is a free web based time tracking, timesheet, and project management environment. Use netOffice Dwins for employee timesheets, time tracking, and project management. netOffice Dwins allows managing and sharing information about teams, projects, tasks, deadlines. It also allows anyone with an internet connection to enter time and submit it for approval. Approval requests can be routed to managers, project managers, and HR members electronically.
  • malcwest
    Project in box community edition is now available in an enhanced format as version 2.1 and has been so popular that we now have over 45,000 users.

    To download, visit our website at
    http://www.projectinabox.org.uk/community.asp
  • Thanks very much for all the links and resources. I've just been "thrust" into being a PM and I have no tools whatsoever. This is really helpful! Thanks again.
  • krista_zeland
    You can also try IBN Project Management - http://ibnportal.com, there is a fully-free (not a trial) project solution for 5 users.
  • joepiekarz
    You should check out the service (SaaS) offered by TimeXchange.
  • mattfenn
    Nice list of resources, we use http://www.moobiz.com for project management, invoicing and accounting. It's not free but it's priced for small business and offers great time savings!
  • Good job.. Thanks for sharing this information.
  • isabelle
    Hi there,

    We're using PlanningForce Express Planner, it's not free, but it's just great and not expansive ;)
    http://www.planningforce.com/product/versions/
  • informationhub
    How can i use this tool as basecamp (basecamphq.com). this is very easy to mange all clients project etc.
    there more than two-three parties can report simultaneously.

    http://www.theexpertseo.com
  • informationhub
    thanks
  • Thanks for sharing the definitions and the tools for web based project management software. Now i have a good amount of information which i was lacking on.
  • lventura
    Definetively a great list of links. There's a lot of softwares!. Can someone tell me wich of these softwares is based on the PMI's P.M. Body of Knowledge? I work in an EPC company for the Oil & Gas sector, wich PM Software fits my requirements? In the company we have Primavera and Project, so I need a complementary software as a PM tool.
  • Mel Nepomuceno
    Hi, Can you post a review for Project.Net? Thanks
  • Mike
    I've downloaded and have been using the trial version of NXS-7's Task Analytics
    http://task-analytics.com for a few weeks now. The Velocity Reports (burnup) charts generated are really easy to read. Definitely worth trying out
  • There is a free version of our project management tool that just launched. We also have a tiered pricing model also to fit the needs of individuals and teams. Zen is a tool that embraces the lean philosophies of the Toyota Production System. It organizes tasks on a kanban board and was built with flexibility in mind, so many of the features can be customized. The software also tracks key performance indicators to identify and reduce waste. If you are interested, check out Zen at http://agilezen.com.
  • danielraymond
    I'm using AceProject as a project management software (www.aceproject.com) and I'm really happy with it. I'm using the Hosted-Gold package which gives me unlimited users and 2GB for storage space.
  • Community Edition is the world's favourite PRINCE2 software and it is completely free to download and use for as long as you wish.

    It comes prepopulated with the Authentic PRINCE2 method, navigation diagrams, processes, templates and links through to loads more resources. You can also configuration manage your files and add more content including links, emails and files as your project progresses.

    Building on the great success of Community Edition as a free software tool for studying and delivering the PRINCE2 methodology. The team at PROJECT in a box have also licensed the Atern materials (http://www.dsdm.org) and Community Edition now supports two core methods PRINCE2 and Atern enabling you to use the one most appropriate to your current project and hold full project documentation on a wider range of projects within your free tool.

    New Community Edition 2.0 is a full .NET application so you can run it in portable or installed modes and it also has language file support to enable it to move beyond the 150 country user base already achieved. As well as providing point and click navigation via process diagrams, methodology structure, templates and guidance materials, Community Edition provides full version control on your standard tempaltes and any other materials (files, links emails etc) you choose to add making it a great companion for learning and delivery.

    Used be well over 30,000 users in 150+ countries , why not find out why it is so popular. Download today at www.projectinabox.org.uk/community.asp
  • Gerald
    Bas - -thought you might want to fix up this sentence from within the Web Based Systems section. Thanks for a great site. GT

    The are all more collaboration tools the just plain project management tools.
  • ProjectGoo is free ... it integrates MS Project 2007 Standard or Professional with the Google Cloud for a full portfolio/project management system. Comes with 1-year free email support with registration only.

    http://projectgoo.managescope.com ...

    I'm one of the co-developers just to be completely forthcoming ;)
  • L.Krause
    We use Office on the Internet:
    https://officeontheinternet.com/registration/
  • I've tried a heap of applications and most didn't live up to my expectations so I wrote one. Try http://www.teameffect.com. It takes a more interactive approach to project planning and staff scheduling.
  • Adi
    I would add InTask personal to your list. a nice free and most important fast and usable software for managing projects & tasks. free copies can be obtained from www.InTaskPro.com
  • Alex
    I'm also using InTask and very happy with it.
    Also their support is quick and reliable and they are adding new features constantly.
    Highly recommended!
  • Donny
    This is perfect timing for me, I am about to start a new project with a new team and I think this kind of software would be in handy for good project development. I haven't got the time to review all the stuff you shared here but I can tell from the start there are some thing that help. For starters I want to get a good time clock software for my team, I want our work to be based on trust and equity, I don't there will be problems at this point. Then I will need a good management software to get the work done.
  • Michael
    One of my associates recommended Goalkeeper and I'm pretty happy. We have switched from bc and moved all our projects there. It's very usable and different approach from all those clones. You should try it if you're looking for a good one. There's free plan, but other advanced plans are very affordable too.
  • AlexZ
    Hello Bas de Baar!
    Can you make a review for one of my favorite project management tools www.5pmweb.com ?
  • Great resource! ClientSpot (http://www.myclientspot.com) is another system that's especially useful for freelancers, consultants, and small businesses that work on multiple client projects at the same time. The free version supports up to 5 users.
  • Hello. currently we are using PlanningForce Express software.It quite easy to use,powerful & intelligent.We are planning to deploy in all our offices world wide. You can visit : http://www.planningforce.com/
  • Mark
    Which webbased system that includes client/customer portal? Where the client/customer will login and will see the status of the project?
  • millinet
    Thanks for those resources!
    Right now we're also using http://www.planningforce.com
  • SharonHawkins
    The best Project Management Software which I have come across is ValleySpeak Project Server. more info visit http://www.valleyspeak.com
  • dvansant
    This has grown into a pretty nice list of what's available in the marketplace. I'd like to add Artifact Software's "Lighthouse", an online project workspace that blends together project management and lifecycle management capabilities, providing a single reliable source for software project data and making traceability easy.

    A free version is available for 1 project and 5 users. You can view demos or create your free account at www.artifactsoftware.com.

    Lighthouse includes gantt charts and resource leveling and modules to manage requirements, test cases, defects, change requests, issues, documents, timesheets, and much more.

    Thank you for the the opportunity to share Lighthouse.

    -Derek
    Artifact Software
  • Anna Smith
    I have come across a best project Management Software called ValleySpeak Project Server. For more information visit http://www.valleyspeak.com
  • Sal
    DeskAway (www.deskaway.com) has a free plan as well that lets you try most of their features. Unlimited trial.
  • If you are working on agile projects look at this site where you can download a simple free tool for SCRUM and Extreme Programming (XP) projects' tracking with modern Office 2007 like GUI.
  • Great bunch of resources here guys....check out http://www.planningforce.com/ for their product.....it too offers great features and i thought it would be helpful.......
  • Brandon
    WOW!! these are all really great resources. Since I have been getting as much out of all of the shout-outs as I am the actual article, I figured I would add a tool that I have been using. It's actually a pre-project tool that lets me create and save project proposals. It has multiple users, which is great so all of my employees can collaborate. Our teams work closely together so this tool has been great to see a break down of what needs to be done for the project and set expectations. It's web-based and very CHEAP — http://drawbridgeapp.com
  • I think visual planning rocks eg. you need to draw your plans instead of writing. Best way to draw your plan is by using gantt charts. Altought both gantt and PERT charts can be done using pen and paper, specialized software packages are more handy. 2 main problems with charts on paper are rescheduling and sharing your plans. Again, most of the software packages are too complex and hard to implement or too expensive. Well here’s one which doesn’t have too many bells and whistles and can be used free of charge - www.yutiti.com
  • Don,

    You could use OnePlace for that, which is online team collaboration/project management software. The free personal plan supports unlimited tasks, hierarchical projects, and collaboration features such as shared files, lists, notes and discussions. All you need is a modern browser to use it, works fine on PCs, Mac, Linux, etc.

    Go to http://info.oneplacehome.com to learn more and sign up for the free personal plan.

    Denis

    Disclosure: I am one of the developers of this product.
  • DBen
    Next fall a park dedication 35th anniversary will be celebrated. I need a pm package with which I can collabarate with my co-volunteer online. I am pc, she is currently pc, but will be getting a mac. I forsee at least a 100 different tasks to coordinate. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The organization is a non-profit, but I'd be using the sw on my personal computer.
  • deep
    thanks a lot for giving me free subscription for ebook.
  • ian
    One more for the list. http://www.iplanware.com can be installed on site or we offer an ondemand service. Non-profit and edu discounts available. The solution covers project management in addition to portfolio management and resource management.
  • Great stuff guys, I really appreciate your input - these links are very useful, I am also new to project management, thanks indeed.
  • One more to add! LiquidPlanner.com is free for teams of up to 3 members. we also have a nonprofit and education
    program that gives up to 50 free licenses to qualified organizations. Details:

    Small team pricing
    http://www.liquidplanner.com/pricing

    Nonprofit & Education Pricing
    http://www.liquidplanner.com/nonprofit
  • Well if people are using this forum to do shoutouts, then I'm shouting out what I think is one of the best project management requirement tools -- http://www.gatherspace.com
  • odock
    Guys out there I am looking for a free software outthere to manage multiple projects in slum setting in Nairobi, kenya
  • ekstee
    thanks very much mike. that was very helpful. santexq
  • These software pointers are great! There's another new software release http://www.projectmanager.com/ that actually includes a project dashboard, task manager and collaboration tools for managing projects. It also offers a free 30 day trail.

    Is it possible to submit this to your site.
  • i think you missed a great program. it is free and doesnt have a task limit or anything. i use it at work:
    http://www.santexq.com
  • thanks for the list ;)
  • Dear James,

    You can use our RationalPlan products for free to practice on them but they are limited to maximum 20 tasks. Visit us at:
    http://www.rationalplan.com
  • James
    Do you have some software project management Labs for student to practice on them?
  • RationalPlan Project Viewer is a free tool for viewing projects created with RationalPlan products.

    You can also view Microsoft Project files with this viewer for free.
  • There are lots of web based project tools available, we are in the process of building a directory of web based project management software tools http://www.projectmanagementsoftware.org.uk/ please take a look.
  • You should also consider http://www.sharpforge.com which has reasonable per project/disk space pricing model.

    SharpForge.com provides commercial hosting of SharpForge, the open source project(http://sharpforge.org/p/SharpForge.aspx).

    SharpForge supports agile, lightweight, collaborative processes, including the ability to involve anonymous people in your projects. Each project has a wiki, document repository, forums as well as work tracking.

    SharpForge is open source software so your data isn't locked in a proprietary format, you also have more deployment and customisation options.
  • Project Symphony provides powerful resource scheduler, PDA interface, integrated Resource Management capability.
    FREE for Portfolios and Programs dealing with two projects.
  • Another great offering for project collaboration and project management is the Pelotonics system. You can manage up to two projects for free forever with full features!

    Troy Malone
    Chief Evangelist
    www.pelotonics.com
  • Another project management software tool worth a mention is OPM Creator, this software is web based and comes with a free 30-day - http://www.opmcreator.com we have been using OPM for 4 years now to manage our projects online and its great.
  • A great list of links, although i think http://www.comindwork.com deserves to be included to this list - it offers free online project management and collaboration and much more.
  • lemonabe
    Thanks very much for all the links and resources.
    I've just been "thrust" into being a PM and I have no tools whatsoever.
    This is really helpful! Thanks again.
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