Top 10 Task Management Software Tools to Improve Remote Work

The migration of organizations from working in offices to remote work has inevitably had adverse effects for productivity and task management. As teams now rarely, share an office it is far more difficult to ensure everyone is on the same page. The resultant response has seen a growing trend in companies and teams making use of task management tools. The main attraction is this ability to identify, monitor and manage the work of each employee.

What do task management tools do?

Task Management is the process of managing a task through its life cycle. Essentially, these tools assist teams in assigning tasks. They are useful for determining what needs to be done, and by who.

They can also provide a means for tracking the progress and completion of tasks. Thus enabling employees to observe timelines for specific projects.

In a remote work environment, this is extremely useful as it communicates to each team member the relevant information for them. Task management tools streamline the process of delegating tasks and obtaining status updates. In some ways, these software tools provide better channels of communication than simply working in the office itself.

These tools can even help to prioritize particular tasks, enabling teams to collaborate more efficiently and effectively. It automates the long-winded and monotonous job of ensuring that employees complete tasks and subtasks, whilst also meeting their deadlines. Through using a task management tool, companies can concentrate efforts on completing more relevant and engaging tasks.

How do task management tools make a difference to remote work?

Working remotely presents an entirely new set of challenges for any individual. From having to babysit children to dealing with a useless internet connection, the home office has its unique charm. The experience of working from home can feel very detached from that of the office. Task management tools act as a virtual notice board, this assists employees to recognize what is expected of them.

The normal working week has been remolded with this new approach to work. As such, the use of task management tools presents an opportunity for teams to collaborate without having to constantly communicate. Taking this pressure off employees also contributes to better wellbeing, less stress and increases productivity.

Additionally, remote working has contributed to a tendency for a lack of structure in the working day. The use of task management tools can assist with reinstating some of this structure. For example, tasks are listed in terms of urgency. This can show employees which tasks need their attention ahead of others.

What makes for a great task management software tool?

In reviewing the top 10 software tools for task management, particular criteria will be used to accredit each service. Here are the six areas that I have decided to focus on:

1. User Interface: This ranges from the use of colors for labeling specific tasks to the ability to customize the platform design Anything to do with the appearance of the service itself.
2. User Experience: How accessible is the software? Are all of its features easy to use or well-explained with a tutorial? How quickly can a novice become familiar with the software?
3. Task-specific features: What are the task management tools that the software provides? How well do they allow individuals / teams / companies to get tasks completed?
4. Additional/ non-task related features: What more does the tool bring to the table? For example, how far can the software automate task management or how easily can coworkers collaborate on projects?
5. Integrations: Can the software be easily integrated with other tools and project management software you might already use?
6. Pricing: Does the cost of the tool meet the services it provides? Or even better, if available can you still get good use out of the free version of the tool?

Please note, the order that I have listed these tools does not relate to any ranking order. These simply are the 10 best task management software tools available for remote working. Each has its unique perks which might be better suited to your specific needs.

Top 10 Task Management Tools

1. Asana

• Asana uses a very simple design. The sleek and open-ended nature of the software prevents overwhelming users with all of its possibilities.
• This refined approach might not be the most accessible for all novice users. Nevertheless, Asana provides users with learning options such as tutorial videos. Paying users can take a course to learn the software.
• Users can keep tasks all in one place and stylize the dashboard as a list or kanban board. Asana focuses on prioritizing tasks and improving collaboration. Also, managers can balance workloads and create timelines (viewed as color-coded Gantt charts).

A Gantt Chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule, named after its inventor, Henry Gantt.

• In response to the demand from remote workers, Asana now also offers direct messaging on the platform. There are also comment threads and status updates, enabling better collaboration.
• Even free version users have access to 100+ integrations, with popular apps including Gmail and Slack.
• The free version is well-equipped and available for up to 15 users. Meanwhile, the cheapest Premium plan starts from $10.99/user per month and offers automated workflows among other upgrades.

2. Hitask

• Committed to simplicity, the software is characterized by its central dashboard. This displays all activities which can be sorted by deadline, project, or team. The clean design and basic color schemes make it very accessible for novice users.
• The software is easy to use with an intuitive drag-n-drop feature. Using this, tasks can be delegated from the dashboard and are integrated into the team’s workflow. It also enables file sharing, which can be pinned using the same method.
• With a shared calendar that gives an overview of team events. Hitask makes it easy to quickly access the necessary color-coded information. All live tasks can be accessed through this. Users are presented with a dated projection of which assignments will be completed and when.

• Hitask has fewer features compared with other tools. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t be seen as a drawback. After all, it does a great job with the features it has to offer.
• The software can be synchronized with Google Calendar, iCalendar and Microsoft Outlook. For any other integrations, the software can be enabled through Zapier.
• It is free to use Hitask for up to 5 users and paid service begins from $5/user per month. All in all, this is a fair price for such simple, yet effective, product.
• Hitask can empower any remote working team by allowing them to sync up their tasks and projects.

3. Trello

• Trello provides a fun and flexible service, making it easy to track progress across various projects.
• Best suited for a simple workflow, Trello also has built-in workflow automation. This makes for a seamless service, allowing users to build ideas and projects effortlessly. However, what the service is lacking compared to alternate tools is a time tracking function.
• Users can make use of power-ups, enhancing the fluidity of task management. Power-ups can be attached to cards and cover a wide range of potential requirements, from voting polls to attachment previews.
• With over 150 integrations, Trello is well suited for combining with other task management apps.
• Trello offers a free version that is useful for personal organization, however, it is limited without access to any integrations. Pricing starts from $9.99/user per month which is a reasonable price for the service it offers.
• For any team working from home, Trello offers a charismatic and adaptable task management tool. It is an ideal collaboration tool for a specific project.

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4. Clickup

• This colorful service allows users to customize the presentation of tasks so that they can best understand the relevant information.
• Tasks can be reordered using a drag and drop tool, whilst colorful Gantt charts are employed for task planning. This makes for a very accessible and easy-to-follow task management tool.
• Clickup provides for all of your task management needs. Additionally, it makes the planning of recurring tasks more efficient. Users can carry over templates from previous tasks into new ones.
• The tool offers to track tasks or targets set by managers. These targets can then have time estimates allocated and if necessary, efforts can be split between employees.

• The software provides a wide range of native integrations. It is also compatible with many other task management software tools and so workflows can be easily integrated into existing projects.
• Its free version is available for unlimited users and provides up to 100mb storage. Paid subscriptions start from $5 and up, which is a very competitive price. Especially when considering that it offers much of what is available from other task management tools in this list and more.

5. Airtable

• The design and layout of Airtable are very aesthetically pleasing. By using images in kanban board tasks and the shared calendar, Airtable has a fun and very modern design. It also has nicely color-coded priority and category labels.
• Whilst the software is visually appealing, it can be difficult for beginners to access the full extent of Airtable’s abilities. There is such a range of options that it can be overwhelming to use. There are guides on their support website for users to learn to get to grips with the service. Which can fill in any knowledge gaps.
• With task scheduling, Kanban boards, color coding for task prioritization, comments, team calendars and file sharing. Airtable provides good coverage for the essential features of a task management software tool.

A kanban board is an agile project management tool designed to help visualize work, limit work-in-progress, and maximize efficiency (or flow). Kanban boards use cards and columns to help teams commit to the right amount of work (and get it done!).

• The software also provides an extensive range of pre-built project templates covering specific purposes.
• Airtable claims to have a robust API and has built-in support for many popular apps. Through using Zapier, Workato, Integromat and Automate.io users can connect to over a thousand websites and apps.
• The free version is available to an unlimited amount of users. It is important to note that neither the free version nor the first tier paid subscription offer integrations. The next tier subscription is $20/user per month which is significantly more than another tool on this list.
• On the other hand, Airtable offers a really impressive and vast range of templates. These could provide large enterprises with access to a whole host of varied task management tools.

6. Todoist

• With a simple and easy-to-follow layout, Todoist provides an efficient interface for task management. Labels and tasks can all be color-coded, overall Todoist provides a light and functional service.
• The software is very accessible and with time, more features will be discovered and can be applied.
• Todoist covers all of the basics for task management tools. The task-tracking software provides recurring due dates, task labels, reminders, email notifications and automatic backups. Furthermore, teams can collaborate on tasks via email.
• What stands out is Todoist’s ability to interpret and act on various shorthand commands. For example, “ev Mon” will set up a recurring reminder every Monday. Additionally, the automatic scheduler will also ask about rescheduling overdue assignments. It also learns from a user’s patterns of productivity at work to prompt them about deadlines at relevant times.

• With over 50 integrations, Todoist can be easily integrated with a good range of apps.
• The free version is available up to 5 users per project and 80 projects in total. After that subscriptions start from as little as $3/ user per month for projects of up to 25 people.

7. Pipefy

• Pipefy uses a simple Kanban-style interface. It has easily customizable workflows and pre-built templates that don’t require technical skills to implement.
• The service is very streamlined and so makes for an efficient and accessible task management tool. The software also offers various customizable templates that can be made according to the user’s needs.

• With an automated process management function, Pipefy provides users with all of the typical requirements of a task management tool. All users can view their company’s ‘pipelines’, keeping everyone in the loop for any project plans.
• Pipefy also provides deadline tracking and reports on bottlenecks and leverage insights. This encourages the development of a more efficient task management process.
• In terms of integrations available, there are some pre-existing apps, however, far more are enabled through using Zapier.
• This service is free to use for up to 10 users. As for paid subscriptions, pricing starts from $18/user per month. This is one of the more expensive services on the list, yet it is highly commended for its ease of use. The wide range of templates available makes for a very straightforward experience of making workflows and delegating tasks.

8. Glip

• This all-in-one task management software makes for an efficient and seamless service. The interface is clean and really easy to learn. Once a user logs in, everything that can be done with the app is displayed in front of them.
• One drawback might be that it’s all presented in the same color scheme. There are no color-coding or visual signaling options.
• Focused on collaboration, the intuitive software tool is very accessible for even the most novice users. Users can pick up the tool and start collaborating with their teams immediately.
• With discussion boards, team messaging video conferencing and real-time document collaboration. Glip empowers teams by keeping everyone on the same page. This software tool is heavily based on team projects. Consequently, whilst the sharing abilities are great, the individual task management services are fairly basic.
• Glip provides organizations with the opportunity to craft their own unique virtual culture. This has significant value for promoting a productive workforce.

• The software tool boasts an impressive list of integrations which makes it very easy to combine with other apps and tools.
• Unlike many software tools, Glip offers a lot of very practical features in its free version. For example, it even allows for an unlimited number of users and guests to collaborate on projects. The paid version starts at $5/user per month. This introduces more minutes on shared video chat along with 24/7 prioritized customer support.
• Glip is the best option for a remote working team with a lot of rotating staff. They can look to make use of the service for free

9. Monday.com

• With a colorful and attractive interface, Monday.com makes task management look easy. The service provides useful project visualization tools and overall is a very approachable platform.
• Monday.com provides very accessible and easy-to-use software tools. Novice users can follow the intuitive nature of its layout which is a great attribute.
• From automated workflows to managing workload balancing, Monday.com caters to all of the typical task management needs. It also has time tracking and timelines so that all team members can observe the progression of projects.
• Their remote working software enables users to create daily team tasks. Moreover, it centralizes all communication within the context of workflows and projects.
• In addition, Monday.com is well-equipped with over 50 integrations available to use with other well-known apps.
• There is no free version of this software tool, however, a company can make use of a 14-day free trial to determine whether the service is right for them. A basic subscription starts at $9/user per month, whilst the pro package is offered for $14/ user per month.
• Monday.com is a good option for any remote working team that wants to be able to easily track and develop workflows with some really nifty data projections.

10. Flow

• Flow is a vibrant software with an aesthetic platform for planning on any project. Each user can customize how they view lists, whilst all projects and tasks can be color-coded.
• With a strong use of Gantt charts, task setting is made very accessible and can easily be navigated by novice users.
• The task tracking software offers: drag and drop timelines, workflow management, workgroups, public and private projects along with a chat function to enable efficient communication about tasks on the platform. It allows users to retain all of the relevant files and data regarding the project neatly in one place.
• Using this software, users are also able to export entire projects, or individual task lists, for sharing or printing. This is beneficial for any individual who might not be able to access the software. This is the inclusive nature of the software tool. Another great additional feature is the ability for users to follow a specific task to get notified on progress and updates.
• Flow has over a thousand integrations. As a result, users will be able to connect files, workflows or anything else across various apps or platforms.
• There is not a free version of this software tool, however, you can do a 30=day trial. A basic subscription starts at $6/user per month, whilst the next tier subscription is $8/ user per month.
• Flow is a powerful and flexible tool that makes collaboration for remote working teams far easier. It provides users with almost all the features they could need to work productively and efficiently.