Best Free Management Tools for Designers (Pros, Cons, Functionality, Pricing)
Introduction.
Designers are often required to manage multiple projects at once, track deadlines, and collaborate with team members. The right tools can make all the difference in keeping a designer organized and productive. Fortunately, there are many free management tools available that are specifically designed for designers. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the best free management tools for designers.
1. Trello
Trello is a project management tool that uses boards and cards to help users organize their tasks and projects. It's simple, intuitive, and easy to use, making it a great choice for designers who want to keep track of their projects without having to deal with complicated software. Trello also integrates with a variety of other tools, such as Google Drive, Slack, and more, making it easy for designers to keep everything in one place.
Functionality:
Boards and cards to represent projects and tasks
Task assignment and deadline tracking
Integrations with Google Drive, Slack, and more
Labels and lists to categorize and prioritize tasks
Missing Features:
Limited reporting and analytics options
Limited customization options for boards and cards
No built-in time tracking
Customer Ratings:
Google Play Store: 4.3 stars (based on over 600,000 ratings)
Apple App Store: 4.8 stars (based on over 33,000 ratings)
Capterra: 4.5 stars (based on over 7,000 reviews)
2. Asana
Asana is another popular project management tool that is especially helpful for designers who work on team projects. It provides a clear and concise overview of each project, allowing users to easily track progress, assign tasks, and set deadlines. Asana also integrates with a variety of other tools, including Google Drive and Slack, making it easy to stay organized.
Functionality:
Create projects and add tasks, deadlines, and descriptions.
Assign tasks to team members and track progress using the calendar view.
Use the integration with Google Drive to attach files and collaborate on projects.
Use the "My Tasks" view to see all of your assigned tasks in one place.
Missing Features:
Limited reporting and analytics options
Limited customization options for projects and tasks
No built-in budget tracking
Customer Ratings:
Google Play Store: 4.0 stars (based on over 10,000 ratings)
Apple App Store: 4.8 stars (based on over 3,000 ratings)
Capterra: 4.5 stars (based on over 4,000 reviews)
3. Airtable
Airtable is a unique project management tool that combines the best features of a spreadsheet and a database. It's a great option for designers who need to track multiple projects and store information in an organized way. Airtable also allows users to collaborate with team members, set reminders, and integrate with other tools, making it a versatile option for designers.
Functionality:
Create a database to represent your projects and tasks.
Use fields to capture information such as task name, deadline, and team member responsible.
Collaborate with team members by sharing the database and assigning tasks.
Use filters and views to easily find and sort tasks.
Missing Features:
Limited built-in project management features
No built-in time tracking or budget tracking
Steep learning curve for some users
Customer Ratings:
Capterra: 4.7 stars (based on over 3,000 reviews)
G2: 4.5 stars (based on over 1,000 reviews)
4. Canva
Canva is a graphic design tool that is also great for project management. It allows users to create designs, collaborate with team members, and manage projects all in one place. Canva also provides a variety of templates and design elements, making it easy for designers to create professional-looking designs without having to start from scratch.
Functionality:
Create designs for projects using Canva's templates and design elements.
Collaborate with team members in real-time to create designs together.
Use Canva's project management features to keep track of all your designs in one place.
Export designs in a variety of formats, including PNG, JPG, and PDF.
Missing Features:
Limited project management features
No built-in time tracking or budget tracking
Limited customization options for designs
Customer Ratings:
Google Play Store: 4.6 stars (based on over 600,000 ratings)
Apple App Store: 4.8 stars (based on over 42,000 ratings)
Capterra: 4.8 stars (based on over 6,000 reviews)
5. Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that can also be used for project management. It allows users to store and access their files from anywhere, and collaborate with team members in real-time. Google Drive also integrates with other Google tools, such as Google Sheets and Google Docs, making it a great option for designers who want to keep everything in one place.
Functionality:
Store all project-related files in one place using Google Drive.
Collaborate with team members in real-time on Google Docs and Google Sheets.
Use Google Drive's sharing features to share files and collaborate on projects.
Use Google Drive's search feature to quickly find files and information related to your projects.
Missing Features:
Limited project management features
No built-in time tracking or budget tracking
Limited customization options for file organization
Customer Ratings:
Google Play Store: 4.3 stars (based on over 19 million ratings)
Apple App Store: 4.0 stars (based on over 10,000 ratings)
Capterra: 4.5 stars (based on over 2,000 reviews)
Here is a comparison table of the best free management tools for designers in 2023
Best free management tools for designers
As you can see, all of these tools offer a free version with paid options that provide additional features and capabilities. The prices listed above are for the basic paid plans, and each tool may offer different pricing tiers with varying features.
Conclusion.
These are the core features and functionality of each tool, and each tool may offer additional features and capabilities. It's important to evaluate your needs and choose the tool that best fits your project management style and requirements.
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