6 Project Management Apps that Will Save Your Business Time and Money

Ask any small business owner about the thing they could use more of, and the answer is likely one of two things: time or money.

The struggle for small business growth is real. Small business owners running a one-man show can save money on payroll costs, but need to know how to put their time and money to the best possible use.

Businesses who have a dedicated workforce aren't much better off. They might have the manpower to get things done, but it comes at a price. In either case, businesses can only do so much with the resources they have.

So how do you find the perfect recipe for better time management that won't cost you a fortune?

These six project management apps for small business save you time and money by making you more productive:

Asana

This zen-inducing app has a lot to offer small businesses and freelancers, starting with its freemium features.

Users can create unlimited tasks and projects within the app for up to 15 people. You also get unlimited document sharing to organize data for individual projects, as well as basic project filtering and tagging to find information quickly. Team members can have conversations within projects for speedy collaboration.

As if the price weren't attractive enough, an easy-to-use interface makes this app even better. Its straightforwardness gives way to an extremely short learning curve. Once you install the app, you can start creating and managing tasks within minutes. When you complete a task, a single click will check it off the list.

This app is ideal for freelancers or businesses with small teams who want a simple solution to stay on task.

Trello

Trello has become one of the top players in project management apps for small businesses and large corporations alike.

This app uses the kanban board system, a project management technique created by Toyota that organizes tasks by completion rates rather than due dates. It's a systematic approach that offers the same level of attention at every step.

Team members can look at a Trello board to see what's in progress at all times. As tasks are completed, teams can move through the process so no steps are skipped, bottlenecked, or overlooked.

Trello is a highly visual project management app that boasts simplicity at every angle. You can customize your boards and lists to create workflows that work for you. A simple drag-and-drop feature lets you move quickly from one step to the next.

Their free version allows you to create unlimited projects for unlimited users. You can upgrade for additional features, such as voting options for tasks, larger attachments, and a calendar view.

Kanban Flow

This unique take on the kanban board system not only lays out project details, it also times them.

If you've ever wondered how long you're spending on certain tasks, this is the app for you. Kanban Flow will track how long it takes to complete tasks and how long a task stays on a certain list.

You can use this data in several ways: First, you'll have a better idea of how long projects are taking to complete. You might find you need to adjust your prices to compensate for your time. Or, you might find areas where you can improve your productivity.

If you're a fan of the Pomodoro method, you'll love this app's built-in "break alert" that tells you when it's time to refresh your mind.

You can get the web app for free, which includes unlimited users and projects. They also have a paid version that includes email integration, calendar views, swimlanes, and other premium features.

Teamweek

If you don't have a lot of time to spend using a project management app but want all the best benefits, you'll want to try out Teamweek. This is one of the most user-friendly apps you can get and it works on both desktop and mobile devices.

You can quickly create tasks and projects and assign them to users using drag-and-drop. Team members can collaborate through notes, discussions, and calendars. Plus, you can integrate with Slack, Evernote, and other programs.

If you have five or fewer users, Teamweek is free.

Meister Task

This fresh update to the kanban board methodology is quickly gaining popularity among small businesses. Its user-interface is bright and colorful for better visual appeal and brings a little more fun into the workplace.

But even more desirable are the automation features. Drag your tasks to different lists to trigger automation like sending emails or resetting due dates. It takes some of the manual labor out of the equation so you can focus more on the projects themselves.

The app comes with an easy-to-read dashboard that shows you all your projects and tasks. From there, you can drill down into each one to figure out where to give your attention.

Meister Task also integrates with MindMeister to create tasks based on mind maps. If you use mind maps to create your projects, Meister Task can transform your project into individual tasks for you.

You can get unlimited projects and unlimited users for free. If you want the automation and integrations, plans start at just $7.50 per month per user.

Freedcamp

Project management isn't just about completing tasks on time. It's also about having all the right tools in place to help you meet your deadlines. Freedcamp was designed with this exact concept in mind.

Not only can you manage your task completion within the app, you can also set project milestones, manage a calendar, create a list or kanban board, and plan your entire project.

File sharing and storing, team conversations, invoicing tools, and CRM mean you only need one app to take care of business.

The free version includes the ability to create unlimited users and projects. You can upgrade to a paid version for just $3.99 for a project owner and $0.99 for each user and get access to extra storage, CRM and invoicing features, and other tools.

Wrap Up

Testing different project management apps will add something else to your never-ending to-do list, but this one will be worth it. You won't always know which app will be the best fit for you until you can see how it looks and functions in real life. When you do find a good project management app, you'll eventually wonder how you ever did business without it.

About the author

Alli Hill is a content writer for NoStop Content, specializing in SEO, marketing, and all things digital. Alli currently lives in Northeast Georgia with her husband, two toddlers, and golden retriever.

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