Best free project management software in January 2024

We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.

We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the best free project management software.

The best free project management software has positive user reviews on customer review sites. Project management companies should provide customers with fast and reliable support. Using a combination of phone support, live chat and knowledge bases, customers should be able to quickly resolve issues 24/7.

Free project management software should provide a combination of basic project management features, including various project views, role assignment features, timelines, dependencies and budgeting tools, for both mobile apps and desktop platforms. Expanding on the basic feature set, additional project management capabilities, such as software integrations, customizable templates, milestone tracking, expense tracking, billing and invoicing and guest/client access, set the best free project management software apart from competitors. However, the most important factor is that the free project management software allows project managers and tasked employees to work collaboratively to meet their goals and deadlines for no cost.

5 Project Management Careers To Consider

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If you have excellent leadership and problem-solving skills, you may thrive in a project management role. Project managers (PMs) are vital to businesses’ success. They help companies complete projects and achieve goals on schedule. They also develop strategies to mitigate risks during the project completion timeline.

Project management training can lead to careers in various industries, though the job description and title may differ based on your specialization.

This article explores five popular project management careers and two professional organizations for prospective PMs.

Project management entails applying skills, processes, techniques and systems to plan and complete projects within specified parameters, including timeline and budget. Project managers are the professionals responsible for planning, directing and monitoring the execution of these projects. They can also quickly redirect teams in case of unforeseen hiccups during the completion process.

Daily responsibilities for project managers include:

Project management roles generally require a bachelor’s degree in project management. However, graduates of business programs can also build successful careers in this field with a thorough understanding of relevant frameworks. Essential skills for project managers include time management, leadership, adaptability and problem-solving.

Project management professionals work in an array of industries, including information technology, health, marketing, construction and manufacturing. Across all sectors, project managers apply their skills to maximize organizational efficiency, reduce cost and increase revenue.

We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in November 2023.

Median Annual Salary: $95,370Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, project management or businessJob Overview: Project management specialists bring ideas to life by coordinating projects. They handle everything from budgeting to scheduling and encourage collaboration among team members.

Median Annual Salary: $101,480Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or project management with a concentration in construction managementJob Overview: Construction managers oversee various building projects from start to finish. Typical tasks include preparing cost estimates, interpreting contracts and collaborating with other construction experts.

Median Annual Salary: $77,520Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in logistics, project management or business with a concentration in supply chain managementJob Overview: Logisticians, also called logistics managers, are responsible for managing supply chains within organizations. They oversee products’ lifecycles from ideation to distribution.

Median Annual Salary: $104,830Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, project management or businessJob Overview: Health services managers set and implement policies that boost efficiency in medical facilities. These professionals can oversee entire healthcare facilities or specific departments.

Median Annual Salary: $98,100Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in project management or businessJob Overview: Operations managers handle resource allocation and other administrative duties to streamline daily operations. They help stakeholders cut costs and implement strategies to boost productivity.

Project management includes multiple subfields focused on particular kinds of projects and organizational practices. Pursuing one of these niche areas can qualify you for specialized careers. Below, we highlight several project management coursework concentrations for prospective PMs to consider.

Supply chain management involves managing the flow of goods in and out of organizations, starting with procurement of raw materials and finishing with delivery to consumers. Managing supply chains requires professionals to consider details like sources of raw materials, logistics, marketing channels and operations management.

This concentration may be ideal for PMs who want to work as supply chain analysts, logistics managers or operations analysts. To learn more, see our guide on how to become a supply chain manager.

Professionals in the construction management subfield use specialized delivery systems, management techniques and software as they budget, plan and coordinate construction projects. Construction managers also collaborate with stakeholders and contractors.

Project managers specializing in construction management may benefit from joining professional groups like the Construction Management Association of America to gain advanced training and certification. Find out more with our guide on how to become a construction manager.

Specializing in sustainability equips project managers to shape the future of our environment. Sustainability-minded project managers assess the environmental impacts of their decisions alongside the economic costs. In addition to general project management courses, learners in this subfield often take classes like sustainability metrics, sustainable design and sustainability in construction.

Project managers in the healthcare sector help medical facilities run efficiently. They use the same principles and stages of project management as other PMs, transposing these concepts into healthcare contexts.

Healthcare project management concentrations teach students about current challenges in the healthcare sector, including budget cuts, increased regulation and staffing shortages. They learn how to overcome those bottlenecks while fostering collaboration and productivity.

With a healthcare project management specialization, you can work as a health services manager at a hospital, helping medical personnel to deliver quality patient care. You can also hold a related position at a medical insurance or pharmaceutical company.

Several groups within and outside of the United States are committed to shaping the project management field and empowering PMs to advance their careers. Aside from a résumé boost, joining a professional organization can give you access to professional networks and skills training. Professional organizations for PMs include:

Founded in 1969 in the United States, the Project Management Institute is the world’s largest project management professional organization. PMI has nearly 700,000 members and more than 300 local chapters. PMI advances the project management profession by investing in education, research and networking opportunities for members. PMI offers credentials like the Project Management Professional® (PMP) certification to verify PMs’ expertise.

IPMA is a global network of over 70 national project management organizations in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. The member associations act as subsidiaries of IPMA, interacting and collaborating with professionals and organizations to advance project management competencies. IPMA also offers various certifications, including credentials for agile leadership and consulting.

Project management jobs are a good fit for workers with strong organizational and leadership skills. Because many industries—including finance, healthcare, IT and construction—need project management professionals, you can find work in a diverse array of workplaces.

According to 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, project management specialists earn a median salary of $95,370—almost $50,000 higher than the national median wage of $46,310 for all workers. However, salaries vary by location, industry and experience.

To be a project manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in project management, business or other relevant field. Additional credentials like the PMP certification from PMI can help you stand out during the job search.

Meet the Company Behind This Open-Source Project Management Tool