Simple project management tool for a freelancer with several clients

I’d start with Trello if you want a simple visual overview of several clients. It’s basically a set of digital boards, and the free plan allows up to 10 open boards—so you could make one per client. (support.atlassian.com)

Set up each board with columns like To do → In progress → Waiting on client → Done, then add tasks as cards with due dates and checklists. Keep each client’s work separate, and use a single “This week” board only if you need a cross-client view.

If you prefer a straightforward task list rather than boards, try Todoist; its free plan includes up to five personal projects. (todoist.com)

Quick pick: Trello for project stages and client work; Todoist for a lightweight list of tasks and deadlines.

For a freelancer with several clients, I'd start with Trello or ClickUp's free plan, and add invoicing software only if you need it.

• Trello (simplest): Sources describe it as a visual board tool. One suggested setup is a board per client, with columns for each stage of work, such as Brief, Drafting, Review, Approved, and Delivered. Its free plan is limited to 10 collaborators and 10 boards per Workspace, which is plenty for a handful of clients. Its main drawback is that it's only for simple projects.

• ClickUp (most room to grow): Its free tier is the most generous I found. Its free forever plan allows unlimited members and unlimited guests at no charge. It's also strong if you bill by the hour, since the Solo plan at $9.90 a month includes time tracking and invoicing, so logged hours can become the invoice without an export step. The downside is complexity. One review notes that it can seem overwhelming, though you can simplify it.

• Asana (structured, dependent tasks): Good when projects have deadlines and handoffs. Its free plan is very limited for client work: two users total means the first client you invite uses your only spare seat, so in practice Asana is a paid tool. Paid plans start around $10.99 per user per month.

• Todoist (solo, task-focused): If you mainly need a daily to-do list across clients, one reviewer says it has the lowest cost at $4/mo and no setup overhead. It's a weaker fit for sharing work with clients.

• Plutio or Bonsai (if invoicing matters as much as tasks): Plutio's Core plan at $19/month covers unlimited projects and clients. Bonsai replaces several standalone freelancer tools with one all-in-one package.

My recommendation: Start with Trello (one board per client) or ClickUp's free plan. If clients need to see progress or you bill hourly, consider Plutio or ClickUp Solo. Check current prices on each vendor's site before you commit, since sources disagree on exact figures and free-plan limits change often.

For a freelancer managing multiple clients, the best project management tool is one that minimizes "admin overhead"—meaning it doesn't take longer to manage the tool than it does to do the work.

When selecting a tool, look for cross-project visibility (seeing all your deadlines in one place) and the ability to separate client work without needing complex, multi-user setups.

Top Recommendations for Freelancers

How to Choose the Right Tool

1. Prioritize "Client Separation"

You need a system that keeps your clients distinct so you don't accidentally expose one client's project to another.

• Recommendation: Tools like Trello or Notion allow you to create separate boards or pages for each client while still maintaining a "master" view for yourself.

2. Avoid "Over-Engineering"

A common mistake freelancers make is choosing tools designed for large teams (like Jira or heavy versions of Monday.com), which often have steep learning curves and seat minimums.

• Check for seat minimums: Some platforms require you to pay for 3+ users even if you are a solo freelancer. Stick to tools that work perfectly with a single seat.

3. Focus on the "Everything" View

The biggest challenge with multiple clients is not losing track of what is due this week. Ensure your chosen tool has a Global View (a calendar, list, or dashboard) that aggregates all tasks from all client projects into one view.

A Simple "Pro" Strategy

If you find these tools still feel like "too much," try the Labeling Method:

• Use a single project list or board for all your work.
• Create a "Label" or "Tag" for each client (e.g., Client A, Client B).
• This keeps everything in one place, allows you to filter by client when needed, and ensures you can see your entire workload at a glance without switching between different apps or boards.

For a simple setup, I’d start with Trello: create one board per client, then use lists such as To do, In progress, Waiting on client, and Done. Its free plan includes up to 10 boards per Workspace, unlimited cards, and due dates—plenty for many solo freelancers. ¹

If you want more structured task lists and calendar views, try Asana Personal. It’s free and includes unlimited projects and tasks, with list, board, and calendar views. ²

Quick pick: Trello for the simplest visual workflow; Asana if you prefer a more organized task-and-deadline system. Both have free starting plans. ¹²

Tip: Keep client work separate, and avoid adding clients to a shared workspace unless you want them to see project details.