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2024 Review of Free Plan Monday.com Features and Benefits
By: Aidan O’Brien, CAPM; Editor: Dr. Michael J. Shick, MSPM, PMP, CSM
Hello, and welcome to this review of the free plan offered by
Introduction
As a
In this article, you will discover why
The free plan includes the following features that make it a compelling choice for many users.
By the end of this review, you’ll understand the value of
Brief Overview
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick overview of the standout features available in
- Best for Small Teams: Unlimited Boards and Essential Features
- Best for Freelancers: Simple Task Management and Collaboration
- Best for Students: Basic Project Tracking and File Sharing
- Best for Personal Use: Task Organization and Daily Planning
The free plan includes basic features that cover essential project management functionalities, making it a valuable option for entry-level users.
Each of these categories addresses the needs of different users, making it easy to identify which aspects of
Best for Small Teams: Unlimited Boards and Essential Features
Key Features
- Unlimited Boards: Create as many boards as you need to organize your projects.
- Collaboration Tools: Includes @mentions, team creation, and file management.
- Simple Search Function: Easy filtering on each board to find tasks and information.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Facilitates team communication with in-context comments and updates.
- Easy-to-use interface, ideal for quick setup and immediate use.
- Centralized file management helps keep all project assets in one place.
Cons:
- Limited to two team members, restricting larger team collaboration.
- No advanced search across the entire account.
- The free plan lacks some features available in the basic plan.
- The free plan lacks advanced features available in the enterprise plan, such as advanced security and scalability.
Overview
The free plan of
Review Body
Monday.com’s free plan offers unlimited boards, allowing teams to create dedicated spaces for different projects. This feature is particularly beneficial for small teams that need to manage multiple projects simultaneously without incurring additional costs. However, the free plan supports up to two users, which can be limiting for slightly larger teams. The collaboration tools, such as @mentions and team creation, streamline communication.
Compared to other free
Benefits:
- Keeps team communication organized and in context.
- Easy project setup with unlimited board creation.
- Centralized file storage for streamlined access.
Drawbacks:
- Limited team member inclusion might necessitate a paid plan for growing teams.
- A basic search function might not suffice for complex project requirements.
If you’re a small team looking for a cost-effective
Best for Freelancers: Simple Task Management and Collaboration
Key Features
- Task Management: Basic columns for text, numbers, and statuses.
- File Storage: Up to 500 MB of storage for project-related files.
- Kanban View: Visualize tasks using the Kanban
project management methodology. - Mobile Apps: These are available for iOS and Android, allowing you to manage projects on the go. You can download them from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use task management system.
- Adequate file storage for individual projects.
- Kanban view helps freelancers organize and prioritize tasks visually.
Cons:
- Limited to two users, making it less ideal for collaborative projects with clients.
- No advanced features like automation or integrations.
Overview
Freelancers will find Monday.com’s free plan a handy tool for managing their workload. The task management features and file storage capacity cater to the needs of individuals managing multiple clients or projects.
Review Body
Task management is crucial for freelancers, and
While the free plan is perfect for solo freelancers, those who frequently collaborate with clients might find the limitation of two users restrictive. Additionally, the absence of advanced features like automation and integrations means freelancers may need to look at paid plans as their business grows.
Benefits:
- Simplifies task management with an intuitive interface.
- Visual Kanban board enhances task prioritization and workflow.
- Sufficient file storage for managing client documents.
Drawbacks:
- Collaboration is limited due to the two-user cap.
- The lack of advanced features may require upgrading to a paid plan eventually.
Freelancers seeking a simple yet effective tool for managing their tasks and client projects should consider
Best for Students: Basic Project Tracking and File Sharing
Key Features
- Main Boards: Create up to 3 boards for different subjects or projects.
- Communication Tools: Use @mentions to collaborate with classmates.
- Files View: Centralized location to view and manage uploaded files.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ideal for organizing study schedules and project tasks.
- Easy collaboration with classmates through mentions.
- All project files are accessible in one place.
Cons:
- Limited to 200 items across all boards.
- Cannot invite guests or viewers, restricting larger group collaborations.
Overview
Students can benefit greatly from
Review Body
Monday.com’s free version is particularly useful for students managing multiple subjects and projects. The ability to create up to 3 boards means students can organize their work by subject or project, helping them stay on top of deadlines and tasks. The communication tools, like @mentions, facilitate easy collaboration with classmates, ensuring everyone is aligned on project goals.
The Files View feature is particularly handy. It provides a centralized location for all uploaded files, making it easy to find and access documents when needed. However, the limitation of 200 items and the inability to invite guests can be restrictive for larger study groups or project teams.
Benefits:
- Helps students stay organized with separate boards for each subject or project.
- Facilitates collaboration with classmates using @mentions.
- Centralized file storage for easy access to study materials and project documents.
Drawbacks:
- Item limits may require careful management of tasks and files.
- Larger group projects might be challenging due to guest and viewer restrictions.
Students looking for a reliable tool to manage their academic projects and collaborate with classmates should try
Best for Personal Use: Task Organization and Daily Planning
Key Features
- Task Management: Basic columns for organizing daily tasks.
- Mobile App Access: Manage tasks on the go.
- Workdocs: Brainstorm, plan, and execute ideas in one place.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy task management for personal use.
- Mobile app allows for task management anytime, anywhere.
- The Workdocs feature helps in organizing thoughts and plans effectively.
Cons:
- Limited to two users, which may be unnecessary for personal use.
- Some advanced features like automation are not available.
Overview
For personal use, Monday.com’s free plan is an excellent tool for organizing daily tasks and planning personal projects. The mobile app ensures you can manage your tasks wherever you are.
Review Body
Monday.com’s free plan is well-suited for personal use, providing an efficient way to organize daily tasks and plan projects. The task management features are simple yet effective, allowing users to categorize and prioritize their tasks easily. The mobile app is a significant advantage, offering the flexibility to manage tasks on the go, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
The Workdocs feature is particularly useful for brainstorming and planning, making it easier to organize ideas and execute them effectively. However, the two-user limit might be irrelevant for personal use, and the lack of advanced features like automation may not be a significant drawback for individual users.
Benefits:
- Simplifies daily task management.
- Mobile app ensures tasks are managed anytime, anywhere.
- Workdocs aid in effective brainstorming and planning.
Drawbacks:
- A two-user limit might be redundant for personal use.
- The lack of advanced features may not be a concern for individual users.
If you’re looking for an efficient way to manage your daily tasks and personal projects,
How to Choose the Right Project Management Tool
Selecting the best
1. Assess Your Needs
Before diving into specific features, take a moment to understand what you need from a project management tool. Consider the following:
- Team Size: How many people will be using the tool?
- Project Complexity: Are you managing simple tasks or complex projects with multiple phases?
- Collaboration Needs: Do you need to collaborate with external stakeholders or just within your team?
- Budget: Are you looking for a free solution or willing to invest in a premium plan?
2. Essential Features to Look For
Different
- Task Management: Ability to create, assign, and track tasks.
- Board Views: Kanban, Gantt charts, and calendar views for visualizing tasks.
- Collaboration Tools: Comments, @mentions, and file sharing to keep communication in context.
- Customization: Flexibility to tailor boards and workflows to your specific processes.
- Integrations: Compatibility with other tools you use, such as email, calendars, and file storage services.
3. Feature Comparison: Free Plan vs. Paid Plans
When considering
Free Plan:
- Boards: Up to 3 boards.
- Items: Limited to 200 items, with the option to earn more by referrals.
- Users: Limited to 2 team members.
- Storage: 500 MB file storage.
- Views: Kanban, calendar, and files view.
- Limitations: There are no automation, integrations, or advanced search features. The free and basic plans lack most of the features that make
Monday.com shine, indicating that while it is powerful and attractive, these plans do not offer the full range of features available in the paid versions.
Paid Plans:
- Boards: Unlimited boards.
- Items: Unlimited items.
- Users: Scalable based on the plan.
- Storage: Increased storage capacity.
- Views: Additional views like Gantt and timeline.
- Advanced Features: Automation, integrations, time tracking, and more.
Enterprise Plan:
- Security: Advanced security features, including access to panic buttons and extra security measures.
- Scalability: Flexibility for larger companies and scalability in setting permissions for users.
- Support: VIP support for onboarding and tailored training for new members.
4. Practical Tips for Making the Most of the Free Plan
If you decide to start with the free plan, here are some tips to maximize its potential:
- Organize Wisely: Use the 3 available boards strategically to cover different aspects of your projects (e.g., one for tasks, one for planning, and one for documentation).
- Leverage Referrals: Invite colleagues to join
Monday.com to increase your item limit and make the platform more useful. - Manage Storage: Regularly archive or delete outdated files to stay within the 500 MB limit.
- Explore Views: Use the Kanban and calendar views to maintain an overview of your tasks and deadlines.
Features Head-to-Head: Free vs. Paid
Task Management:
- Free: Basic task creation and tracking with limited customization.
- Paid: Advanced task management with custom workflows, dependencies, and automation.
Collaboration:
- Free: Basic communication with @mentions and file sharing.
- Paid: Enhanced collaboration features, including guest access, advanced permissions, and integration with other tools. The Pro plan also offers the ability to create private boards, enabling users to restrict access to specific members.
Customization:
- Free: Limited customization options for boards and workflows.
- Paid: Full customization, including custom fields, templates, and advanced board views.
Choosing the right project management tool depends on your specific needs and the complexity of your projects.
Evaluate your requirements, compare the features, and start with the free plan to get a feel for the platform. As your needs evolve, consider upgrading to a paid plan to unlock the full potential of
Summary of Top Picks
To wrap up, let’s summarize the best features of
- For Small Teams: Unlimited boards and essential collaboration tools make it ideal for managing multiple projects with ease.
- For Freelancers: Simple task management and adequate file storage ensure you can handle client projects effectively.
- For Students: Basic project tracking and file sharing streamline group projects and study schedules.
- For Personal Use: Task organization and daily planning features help keep your personal projects and to-dos on track.
Recommendations
Monday.com’s free plan offers a robust starting point for various users, from small teams to freelancers, students, and individuals managing personal tasks. While it comes with some limitations, it provides essential features that can significantly enhance productivity and organization without any cost.
If you’re looking to manage projects more efficiently and collaborate seamlessly,
Ready to take your
Don’t wait—start organizing your projects and tasks more effectively with
About the Author: Aidan O’Brien, CAPM, is a
