Free programs to manage projects and plan activities

Who needs software for organize activities personal at home or to collaborate on group projects with work colleagues you don’t necessarily have to download a program, given that many simple web apps are available on the Internet to manage projects and work and study activities, even between multiple people.

In this list we have searched PC programs and project management web applications, which have the possibility of being used free of charge, at least for personal use. with two different categories, one for i free programs to install on PCthe other with the web applications to use online.

READ ALSO: Programs to create Gantt charts

Today there are better programs than Project, not only paid, but also free, which make the work of managing and planning projects easy, which can also be used to manage housework, school homework, the study at university, sporting events, training schedules and for the organization of many other daily and not just professional things. Without therefore purchasing an expensive program, let’s see here the best project management programs to manage and plan projects, with various methodologies.
Most of these tools are designed for team project management and therefore are often paid, but for individual use or small organizations you can use them for free.

Free and open source project management programs for PC

1) ProjectLibre is the main open source and free project management software, which is proposed as an alternative to Microsoft Project, also translated into Italian. While the interface is rather spartan and boring, Java-based, in terms of functionality it allows you to create Gantt charts, network diagrams, graphs, histograms and manage projects all along the way.

2) GeeTeeDee is a simple program for Windows 10 PC with a sidebar on the left that allows you to create groups of projects, convenient for keeping the tasks of each project separate. After creating a project, you can add the list of tasks, with titles, descriptions and due dates. Once completed, they can be checked off the list and archived. This is a very generic basic software, good for personal needs or small groups that do not require more elaborate tools.

3) Asana it is an advanced and commercial software, the industry leader for companies (you can try it for free but it costs a lot). Asana offers support for multiple users and teams. You can easily create, configure and manage projects, even via Gantt charts. After creating a project, you can create people, roles, objectives and a calendar of activities, setting tasks for each person and sending them to those participating in the project. Project progress reports can be generated as HTML or CSV.

4) GanttProject is a cross-platform desktop project management software also for Windows 10 that focuses on Gantt charts. This is definitely the most structured program on this list, which can definitely be used on a professional level without limitations. Projects can therefore be planned by dividing them by activity and assigning roles to people. You can generate HTML reports or PDF reports and it is also possible to use it in the cloud shared with other people.

5) GNOME Planner is another Gantt chart-based cross-platform project management software that works great on Windows 10. Its goal is to be an easy-to-use and intuitive project management program, with support for PDF or HTML reports and all the features for an activity manager.

6) Fengoffice is a very popular open source program, perfect for managing projects, documents, records and time. The application presents data using different interfaces such as lists, dashboards, and calendar views.

Free web-based programs for project planning

1) Trello is the number one web-based project management program that uses the Kanban-style organizational approach. This is a management tool for personal use, especially for DIY projects, which also has a subscription plan for team work. In Trello, you can create unlimited projects, add people and tasks using Kanban boards. Using templates, you don’t need to create a management scheme in Trello, but simply import a template and customize it however you want. About this website, we have written a specific guide article on how to organize activities, projects and group work with Trello on PC, Mac, tablet and smartphone.

2) MeisterTask is another online project management tool that represents a perfect combination of simplicity and management, even in the Italian language. This tool uses a Trello-style approach to manage projects, without limitations and also with the possibility of adding up to 20 MB of files per attachment. The user interface is very elegant, you can create unlimited sections in your project, add any number of tasks, due dates and comments to track the progress. In the case of collaboration, you can invite people to any project and work together.
The interface shows the activities in 4 columns, from those to be started, those in progress and those completed, to have an overview of the project. You can create unlimited sections in your project, next to each other in columns, choose a color for each section, and add any number of tasks, including due dates and comments.

3) zenkit is a cloud-based service for managing projects and tasks. Choosing the service Project we will have a modern platform at our disposal where we can create new multi-level projects, so as to be able to coordinate the operations and activities of multiple development teams in a coordinated and precise manner. It is currently one of the best web apps for managing advanced projects, given the simplicity with which each process is managed on the dashboard.

Access to the service is free and it is possible to try all the features even without a subscription (with an account Personal); to unlock access to more users and to get more storage space we can sign up for a basic subscription, with prices starting from €9 per month per user.

4) Paymo is an advanced comprehensive project management tool, which uses the Kanban approach to managing tasks but with more options and filters than Trello. You can start by choosing one of the ready-made templates depending on the type of project you plan and range from general template to website design, video production, development, marketing plan, consultancy, social media work, SEO and much more. You can manage customers, users, accounting, daily sheets and future planning. The accounting section allows you to manage invoices to keep track of all your income and expenses. All this makes it a versatile project management tool that has the potential to meet all the needs of a freelancer.

5) Freedcamp is a web app-based project management tool, free and with support for unlimited users (therefore also good for large companies or for teamwork with many people). It is a complete project management, task management, and calendar event management solution that packs in almost all the tools you need for planning, execution, reporting, and monitoring.

READ ALSO: Programs for remote work and online group collaboration.