Why Free Project Management Software Is Missing the Features You Need to Succeed

Why Free Project Management Software Is Missing the Features You Need

In a world where everyone is looking for a bargain, it’s no surprise that free project management software is so popular. But are these tools really as good as they seem?

The answer is, unfortunately, no. While free project management software might help improve certain aspects of your business, it leaves out a lot of features that would pay for themselves over time in increased efficiency. With a free tool, you won’t get the full benefit of project management software - which can lead to decreased productivity and missed deadlines.

Why is free project management software missing these features? The most likely explanation is that these tools just aren’t profitable for the developers. They can make more money by selling features and add-ons that aren’t essential to the basic functionality of the software. As a result, these tools are often stripped down and lack important features that are vital to the success of most project management methods.

Paid project management software, on the other hand, is designed to be a comprehensive solution for managing projects. This means that all of the features you need are included in the price of the software. And because these tools are so feature-rich, they can actually save you money in the long run by increasing your productivity and efficiency.

So, if you’re looking for the best project management software, it’s important to budget for a paid subscription. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why free project management software isn't exactly as good as it seems.

Free Project Management Tools Are Not Free

Very few of these tools are actually "free" - even if they claim to be. They're designed to get people in the door and using the tool, but costs/subscriptions start adding up as the company or user group reaches certain thresholds and limits.

In addition to being more expensive than they appear at first glance, free project management tools are also often missing key features that businesses need. For example, many of them don't offer time tracking, customized reporting, or invoicing capabilities. Others lack features like task dependencies or visualization capabilities. So, while a free tool might seem like a good idea at first, it's important to make sure that it has all the features you need to run your business effectively. Otherwise, you'll end up having to switch tools down the line - and that can be a big headache (not to mention a waste of money).

As a result, it's better for users to choose a tool based on which one they'll eventually be okay paying for - since, as their business grows, they won't be able to stay on a free plan forever. Picking a tool based on which one is best for them - even if it's paid - and maybe even using the free version until they outgrow it, will make for an easy transition when they exceed the limits and need to start paying.

When to Use a Free Project Management Tool

If you're running a small business, you might be tempted to use a free project management tool to save on costs. However, as your agency or marketing team begins to take on more clients and projects, you'll quickly realize that the free project management software you've been using is no longer cutting it. It might have worked when you only had a few projects and team members to keep track of, but now that your business is growing, you need a tool that can keep up.

Here are just a few examples of why free project management software is missing the features you need to manage your increasingly complex operations.

Limited Users and Integrations

Most free project management software tools are designed for small businesses with limited team members and integrations. But as your business grows, you'll quickly outgrow these tools. You'll need a tool that can accommodate more users and integrations so that everyone is on the same page and working efficiently. 

Lack of Customizability 

As you grow, you'll likely eventually find that your needs are unique and require a certain degree of customization that free project management software tools simply can't provide. From custom views to unique workflows, you'll need a tool that can be customized to fit your specific needs. 

Poor User Experience 

User experience is crucial for keeping your team members engaged and motivated. Free project management software tools often have clunky interfaces and user experiences that make it difficult for team members to find what they need or stay updated on the latest changes. This can lead to frustration and, ultimately, lower productivity levels.

Paid project management software tools, on the other hand, are designed to provide users with a seamless experience (typically with readily available and easily accessible customer support representatives) that makes it easy for them to find what they need and stay up-to-date on the latest changes. This not only results in happier team members but can also increase productivity levels.

What Features Are Missing from Free Project Management Tools?

As a creative professional, you know that time is money. That's why you need a project management tool that can help you stay on top of deadlines and budgets. However, many free project management tools lack the tracking and reporting features you need to truly be successful.

Here are just a few of the features that are missing from most free project management tools:

Time Tracking

One of the most important aspects of any project is staying on budget. Free project management tools often lack robust time-tracking features, making it difficult to track billable hours and make sure you're not going over budget or missing deadlines.

Task dependencies/Subtasks

In any project, there are bound to be tasks that depend on other tasks being completed first. Without robust task dependency features, it can be difficult to keep track of what needs to be done and when. 

Gantt Charts

Gantt charts are a valuable tool for visualizing your project timeline and ensuring that all tasks are completed on schedule. However, many free project management tools either don't have Gantt chart functionality at all or limit the number of tasks that can be displayed in a Gantt chart or calendar view at once. 

Resource Management

Free project management software often lacks features for managing resources, such as assigning tasks to specific team members and tracking availability or utilization. This can make it difficult to fully utilize your team's skills and ensure that everyone is working on tasks that match their abilities. 

Reporting and Analytics

Being able to track your project's progress is essential for ensuring that it stays on track. However, free project management tools often lack robust reporting and analytics features, making it difficult to get the data you need to make informed decisions about your project. 

How Project Management Software Subscriptions Earn You Money

Paid project management software programs offer a variety of features that free versions typically don't, such as task management, time tracking, file sharing, and reporting. These features may seem like extras, but they can actually save you a lot of time and money in the long run. 

Task management, for instance, allows you to create and assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and track progress. This can help ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Time tracking lets you see how much time employees are spending on each task, so you can identify inefficiencies and make adjustments accordingly. File sharing allows team members to share documents and files with each other easily and quickly, which can save everyone time when working on a project. And reporting gives you visibility into every aspect of a project so you can identify issues early on and make changes as needed.

While free project management software may lack some of these key features, subscription-based programs like Workamajig, Asana, and ClickUp offer them all.

Workamajig, specifically, offers a comprehensive suite of features that free project management software tools simply can't match. With Workamajig, you can customize each project to fit your specific needs, track progress with ease, and the real-time visual reports give you an instant overview of how your team is performing. Workamajig also integrates with the tools you already use, making it easy to keep all your project information in one place. 

Perhaps most importantly, using Workamajig will save you time. With its powerful search feature, you can quickly find the information you need, when you need it, while the drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to move tasks around as priorities change. And because Workamajig is cloud-based, your team can access it from anywhere, at any time. 

But what about Google and Microsoft? Surely, they offer free project management software tools that are just as good, if not better, than Workamajig? Well...

Does Google have a free project management tool?

Although its suite of office productivity tools are widely used, Google does not currently offer a free project management tool. However, there are many third-party tools that integrate with Google's office productivity tools, such as Workamajig, Asana, and ClickUp. 

Is there a free version of Microsoft Project?

No, Microsoft Project does not offer a free version. However, it does offer a one-month free trial. 

The #1 Project Management Software For Creative Teams

If you're running a creative agency or marketing team, you know how important it is to have a good project management tool in place. After all, you need to be able to track deadlines, assign tasks, and keep everyone on the same page. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. And if you're on a tight budget, you may be tempted to go with a free option.

After all, who wouldn't want to save money? However, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. And with free project management software, you're likely missing out on features that would pay for themselves in increased efficiency.

Workamajig is the #1 project management software for creative teams for a reason. Our features are designed to save you time and money, making us an investment that will pay for itself in no time.

Here are just a few of the ways Workamajig can help your team succeed:

• We provide full visibility into every aspect of your project, so you can identify and solve problems before they cause delays.
• Our real-time collaboration features ensure that everyone is on the same page, no matter where they are in the world.
• We offer a flexible pricing structure that scales with your business, so you're never paying for more than you need.

Don't waste your time with free project management software that doesn't have the features you need to succeed. Schedule a free demo today to learn more about Workamajig and see how we can help your team reach its full potential.