As a freelancer juggling multiple projects, I’ve come to rely heavily on project management tools. In this review, I’ll share my hands-on experience with monday.com, a popular work operating system that’s been making waves in 2024.
monday.com has gained a reputation for streamlining project management with its visually appealing interface and customizable workflows. I’ve thoroughly tested it, exploring its key features, AI capabilities, and pricing.
Throughout this review, I’ll break down the pros and cons based on real-world usage. I’ll explain how monday.com performs in various scenarios, from solo freelancing to team collaborations.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear picture of what monday.com offers and whether it’s the right project management solution for your needs.
First Impressions: Setting Up monday.com Account
Getting started, just as with any reputable resource out there, is very easy. With an email address, you just have to do a few clicks and you’ll be in. The interface is very friendly as a new user, and it guides you so that in a few minutes you’ll already have your first projects created and setted up.

What you see in the image was a sample project that monday.com helped me create to explain its main organizational features and how I will visualize the projects.
As someone who’s tested numerous project management tools, I can confidently say that monday.com stands out for its visual appeal and user-friendliness. The colorful, board-based layout is not just eye-catching but also highly functional, making it easy to grasp the basics quickly. You’ll feel comfortable with it from the get go.
Compared to other project management software I’ve used, monday.com’s learning curve feels significantly less steep. Within minutes, I was creating tasks, assigning team members, and customizing boards.
I started with the free version of monday.com, which offers a solid taste of the platform’s capabilities. While it’s limited in features compared to paid plans, it still provides enough functionality to manage basic projects effectively. I particularly appreciated the ability to create multiple boards and the variety of view options available, even in the free tier.

However, I did notice that some advanced features, like automations and integrations, were locked behind the paid plans. This is pretty standard for project management software, but it’s worth noting for those considering the free version for long-term use. Good news is, just by creating a new account, you’ll have access to a 14 day free trial of the pro plan, so you’ll get to enjoy all the benefits of monday.com while you try it out.
Overall, my first impressions of monday.com were very positive. Its intuitive design, coupled with a gentle learning curve, makes it an attractive option for teams of all sizes looking to streamline their project management processes.
Key Project Management Features: What Worked for Me
What I Use monday.com For The Most
As I dove into monday.com’s extensive feature set, several stood out as game-changers for my work:
- Customizable Boards: The ability to tailor boards to my specific needs was very useful. I could create columns for deadlines, priorities, and custom statuses, making it easy to track project progress at a glance.

And monday.com also integrates a huge catalog of columns for you to choose, so it’ll probably have what you need, no matter what your project is.

- Timeline View: This Gantt-style chart helped me visualize project timelines and dependencies, crucial for managing complex projects with multiple moving parts.

- Automations: Setting up automated actions, like status changes or notifications, saved me countless hours of manual updates.

- Integrations: Connecting monday.com with tools like Slack and Google Drive streamlined my work, keeping all project-related information in one place.

- Workload View: This feature is invaluable for balancing team assignments and preventing burnout. In my case as a freelancer who often works solo, I don’t need to use the feature very often, but for teams with many collaborators, this view will be a life saver and the tool to keep work balanced.

Boosting Productivity with monday.com: Project Management Solution
monday.com’s work management tools significantly improved my productivity in several ways:
- The visual nature of the boards helped me quickly identify bottlenecks and priorities. Learning how to use monday.com was very easy due to the visual nature of the platform.
- Automations eliminated repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more strategic work.
- For team projects, real-time updates keep everyone on the same page, reducing miscommunications and delays. monday.com helps teams work together efficiently.
Real-World Applications
I’ve found it particularly effective for tasks that I think might be common amongst freelancers. Here are some real examples:
- Content Calendar Management: I use a board to plan, track, and collaborate on blog posts and social media content.
- Client Project Tracking: Each client gets a dedicated board where we manage tasks, deadlines, and deliverables.
- Team Workload Balancing: The workload view helps me ensure no team member is overloaded or underutilized.
- Sprint Planning: For agile projects, I use monday.com to plan sprints, track user stories, and manage backlog items.
By leveraging these features, I’ve been able to use monday.com as a comprehensive project management solution that adapts to various work styles and project types
The Power of Automation and AI
monday.com’s intuitive automation builder allowed me to set up time-saving processes with just a few clicks. I created automations to assign tasks, send notifications for approaching deadlines, and update task statuses based on specific triggers. These tasks might seem very easy, but once you’ve automated them you’ll see how helpful it is to have monday do that for you.
One of my favorite automations is a rule that creates a set of subtasks whenever I start a new project. This ensures consistency and saves me from manually inputting repetitive information.
The AI-powered features have helped reduce errors and improve overall efficiency. Leveraging AI is a must nowadays, so having it integrated in a tool that also allows you to organize and manage your work is key. monday.com offers AI assistance for things like automations, template generations for texts, build formulas, generate emails and more.
Compared to other project management tools I’ve used, monday.com’s automation and integration capabilities are more robust and user-friendly. The wide range of pre-built automation recipes, combined with the ability to create custom workflows, sets it apart from competitors.
Visualizing Project Progress: Dashboards and Charts
I’ve already talked about it, but I feel that the visualization tha monday.com offers is one of the most important and useful things it has for its customers.
Creating dashboards in monday.com has been a game-changer for my project management process. The intuitive interface made it easy to set up custom projects, each with personalisable dashboards that give me a bird’s-eye view of all my work at once.

The Gantt chart feature has become my go-to tool for project planning. It allows me to visualize task dependencies, deadlines, and overall project timelines in a clear, colorful format. I can easily adjust timelines by dragging and dropping tasks, which has made scheduling much more flexible and responsive to changes.
Timelines have also proven useful for tracking project progress. They provide a quick snapshot of where we are in relation to our goals, making it easy to identify potential bottlenecks or delays.

These visual tools have significantly improved my project management process. They’ve made it easier to communicate progress to stakeholders, allocate resources more effectively, and even keep team members aligned on project goals and deadlines when I encounter a project that requires me to work with others.
Monday CRM: Managing Customer Relationships
monday.com has proven to be a versatile platform for customer relationship management, offering a specialized service to address CRM needs thoroughly. It’s called monday CRM, and although the platform is not included in the free plan, you do have a free 14 days trial to get to know it as soon as you create your account on monday.com.
Its customizable boards and automations allow for efficient lead tracking, deal management, and customer communication, and its interface is very similar to what you get in monday.com alone, so the learning curve is practically the same. Compared to dedicated CRM platforms, monday.com offers greater flexibility and integration capabilities, making it easier to adapt to unique business processes.

The pros include its intuitive interface, powerful automation tools, and seamless integration with other tools. On the downside, some users might find it less specialized for complex sales processes compared to traditional CRM solutions. Despite this, monday.com’s CRM capabilities continue to evolve, making it an increasingly attractive option for businesses seeking a flexible and integrated approach to customer relationship management, all in one place.
Collaboration and Team Management
As a freelancer, I tend to work on my own, but I have had the opportunity to experiment with monday’s collaboration features and I think they are significantly helpful for team projects, making the tool a viable option for businesses looking for one platform to centralize work amongst all employees.
The platform’s intuitive interface allows us to assign tasks, track progress, and communicate seamlessly within the context of each project. The @mention to tag team members in updates, ensures everyone stays informed, for example.
The workload view is a very thoughtful feature that will help to balance assignments across the team. Time tracking features have provided valuable insights into how to allocate efforts, in my case it has allowed for more accurate project estimations and improved productivity.
I appreciate how monday.com centralizes all team communication, eliminating the need for endless email chains. The ability to comment directly on tasks, share files, and update statuses in real-time has significantly reduced miscommunication and improved our overall efficiency.
monday.com Pricing: Is It Worth the Investment?
Breakdown of monday.com’s Pricing Structure
monday.com offers a range of pricing plans to suit different team sizes and needs:
- Free Plan: $0 for up to 2 users. Includes basic features like unlimited boards and over 200 templates. Ideal for individuals or small teams just starting out.
- Basic Plan: $12 per user per month . Offers unlimited free viewers, 5GB storage, and priority customer support. Best for small teams needing basic project management tools.
- Standard Plan: $14 per user per month. Includes timeline and Gantt views, guest access, and 250 automation actions per month. Suitable for growing teams requiring more advanced features.
- Pro Plan: $24 per user per month. Offers private boards, time tracking, and 25,000 automation actions per month. Perfect for larger teams needing comprehensive project management capabilities.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing. Includes advanced security features, tailored onboarding, and a dedicated success manager. Designed for large organizations with complex needs.
Once you sign up, monday.com allows an automatic 14 day free trial for the Pro Plan, which includes practically all features on monday.com, and after that you can choose which plan to subscribe to. Also, if you pay yearly instead of monthly, you’ll get an 18% discount!

My Thoughts on the Value of Different Plans
monday.com has a wide selection of plans. In my experience, the Basic plan offers the best value for most freelancers. It provides a good balance of features, including timeline views and automation capabilities, at a reasonable price point. The standard plan is best suited for smaller teams, and the Pro plan, while more expensive, is worth considering for larger companies or those needing advanced features including time tracking and private boards.
The Enterprise plan, with its custom pricing, is overkill for most organizations but can be valuable for large companies with specific security or integration needs. Overall, I find monday.com’s pricing to be competitive and flexible enough to accommodate various team sizes and requirements.
It is worth noting that although I recommend the Basic Plan for freelancers, I have really used features that come with the Standard Plan, like the timeline and Gantt views, so it also depends on your specific needs and budget.
monday.com Alternatives: How It Stacks Up VS Competitors
In my experience, monday.com accommodates many different needs across different work fields and needs, but it is important to also get to know what other alternatives are out there.
monday.com vs ClickUp
ClickUp and monday.com are both robust project management tools, but they cater to slightly different needs.
- Pricing: ClickUp starts at $7/user/month,
- Features: ClickUp offers more customization, monday.com has a more intuitive interface
- Best for: ClickUp might be more interesting to teams who love tinkering and need extensive flexibility, while monday.com can appeal to users prioritizing ease of use and visual project management
ClickUp shines with its extensive customization options and frequent feature updates. It’s ideal for teams who love tinkering with their tools and want a high degree of flexibility. On the other hand, monday.com offers a more streamlined, visually appealing interface that’s easier to navigate for less tech-savvy users.
monday.com vs Trello
Trello and monday.com take different approaches to project management.
- Pricing: Trello starts at $5/user/month
- Features: Trello focuses on Kanban, monday.com offers multiple views
- Best for: Trello can fit better smaller teams preferring a simple, card-based system. monday.com can also fit for larger teams needing comprehensive features and view options
Trello excels in simplicity and is particularly strong for visual thinkers who prefer a card-based system. monday.com doesn’t focus on one specific visualization, however, it offers more robust reporting and customization options.
monday.com vs Asana
Asana and Monday.com are both popular project management software options with similar pricing options.
- Pricing: Asana starts at $10.99/user/month, monday.com at $9/user/month
- Features: Asana excels in task management, monday.com in customizable dashboards
- Best for: Asana can work best for teams focused on detailed task management and workflow optimization, and monday.com for those needing flexible, visually customizable workspaces
Asana has a slight edge in task management capabilities, with things like dependencies and milestones available on lower-tier plans. monday.com provides more customizable dashboards and a wider range of data visualizations.
In the end, the best project management software depends on your team’s specific needs, work preferences, and budget constraints. Each of these tools has its strengths, and it’s worth exploring their free trials to see which fits your team best.
Pros and Cons: My Honest Opinion on This Project Management Platform
What I Love Most About monday.com’s Features
After using monday.com extensively, I’ve found several standout features that make it a powerful project management solution. Here are my top five pros:
- Intuitive Interface: The colorful, visually appealing layout makes it easy to grasp project status at a glance. I love how quickly I can navigate between boards and views.
- Customizable Workflows: The flexibility to create and adapt workflows to fit various project types is amazing. I can tailor boards for everything from content calendars to client management. monday.com is a powerful work management software for many projects and tasks.
- AI and Automation Capabilities: The ability to set up automated actions saves me countless hours on repetitive tasks. It’s particularly useful for status updates and notifications.
- Multiple View Options: Switching between Kanban, Gantt, calendar, and timeline views helps me visualize projects from different angles. This versatility is amazing for larger projects. monday.com makes it easy to see and understand everything that is going on with your projects in good detail.
- Robust Integrations: The seamless integration with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom enhances productivity, centralizing information and reducing context switching.
Areas Where I Think monday.com Falls Short
While monday.com is a strong work management platform, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are some cons I’ve encountered:
- Limited Free Plan: The free version is quite restrictive, supporting only two users and offering basic features. This makes it less appealing for small teams or individuals looking to test the platform extensively. Some of the features I enjoy and use the most come with pricier plans.
- Pricing Structure: The per-seat pricing model can get expensive quickly for growing teams. The minimum of three seats for paid plans might not suit very small teams or freelancers.
- Mobile App Limitations: While functional, the mobile app lacks some of the desktop version’s features and can be clunky to navigate, especially for complex projects.
- Reporting Capabilities: Although improving, the reporting features aren’t as robust as some monday.com alternatives. I sometimes find myself exporting data to create more detailed reports.
monday.com Work OS: What’s That?
monday.com’s Work OS is a versatile platform that goes beyond traditional project management. As a comprehensive work management tool, it offers a range of features that can be adapted to various business functions, allowing teams to create custom workflows for everything from marketing campaigns to HR processes.

The Work OS shines in its ability to centralize diverse tasks. For instance, I’ve used it to track sales pipelines, manage content calendars, and even coordinate product launches. Its customizable boards, automations, and integrations make it possible to tailor the platform to specific departmental needs.
What’s impressive is how monday.com can transform complex business processes into visual, easy-to-manage workflows. Now the thing is, each product is purchased separately, so yes, it is an advantage in terms of integration and centralization of processes across all fields of your work, but it requires a budget.
Mobile Experience: Can You Manage Projects on the Go?
Like many freelancers out there, I tend to be on the move quite frequently. I’ve found the monday.com app to be handy, as it lets me keep using the most common features on my phone, so I can keep my monday.com updated even away from my computer. While it doesn’t offer the full functionality of the desktop version, it’s still quite useful for quick updates and task management.
The app allows me to check project statuses, update tasks, and communicate with team members while traveling. Viewing my dashboards and receiving notifications on the go is very freeing for me, as I don’t feel tied to my desk while working.
However, compared to the desktop experience, the mobile app feels somewhat limited. Complex features like detailed reporting and advanced automations are better handled on a larger screen. The app’s interface is still clean, but doesn’t quite match the intuitive layout of the desktop version.
Despite these limitations, the monday.com app remains a valuable companion for basic project management needs when I’m away from my desk.
Is This Project Management Software Right for You in 2024? My monday.com Review Final Verdict
As a monday.com customer who’s conducted this in-depth review for 2024, I’d rate it highly for teams seeking a versatile, visually-appealing project management solution. It’s particularly beneficial for mid-sized businesses and organizations with complex workflows that need customizable boards and automation features. monday.com is easy to use, while also being one of the best project management tools out there, in my opinion.
However, I wouldn’t recommend monday.com for very small teams or solopreneurs on a tight budget, as the pricing options can be less cost-effective for them. Additionally, those requiring advanced Gantt chart capabilities might find it lacking.
After this comprehensive review, I believe monday.com is definitely worth trying, especially given their 14-day free trial. Its intuitive interface, powerful customization options, and robust feature set make it a strong contender in the project management space. If you’re looking to streamline your team’s workflows and improve collaboration, I’d encourage you to give monday.com a try and see how it fits your specific needs.