Skip to main content

Product planning tools help teams define, prioritize, and schedule product features—so everyone stays aligned from concept to launch. If you’re searching for a free solution, you’re likely feeling the pressure of juggling roadmaps, timelines, and team input without the luxury of a large software budget.

This guide cuts through the noise by reviewing the best free product planning tools available today. I’ve independently tested each one to help you understand what they do well—and where they might fall short—so you can choose a tool that fits your workflow and your budget.

Whether you're part of a lean startup or managing product at a growing company, you'll find practical, no-cost options here that can boost your clarity, collaboration, and delivery.

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

We’ve been testing and reviewing product management software since 2020. As product managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.

We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different product management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.

Best Free Product Planning Software Summary

While all of the product planning software in my list have free offerings, they also have paid plans should you wish to upgrade. Here are the base costs for each of the tools that made it onto my shortlist:

Best Free Product Planning Software Review

Below are my detailed summaries of the best free product planning software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you. While some of these tools offer a completely free version, others offer a free trial period. I’ve added a note about what’s free in each of my reviews

Best for simple Kanban-style task boards and task management

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $5/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Trello is a task management tool that caters to individuals and teams looking to organize and prioritize projects visually. It serves project managers, teams, and individuals who need to collaborate and track progress easily.

Why I picked Trello: The free version includes features that simplify task management, such as customizable boards and lists. You can create cards for tasks and move them across lists as you progress. Features like labels and due dates help you organize and prioritize your work effectively. These elements make it ideal for managing tasks in a straightforward, visual manner.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include card attachments, which allow you to add files directly to your tasks. Checklists help you break down tasks into smaller steps, making them more manageable. You can also use Butler automation to automate repetitive tasks and processes.

Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Evernote, Salesforce, GitHub, Zoom, and Outlook.

What's free? Trello offers a free-forever plan with unlimited cards and up to 10 boards per workspace, along with basic features.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy to add attachments
  • Flexible board setup
  • Visual task organization

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Not ideal for complex projects

Best for lightweight project timelines with drag-and-drop simplicity

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $8/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

Toggl Plan is a project management tool aimed at teams and individuals who need straightforward planning to manage tasks and deadlines. It serves project managers and teams looking for a visual approach to task scheduling and resource management.

Why I picked Toggl Plan: The free version offers essential planning features that simplify task management. You can create and manage timelines with drag-and-drop functionality, making scheduling intuitive. Task assignments and deadline tracking are included to keep your team on track. These features might be all you need for teams that prefer a clear and uncomplicated planning process.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include timeline views that provide a visual representation of your project schedule. Color-coded tasks help you prioritize and organize work effectively. You can also use milestones to mark key dates and track progress towards your goals.

Integrations include Slack, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Trello, Asana, Zapier, GitHub, and Jira.

What's free? Toggl Plan offers a free-forever plan for up to 5 users with basic planning features and timeline views.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Color-coded task management
  • Suitable for small teams
  • Easy timeline setup

Cons:

  • Not ideal for complex projects
  • Limited user capacity

Best for portfolio-level visual roadmaps with resource planning

  • 14-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $24/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.9/5

Portfoleon is a product planning tool designed for teams seeking to enhance their strategy execution with visual roadmaps. It primarily serves project managers and teams focused on aligning projects with strategic goals. The tool helps in goal-driven planning, resource allocation, and project prioritization.

Why I picked Portfoleon: The free version offers visual roadmaps that help your team prioritize projects aligned with strategic objectives. You can use features like timeline views and Kanban boards to manage and visualize work effectively. Scenario planning allows you to create multiple project plans and assess their feasibility. These features make it ideal for teams needing clear visibility into project impacts.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include resource visualization, which helps you manage resource allocation and avoid bottlenecks. Scenario planning lets you evaluate different strategies with ease. Progress monitoring provides ongoing visibility into project progress.

Integrations include Excel, Google Sheets, Jira, Zapier, and a REST API.

What's free? Portfoleon offers a free-forever plan with essential features like visual roadmaps and scenario planning, with no credit card required for sign-up.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports strategic alignment
  • Strong visualization tools
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Limited to smaller teams and simpler projects
  • Basic compared to paid tools

Best for interactive Gantt charts and team workload management

  • 7-day free trial
  • From $49/user/month (billed annually)

TeamGantt is a project management tool designed for teams that need to plan and track projects using Gantt charts. It serves project managers and teams who benefit from visualizing project timelines and dependencies.

Why I picked TeamGantt: The free version provides essential Gantt chart features that help you plan and manage projects visually. You can create tasks, set dependencies, and adjust timelines with ease. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it simple to update project schedules. These features make it ideal for teams looking to maintain clear project timelines.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include time tracking, which allows you to monitor how much time is spent on tasks. Collaboration tools enable your team to communicate and share updates directly within the platform. Baseline reports provide insights into project performance and help you compare planned vs. actual progress.

Integrations include Slack, Trello, Asana, Basecamp, Google Calendar, Dropbox, Google Drive, Outlook, Zapier, and Microsoft Teams.

What's free? TeamGantt offers a free-forever plan for up to 3 users with basic Gantt chart features and limited projects.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Suitable for small teams
  • Effective task dependencies
  • Visual project timelines

Cons:

  • Initial learning curve
  • Not ideal for complex projects

Best for capturing and prioritizing user feedback

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $15/user/month

LoopedIn is a product management tool focused on gathering and managing user feedback efficiently. It serves product managers and teams who need to prioritize product development based on customer input.

Why I picked LoopedIn: The free version provides a platform for collecting user feedback, enabling you to understand customer needs. You can create feedback boards where users can submit ideas and vote on them. This helps prioritize development tasks effectively. These features are perfect for teams wanting to align their product roadmaps with user demands.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include idea boards that facilitate user engagement by allowing customers to submit and vote on ideas. Roadmap visualization helps you plan and communicate product strategies clearly. Status updates keep your users informed about the progress of their suggestions.

Integrations include Slack, Zapier, Intercom, HubSpot, Salesforce, Google Analytics, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Trello, and Jira.

What's free? LoopedIn offers a free-forever plan with essential feedback management features and limited user seats.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Facilitates user voting
  • Clear roadmap visualization
  • Engages users with feedback boards

Cons:

  • Requires initial setup time
  • Not ideal for large teams

Best for Agile teams and complex workflows

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $8/user/month

Jira is a project management tool tailored for Agile teams that need to plan, track, and manage software development projects. It serves developers, project managers, and teams focused on Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban.

Why I picked Jira: The free version supports Agile teams with features like Scrum and Kanban boards, which help you visualize work and optimize flow. You can create user stories, plan sprints, and distribute tasks across your team. Backlog management lets you prioritize tasks effectively. These features align with Agile practices, making it a great choice for teams using Agile frameworks.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include customizable workflows that allow you to tailor processes to fit your team's needs. Reporting tools provide insights into team performance and project progress. Automation rules help streamline repetitive tasks, enhancing productivity.

Integrations include Slack, Confluence, Bitbucket, GitHub, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zoom, Outlook, and Salesforce.

What's free? Jira offers a free-forever plan for up to 10 users with essential Agile features and limited storage.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Strong backlog management
  • Automation for repetitive tasks
  • Supports Agile methodologies

Cons:

  • Not ideal for non-Agile teams
  • Limited storage capacity

Best for milestone tracking

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $19/user/month (billed annually)

Roadmap is a product management tool designed for teams focused on creating and sharing detailed product roadmaps. It serves product managers and teams who need to track milestones and align their strategies with project goals.

Why I picked Roadmap: The free version offers features for tracking milestones, which helps your team stay on schedule. You can create detailed roadmaps that visualize your product's journey and align team efforts. The tool also facilitates easy sharing of roadmaps with stakeholders. These features are great for teams that need to communicate their progress effectively.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include the ability to add custom fields to tailor your roadmap to your team's needs. You can set dependencies between tasks to ensure proper sequencing. The tool also provides progress tracking to help you monitor how close you are to achieving your goals.

Integrations include Slack, Trello, Asana, Jira, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Google Calendar, Dropbox, Zapier, and Salesforce.

What's free? Roadmap offers a free-forever plan with essential milestone tracking features and basic roadmap creation tools, with limited user seats.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable fields
  • Easy roadmap sharing
  • Detailed milestone tracking

Cons:

  • Not ideal for complex projects
  • Limited user seats

Best for real-time data sync across tools with collaborative editing

  • Free plan available
  • From $9/user/month

Visor is a project management tool designed for teams that need real-time data synchronization to keep their projects updated. It serves project managers and teams who require accurate and up-to-date project information for decision-making.

Why I picked Visor: The free version offers real-time data synchronization, ensuring your team always has the latest project updates. You can connect multiple data sources to create a unified view of your projects. Features like collaborative editing allow team members to work on projects simultaneously. These capabilities make it ideal for teams that rely on accurate, up-to-date information.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include customizable views that let you tailor how you see your project data. Task management tools help you assign and track tasks efficiently. Reporting features provide insights into project performance and progress, aiding in better decision-making.

Integrations include Google Sheets, Jira, Trello, Asana, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, GitHub, Zapier, and Outlook.

What's free? Visor offers a free-forever plan with essential features and real-time data sync for small teams.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Unified data view
  • Collaborative editing
  • Real-time data updates

Cons:

  • Not ideal for large teams
  • Limited advanced features

Best for intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling

  • 14 day free trial
  • From $9.95/user/month

Tom's Planner is a project management tool that offers intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling for teams and individuals. It serves project managers and planners who need a straightforward way to create and manage project timelines.

Why I picked Tom's Planner: The free version provides drag-and-drop scheduling, making it easy to adjust timelines and tasks. You can create Gantt charts without any technical expertise, which is perfect for teams that need simplicity. The visual interface helps you see project progress at a glance. These features are ideal for teams looking for a user-friendly planning tool.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include the ability to share plans with stakeholders, ensuring everyone stays informed. You can customize task colors to differentiate between project phases easily. Exporting options let you save and share your plans in various formats for easy collaboration.

Integrations include Google Calendar, Microsoft Excel, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft Project, Trello, Slack, Asana, Jira, and Outlook.

What's free? Tom's Planner offers a free-forever plan with limited features and support for one project at a time.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Visual project progress tracking
  • No technical expertise needed
  • Simple drag-and-drop interface

Cons:

  • Basic features only
  • Limited to one project

Best for customizable workflows with sprint tracking

  • Free trial available
  • From $8/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

monday dev is a project management tool designed for teams that require flexible workflows to manage their projects. It serves developers and project managers who need to customize their processes to fit various project needs.

Why I picked monday dev: The free version allows you to create customizable workflows that fit your team's specific needs. You can use templates to get started quickly and adjust them as your projects evolve. The tool also offers features like task assignments and deadline tracking to keep your team organized. These capabilities are suitable for teams looking to tailor their project management approach.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include time tracking, which helps your team monitor project duration. Automation capabilities allow you to automate repetitive tasks, saving time and effort. Dashboards provide a visual overview of your project’s progress and key metrics.

Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Trello, GitHub, Salesforce, and Outlook.

What's free? monday dev offers a free-forever plan for up to 2 users with basic features and limited board views.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Useful templates for quick starts
  • Easy to set up
  • Highly customizable workflows

Cons:

  • Limited board views in the free plan
  • Not ideal for large teams

Other Free Product Planning Software

Here are some additional product planning software options that also offer free plans or trials. While these tools didn’t make it onto my shortlist, they’re still worth checking out:

  1. Confluence

    For creating and organizing team knowledge bases

  2. PathPro

    For roadmap sharing

  3. Miro

    For visual brainstorming and whiteboarding

  4. Canny

    For feature voting

  5. Airtable

    For database management

  6. Asana

    For task assignments with integrated goal tracking

  7. Wrike

    For cross-team real-time collaboration

  8. Zenhub

    For GitHub integration

  9. ClickUp

    For all-in-one workspace

  10. Productfolio

    For product strategy

Free Product Planning Software Selection Criteria

When selecting the best free product planning software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like limited budgets and the need for easy collaboration. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Task management
  • Timeline creation
  • Collaboration tools
  • Milestone tracking
  • Resource allocation

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Customizable dashboards
  • Real-time data synchronization
  • Advanced reporting tools
  • Mobile app availability
  • Automation capabilities

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive interface design
  • Easy navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Customization options
  • Speed and responsiveness

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Pre-built templates
  • Access to webinars
  • Chatbot assistance

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • Availability of live chat
  • Response time to inquiries
  • Access to a knowledge base
  • Email support availability
  • Community forums

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Features included in the free plan
  • Cost of upgrades
  • Comparison to competitor pricing
  • Flexibility of pricing plans
  • Hidden fees or charges

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Overall satisfaction ratings
  • Feedback on ease of use
  • Comments on feature effectiveness
  • User experiences with support
  • Willingness to recommend the tool

How to Choose Free Product Planning Software

Complex feature lists and pricing structures can make it hard to figure out what you’re really getting from a free product planning software. To help you stay focused as you work through your software selection process, here are some factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
Free Offer ScopeEvaluate what's included in the free plan. Check for limitations on users, features, or storage that might impact your team's productivity.
ScalabilityDetermine if the tool can grow with your team. Consider if it offers paid plans that fit your future needs or if you'll need to switch tools later.
IntegrationsLook for integrations with tools your team already uses. Ensure it connects with platforms like Slack, Google Drive, or Jira to streamline workflows.
Ease of UseAssess the learning curve for your team. A tool that's easy to navigate saves time and helps your team get started quickly without extensive training.
CustomizationCheck if you can tailor the software to fit your specific workflows. Customizable dashboards and settings can improve team efficiency and satisfaction.
CollaborationEnsure the tool supports collaboration features like real-time editing or comment threads to keep your team connected and projects moving smoothly.
SecurityVerify the software's security measures, especially if handling sensitive data. Look for encryption and compliance with data protection regulations.

What Is Free Product Planning Software?

Product planning software is a tool that helps teams organize, prioritize, and track product development tasks and timelines. Free offerings usually include limited features or user seats, often as a free plan or a trial period. These tools are commonly used by product managers, developers, and project teams to improve collaboration and efficiency. Features like task management, timeline creation, and collaboration tools help teams stay organized, prioritize tasks, and achieve their project goals efficiently.

Features of Free Product Planning Software

Let’s go over the features commonly found in product planning software, and which ones are usually included in free vs. paid plans.

Typically Free Product Planning Software Features

  • Task management: Allows teams to create, assign, and track tasks to ensure everyone stays on schedule.
  • Timeline creation: Provides a visual representation of project timelines to help teams plan and manage deadlines effectively.
  • Collaboration tools: Enables team members to communicate and share updates, fostering teamwork and transparency.
  • Milestone tracking: Helps teams monitor key project milestones, ensuring that project goals are met on time.
  • Basic integrations: Connects with popular tools like Slack or Google Drive to enhance workflow without needing complex setups.

Typically Paid Product Planning Software Features

  • Advanced reporting: Offers detailed insights into project performance, helping teams make data-driven decisions.
  • Automation capabilities: Streamlines repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing manual effort.
  • Customizable dashboards: Allows teams to tailor their workspace to display relevant information and metrics.
  • Resource management: Helps allocate and optimize resources across projects to improve efficiency.
  • Priority support: Provides faster response times and dedicated support to resolve issues quickly.

Benefits of Free Product Planning Software

Implementing free product planning software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Cost-effective: Free plans allow your team to access essential planning tools without impacting your budget.
  • Easy collaboration: Features like real-time editing and comment threads keep your team connected and projects moving smoothly.
  • Improved organization: Task management and timeline creation help your team stay organized and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Enhanced visibility: Milestone tracking and visual roadmaps offer clear insights into project progress and future steps.
  • Quick adoption: Intuitive interfaces and basic integrations make it easy for teams to start using the tool without extensive training.
  • Flexibility: Freemium plans offer basic features that can be expanded upon with paid options as your team's needs grow.

Costs and Pricing of Free Product Planning Software

I realize you came to this article looking for the best product planning software options that are available for free. However, since free plans only offer limited features, there's a good chance you'll need to scale your plan up in the future.

The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in product planning software solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Product Planning Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Task management, timeline creation, collaboration tools, milestone tracking, and basic integrations.
Personal Plan$5-$15/user/
month
Advanced task management, custom fields, priority support, and additional storage.
Business Plan$15-$25/user/
month
Automation capabilities, advanced reporting, resource management, and enhanced security features.
Enterprise Plan$25-$50/user/
month
Customizable dashboards, dedicated account manager, enterprise-level security, and compliance tools.

Free Product Planning Software FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about free product planning software:

Can I upgrade from a free plan to a paid plan?

Yes, most free product planning software solutions offer a clear path to upgrade to paid plans. This allows you to access additional features and accommodate more users as your team grows. Check the provider’s website for details on pricing and the added benefits of upgrading.

What limitations should I expect with free product planning software?

Free plans typically come with limitations such as a cap on the number of users, restricted storage, and limited access to advanced features. It’s important to assess if these limitations align with your team’s immediate needs or if you might need to upgrade soon.

Is data security ensured in free product planning software?

While most reputable providers offer basic security measures in their free plans, advanced security features are often reserved for paid plans. It’s crucial to review the security policies of the provider to ensure your data is protected at a level that meets your requirements.

How can I determine if a free plan meets my team’s needs?

Evaluate the features included in the free plan and consider your team’s specific requirements. Look at task management, collaboration tools, and any integration capabilities. If these align with your needs, the free plan might be sufficient, at least initially.

Are there any hidden costs with free product planning software?

Generally, free plans do not have hidden costs, but it’s wise to read the terms and conditions. Some providers might charge for additional services like premium support or extra storage, so be sure to understand what is included in the free offering.

How can I make the most out of a free product planning software?

Maximize the use of available features like task management and collaboration tools. Encourage your team to fully explore the software’s capabilities and integrate it with other tools you use. Regularly review your needs to determine if a paid plan might offer additional value.

What's Next?

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more product management resources and guides, plus the latest podcasts, interviews, and other insights from industry leaders and experts.

Hannah Clark
By Hannah Clark

Hannah Clark is the Editor of The Product Manager. Following six years of experience in the tech industry, she pivoted into the content marketing space. She’s spent the better part of the past decade working in marketing agencies and offering freelance branding and content development services. Today, she’s a digital publisher who is privileged to work with some of the most brilliant voices in the product world. Driven by insatiable curiosity and a love of bringing people together, her mission is to foster a fun, vibrant, and inspiring community of product people.