Managing a retail or wholesale business means juggling tasks like tracking inventory, coordinating schedules, and meeting customer demands. Staying organized is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and driving revenue.
Task management software simplifies these processes, helping businesses streamline operations, improve collaboration, and ensure key tasks—like restocking, processing orders, or launching promotions—are completed on time.
With rising costs being one of the biggest problems for businesses, finding free task management software can not only enhance productivity but also reduce expenses, and focus resources on core business goals. Whether you run a boutique, a retail chain, or a wholesale operation, the right software can transform your workflow. To help you succeed, here are the top 5 free task management software for retail and wholesale in 2025.
Why task management software is essential in retail and wholesale
Task management tools have become essential for businesses aiming to streamline operations and enhance productivity. Below are key reasons why this software is vital for success in both retail and wholesale:
Streamlined Operations: Task management apps coordinate daily activities, ensuring efficient order fulfillment and inventory management.
Enhanced Collaboration: Teams in retail and wholesale can work together effectively through shared task lists, improving communication and reducing misunderstandings.
Task Prioritization: Managers can prioritize urgent tasks, ensuring critical activities are completed promptly.
Real-Time Monitoring: Managers can track task progress in real time, allowing quick adjustments to workflows to meet deadlines.
Accountability and Ownership: Assigning specific tasks fosters accountability, motivating team members to fulfill their responsibilities.
Automated Recurring Tasks: Task management tools can automate repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing manual effort.
Improved Customer Satisfaction: Efficient task management leads to smoother operations, enhancing customer experiences with timely deliveries and well-stocked shelves.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Free task management software eliminates the financial burden of expensive tools, making it accessible for small businesses or those looking to streamline their operations without added costs.
What to consider when choosing free task management software
Choosing the right free task management tool improves your team's efficiency and productivity. To find the perfect fit for your retail or wholesale business, keep these essential factors in mind:
User-Friendliness: Choose software with an intuitive interface for task creation to ensure easy navigation and minimize distractions.
Integration: Ensure seamless integration with existing tools like CRM systems and accounting software for a cohesive workflow.
Task Tracking Features: Look for essential features such as deadlines, reminders, and task assignments to keep your team organized, especially for project tasks like merchandise planning.
Collaboration Tools: Choose free task management software that includes communications tools. Instant messaging, file sharing, and real-time update features should be included.
Scalability: Select a solution that can grow with your business, offering advanced project management features to handle larger projects.
Cost: Evaluate the value of free task management software by reviewing the included features and looking for any hidden fees. Look for software that supports unlimited tasks.
Specialized Features: Seek tools tailored for retail and wholesale tasks, such as inventory management and sales tracking, to enhance operational efficiency.
Task Automation: Automation can streamline repetitive tasks, allowing staff to focus on more strategic responsibilities.
Data Synchronization: Ensure real-time data synchronization across platforms to maintain a cohesive workflow and keep all team members aligned on action items.
Top 5 free task management software for retail and wholesale at a glance
5 best free task management software for retail and wholesale in 2025
1. Lark
For retail and wholesale businesses, where task coordination and seamless communication are key, Lark’s all-in-one superapp is designed to keep teams connected. Whether you're managing inventory, tracking vendor orders, or planning a sales campaign, Lark ensures your team completes tasks on time.
With Lark, you get more than 13 free tools, including Lark Base, Lark Tasks, and Lark Messenger, all designed to meet your task management needs.
All of Lark’s tools are seamlessly integrated with its built-in collaboration features, including chat, video calls, and collaborative docs. This makes it the perfect free task management software for retail and wholesale teams working together on tasks across multiple locations.
Key features of Lark
Free access to Lark’s 13+ products, including Lark Base, Tasks, and Messenger.
Complete task management solution available on desktop, mobile, and web.
Fully customizable free task management software with the ability to tailor permissions for different team members.
Intuitive interface designed to display both personal tasks and complex projects.
Free task templates and project templates to kickstart your retail or wholesale projects.
Data visualization tools, with multiple views and dashboards.
Automation features remove repetitive tasks for your team.
Limitations of Lark
Lark has the widest variety of advanced features. However, you may need to visit Lark's YouTube channel and the Lark Help Center to master all the features.
While Lark integrates with the majority of tools, it lags behind some competitors.
Pricing
Starter: Free forever for up to 50 users.
Pro: $12/month per user
Enterprise: Contact Sales
Reviews
2. Asana
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For retail and wholesale teams juggling multiple priorities, Asana provides the flexibility and structure teams need to manage tasks effectively. Whether your team is tracking sales campaigns, scheduling shifts, or managing vendor relationships, Asana’s robust free task management software helps keep everything on track.
Asana allows tasks to be organized in various views, including lists, Kanban boards, and calendars, making it easy for retail managers to visualize workflows. Wholesale businesses can use Asana to manage large-scale orders, deadlines, and team responsibilities. Its integrations with tools like Slack, Dropbox, and Shopify make it a powerful addition to any retail or wholesale tech stack.
Key features of Asana
Boards and cards for task organization and visualization.
Easy drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to use for everyone.
Checklists, due dates, and collaboration tools.
Wide variety of templates for task management.
Over 300 integrations that allow you to track work across the tools you already use.
You can create unlimited tasks for your team.
Limitations of Asana
Limited features in the free version.
No time tracking feature for tasks, which may be crucial for retail and wholesale.
Pricing
Free plan available for up to 10 collaborators.
Paid options start at $10/month per user.
Reviews
3. Trello
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For retail and wholesale teams that thrive on visual organization, Trello is the perfect free task management software. Its Kanban-style boards allow businesses to track workflows and tasks at a glance, making it an excellent choice for managing inventory, vendor orders, or promotional campaigns.
Trello’s easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface enables retail managers to organize tasks like restocking shelves or processing orders into customizable columns. Wholesale businesses can also use Trello to track large-scale shipments or monitor vendor communication. Trello’s Butler automation eliminates repetitive tasks, while integrations with tools like Google Drive, Slack, and Shopify make it even more versatile for retail and wholesale operations.
Key features of Trello
Trello allows your team to collaborate on tasks by adding, editing, or moving cards on a shared board.
Known for its user-friendly interface, which includes drag-and-drop functionality.
Kanban-based task tracking software. Ideal for teams that like to visualize their tasks.
Customizable boards based on your team’s preferences.
Checklists, labels, and team collaboration features.
Trello’s AI-powered automation, called Butler, can automatically move cards, assign tasks, set due dates, and more.
Limitations of Trello
The free version only includes limited integrations and features.
The file upload limit is 10 MB per attachment for free members. Combining large task files with Trello is difficult unless you make a financial investment.
Pricing
Free version available for up to 10 collaborators.
Premium plans start at $10/month per user.
Reviews
4. Monday
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Retail and wholesale businesses looking for a highly customizable solution will love Monday’s task management app. The platform allows teams to design workflows tailored to their operations, whether it’s managing inventory, tracking vendor orders, or organizing seasonal promotions.
Its vibrant interface makes it easy to visualize tasks using boards, timelines, and calendars, ensuring that your team is on the same page. Retail teams can use it to track sales goals and promotions, while wholesale businesses can manage supplier relationships and order fulfillment.
Key features of Monday
Customizable dashboards let you display and track project data in a way that works best for your team.
Offers a variety of project management tools and templates that make it easy to get started on any project or task.
It includes over 200 automation options.
It integrates with over 200 apps.
Variety of automation options to help streamline your workflow.
Limitations of Monday
Unlike competitors such as Lark, there is no internal communication feature. Therefore, your team will need to rely on third-party tools to chat.
Pricing escalates with additional features such as time tracking.
Pricing
Free plan available for up to 2 users.
Paid plans start at $8/month per user.
Reviews
5. ClickUp
Image source: clickup.com
For retail and wholesale teams looking for an all-in-one productivity platform, ClickUp offers a robust task management app for both personal tasks and projects.
ClickUp’s multiple task views (list, board, or calendar) make it easy to organize workflows like inventory tracking, sales campaigns, or vendor communications. Its integrations with over 1,000 apps allow teams to connect all their tools in one place. For wholesale businesses, time tracking and reporting features are useful for monitoring large-scale operations.
Key features of ClickUp
Stores project information in a tree-like structure that allows you to organize tasks into spaces, folders, and lists.
There are 14 task views, including list, board, and calendar views.
A wide variety of free templates are available.
You can access ClickUp through your browser, the desktop app, or mobile.
Create task dependencies and use time tracking.
Limitations of ClickUp
The free version is only available for up to 1 user. Therefore, it may be better suited for personal use.
ClickUp offers fewer language options than other competitors. For example, you cannot use the software in Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Japanese, or Korean.
Pricing
Free version available for up to 1 user.
Paid plans start at $7/month per user.
Reviews
Compare Lark vs. ClickUp
Conclusion
Free task management software is essential for retail and wholesale businesses to stay organized, improve collaboration, and deliver exceptional customer experiences at no extra cost. Among the top options, Lark stands out as the best free task management software available. Its powerful combination of task management, real-time communication, and built-in analytics makes it a perfect fit for fast-paced industries.
The ability of Lark to integrate seamlessly with retail and wholesale tools, paired with its cloud-based flexibility, ensures that retail and wholesale teams can stay ahead of the competition. Sign up for Lark today and experience a free task management tool that can transform your business operations in 2025.
Free task management software FAQs
What’s the difference between task management and project management?
Task Management in the retail and wholesale industry focuses on organizing and executing specific tasks, such as inventory checks and restocking. It involves assigning responsibilities, setting deadlines, and tracking progress on daily or recurring activities that support larger operational goals.
Project Management, on the other hand, encompasses managing entire projects, like store openings or promotional campaigns. It includes planning, executing, monitoring, and closing projects with defined objectives, timelines, and budgets, requiring the coordination of multiple tasks and stakeholders.
Task management and project management are often used interchangeably. Therefore, choose free task management software that supports both. This will help you effectively manage personal tasks and broader projects, maximizing efficiency in your operations.
Is free task management software free forever?
While many task management tools offer free versions, only a few explicitly state on their website that their free version will remain free forever. Both ClickUp and Lark provide free plans that you can use indefinitely.
However, your choice may depend on your specific needs. For instance, ClickUp's free plan is available for up to 1 user, making it suitable for individual use. In contrast, Lark’s free version supports up to 50 users, making it a better option for task managers, project managers, and teams needing free task management software.
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