Cheapest Project Management Software: Finding the Best Value for Money
If you want to organize your work on a budget, we’ve found the best-value and cheapest project management software that can help. Discover powerful features for different kinds of workflows and teams to boost productivity while saving money.
Written by Mehak Siddiqui (Writer)
Reviewed by Kate Hawkins (Editor, Writer)
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: These Are the Best Cheap Project Management Tools
- nTask — Cheapest project management software with a great set of features. Get started with the Premium plan for just $3 per user per month (billed annually).
- ClickUp — Highly customizable project management platform with a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans. Start with the free forever plan or upgrade to the Unlimited plan for the best-value option.
- Trello — An easy-to-use tool focused on kanban boards that works well for simple project management. Start with the free plan and upgrade to Standard for the best value.
- monday.com — A highly visual, user-friendly and versatile project management platform; the Standard plan offers the best value for money.
- Asana — An adaptable tool suitable for personal projects or complex resource management. Get a 14-day free trial of the Advanced plan to experience its powerful features.
Facts & Expert Analysis About Affordable Project Management Software
- nTask offers built-in issue and risk tracking: These features are typically included on higher-tier plans only, but nTask makes them available on its entry-level free plan.
- ClickUp features more than 15 project views: Choose between list, board, calendar, Gantt chart or mind map views, with some limited usage available even on the free plan.
- monday.com has more than 245,000 customers globally: Major brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Hulu are part of its customer base, which highlights its reliability and scalability.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money to organize your projects and boost productivity. We’ve found the cheapest project management software that provide the best value, with robust features to track multiple tasks and help teams of all sizes collaborate. All of these tools also feature on our list of the best project management software.
In this article, we compare the top budget-friendly project management software options to help you find one that best fits your needs. We assess each tool’s features, ease of use and overall value to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth.
-
03/11/2025 Facts checked
We’ve added new details to our nTask section and our guide to what makes the best cheap project management software.
-
06/11/2025 Facts checked
We updated our ClickUp section with new information on automations and AI notetaking, and added new details regarding ROI.
-
09/07/2025 Facts checked
We’ve rewritten this article with updated information about each project management software solution and how we selected them.
-
09/16/2025 Facts checked
We’ve added a few small updates to mention Trello’s Butler AI and file previews, and to note the longer setup time for free plans compared to paid plans.
Cloudwards’ Choice: nTask
Cloudwards’ Choice: nTask
I believe nTask is the best affordable project management software because its entry-level Premium plan (starting at $3 per user per month, annually) includes powerful features like custom fields, Gantt charts, bulk actions and task dependencies. These are usually reserved for more expensive or higher-tier plans on other project management software.
Moreover, even the free version includes native time-tracking and issue-tracking tools, plus core task management and team collaboration features. It’s also very user-friendly, which makes it a great choice for almost any team.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Project Management Software
This roundup focuses on the best project management software apps that offer great value for money. In addition to pricing, we considered key functionalities that help different kinds of teams meet their objectives. Below is a breakdown of what we focused on during our testing and selection process:
- Core task management features: These form the backbone of project management software and include task creation, progress tracking and views like kanban boards and timelines.
- Collaboration tools: Built-in communication features like comments, file sharing, team chat and @mentions help reduce email clutter and keep everyone aligned in real time.
- Automations and integrations: Rule-based automations for repetitive tasks can save time, especially for bigger teams. Integrations ensure seamless data flow between apps like Slack, Google Drive or Zoom to streamline productivity.
- Ease of use: A user-friendly interface helps teams quickly get started with and focus on their projects rather than spend too much time learning or setting up the tool.
- Security and permissions: Options like two-factor authentication and data encryption help protect sensitive project data. At the same time, role-based access provides control over who can access information.
The Top 5 Cheap Project Management Tools Compared
| Service: | Free Plan | Starting Price per User | Core Task Management | Collaboration Tools | Automations & Integrations | Ease of Use | Security & Permissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 5 team member limit & 100MB storage; no advanced features like Gantt chart & kanban views | Premium: $3 per month (one-year plan) | Task lists, kanban boards, Gantt charts, time tracking | Meeting scheduling, comments, file sharing, issue tracking | Native integrations like Zoom & Slack, plus Zapier | Simple, intuitive interface | Role-based access |
 | 60MB storage & limited use of features like Gantt charts & dashboards | Unlimited: $7 per month (one-year plan) | Hierarchical tasks, docs, goals, dashboards, time tracking | Real-time chat, comments, whiteboards, email within tasks | Extensive native integrations & custom automations | Steep learning curve due to many customizable features | Granular permissions, 2FA |
 | 10 user limit & 10 boards per workspace | Standard: $5 per month (one-year plan) | Visual kanban boards, checklists, simple tasks | Comments, mentions, file sharing via cards | Power-ups for integrations & basic automations | Very beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop UI | Basic access control, limited enterprise-grade features |
 | 2 user limit, 3 boards & 500MB storage | Standard: $12 per month (one-year plan) | Task tracking, multiple project views, custom workflows | File sharing, team updates, mentions | Easy automation & more than 200 integrations with CRM, marketing & dev tools | Intuitive & visually appealing | Role-based permissions, audit logs, enterprise-level security |
 | 10 user limit, no advanced features like dashboard, Gantt chart & timeline views | Starter: $10.99 per month (one-year plan) | Task lists, boards, calendar view, goals, dependencies | Comments, team inbox, project conversations | More than 200 integrations & rule-based automation | Polished, color-coded interface | Role-based permissions, admin controls |
1. nTask— Best Overall Cheap Project Management Software
Who is it for: Small to mid-size teams or freelancers looking for simple and cheap task management software.
Avoid Costly Project Management Mistakes – Get Free Tips Today!
- Discover 10 fundamentals of project management
- Understand step-by-step plans for PM execution
- Learn tips to avoid 5 common mistakes by beginners
nTask is our top choice because it offers essential task management and collaboration features on a budget. Even the free version of nTask offers native time-tracking and issue management tools, which are usually available only on paid plans. However, it lacks built-in automations, instead relying on integrations with other apps.
nTask Hands-On Testing
We appreciate that nTask is an intuitive and easy-to-use project management tool. The interface is clean, with a minimalist dashboard that keeps tasks, meetings and timesheets within easy reach. You can easily switch between views like list, grid and calendar, and the task cards offer ample space for details without being overwhelming.
Creating an account and getting started was a quick and straightforward process. You can immediately begin adding tasks and organizing your workflow. Everything worked as expected, and we didn’t encounter any issues with the web version or the desktop and mobile apps. Overall, nTask offers a solid balance between simplicity and functionality.
nTask Pricing & Value
nTask offers a free Basic plan that’s ideal for small teams of up to five users. However, its Premium plan, starting at just $3 per user per month, is the best deal — it includes features like Gantt charts, kanban boards, bulk actions, subtasks, task dependencies and budget tracking. Read our full nTask review for all the details.
- Maximum 5 team members.
- No minimum or maximum team members.
- No minimum or maximum team members.
- Self-hosted option. 50 team members minimum.
2. ClickUp— Best Affordable Project Management Software for Customization
Who is it for: Teams of any size that need a customizable, feature-rich platform for complex workflows and efficient collaboration.
ClickUp includes a wide array of features on its budget plan, including customizable views, real-time collaboration and limited use of automations and dashboards. It also has a generous free plan that supports unlimited users. However, its expansive feature set can feel complex, so it involves a bit of a learning curve to master.
ClickUp Hands-On Testing
ClickUp is packed with features that make it highly customizable for any workflow. The interface is modern and offers granular control over how the software works for you. While this is useful, it can get overwhelming for first-time users, as there’s quite a lot to set up. We therefore appreciate that ClickUp has many videos and tutorials to help you along the way.
The software worked well during our testing, and performance was snappy across its web, desktop and mobile apps. However, it definitely has a steeper learning curve than other software. It’s not as intuitive to navigate, and notifications can pile up quickly if not configured carefully.
ClickUp Pricing & Value
ClickUp offers one of the strongest free plans in the project and resource management space, with unlimited users and tasks, plus 60MB of storage. Meanwhile, the Unlimited plan is the best value at just $7 per user per month (billed annually), — it unlocks unlimited storage and advanced options like resource management. Learn more in our full ClickUp review.
- Basic functionality with some limitations
- All prices per user
- All prices per user
3. Trello — Budget-Friendly Simple Project Management Software
Who is it for: Individuals or small businesses that want an easy, visual way to manage tasks and workflows without much complexity.
Trello is a great kanban board tool for project managers who value simplicity. It has features like unlimited workspaces (each with up to 10 boards), task cards and storage, even on its free plan. Additional views like calendar, timeline and dashboard are available on its Premium plan. Unfortunately, Trello lacks advanced automation and reporting features.
Trello Hands-On Testing
Trello is one of the most user-friendly tools for project managers who use kanban boards to organize work. The drag-and-drop functionality felt intuitive during our tests, and the ability to customize cards with checklists, due dates, attachments and labels makes it both simple and surprisingly versatile.
That said, Trello does feel limited when it comes to complex workflows. It lacks the granular customization and advanced features that tools like ClickUp and monday.com have. Features like different views and dashboards are available only on paid plans. Everything works smoothly, but it can be tricky to manage multiple boards as your projects expand.
Trello Pricing & Value
Trello offers a generous free plan that supports 10 team members and unlimited tasks. However, the best deal is the Standard plan, at $5 per user per month. The Standard plan unlocks features such as custom fields and unlimited boards, which are useful for larger projects or teams. Learn more in our Trello review, or sign up for free to try it out.
- Unlimited users, 10 boards, Unlimited power-ups, Unlimited storage
- Price is per user, Unlimited boards, Custom fields, Invite guests
- Price is per user, Several new views
- Price is per user, Advanced admin & security settings. Discounts for larger teams.
4. monday.com — User-Friendly Project Management Software
Who is it for: Teams with a slightly larger budget willing to pay a bit more for a highly visual and easy-to-use platform to plan projects, track task progress and collaborate across functions.
monday.com is an easy-to-use project management tool with a comprehensive feature set that’s adaptable and scalable for different team needs. We like that it offers multiple project views, strong collaboration features and built-in automations. However, these are rather limited on the free and Basic plan, and the higher-tier plans can get expensive for larger teams.
monday.com Hands-On Testing
Using monday.com feels smooth and intuitive right from the start. We like the color-coded interface that makes it easy to understand, even for new users. Boards are organized like dynamic spreadsheets that you can customize according to your project’s needs. Everything feels fluid and responsive, making this a great tool for any kind of user.
That said, the monday.com free and Basic plans are very limited. Automations, integrations and advanced project views like timeline and Gantt chart are available only on higher-tier plans. This makes monday.com a smart choice for organizations that are able to spend a bit more to fully take advantage of the features.
monday.com Pricing & Value
monday.com offers a limited free plan with support for just two members. The Standard plan offers the best value because it includes features like timeline, Gantt and calendar views, guest access, and automations that save time. However, this is the most pricey option on this list, at $12 per user per month, annually. Learn the details in our full monday.com review.
5. Asana— Cheap & Easy Project Management Software
Who is it for: Midsize to large teams that need a flexible, centralized tool for project tracking, workflow management and cross-department collaboration.
Asana caters to the needs of cross-functional teams with powerful collaboration features for Agile project management. Marketing teams can use it to plan campaigns and content production, while product teams can manage sprints and feature releases. We consider it the best free project management software for individuals and teams.
Asana Hands-On Testing
Using Asana is straightforward and intuitive thanks to its color-coded interface. It’s easy to get a quick overview of tasks, deadlines and project progress from the home screen. We like that it’s flexible enough to adapt to different projects and work styles. The onboarding tutorials and tool tips also make it friendly for beginners.
However, Asana has a few quirks that may frustrate some users. Its free plan lacks some key tools, like a timeline view and Gantt charts, which are available only on paid plans. The abundance of features and options can also feel overwhelming at first, particularly for first-time users.
Asana Pricing & Value
Asana’s free version is great for up to 10 users, but the best deal is the Starter plan, starting at $10.99 per user per month. It includes advanced features like custom fields, Gantt charts, unlimited automations and dashboards, which are essential for managing complex projects. Learn more in our full Asana review.
- Up to 10 users
- Price is per user. unlimited users, expanded features
- Price is per user. unlimited users, even more features
- Custom pricing, advanced security features
Honorable Mentions: Cheap Project Management Software
Other affordable project management software worth mentioning are Zoho Projects, Pumble, and Freedcamp. While Zoho Projects ($4 per user per month) works especially well with other Zoho apps, Pumble ($2.49 per user per month) focuses on team communication and collaboration. Lastly, Freedcamp meets basic needs with a free version and a Pro plan starting at $1.49 per user per month.
Moreover, larger teams can benefit from pricing models that charge a flat fee for unlimited users. For instance, ProofHub supports 40 projects and unlimited users for just $45 per month. Similarly, TeamGantt charges $49 per manager rather than per user. Finally, Basecamp’s Pro Unlimited plan is $299 per month, which is a good deal for big organizations.
Our Methodology: How We Tested the Most Affordable Project Management Tools
To select the best project management software that’s also affordable, we thoroughly tested each service to see how well it actually works. We focused on the effectiveness of the features and ease of use to determine the value each service offers, even at budget pricing. Here’s a breakdown of our testing process:
- Pricing and value: We compared pricing plans and the features offered at each tier to see which tools provide the most value for different budgets.
- Task management features: We created and assigned sample tasks and projects, set priorities and deadlines, changed task statuses and tried different views when available.
- Collaboration tools: We added team members and tried the different collaboration features available on each platform, such as commenting on tasks and sharing files.
- Ease of use: We assessed how straightforward it is to install the software and begin using it, as well as how intuitive the interface is.
- Automations and integrations: We tried basic automations when available and set up test integrations with popular apps like Slack and Google Drive to check how well they work with the software.
Free vs Paid Project Management Software
If you’re wondering whether to choose a free or cheap plan for managing projects, remember that free plans often have limited features. A cheap entry-level paid plan usually unlocks valuable tools such as basic automations and dashboards that can save time and help track project progress more efficiently.
Free plans often require more initial setup time too, due to limited templates and automation capabilities compared to their paid counterparts.
| Free | Paid |
|---|---|
| Basic task management for a fixed number of users | More project views & customization options for growing teams |
| Minimal file storage space | More file storage space |
| No financial commitment | Low monthly or annual fee |
| Best for personal use or very small teams | Best for growing teams & freelancers |
Free plans are great for getting started and managing simple projects, but a cheap plan can offer significantly more value.
For a small cost, you can often unlock handy features like Gantt charts and automations that can supercharge your project planning and enhance team collaboration. Investing in an affordable plan can save you time in the long run. Learn more in our best free project management software guide.
Do Cheap Plans Come With Limitations?
Cheap project management plans are a great starting point, but they come with trade-offs. Advanced features like custom fields, automations and dashboards are typically reserved for higher-tier plans. The number of users and file storage limits can also be restrictive, which can hinder complex projects or larger teams.
Nonetheless, cheap project management tools are great for small teams on a budget. Our top recommendation is nTask because it offers lots of core features at a low price. ClickUp stands out for its customization options, while Trello is the go-to tool for kanban boards. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your team’s size and specific workflows.
Final Thoughts
Even with the cheapest project management software, you don’t have to sacrifice functionality for affordability. Many tools provide everything you need to manage tasks, collaborate effectively and keep projects on track. nTask stands out by striking a balance between these factors, and you can get its Premium plan for just $3 per user per month.
Are there any project management features you’re looking for that we haven’t talked about? Have you already tried any of the tools we mentioned? What are your team’s specific project management needs? Drop us a comment below to share your thoughts or questions. Thanks for taking the time to read our insights.
FAQ: Cheap Project Management Apps
The cheapest project management software is nTask, which has a Premium plan starting at just $3 per user per month, billed annually. It also has a free plan for up to five users.
Yes, there are several free project management tools that offer basic features for individuals or small teams. These include nTask, ClickUp, Trello, monday.com and Asana
nTask is our top choice because it includes advanced features like native time tracking and issue tracking on its cheapest plan. It also has comprehensive core task management and collaboration features, and it is incredibly easy to use.
The easiest project management software is Trello, which has a simple kanban board interface to quickly organize your tasks.