You already know that team management isn’t easy. From decision-making to resource allocation to communicating well, there’s so much that goes into managing a team of people—and as a small business trying to stay afloat in a competitive market, the stakes are high.
What you might not know (yet) is the best solution for your team management woes. Don’t worry: We’re here to help you out. These days, there’s a technology-driven answer for everything, and managing your team is no different.
There are numerous free project management software options available that offer flexibility and collaboration without any cost.
That’s where a good software for team management comes in. By using a platform that offers features like task assignments, workflow management, and progress tracking, you can reap major benefits, enjoying increased productivity, easier scalability, and team motivation.
Take a look at our breakdown of the five best team management software on the market today and what these platforms can do for you.
What is team management software?
At its most basic level, team management software is any digital platform that helps you organize and run your team so they can conduct business operations better and more efficiently. These software are often geared for a remote team, but also applicable for a team that works in-person or hybrid.
More specifically, this type of software usually includes features to help you do things like:
- Assign tasks
- Share files
- Track time or schedule team members
- Create workflows
- Communicate with team members
- Track and measure progress
- Create reports and analyze results
In your arsenal of team manager tools, a strong team management software or project management tool is a must.
How can team management software help your small business?
There are a variety of ways you might choose to incorporate team management software into your company’s usual day-to-day operations. You might focus on project management, using the software to manage projects, assign tasks to different team members, and track their progress. In other cases, you may find the software most helpful for time tracking, or for helping team members collaborate on various tasks. However you utilize the software, it’s a helpful method of bringing your team together in a single centralized place.
By using the best small team project management software you can find, you’ll enjoy benefits such as:
- Increased productivity. Your team will be more efficient as you help them collaborate on tasks, stay on track, and meet deadlines—ultimately leading to your business achieving the big-picture goals you’ve set.
- Full visibility and control. With these types of tools, you gain full transparency. Tasks, progress, and communication are all visible. You’re able to gain clarity and make sure everyone stays on track.
- Better engagement and motivation. A big part of managing a team well is making sure they’re motivated and engaged with the work they’re doing. Increase buy-in by using a management software to streamline tasks and make communication simple.
What to look for in team collaboration software
As you research the best software options for you, we recommend keeping the following features and capabilities in mind:
- Ease of use. Look for a software that has an intuitive interface and is simple to use, allowing for easy onboarding for your entire team—even those who might not be tech-savvy.
- Integrations. Many team management software integrate with third-party platforms such as calendars, communication tools, or productivity software. Connecting your group management software with the tools you already use makes life easier for your entire team.
- Security. Double check the software’s security and compliance, making sure your sensitive data will be protected. Encryption, access control, and application security are a few protocols to look for.
- Scalability. Team management software is a great way to get strategic with your small business, slowly increasing team workloads and project volume over time. Features that are specific to time management and resource allocation can help you scale and grow.
- Project planning. Ensure the software offers robust project planning features to help you organize and schedule tasks effectively.
With these in mind, let’s jump into the top team management software.
Best team management software
1. Homebase
First on our list of the best team management software is Homebase—the top employee scheduling and time tracking software with GPS. This all-in-one small business platform packs a powerful punch, encompassing everything you need for workforce management. From staff scheduling to onboarding to team communication and beyond, Homebase serves as a robust team collaboration tool with a full suite of features for businesses like yours to navigate team management with ease.
Key features:
- Stay organized with secure document and employee data storage
- Breeze through seamless hiring and onboarding, including job board integrations and automated welcome packets
- Keep track of employee performance analytics
- Boost team engagement via shoutouts, shift trading, and other engagement tools
- Make coordination easy with time tracking and scheduling tools
- Process payroll using integrated timesheets with automatic time tracking, paid and unpaid breaks, and overtime
- Stay connected on the go with the free mobile app
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Time tracking features
- Team communication support
- Extensive integrations
- Responsive customer support
- Easy onboarding
Cons:
- Limited project management tools
- No appointment scheduling features
Pricing: Free forever for one location with up to 20 employees, or plans start at $24.95/month/location.
What customers are saying:
“This makes scheduling our bar staff extremely easy and helps to track other payroll accounting data like start dates [and] hours.” — Marcus P.
2. Connecteam
Connecteam is a free project management tool and scheduling software that makes your job easier by providing customizable templates and unlimited checklists. With Connecteam, you don’t have to start from scratch—this team management software helps you get over the bump to start managing your daily operations more easily and efficiently.
Key features:
- Stay in the loop with team reminders and alerts for daily workflow management
- Enjoy easy onboarding with digital document management
- Use task management for automated processes, job assignments, and digital checklists
Pros:
- Highly intuitive
- Great functionality
- Innovation and improved features over time
Cons:
- No mobile app
- Some features are limited to add-on plans that cost extra
Pricing: Free for up to 10 users, or plans start at $29/month.
What customers are saying:
“I love that this solution is easy to use, is aesthetically pleasing, and is a great value for the cost.” — Kristina T.
3. Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling is a flexible scheduling and task management tool that makes it easy to manage multiple business locations, client payments, and your overall customer experience. It’s a good fit for appointment-based shift scheduling or recurring appointments.
Key features:
- Use Google Meet, Zoom, and GoToMeeting integrations for online meetings
- Send text message reminders and email blasts
- Offer appointment packages
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Simple user interface
- Easy to manage multiple calendars at once
Cons:
- No phone/live chat customer support
- Mobile app lacks some features/visibility
Pricing: Plans start at $16/month.
What customers are saying:
“Once things are set up—which can be as easy or as grueling as you want to make it—it’s just a seamless part of my life and business.” — Cory M.
4. Asana
Asana is the best team management software on the market for Kanban-style task scheduling. If you find it easy to organize and track tasks using a Kanban board—a visual workflow solution that helps your team streamline productivity—Asana would be a great fit for you.
Key features:
- Organize projects and tasks using the single shared work hub
- Build and monitor complex workflows to drive efficiency
- Manage your resources and strategically plan ahead
Pros:
- Easy to see scope of work
- Seamless integrations
- Team collaboration
Cons:
- Excess features make the platform difficult to learn
- Expensive for larger teams
Pricing: Free forever, or plans start at $10.99/month/user.
What customers are saying:
“I use Asana every day of the business week. Out of all the CRMs I’ve used, this one has to be my absolute favorite.” — Annie V.
5. TIMIFY
TIMIFY is a free resource tracking and scheduling software for small businesses. Optimize your efficiency with smart resource allocation, track project progress, and use TIMIFY’s scheduling features for adaptable omnichannel booking.
Key features:
- Use the shared professional calendar for team transparency
- Manage flexible working and booking hours
- Make your services bookable online
- Enjoy automatic data syncing across devices
Pros:
- Great customer support
- Fairly simple to use
- Highly flexible
Cons:
- Mobile app can be clunky
- Calendar integrations don’t work well
Pricing: Free forever or plans start at $25/month
What customers are saying:
“Fast and reliable management of workflow, especially the daily timetable!” — Gerhard B.
Streamline your team management with Homebase
Team management software can help your small business see better productivity, increased engagement, clearer communication, and more. And with an intuitive interface, team communication support, and a free mobile app, we recommend Homebase as the best team management software for project managers and small businesses alike. Try Homebase for free to see how we can make work easier.
