Solo entrepreneurs wear many hats. From managing clients and marketing campaigns to staying on top of admin work, having the right tools to organize daily tasks efficiently is crucial—but sprawling, complex enterprise tools like Jira or ClickUp often feel like overkill. That’s why many solo professionals love simple and effective tiny project management apps built with focus and usability in mind. These lightweight Kanban and task management tools offer just the right amount of structure without overwhelming features or steep learning curves.
TLDR:
If you’re a solo entrepreneur looking for a lightweight project or Kanban board app that’s simple, effective, and accessible on both desktop and mobile, you’re in luck. In this article, we explore six of the best apps used by freelancers, consultants, and solopreneurs to manage their to-do lists and workflows. These apps are praised for their minimal design, cross-platform support, and ability to keep productivity flowing without unnecessary bulk. Whether you’re a creative, coach, or indie developer, there’s a tool here to match your style of work.
1. Trello – The Visual Favorite
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Best for: Beginners and visual thinkers
Trello is the granddaddy of Kanban boards and still remains a go-to for solo entrepreneurs needing a clean and visual interface. Organized into boards, lists, and cards, Trello makes it easy to map out workflows—from marketing plans to client deliverables.
Its drag-and-drop interface is beginner-friendly, and you can customize your workflow with labels, due dates, attachments, and checklists. While it offers Power-Ups (add-ons) for additional features like calendar views or integration with Google Drive, even the free version is powerful enough for most solo use cases.
2. Notion – Flexibility Meets Function
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Best for: Multipurpose planning
Notion isn’t just a Kanban board—it’s an all-in-one workspace where you can build anything from a project tracker to a full knowledge base or content calendar. For solo entrepreneurs who love structure with flexibility, Notion can serve as a centralized hub for ideas, databases, and weekly planning.
Its drag-and-drop Kanban board acts as one of many “views” you can apply to a database, enabling you to toggle between list, calendar, or board formats. Need to link tasks to notes or database entries? Notion excels at turning scattered info into interconnected resources.
3. Todoist – A Minimalist’s Dream
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, browser extensions
Best for: Task-first solo workers
Todoist is a beloved task manager that’s strictly list-based, but it now offers a Kanban-style “Board” view for projects. This gives users who prefer linear, deadline-driven lists the ability to switch between views based on how they like to approach their work.
The simplicity of Todoist is what makes it powerful: you input a task and use natural language to set deadlines, priorities, or labels. It syncs everywhere, and its intuitive inbox allows you to capture ideas quickly and sort them later. Many freelancers use Todoist to manage daily goals, recurring admin work, and client projects all in one place.
4. KanbanFlow – Time-Tracked Productivity
Platforms: Web, iOS (via browser), Android (via browser)
Best for: Entrepreneurs who love Pomodoro or time tracking
KanbanFlow stands out because it integrates Pomodoro timers and detailed time-tracking logs with Kanban-style boards. This is incredibly useful for entrepreneurs who charge hourly or simply want insight into how their time is spent across tasks.
You can color code tasks, set dependencies, assign estimated durations, and even create subtasks—all while a Pomodoro or countdown timer ticks in the corner. While its interface may be a little more utilitarian than stylish, there’s no fluff—just function.
5. TickTick – For the Detail-Oriented Doer
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Best for: Task-trackers who love granularity
TickTick is often compared with Todoist but includes advanced features like habit tracking, built-in Pomodoro timers, and very detailed recurring task settings. It has both list and Kanban-style board views, making it ideal for solopreneurs who want a task manager that adapts to different project styles.
Its integrations with Siri, Google Assistant, calendars, and smart lists make managing daily and long-term objectives seamless. It’s perfect for people who need a powerful but easy solution without the learning curve of larger platforms.
6. Workflowy – Zen-like Lists with Tree Structure
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Best for: Outline thinkers and minimalist users
Workflowy is for those who think in outlines. Rather than Kanban boards, it offers a “zoomable” bullet list structure where each bullet can include subtasks, notes, tags, and comments. Although it doesn’t use columns or boards per se, Workflowy now has “Board View” modes that turn outlines into draggable cards.
This app appeals to solo professionals who prefer clarity and focus over visual complexity. If you’re the kind of entrepreneur who likes clean lists, nested subtasks, and hyper-focus on ideas one at a time, Workflowy is a great minimalist solution.
Choosing the Right Tool for You
Here are a few considerations to help you find the right tiny project app:
- Visual vs. List-based: Do you prefer Kanban-style boards (Trello, KanbanFlow) or linear task lists (Todoist, TickTick)?
- All-in-One vs. Simple: Do you need a flexible digital workspace (Notion), or do you just want a task manager (Todoist, Workflowy)?
- Time Tracking: Will integrated timers and efficiency data help you stay on task? Try KanbanFlow or TickTick.
- Offline capabilities: Most offer local apps with offline sync, but check based on how often you work on the go.
Each tool has its unique strengths, so the best approach is to try one or two and see what sticks. Many solo entrepreneurs often combine apps—for instance, using Notion for planning and documentation, while relying on Todoist or TickTick for granular daily task tracking.
Final Thoughts
Task management shouldn’t feel like a task itself—especially when you’re running an entire business on your own. The beauty of these tiny project and Kanban board apps is that they’re designed to help you stay nimble, creative, and focused without wading through a sea of features you don’t need. Whether you’re launching products, designing websites, or coaching clients, there’s a smart, small tool ready to support your hustle.
Keep it simple, stay productive, and build something great—one card, task, or timer at a time.
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